This study was conducted to assess the impact of various engineering and agronomical measures in ravine landscape through people participation for economic, social and environmental benefits to the community residing in treated watersheds. The study is based on the primary data collected directly from field. Data was collected through administration of semi-structured interview schedule to the sample households and through conducting Focus Group Discussion. Findings show that ravine treatment and associated project interventions have left positive impacts in the intervened villages. Water runoff and soil erosion have declined to the extent of 60-70 percent which is attributed to construction of check dams and contour bunds. Natural vegetation has increased in the project area. Soil fertility has improved in the project villages due to reduced water runoff and soil erosion. With constant cultivable area and increased gross cropped area, cropping intensity has increased by 31 percentage points from 140 to 171 percent. Cropping pattern has diversified after project intervention. Per hectare crop productivity has increased in case of almost all crops. Paddy and wheat yields increased by 12 and 15 percent, respectively. Yield of coarse cereals has also increased considerably. Local wage employment to male laborers increased from 154 to 168 days per year whereas it has increased from 120 to 155 days per year in case of female laborers. Number of male laborers from sample households going outside the village vicinity for wage employment has gone down from 531 to 345, a decrease by 35 percent. Average annual household income increased by 70 percent from Rs. 94 thousand to Rs. 159 thousand. In a nutshell, the project has left positive agricultural, environmental and socio-economic impacts in the project villages.
Ravine Land, Water Runoff, Soil Erosion, Crop Productivity, Labor Migration
