A drainage basin or a catchment area of a particular stream or river defined by high points and ridge lines ,it simply refers to the area carries water "shed"from the land after rainfall or snow melts.Drop by drop ,water is channeled into soil ,groundwater, creeks , river or stream and eventually the sea water shed may be small consisting of few hectares or huge ,covering thousands of hectares, here the drainage basin acts as a funnel by collecting all the water within the area covered by the basin and channeling it to a single point.
In a small watershed, the effect of overland flow rather than the effect of channel flow is a dominating factor affecting the peak runoff. Consequently, a small watershed is very sensitive to high intensity rainfall of short duration and to the changes in land use pattern. On larger watersheds, the effect of channel flow or the basin storage effect becomes very pronounced so that such sensitivities are greatly suppressed.
In a rain fed agriculture rural areas, except for a few months ,there are hardly any work opportunities within the village.Hence poor peasants and labourers have to go to towns in search of work.Here wage supported watershed activities can directly help in family welfare ,afforestation and pasture development.Watersheds thus help in generating substantial income ,nursery raising and enhance employment opportunities in horticulture activities and increase soil moisture within three years .Agro based allied income activities like dairy ,goat rearing poultry can encouraged in village and cease decampment toward cities .
In a small watershed, the effect of overland flow rather than the effect of channel flow is a dominating factor affecting the peak runoff. Consequently, a small watershed is very sensitive to high intensity rainfall of short duration and to the changes in land use pattern. On larger watersheds, the effect of channel flow or the basin storage effect becomes very pronounced so that such sensitivities are greatly suppressed.
In a rain fed agriculture rural areas, except for a few months ,there are hardly any work opportunities within the village.Hence poor peasants and labourers have to go to towns in search of work.Here wage supported watershed activities can directly help in family welfare ,afforestation and pasture development.Watersheds thus help in generating substantial income ,nursery raising and enhance employment opportunities in horticulture activities and increase soil moisture within three years .Agro based allied income activities like dairy ,goat rearing poultry can encouraged in village and cease decampment toward cities .
