In what way micro-watershed Development projects help in water conservation in drought prone and semi-arid regions of India. (200 words)

Micro-watershed development treats a small drainage unit as an integrated ecological and social system, retaining rain where it falls.

Water and soil gains

• Contour trenches, bunds, check dams, farm ponds and vegetative barriers slow runoff and promote recharge.
• Gully control, afforestation and pasture improvement reduce erosion and increase soil moisture.
• Recharge raises well reliability, while efficient irrigation and crop diversification reduce demand.

Resilience

• Participatory planning, water budgeting and maintenance institutions align upstream and downstream interests.
• Higher yields, livestock support, commons regeneration and wage employment reduce distress migration.
• Projects must remain within groundwater limits and include landless households in benefits.

Keywords: micro-watershed, runoff harvesting, contour bunding, groundwater recharge, soil moisture, participatory management.