Optimal allocation of water for enhanced food production in a mid-Himalayan watershed
2011
Dogra, Pradeep | Sharda, V.N. | Ojasvi, P.R. | Prasher, Shiv O. | Patel, R.M.
Optimal allocation of available water in a middle Himalayan watershed by a linear programming model for maximizing production from crops and livestock, after meeting the present and future demands of human and environmental flows, was analyzed. Present and future water availability under different environmental scenarios at various locations in the watershed was considered. Rice Equivalent Production from the watershed was found to improve by 207% (to 919 tonnes) and Rice Equivalent Yield by 58% (to 4427 kg ha⁻¹) through optimal allocation of available water resource. Occurrence of drought of 60% intensity would limit production to 737 tonnes. Environmental degradation by 2025 would though reduce production marginally, the surplus water available within the watershed would, however, decrease significantly during January to March. Future competition for water would adversely affect economy of the watershed and the region. The government should, therefore, undertake water resource development programmes after making a proper inventory of available resources at watershed level by analyzing the current and future supply and demand scenarios.
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