Scope and importance of integrated watershed management

1) It combines ecosystem and social system.

2) It considers the bio-physical, social, economic and institutional factors

necessary for the development of sustainable management programs.

3) It provides a framework for consideration of human interaction with the

environment.

4) It can deal bio-physical situation effectively.

5) It is holistic/integrated ( involve variety of practices ).

6) It warrants upland and downstream linkages in physical, social, and economic.

7) It involves the sustainable development management strategies of programs.

8) It eliminates conflicting demands.

9) It helps close production gaps.

10) It overcomes problem of scarcity.

11) It generates multi-use benefits and employment.

12) It promotes balance in resource use.

13) It enhances community co-operation and co-ordination

14) Provides drinking water supply

15) Provides recreational opportunities and aesthetic beauty

• Carver and Schreier (1995) have used 4 spatial scales to study sediments and nutrient budgets in the Jhikhu Khola Watershed. These 4 areas were:

1) Upland terrace (72 m2)

2) A mini-watershed (72 ha)

3) A sub-watershed (540 ha) and

4) The overall Jhikhu khola watershed (11,141 ha)