
The agriculture in eastern Rajasthan is characterized by high risks from drought, degraded natural resources and pervasive poverty. At Gokulpura-Goverdhanpura village in Bundi Rajasthan, ICRISAT along with partners implemented integrated watershed project using holistic systems approach with integrated genetic and natural resource management (IGNRM) strategy. This report discusses the multi-faceted impact of this watershed program. It has been found that the science-led participatory watershed program at GokulpuraGoverdhanpura had made positive impacts on natural resources, rural livelihoods and environment. The major impact of watershed interventions was seen in improving the surface and groundwater availability. Increased water availability resulted in increased cropping intensity and diversification to more remunerative land use systems involving livestock, horticultural and vegetable production. Overall, the watershed program has reduced land degradation, enhanced agricultural productivity and incomes, decreased poverty of rural poor, reduced labor migration and improved environment quality.