7. Best-bet Options on Soil and Water Conservation

The soil and water conservation is one of the most important components of integrated watershed program. Earlier in soil and water conservation programs, e$orts were concentrated on construction of various types of bunds across the slope. This helped in controlling erosion and reducing soil loss rather than increasing crop yields through additional moisture conservation. Current emphasis is more on improving moisture through various %eld- and community-based moisture conservation practices. This paper discusses the key %ndings from the various watershed programs and research stations on %eld- and community-based soil and water conservation interventions that were found promising for improving productivity and reducing land degradation in di$erent regions of India