Economics of rain water conservation, waste land development and production improvement through watershed management: a case study in village Gualda of Aravali ecosystems

Aravali ecosystem is marked by multiple problems, like depleted ground water, low productivity of sand dune infested farmlands, scarcity of fuel and fodder and large family size. This has given rise to poverty in the region. In order to address these problems, a natural resource management project was taken up in 35 villages of Tijara block in Alwar district, where interventions like, construction of small earthen dams across gullies(locally known as paals), improved production technology and planting of fruit and forest trees on reclaimed lands, were raised. Community was also organized as a part of project implementation. Out of the 35 villages, a typical village named ‘Gualda’ was selected for working out economics, as the village had received fairly good mix of treatment for five years (2006–11) of the project period.

Construction of 38 paals in Gualda could recharge 46.55 ham of ground water in the 4 years. Economic analysis showed construction of paals to be financially viable having a B/C ratio of 2.09, payback period (PBP) as 5 years and internal rate of interest (IRR) as 30%. Leveling of waste private lands as a part of project intervention was profitable too, as exhibited by a B/C ratio of 2.09, PBP of 6 years and IRR of 28%. Crop production and planting of forest and fruit trees in the watershed also gained favor on economic grounds. Over all benefit, cost ratio of the project worked out to 2.1. Employment generation to the tune of 70 thousand man days per annum could be possible through the project. The watershed program in Aravalis could manage natural resources effectively, while justifying itself on economic grounds.