Impact of rainwater harvesting on hydrological processes in a fragile watershed of South Asia

Agricultural water management (AWM) interventions play an important role in ensuring sustainable food production and mitigating climate risks. This study was carried out in a watershed located in a low rainfall (400–600 mm) region of western India. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool model was calibr...

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Main Authors: Garg, K. K., Anantha, K. H., Venkataradha, A., Dixit, S., Singh, R., Ragab, R.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Wiley 2021
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/115308
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author Garg, K. K.
Anantha, K. H.
Venkataradha, A.
Dixit, S.
Singh, R.
Ragab, R.
author_browse Anantha, K. H.
Dixit, S.
Garg, K. K.
Ragab, R.
Singh, R.
Venkataradha, A.
author_facet Garg, K. K.
Anantha, K. H.
Venkataradha, A.
Dixit, S.
Singh, R.
Ragab, R.
author_sort Garg, K. K.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Agricultural water management (AWM) interventions play an important role in ensuring sustainable food production and mitigating climate risks. This study was carried out in a watershed located in a low rainfall (400–600 mm) region of western India. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool model was calibrated using surface runoff, soil loss, and reservoir storage levels, between the year 2000 and 2006. The investigation indicated that the various AWM interventions increased groundwater recharge from 30 mm/year to 80 mm/year and reduced surface runoff from 250 mm/year to 100 mm/year. The intervention structures were refilled two to three times during the monsoon season depending on rainfall intensity and duration. The interventions have the advantage of building a resilient system by enhancing groundwater availability even in dry years, stimulating crop intensification and protecting the landscape from severe erosion. The results indicate that soil erosion has been reduced by more than 75% compared to the nonintervention situation. Moreover, the AWM interventions led to the cultivation of 100–150 ha of fallow land with high-value crops (horticulture, vegetables, and fodder). Household income increased by several folds compared to the nonintervention situation. The study showed about 50% reduction in downstream water availability, which could be a major concern. However, there are a number of ecosystem trade-offs such as improved base flow to the stream and reduction in soil loss that should be considered. The study is of great importance to stakeholders to decide on the optimal design for AWM interventions to achieve sustainable development goals.
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spelling CGSpace1153082024-06-26T10:18:10Z Impact of rainwater harvesting on hydrological processes in a fragile watershed of South Asia Garg, K. K. Anantha, K. H. Venkataradha, A. Dixit, S. Singh, R. Ragab, R. Agricultural water management (AWM) interventions play an important role in ensuring sustainable food production and mitigating climate risks. This study was carried out in a watershed located in a low rainfall (400–600 mm) region of western India. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool model was calibrated using surface runoff, soil loss, and reservoir storage levels, between the year 2000 and 2006. The investigation indicated that the various AWM interventions increased groundwater recharge from 30 mm/year to 80 mm/year and reduced surface runoff from 250 mm/year to 100 mm/year. The intervention structures were refilled two to three times during the monsoon season depending on rainfall intensity and duration. The interventions have the advantage of building a resilient system by enhancing groundwater availability even in dry years, stimulating crop intensification and protecting the landscape from severe erosion. The results indicate that soil erosion has been reduced by more than 75% compared to the nonintervention situation. Moreover, the AWM interventions led to the cultivation of 100–150 ha of fallow land with high-value crops (horticulture, vegetables, and fodder). Household income increased by several folds compared to the nonintervention situation. The study showed about 50% reduction in downstream water availability, which could be a major concern. However, there are a number of ecosystem trade-offs such as improved base flow to the stream and reduction in soil loss that should be considered. The study is of great importance to stakeholders to decide on the optimal design for AWM interventions to achieve sustainable development goals. 2021-11 2021-10-06T04:28:04Z 2021-10-06T04:28:04Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/115308 en Limited Access Wiley Garg, K. K.; Anantha, K. H.; Venkataradha, A.; Dixit, S.; Singh, R.; Ragab, R. 2021. Impact of rainwater harvesting on hydrological processes in a fragile watershed of South Asia. Groundwater. 59(2):154-307. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwat.13099.
spellingShingle Garg, K. K.
Anantha, K. H.
Venkataradha, A.
Dixit, S.
Singh, R.
Ragab, R.
Impact of rainwater harvesting on hydrological processes in a fragile watershed of South Asia
title Impact of rainwater harvesting on hydrological processes in a fragile watershed of South Asia
title_full Impact of rainwater harvesting on hydrological processes in a fragile watershed of South Asia
title_fullStr Impact of rainwater harvesting on hydrological processes in a fragile watershed of South Asia
title_full_unstemmed Impact of rainwater harvesting on hydrological processes in a fragile watershed of South Asia
title_short Impact of rainwater harvesting on hydrological processes in a fragile watershed of South Asia
title_sort impact of rainwater harvesting on hydrological processes in a fragile watershed of south asia
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/115308
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