Rukmavati River Basin Management Project – India

This project is implementing integrated river basin management as a unique approach for sustainable development. Activities beneficial to both farmers and the environment are carried out, such as composting and drip irrigation. The government of Gujarat is funding 80% of the project, while 20% is contributed by the basin community. The concept of river basin management not only tackles issues of climate change, but also promotes the sustainable development of an area based on sensible management of natural resources.

Fast facts:

146 farmers installed drip irrigation systems on 329 hectares;
68 new check dams constructed, benefitting 1,625 farmers;
36 farmers trained on composting;
De-silting carried out on 32 structures;
Moisture conservation measures carried out on 473 hectares of pasture.

The problem

India has the second-largest population in the world. As projected under climate change models, rainfall patterns will be altered virtually everywhere – including in India, where this may cause problems related to food and water. The Rukmavati river basin in India is already experiencing extreme climatic conditions. Better management of water resources there could not only improve the resilience of community to climate change, but also support development.

The solution

This project is implementing an innovative approach of river basin management, which looks at resources in their totality across the geographic region. The Vivekanand Research & Training Institute (VRTI), working in the Kutch region of Gujarat state, selected and trained a team of local youth in the field of natural resources management. This team carried out a survey of the basin area, measuring availability and use of water resources, agriculture, grasslands, forest, as well as animal husbandry. After the survey, a greater picture of the basin was presented to the local community, which was sensitized to the scenario of climate change and its effects, and facilitated in undertaking remedial measures.

These activities include: construction of check dams for rainwater harvesting; removal of silt from existing water-harvesting structures; promoting on-farm composting of farm and animal waste; pasture development through soil moisture conservation activities; improving water efficiency in agriculture through use of drip irrigation and plastic mulch; promoting horticultural plantation; and adding value to agricultural products through grading, packaging, and branding of farm produce by small groups of women entrepreneurs for local markets.

Helping the planet

Composting helps to reduce methane generation from animal waste, and thereby reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Increased availability of water, such as through check dams, benefits local ecosystems as well as communities. De-silting activities are helping enrich depleted soils and preventing use of chemical fertilizers. Use of drip irrigation also helps conserve water resources.

Helping people

Activities such as rainwater harvesting and pasture development provide an economic benefit to community. Increased water availability and improvement in water quality is causing a shift away from cultivation of non-food crops such as cotton and castor, to crops such as vegetables, groundnut, and papaya, thus improving food security. Higher-quality pasture will lead to more availability of milk and animal protein, which can also improve nutrition locally.

Scaling up

The concept of river basin management can be replicated in other river basins. There is also the potential to develop the basin area from the perspective of an agro-industrial complex. In such a model, natural resources can be responsibly tapped to generate agricultural and animal husbandry products as raw materials, to which value can be added through appropriate processes and technologies. Development in the agriculture and animal husbandry sectors has provided immense opportunities for agricultural companies, which are focusing in the basin area and widening their customer base. Banking and credit sector companies are also exploring development possibilities. In addition to this, VRTI is in the process of developing a sustainable animal husbandry model.