Historical Perspective of Watershed Management in India: A Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) based Assessment

Abstract

Watershed management activities are carried out with an aim to keep natural resources from deteriorating that ultimately safeguard ecological balance as well as consistent economic growth. In this paper, some important peculiarities of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) procedures for watershed management have been comprehensively summarized. PRA's mission is to develop professionals, universities and state agency officials, and local communities to create context-appropriate programs. Several governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have also been engaged in ongoing participatory watershed initiatives that have shown to be productive. PRA components include methodology, performance, and attitude, as well as exchanging ideas with other beneficiaries. PRA works was employed in semi-structured interviews and transect walks, timelines, wealth matrices, and other tools. Soil erosion, erosion management technologies, soil moisture conservation, groundwater recharge, soil fertility and performance, crop and cropping patterns, agricultural profitability, non-arable agricultural production, and community wellbeing were all investigated in the PRA. The lack of cooperation among donors, government entities, and non-governmental organization is the biggest hurdle to applying this strategy. Emerging technologies, such as the role of geographic information systems (GIS), are becoming more common, with a significant impact on farmers socioeconomic conditions.