Organizing national and international peer learning events on watershed management
1. To provide a comprehensive hydrologic monitoring for assessing science-based watershed planning and management in selected watersheds in Koraput, Odisha.
2. REWARD seeks to create decision support systems (DSS) based on site-specific land resource information for planning, implementation and management of watersheds, agriculture, horticulture and other department programs in the state. Key interventions include soil and water
conservation, water harvesting, ground water recharging, crop selection, nutrient management,etc. The DSSs are expected to work at various spatial scales such as cadastral, land management unit, micro watershed, sub watershed and watershed.
3. Detailed, site-specific data at the cadastral level on land resources (both physical and chemical properties) will be collected as a part of activities under REWARD. Hydrological data on similar scale is needed to be used along side land resources information to develop DSS for watershed
planning and management.
4. Currently available hydrologic models are suitable mainly at the sub basin or catchment level and are of not much use in designing interventions at the micro or sub watershed level. Access to high resolution remote sensing, IoT sensors and AI/ML for modelling now offer the opportunity to
rapidly adapt and refine the existing models or develop new ones to address issues at the micro/sub watershed scales.
5. The objective of this assignment is to:
i). Identify and apply appropriate methods/models/protocols for comprehensively assessing hydrological endowments for various spatial and temporal scales and agro-climatic conditions,
ii). Validate its accuracy and ease of use,
iii). Demonstrate its use in selected geographies for comprehensive hydrological assessments
iv). Demonstrate use of hydrological data collected in design of watershed treatment and management through use of DSSs
v). Train end-users (including govt., departments and farming community).
Scope and Approach of Hydrology in REWARD
1. Figure 1 provides an illustration of the framework for hydrology in REWARD. Annex 1 gives the details.
2. REWARD being a PforR (Program for Results) project, payments are made by the World Bank to borrowers only on achieving agreed results. Therefore, technical partners are expected to respond to this ToR keeping in mind the need to achieve results in a time bound manner.
3. A total of 705 MWS (microwatershed) covering an area of 5,26,695 ha. is to be covered under REWARD in Odisha over a period of 5 years starting from September, 2021-22. Out of this, 152 MWS (Set 1) covering 1,15,383.49 ha. would receive investments for watershed treatment that is based on science (LRI, Hydrology, etc.). In the remaining 4,11,311.86 ha. (Set 2), all scientific investigations needed for watershed treatment and management would be collected, ported to the
digital library such that draft DPRs (Detailed Project Reports) could be generated from the digital portal using relevant DSSs. The table below shows the timing of inputs needed for the two sets of MWS:
4. For each set of MWS (Set 1 and 2), a few model MWS sites would be selected for hydrological investigation (including setting up instruments, collecting data, validating models, etc.) such that they represent the whole set. The criteria, inter alia, could be based on geographic formations, dominant soil types, major crops and agro climate of the area.
5. In Set 1 area, once the watershed treatment has been carried out, benchmark sites1 would be selected (mainly based on LMU) where hydrological monitoring would continue till end of project.
6. Comprehensive set of data at the cadastral level (1:8000) on land, its use, shape, soil type, crops grown, etc., classified and grouped into Land Management Units will be available from LRI survey that will be carried out in Set 1 & 2 area under REWARD.
7. A consortium of technical partners comprising Agricultural Universities would work together under the leadership of a national institute to carryout the assignment in the entire area. Each partner would be allotted a defined set of MWS to work in the field. For interfacing with the community, especially for demand side management pilots (ground water management and water advisories), REWARD will partner with the Groundwater department and/or hire capable NGOs. Technical
partners for hydrology are expected to provide technical backstopping in the form of providing data, advisories, training, technical training materials, etc.
8. The IIT, Bhubaneswar/OUAT/ IIWM/ IISWC, Sunabeda has been identified as technical partner for hydrology in REWARD for Odisha and is invited to respond to this ToR with a detailed proposal covering technical aspects2, financial support needed, manpower proposed, timeline for various tasks and a list of deliverables.
