Positive Effect of Natural Resources Management Interventions on Bio-physical Indictors in Polla Watershed Project of Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Aim: This Investigation was taken up to detect the changes in the Bio-Physical Indicators of Polla Watershed project implemented under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) watershed project in Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh, India.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Polla watershed area of Seetham pet mandal of Srikakulam District, which is under drought Prone Area Project (DPAP) by the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development (PR and RD) Department, Andhra Pradesh during 2013 to 2020.

Methodology: High-resolution satellite data like Resourcesat-2, Linear Imaging and Self Scanning-IV (LISS-IV) of 2013 (pre-treatment) and 2020 (post-treatment) and ArcGIS 10.8 software were used in this project to measure the changes in land use/land cover and biomass during the project period (2013-20).

Result: The results showed a reduction in wastelands by 59.67% (786.59 ha) and an increase in cropland and plantation by 32.68% (756.34ha) and 2.16% (24.55ha) respectively. There is an increase in dense vegetation 49.36 ha (3.93 %), medium vegetation412.04ha (28.36 %), Low Vegetation 247.93ha (19.25 %) and a decrease in nil vegetation 709.33 ha (-57.99 %). Another positive indicator of watershed development in the project area is the increase in waterbodies by 17.10 %, due to the construction of rainwater harvesting structures i.e., 21 percolation tanks, 10 rockfill dams,18 loose boulder structures, 19 Mini Percolation Tanks etc.

Conclusion: This study reveals that an additional area of 5.69ha (17.10%) increased under water bodies and 786.59 ha of wasteland converted to cultivable land due to the construction of rockfill dams, percolation tanks, mini percolation tanks, check walls and loose boulder structures. This area is reflected in cropland and plantations.