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Watershed development Project

Introduction

Watershed Development focuses on conserving soil and water resources in a defined geographical area. It improves groundwater recharge, enhances agricultural productivity, and strengthens rural livelihoods. SEEDS is implementing six watershed projects across Virudhunagar and Thoothukudi districts, covering multiple panchayats, villages, and thousands of farming households.SEEDS is implementing six watershed projects across Virudhunagar and Thoothukudi districts, covering multiple panchayats, villages, and thousands of farming households.

These projects follow a participatory approach ensuring community ownership, long-term sustainability, and improved natural resource management.

Transforming Drought-Prone Regions Through Sustainable
Conservation Virudhunagar & Thoothukudi Districts

6

Watersheds

3715

Households

41

Villages

19

Panchayats

Project Coverage

Comprehensive coverage across multiple panchayats and villages

Conserving soil and water resources while improving agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods

Virudhunagar – Kariyapatti Block

Pisindi – Alagiyanallur

2 Panchayats 5 Villages

  • Mela Alagiyanallur
  • Kela Alagiyanallur
  • Melathulukankulam
  • Kelathulukankulam
  • Nandhikundu
Virudhunagar – Kariyapatti Block

Vadakku Puliyampatti

5 Panchayats 10Villages

  • Pisindi
  • Nanthikundu
  • Chinna Puliyampatti
  • Periya Puliyampatti
  • Thandiyanenthal
  • Thonugal
  • Valayankulam
  • Chandrankulam
  • Kalkurichi
  • Mallankinar
Virudhunagar – Tiruchuli Block

Pillaiyar Thottiyankulam

4 Panchayats 10 Villages

  • PM Pudhupatti
  • Pannaimoonadaippu
  • P. Thottiyankulam
  • Manaverayenthal
  • Puliyuran
  • Pulikurichi
  • Kela Kandamankalam
  • Mela Kandamangalam
  • Vadapalai
  • Paraikulam
Virudhunagar – Tiruchuli Block

Eluvani

3 Panchayats 7 Villages

  • Pulvaikarai
  • Nedukulam
  • Tiruvedainallur
  • Eluvani
  • A. Mukkulam
  • Kundukulam
  • Pudhukulam
Virudhunagar – Tiruchuli Block

Erumaikulam

3 Panchayats 5 Villages

  • Pillaiyarkulam
  • Pulvaikarai A
  • Mukkulam
  • Erumaikulam
  • Thottiyankulam
Thoothukudi – Pudhur Block

Mathalapuram

2 Panchayats 4Villages

  • Nadukatur
  • Mathalapuram
  • Boothalapuram
  • L. Velampatti

Demographic Profile of Watershed Villages

This section summarises the household composition, SC/ST families, farming categories, and landless population.

  • Total 3715 households covered across six watersheds
  • Landless families constitute 1108 households
  • Majority are Small & Marginal Farmers (1827 households)
  • SC/ST households: 592
Project Households SC/ST Households Small & Marginal Farmers Medium Farmers Landless Families
Pisindi–Alagianallur 1042 175 616 35 382
Vadakku Puliyampatti 493 73 185 152 147
Pillaiyar Thottiyankulam 393 59 135 185 62
Eluvani 352 74 219 36 70
Erumai kulam 797 185 329 154 292
Mathalapuram 638 26 343 16 155
TOTAL 3715 592 1827 578 1108

Climate Profile of Watershed Areas

Climate characteristics influence crop planning and water management in watershed projects.

  • Rainfall ranges from 376 mm (Mathalapuram) to 860 mm (Pisindi-Alagiyanallur)
  • High summer temperatures up to 40.8°C in Virudhunagar
  • Typifies hot semi-arid climatic zones
Project Summer (Max–Min) Monsoon (Max–Min) Winter (Max–Min) Annual Rainfall(mm)
Pisindi – Alagiyanallur 40–29°C 29–23°C 33–27°C 860.9
Vadakku Puliyampatti 35.7–23.8°C 33.8–20.99°C 33.5–21.9°C 719.5
Pillaiyar Thottiyankulam 35.7–23.8°C 33.5–21.9°C 33.8–20.9°C 700.9
Eluvani 40.8–29°C 34.45–23.19°C 26–27°C 707.17
Erumaikulam 40.8–29°C 34.15–23.89°C 26–27°C 748.9
Mathalapuram 34.3–23.5°C 32.9–23.1°C 30.6–20.7°C 376.91

Cropping Pattern – Kharif & Rabi Seasons

Observation:
Across the watershed villages, major crops are rainfed cereals, pulses, cotton, groundnut, and in Rabi, Sesamum and Coriander dominate. Mathalapuram shows diversification into horticultural crops.

Project Kharif (June–Oct) Rabi (Nov–Mar)
Pisindi–Alagiyanallur Pulses, Maize, Groundnut, Millets, Cotton, Sorghum Sesamum, Coriander, Vegetables
Vadakku Puliyampatti Pulses, Millets, Cotton, Sorghum Sesamum, Coriander
Pillaiyar Thottiyankulam Cotton, Sorghum, Chillies, Maize Sesamum, Coriander, Vegetables
Eluvani Groundnut, Pulses, Millets Sesamum
Erumaikulam Groundnut, Pulses, Millets Sesamum
Mathalapuram Cotton, Chillies, Maize, Pulses, White Sorghum, Bitter Gourd Sesamum, Coriander, Sunflower

Key Interventions in SEEDS Watershed Projects

Soil & Water Conservation

  • Check dams, Loose Boulder Structures
  • Farm ponds & Percolation ponds
  • CCTs and field bunding
  • Desilting of tanks & feeder channels
  • Recharge pits & wells

Agriculture Development

  • Soil fertility improvement
  • Promotion of drought-tolerant varieties
  • On-farm demonstrations
  • INM, IPM, organic inputs
  • Micro-irrigation

Plantation & Greenery Improvement

  • Boundary plantation & agroforestry
  • Horticulture (mango, guava, sapota, moringa)
  • Fodder development

Livelihood Promotion

  • Small ruminants, dairy & backyard poultry
  • Value addition
  • Women SHG activities
  • Skill training

Community Institutions

  • Formation & strengthening of Village Watershed Committees
  • Training of WDTs and farmers
  • Financial literacy and maintenance fund creation

Expected Outcomes

Conclusion

'SEEDS’ watershed development interventions across Virudhunagar and Thoothukudi show significant potential for transforming drought-prone regions. By integrating soil and water conservation, agriculture development, and livelihood enhancement—these projects are creating sustainable changes in rural ecosystems and improving the socio-economic conditions of thousands of households