An advanced capacity building program on "Hydrological study and monitoring of watersheds" for field level officers of the Directorate of Soil Conservation and Watershed Development, Govt. of Odisha was conducted during 28th August to 1st September, 2017 at ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneswar under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). The training programme aimed at different aspects of hydrological data recording, observation, study and monitoring of watersheds through different quantitative parameters for judicious planning, execution and management of watersheds. The training programme was inaugurated on 28th August 2017 by Dr. S.K. Ambast, Course Director & Director, ICAR-IIWM. In his address to the participants, Dr. Ambast emphasized the importance of hydrological study and monitoring of watersheds through quantitative hydrologic and other watershed parameters. He elaborated on the reorientation of watershed development programmes with focus on water resource development to provide assured irrigation to the stakeholders on the line of PMKSY. Dr. Ambast also highlighted the importance of interventions for deriving incremental outcomes while developing the watersheds. Dr. Atmaram Mishra and Dr. Susanta Kumar Jena both Principal Scientists & Course Coordinators from ICAR-IIWM were also present.

During the training programme, resource persons from ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Dehradun and Koraput centre; Odisha Space Application Center (ORSAC), Odisha Groundwater Development Board, Bhubaneswar; Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency, Bhubaneswar, Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar and scientists from ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneswar were involved in sensitizing the Assistant project Directors of Directorate of soil conservation and watershed development, Govt. of Odisha. Prominent topics such as Watershed development and its scientific management; Hydrologic parameters such as rainfall, runoff, hydrograph, evapotranspiration estimation and measurements; groundwater recharge options; remote sensing and GIS aided watershed mapping and characterization; renewable energy sources for watersheds etc. were covered in detail. On the second day, a field visit was arranged to IIWM research farm, Deras, Khurda where the trainees were exposed to meteorology and auto-weather stations, ICAR flexi-check dams, etc. In the valedictory function held on 1st September 2017 afternoon, Dr. A. Mishra, Director (I/C) of the institute and Mr. H.K. Panda, Director (Technical) of Directorate of soil conservation and watershed development, Govt. of Odisha guided the participants how to take up the work in watersheds under PMKSY. They also described about the advance tools and techniques available for watershed development planning and execution. Dr. S.K. Jena coordinated the valedictory function and proposed the formal vote of thanks. The five day training programme was attended by 20 Assistant Project Directors from different districts of Odisha.

Glimpses of activities during the training programme