GUJARAT STATE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AGENCY (GSWMA) 

Watershed Development Programme in Semla 

Rajkot, Gujarat 
 
Shyamakant Pradhan 
 
Technical Expert, DWDU, Rajkot 

 
 Increasing water scarcity, i.e. the available water resources in a country in relation to its
growing population, has led to strong international calls for sustainable development of our
limited water resources. Making water available to meet the demands of growing population
without disturbing the environment has emerged as one of the primary resource issues that need
to be addressed. A useful strategy to augment the available water resources may be to harness the
large amount of monsoon surplus water through suitable watershed development programme.

The watershed approach is the principal vehicle for transforming the rain fed agricultural
technology into a remunerative vocation. It enables a holistic development of agriculture and
allied activities in the watershed area through various kinds of land uses and supporting such
land use activities by the water augmented through watershed development programme. The
watershed development activities directly interact with the local hydrology and results in
improved ground water storage, base flow and surface storage, all of which can be used
judiciously for irrigation.

As far as state Gujarat is concerned, the state has diverse hydrological conditions. Some
part of it blessed with excessive rainfall and some part scantily, like district Rajkot. Cyclic
droughts are common in this part of Saurastra region. The state has also drinking water scarcity
and most part of Rajkot faces acute drinking water problem.

The Government of India (GoI) adopted watershed management as a strategy to address

the sustainable agricultural productivity in the rainfed areas since the last three decades. Further
GoI has adopted watershed management as a national policy since 2003. The case study region
of Saurastra is characterized by low, erratic and undependable rainfall with low productive soils.
Scarcity of water for agricultural and domestic purpose remains a major problem in the region
and has led to low crop productivity and environmental degradation. Decline in per capita
agricultural production has seriously affected food security and livelihoods of people.

In such circumstances, Ministry of Rural Development sponsored the scheme Desert

Development Programme (DDP) which is being implemented by Commissionerate of Rural
Development (CRD) Gandhinagar in state level and DRDA at dist level. Through this study an
attempt is made to study the on-site impact of considerable water harvesting measures
implemented at Semla watershed, in Rajkot district. Total area of 500 ha was treated in Semla
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village under watershed programme DDP-10 (batch) implemented through Taluka Panchyat,
Gondal as Project Implementing Agency (PIA), starting in the year of 2004-05.

This paper focuses on Watershed Development Programme implemented in the drylands of

Village Semla, Dist-Rajkot and its impact.

The specific objectives of the paper are as follows:

(1) To analyse the impact of water harvesting structures on crop yields

(2) To assess the impact of water harvesting structures on ground water level.

Semla micro-watershed (Taluka: Gondal, District: Rajkot) covering geographical area of

932.50 ha is situated near Rajkot- Porbandar highway in semi-arid Saurashtra region, The micro
watershed having codes of 5G1B8c1a and 5G1B8c1b is surrounded by Pachiavadar, Hadamtada
villages.

It has a population of 1489 comprising of Patels, Darbar, Rabaris, Devi pujaks and
Harijans making it a conglomerate of multiple groups. There are 234 families in the village. The
average annual rainfall of of Gondal taluka is 693 mm. Nearly 90 % of the geographical are is
comprised of shallow to medium deep black cotton soils having depth up to 0.6-0.75 mt of top
soil. Rest 10 % is either sandy loam or moorum soil with slightly reddish to very brown in
surface colour. By large soils are well drained with moderate water holding capacity. The
physiography of watershed is gentle to moderate slope with an average slope of 1–2%. The land
slope in upstream region is low (1.0%) and increases as it approaches downstream (2%). Farmers
reported that soils are deeper near (1.0–1.25m) between Semli and Khodiyar streams, and also in
the upper portion where the slope is around 1% and lower region have very shallow to medium
deep (0.15m to <1.0m) in the portion with comparatively higher slopes (about 2%).

To implement the project, meeting of all the villagers were several times held to discuss
the the importance of development of village that can be achieved by adopting this scheme of
watershed are development was explained to them. The village formed a watershed development
society christened ‘Semla Watershed Samiti’ for the purpose of implementing watershed
activities. An important element was encompassing all villagers as members of the institution,
developing village specific rules and regulations for managing their institution and resources

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towards sustenance. A Project Report was prepared after due discussions with villagers and user
groups.

Construction of water harvesting structures was initiated in the year 2004. Initially, the
WC with the strong support of President had to convince the farmers to build the first water
harvesting structure. After realizing the benefits, it received full support and cooperation from
the villagers. At present there are 21 structures comprising of check dams, causeways-cum-check
dams and different other structures and 3 self help groups (SHG) were formed with a total cost of
Rs 25.25 lacs.
Table 1: List of watershed related activities undertaken through WC and PIA
Sl No Type of work Quantum of work (in different units)
1 Masonry Water harvesting structures 19 no
(Check dams)
2 Cause way cum checkdam 2 no
3 Gramvatika 1 no
4 Bori bandh 2 nos
5 Fodder Kits 15 beneficiaries
6 Agro-Forestry/Horticulture plantation 35 beneficiaries
7 Kitchen garden Kits 50 beneficiaries
8 Vermi wash 2 beneficiaries
9 Organic/Composting material 20 beneficiaries

For Agro-forestry and Horticultural plantation a special meeting was held during project
implementation where the beneficiaries discussed the suitable species and logic behind crop
selection for a particular variety that can be grown in different patches of a land.

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 Table 2: Location-specific land-use planning models
Agro forestry
Location Suitable species Logic
treatments
Homestead
Near well High value fruit trees Mango, Lemon, Guava etc. Water availability is high
Near Kitchen High nutrition value, Papaya, Drumstick, Mainly nutritional crops for
short duration small Seasonal vegetables. self consumption grown in
fruit tree, vegetables the small space available
near the kitchen (kitchen
garden concept)
On Farm
Farm Bund Fast growing Maize, Glyceridia and Short trees are grown on
multipurpose local Grasses farm bunds so that the crops
species used for fodder, in the adjacent fields are not
fuel wood, green affected adversely.
manuring as well as Moreover, the height is
fruit enough to act as a wind
break to protect the crops on
the agricultural plot. They
also help stabilise the bunds.
Farm Fast growing locally Neem, Ber, Jatropha, Amla, Locally prevalent sturdy
boundary available species used Pongamia, and Jamun, etc. plants aroused along the
for fodder, fuelwood, boundary to protect the field
timber and fruit. from animals.
They are also a wind break.
Cropping Agricultural crops/ Use crops suitable for the area Agricultural practices suited
area forages with crop rotation and to drylands. The principle is
intercrop concept (Maize, that land best suited for
Castor, Bajra, Cotton, Wheat, agriculture should be used
Tuar etc.) for improved varieties based
on the local germplasm.

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Culturable Locally available Neem, Ber, Amla, Jatropha, The idea is to improve the
wasteland dry land fast growing Subabul and local grasses etc. productivity of such lands
sturdy species; (trees/ and also to treat the
shrubs/ grasses) watershed.

Impacts of Check/stop dams

Check dam No-20: This is a cement masonry structure having length 40 mt and height of 1.6
mt, located downstream of another cement structure constructed by Irrigation Dept. in the Semli
stream with a cost of Rs 1.98 Lac. With the help of this structure the total length of the water
body in the stream will become nearly 0.5 km with a pondage of 25000 cumec of water, and help
to make the stream perennial. This structure is situated near to the fields of Upad Bhai Viradia
and Kanta Bhai Timpadia and irrigate to land of another seven farmers with a total land of more
than 23 ha. These total nine farmers can irrigate their fields by pumping from the downstream
side appron provided in the dam. Also due to protective irrigation average production of
groundnut and cotton increased per ha of land and as a result income also increased.

Fig.1 Check dam No: 20

Check dam No-4: This is also a cement structure situated in the main stream Semli with a cost
of Rs 1.97 Lac. This is the third water harvesting structure in a series in the same stream. The
concept is of constructing number of structures in a series to harvest the seepage of one structure

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by the other, to extend the life of stream. The location is ideal for a masonry structure, as the
stream has base flow till the month of January. Locally available stones/boulders are used to
make the structure cheaper by reducing cost of transport. This has also increased the labour
component to about 25% of the total cost. Thus, the employment component of the masonry
structure has been enhanced.

Pitambar Parmar and Dharamsi Biredia both have 2.4 ha of cultivable land respectively, having
black cotton soil with shallow top soil. Before the watershed project, maize, jowar and til used to
be sown over almost in all area of land in the Kharif season. There was no second crop. Thus
food security was an impossible dream for the family. Farmers used to sow Jowar, Maize, Tuar
and Tilli on the major portion of his land and then leave it to the rains. After the Kharif harvest,
the land was left uncultivated. The availability of protective irrigation has made it possible for
Pitambar bhai, Dharamsi to take farming as the main occupation. Another farmer Gena bhai
Parmar, another beneficiary of the check dam also grow cash crops like groundnut and cotton
along with food grains during the Kharif season in his 1.6 ha of land. For the initial irrigation to
cotton crop he pumps water from the downstream side and when water water stops flowing over
the dam he uses his well for irrigation. For the first time in his life, in 2004-05, he took a second
crop, wheat during Rabi as, well water level increased due to recharge by nearby check dam. By
2006 he was growing vegetables and fodder as third crop. Since fodder is no longer a problem,
Gena bhai now keeps milch cattle and milk production is an additional source of income.
Availability of irrigation from check dam and increased water table in the well throughout the
season all the beneficiaries are taking second crop as wheat and fodder in summer season.

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 Fig.2 Check dam No: 4

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Check dam No-14: The dam is 16 m long and 1.5 mt high constructed in Lilvidi River. The
catchment area of this dam is nearly 20 ha. It has a storage capacity of nearly 9,000 cum. This
dam is situated on the upstream side of the village, recharging around 3 wells through
percolation. One of the beneficiaries Nirubhai Jadeja was interviewed as he is taking direct
benefit from the dam.

Niru bhai Jadeja has 3.2 ha out of which 2.4 ha was completely unirrigated before project
interventions. For Niru bhai, the past years have been difficult times. Productivity of the land has
significantly gone down due to lack of irrigation. Cotton/Groundnut flushes have been poor and
wheat production low. They had dug a well on their land but this well yielded less water.

The DDP-10 th batch supported drought proofing project, through Taluka Panchyat,
Gondal as PIA constructed a fresh check dam near to his field which brought about significant
changes in his family’s life. Water from the nearby check dam and also due to increased water
availability in his well, enabled him to increase the area under his second crop of wheat after
groundnut from 0.5 ha to 2 ha in the Rabi season. At the same time he is also taking Garlic and
vegetables as inter cropping.

With the water in this well he was able to give 2 irrigations to the cotton crop spread over
2 ha of land. Whereas earlier he could not irrigate even once. The interventions made with
Taluka Panchyat's support have safeguarded his against some of the worst ravages of uncertain
rainfall.

Now, after all project interventions, the irrigated area has gone up to 3 ha. Of this, 2 ha is
devoted to cotton, 1 ha for Ground nut in the Kharif season, which received protective irrigation.
Wheat was grown over 2 ha in the Rabi of 2008-09. They were able to give 2 watering to this
wheat crop. They are expecting around 35 to 40 quintals of wheat this year while before the
project, their total wheat harvest was around 25 to 28 quintals per hectare.

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 Fig.3 Check dam No: 14

Undoubtedly the stop dams have contributed to the family’s total income by providing
additional irrigation benefits fully or partially. Of the total irrigated area of 205 ha (29% now)
under Stop/Check dam 78 ha (11%) was already under irrigation before the construction of the
stop dam as the farmers were drawing water from the flowing rivulets/ nallahs. However, the
availability was always scarce, resulting in poor crop productivity and failure of crop. The
construction of stop dam has ensured supplementary irrigation during Rabi. So total area of 127
ha land has come under the direct irrigation because of the check dams during Rabi season.
Almost in all cases there were two additional watering accrued to the farmers, normally for the
first two irrigation in the beginning (November – December) for cotton and groundnut in the
Rabi season.

There has been irrigation benefits accrued indirectly through the sub-surface and ground
water recharge to the dug wells and bore wells in the downstream (within 500 meters) of the stop
dam to another 30 ha of land. As per farmers, the water level in the dug wells and bore wells has
increased significantly in the post construction of water harvesting structures.

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Impact on ground water level

Before the construction of water harvesting structures, recharging of the wells were found
to be very low because of poor management of rainfall and runoff water during monsoon period.
The water in the well was being utilized once or twice during the Rabi season and it dried up
before the summer season. The majority of the cultivated area is occupied by cotton and wheat. It
was not possible to increase the depth of wells beyond a limit due to encounter of rocks in some
wells. But after 21 nos of water harvesting structures constructed with a total surface storage capacity
(of all the water harvesting structures) of 475000 cumec the average water level increased. As
many as 238 open wells existed in 2002-03, with very poor yield with an average water column
of 3.5 m in 2003, but presently there are 274 wells with mean water column of 4.7 m. The total
recharge taking place through natural and water harvesting interventions is greatly affected by
the amount of rainfall, its intensity, duration of monsoon, ground and sub-surface characteristic
(i.e., percolation rate and runoff coefficient).

To study the water table variation before and after implementation of watershed project,
static water table data were collected from dug wells situated in village Semla with respect to
cropping season. Water levels data were collected from wells before and after the structures were
constructed, funded by GoI and GoG under the scheme DDP-10. Water-level fluctuations during
cropping season were plotted and represented below for all the three wells.

Genabhai Parmar has landholding of 1.6 ha did not yield much. There was no water to
irrigate his parched land as his well with water level 2.42 meter deep in the winter season (for the
Rabi crop) and 1.32 meter in the summer season. It was never sufficient to water their wheat
crop which they aspired to grow. Due to check dam constructed near his field the level of water
in the well increased. Post-project measured water level was 3.93 mt and 2.12 mt in winter and
summer respectively. A clear increase of water level in the well, around 62% in winter and 55%
in summer was obtained. This gave a boost to their wheat harvest and fodder as third crop.

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 Fig.4 Recharged well of Gena bhai Parmar

Variation of Water level
7

6
Water  table in open well (mt)

4
Pre‐Project
3
Post‐project
2

0
Kharif Rabi Summer

Fig.5 Showing variation of water level in the Well of Gena bhai Parmar

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 Fig.6 Recharged well of Niru bhai Jadeja

Variation of Water level
8

7
Water table in opewell (mt)

4 Pre‐Project

3 Post‐project

0
Kharif Rabi Summer

Fig.7 Showing variation of water level in the Well of Niru bhai Jadeja

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 Fig.8 Recharged well of Chana Bhai Dhadhal

Variation of Water table
10
9
water table in open well (mt)

8
7
6
5 Pre‐Project
4 Post‐project
3
2
1
0
Kharif Rabi Summer

Fig.9 Showing variation of water level in the Well of Niru Chana Bhai Dhadhal

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 Increase in water level in almost all the open wells were observed during monsoon and
post monsoon after the water harvesting structures were made. That can be observed from all the
figures above. In the well of Niru Bhai Jadejaa rise of 1.21 mt, 0.90 mt and 0.75 meter of water
level was observed in monsoon and post monsoon period after the structure was built. The same
trend follows in all the sampling wells although the change is more or less similar. That may be
due to the soil type or geology of that particular location. The rise in ground-water table in post
project implementation in almost all the wells may be due to the construction of water harvesting
structures which helped to increase in ground water storage. There was a significant
improvement in the yields of most wells, particularly those located near check dams due to
additional groundwater recharge.

Not only an increase in water column is observed, but significant improvement in water
yield in wells was also reported as evident by the duration of pumping hours per day for
irrigation. The average pumping duration of 4.25 hours per day in 2002-03 has increased to 6.5
hours per day after watershed implementation.

Although groundwater draft also increased with the increased availability of

groundwater, there is an overall reduction in the stage of groundwater development due to
increased availability of groundwater because of the implementation of water shed development
program.

Impact on Agricultural production

Upad Bhai Viradia with a 7-member family, and 1.25 ha of land, was an indirect
beneficiary of the check dam. He gets irrigation to his field by direct pumping from dam. He
says “We have never dreamed that we could grow cotton and vegetables on our fields as the river
were able to provide only 1 or 2 irrigations to our Rabi crop. Now we are able to give 3 to 4
watering. Due to extra watering, the yield of cotton has jumped from 2000 kgs to 2600 kgs. For
the first time in my life I am able to sell vegetables worth more than Rs.1000/- grown on my own
field.’’ Before the project they could not irrigate their fields at all for second crop.

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 Fig.10 Upad Bhai Viradia in his Cotton field near Check dam no-20

Fig.11 Gena bhai Parmar in his Cotton field (near Check dam no-4)

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 Another beneficiary of Check dam, Gena bhai Parmar also deepen his well has brought in
enough water in the well for them to irrigate their crops for the first time in their life. So much so
that they have now started growing wheat in the Rabi season which they had never before
imagined they will be able to. In Rabi 2004-05, 600 kgs of wheat was sown and 25 qtls harvested
per hectare. In Rabi 2006-07 of wheat was sown and harvested of around 32 quintals. They were
able to give 3 watering to the crop. For nutritional value for family members they are also
cultivating vegetables. The cropping pattern has undergone significant changes. The earlier
cotton-til/cumin cycle has been replaced by groundnut/black gram and wheat.

The average productivity also increased. Analysis of this data shows that average cotton
productivity increased to 27%, groundnut to 36%, wheat to 36% and green fodder to 29% per
hectare compared to pre project scenario. Returns per hectare for dry land cereals and pulses are
significantly higher within the watershed. The higher level of water productivity has transformed
the livelihood of farmers in the village and farmers are engaged in agriculture as well as other
allied activities.

Variation of crop production in Pre and Post project 
7000

6000

5000
Productivity  (kg/ha)

4000

3000

2000

1000

0
Cotton ground nut wheat green fodder
Crop varieties

Fig.12 Variation of crop productivity before and after project implementation

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 It is found that additional availability of water made it possible to give one life saving
irrigation to Kharif crops in drought years. Moreover it is possible to raise Rabi crops through
with only one or two irrigation. It helps in increasing the production to the extent of average 30
percent.

In Agro-forestry and Horticulture, the plants were selected on the basis of farmer's need,
suitability of species, availability of land, etc. These multipurpose tree species would help solve
the problems of fire/ fuel wood, brushwood, fodder, fruit, etc. Most of the farmers went for forest
tree plantation along field bunds/ boundary, unused and degraded land, moderately slopy
terrains, etc. Thus, it was an attempt to decisively away from monoculture into a more
diversified production system that is not only more in tune with local agro-ecological conditions,
it also does less damage to the eco-system. Moreover, it provides a steadier stream of income to
the farmer, protecting them against risk, both ecological and market-induced. Nutrition of the
household is also better taken care of. Different varieties of plants have been distributed namely
Guava, Lemon, Mango, Jamun and Chiku to 35 numbers of beneficiaries in Semla.

Fig.13 Afforestation plot with suitable local species

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Formation of Saving and Credit Groups

The PIA as a part of their social mobilization to achieve peoples’ participation

encouraged and assisted the villagers to form Self Help Groups (SHG). Three self-help groups
for saving and credit have already been set up in the project area. During 2008-09, their savings
and loans have grown. These are all women groups, one member from each family. Formation of
SHGs necessarily involves financial dealings with both government agencies and banks and with
the other credit institutions. As the new SHGs and membership in old SHGs increased, the
members gained more and more experience in dealing with the credit institutions, like opening
savings bank accounts, depositing and drawing money, taking credit and inter lending etc.

SHG details, Semla

Jay Ambe
Jay Ashapura mahila Sakti Yuva bachat mahila bachat
Name of SHG group bachat juth juth juth
Type of group APL-General APL-General APL-Landless
No. of members 10 10 10
Shilaba vanrajshih Jyotsnaben
President Jadeja Ramji bachu Donga Gondaliya
Hanshaba mahavirshih Bipin lakhman Manjulaben
Secretery Jadeja Donga Devani
Formation date (SHG) 21/07/2008 31/07/2008 20/07/2005
Gramin Vikash Bank, Gramin Vikash
Name of bank Gondal Bank, Gondal R.D.C, Gondal
Account .no. 1163 1164 247
Date of bank Ac.opening 5/8/2008 5/8/2008 1/8/2005
Total saving (Rs) 5100 5400 6260
Inter Lending (Rs) 3500 4500 4300
Convergence with District Rs 20000 (1
Industry Commission Rs 20000 (1 Sewing Rs 20000 (1 Sewing Sewing
(DIC) machine) machine) machine)

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 Fig.14 SHG group meeting in progress

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 These SHG groups under the watershed project have saved substantial amount of money.
Now they loan to other members in the same group (inter lending) according to need based
demand of the member. Today the women of the village are economically self-reliant. Sewing
machines provided by district industry commission and partly by self-contribution, few women
members started activities like stitching, patch work, pillow and sofa covers, handkerchiefs, table
mats, embroidered bedsheets, salwar kameez, skirts, bags and kurta pyjama. They also earn upto
Rs 2000 to 2500 a month.

Other Impacts

The increased availability of water (and hence supplementary irrigation), and better
employment opportunities in watershed development-related activities, have contributed to the
diversification of income opportunities and reduced vulnerability to drought and other shocks.
Another impact of watershed development on the poor is the decline in migration. For instance,
in Semla, about seven families used to be on permanent migration and five families on seasonal
migration before the advent of watershed development. But after the watershed development,
this reduced to six, due to an increased area under irrigation and diversified cropping patterns
consequent to assured groundwater availability.

Watershed development programs undertaken in the mission mode by involving local

communities had several beneficial effects. It increased water availability, the number of dug
wells, irrigation, intensity, cropping intensity. It simultaneously reduced the runoff loss. Impact
assessment studies conducted in treated watersheds have revealed that there has been: (i)
recharge of ground water as evidenced by increase in water tables and rise in number of wells (ii)
reduction in soil erosion and peak flow (iii) changes in cropping pattern (iv)enhancement in crop
productivity (v) Reduction in migration.

Investment in soil and water conservation and other activities under Watershed
Development Programme in Semla village have proved to be beneficial. These have led to
increased crop yields and income, an increase in cropping intensity, better returns from alternate
land use systems, improved moisture availability, etc. WDPs thus hold promise of reducing
poverty levels and improving the natural resource base of the disadvantaged regions of India.

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Acknowledgement

The author gratefully acknowledge the generous assistance and contribution of Mr. Ram
Kumar, CEO, Gujarat State Watershed Management Agency (GSWMA), staff of the PIA,
(Taluka Pachayat, Gondal) and District Watershed Development Unit (DWDU), Rajkot

References:
Sen, Suchitra; Shah, Amita; and Kumar, Animesh, 2007, Technical Paper, Watershed
Development Programmes in Madhya Pradesh: Present Scenario and Issues for Convergence,
Gujarat Institute of Development Research

Government Spending, Growth and Poverty: An Analysis of Interlinkages in Rural India, by

Shenggen Fan, Peter Hazell, and Sukhadeo Thorat, March 1998, Revised December 1998.

Parthsarthy Technical Committee Report, Jan 2006.

GoI (2006): “From Hariyali to Neeranchal – Report of the Technical Committee on Watershed
Programmes in India”, Department of Land Resources, MoRD

Shah, T (2008): “Groundwater Management and Ownership: A Rejoinder”, Economic &

Political Weekly, 43 (17), 2 May.

Athavale, R.N., Rangarajan, R. and Muralidharan, D. (1992) Measurement of natural recharge in

India. Journal of Geological Society of India 39(3), 235–244.

http://sapplpp.org

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