A short course on Soil and Water Conservation and Watershed Management

Dehra Dun, 7 February 2017.

Dr P.K. Mishra (Director, IISWC) was speaking in valedictory session of 4 Months Certificate Course on ‘Soil and Water Conservation and Watershed Management’ that was started on 8 October 2016 at Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (IISWC). Dr Mishra said that all the passing out 24 officer trainees from 10 states are our ambassadors in their working areas for promoting soil and water conservation technologies. Watershed development is one of the priority areas for natural resources conservation and management. The Director (IISWC) added that land degradation and restoration will be focussed through following integrated watershed management approach. The major focus on designing of soil and water conservation measures is to be given in such trainings. Different innovative ways and means for upgrading the knowledge and skill of the officer trainees should be adopted by the resource persons.  Online software developed by the IISWC for planning and designing engineering structures may be promoted among development functionaries. Convergence of different national schemes like ‘Prime Minister Kisan Sinchai Yojana’, ‘National Horticulture Mission’ and other developmental programmes required to be strengthened to utilize and share the available natural and trained human resources.

In valedictory session, Shri Kapil Lal (Project Director, Watershed Management Directorate, Dehra Dun) Chief Guest highlighted watershed development in integrated way for livelihood security. Shri Lal urged the officer trainees to utilize their experience and knowledge gained during this training in the field situation. People should be part of the watershed projects for their sustainable development in changing climatic scenario. He stated that adapting and mitigating measures should be adopted during varied weather and climate change. Springshed development proposals may be submitted for funding under Green fund. There is need to focus on converting rainfed area in to irrigated area, so that we can have surplus and think about market access. Shri Lal distributed course completion certificates to all the officer trainees. Besides, based on outstanding performance, 8 merit certificates were also awarded to the participants.

Dr Lakhan Singh (Head, HRD & Social Science Division) said that trainees were provided an opportunity to conduct independent benchmark survey on engineering, hydrology, soils, forestry, agronomy, livestock and human aspects for realistic watershed planning. Majority of officers were found fully confident for watershed planning after attending this training. 73% training needs of officers were fulfilled as perceived by them. Overall 120% gain in knowledge was observed. In final result, 81.4% aggregate mean score was obtained by the participants.

(Courtesy: English Editorial Unit)