Field Engineering Training on Forest Watershed Management

ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Regional Centre, Udhagamandalam, organizing thirteen-day capacity building programme on “Field Engineering Training on Forest watershed management” for the Assistant Conservator of Forests from 22nd September to 04th October 2016 at IISWC Regional Centre.

Shri. Srinivas R. Reddy, IFS Project Director, HADP and Field Director, Mudumalai Wild Life Sanctuary, in his inaugural address, said managing soil and water resources in the forest reserve will increase the water resources in hills as well as in plains. Hence, forest officials have the major role in managing soil and water resources in forest reserve and have to be treated based on the watershed concept.

Dr. K. Ilango, IFS, Central Academy for State Forest Service highlighted in his special address that the ground water is depleting day by day due to over exploitation and it is the time to concentrate on artificial recharge. He also emphasised the importance of forest reserves in providing water for agricultural and industrial development in the country.

The objective of the training programme is to improve knowledge and skills in planning and implementing watershed development projects in forest areas. The training module consists of lectures on site selection and design of soil conservation structures, drainage line treatments, water harvesting and recharge structures, application of GIS in watershed management and benchmark survey for watershed planning.

About 36 officer trainees of State Forest Service from Gujarat, Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir are participating in this training programme.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Regional Centre, Udhagamandalam)