Efficient utilization of natural resources determines the path of economic development of a country. For higher and sustained growth in food grains poduction and other agricultural commodities, efficient use of natural resources is of paramount importance, especially in the degraded and rainfed areas. Perpetuation of the production systems to produce adequate food, fiber, fodder and fuel to meet the growing demands of the burgeoning population largely depends on the judicious use of natural resources such as soil, water, forest wealth, genetic resources, fisheries and livestock in an acceptable scientific management practices under the prevailing socio-economic conditions.

India is endowed with rich diversity of natural resources. However, the need for food and nutritional security is increasing due to expanding population. The present population of India is expected to stabilize at about 1.7 billion by 2050. This would result in significant reduction of per capita availability of land, water, forest, and other forms of natural resources. Rapid economic growth coupled with high consumerism puts enormous stress on the available resources. The annual food grain requirement is likely to reach 350 million tons by the year 2050 which is to be met out from the shrinking land resources. Therefore, quality of land needs to be maintained to enhance and sustain higher productivity and land degradation rates have to be effectively controlled. According to a conservative estimate, about 45% of the total geographical area of the country is subjected to some or the other form of land degradation, with water erosion being the major contributing factor. Soil erosion in about 39% area of the country is more than the permissible limit of 11.2 t h&1yr ‘. Apart from this, significant area is also affected with problems of wind erosion, salinity, alkalinity, water logging, degraded forests, and riverine lands.

Water is another precious gift of nature which plays significant role in livelihood security. Out of the total precipitation of 4000 cukm, 1122 cukm is utilizable. Agriculture is the biggest consumer of water accounting for about 83% of the total consumption. Animal husbandry and fisheries also require abundant water. According to the planning commission, about 60 per cent of India’s cultivable area will remain dependent on dry land farming even after all irrigation potential is fully exploited. Productivity in these areas which is critical for growth of rural economy and poverty alleviation, depends upon better moisture conservation measures, maintenance of soil health and the development of varieties suited to deal with moisture stress.

Though India is one of the 12-mega diversity centers of the world with about 78% of the global recorded species, its forest wealth is depleting rapidly. The per capita availability of forest land in India is 008 ha which is one of the lowest iii the world (0.5 ha for developing countries). Availability of forest biomass per capita in natural forest of India is only about 6 tons against an average of 82 tons in the developed world. Around 78% of rural and 30% of urban households still use firewood as domestic fuel. Therefore, alternatives for fodder and firewood from various land use systems like agro-foxestry and farm forestry need to be developed.

In the Central region, the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar arid Madhya Pradesh are thickly populated and are agriculturally important states having large human and animal populations, whereas Jharkhand and Chhatishgaxh are newly formed states with rich forest wealth. The entire region has varying agroclimatic conditions, with senii-arid climate in western Uttar Pradesh and northern Madhya Pradesh and humid to sub-humid conditions in the states of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. However, the entire region is confronted with various forms of land degradation. For example, in Uttar Pradesh, 68.5 Jakh ha of arable and 20.94 ha of non-arable land is adversely affected by soil erosion. In addition, 12.30 lakh ha is ravinous, 11.5 lakh ha is saline, 15 lakh ha is diary land and 8.1 lakhha is waterlogged.

The Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Dehra Dim with itS eight regional centres has been actively involved for the last five decades in developing many successful models of eco-restoration, rainwater management and wasteland development, following participatory watershed approaches. For a detailed analysis and deeper understanding of region specific problems and setting up priorities for research and development through efficient use of natural resources, the Indian Association of Soil and Water Conservationists, Debra Dun, had decided to organize a series of conferences in different regions of the country since 2004. As a part of the ongoing efforts, a conference is being organized on the Natural Resource Management for livelihood security in the agriculturally important states of Central India.

a) Assessment of land degradation, surface and ground water resources and biodiversity

b) Appraisal of climatic variability and its vulnerability at the regional scale

c) Appraisal of soil health and water quality.

a) Rainwater harvesting for multiple uses

b) Management of poor quality water for domestic and agricultural uses

c) Ground water recharge and its sustainable utilization

d) Conjunctive use of surface and groundwater resources

a) Conservation farming for improving productivity of rainfed lands

b) Drought management and contingent crop planning

c) Integrated farming systems for small and marginal farmers

d) Wasteland improvement for augmenting income and environmental security

e) Grassland management for livestock enterprises

a) New dimensions of livelihood security through integrated watershed development

b) Strategies for effective transfer of watershed technologies

c) Crop diversification for livelihood security

d) Impact assessment of integrated watershed management programmes and multi-criteria decision making techniques

a) Technological developments for the rehabilitation of problem lands

b) Agro-techniques for the utilization of problem lands

c) Alternate land use systems for livelihood security

d) Constraints in the development of problem lands

a) Policy measures for inclusive growth and rural development through watershed management

b) Common Property Resource Management— dependency, socio-economic, gender and institutional issues

c) Socio-econonic attributes for success or failure of watershed projects

d) Gender equity and community empowerment in watershed projects

e) Capacity building for sustainable rural livelihood security

a) Regional experiences of watershed development projects — successes and failures

b) Impacts and implications of watershed guidelines

c) Community participation in natural resource conservation

d) Future perspective and paradigm shifts in watershed development programmes.

The conference is scheduled to be held during 1618th September, 2009 at Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Research Centre, Chhalesar, Agra-282006, Uttar Pradesh. The venue of the Conference will be communicated in the final circular. Abstracts can be submitted online at fesco2009@gmail.com clearly mentioning mode of presentation, theme and sub theme.

The registration fee is Rs. 2000/- for delegates and Rs 1000/- for students and senior citizens. Payment may be made in cash or in the form of demand draft drawn in favour of Organizing Secretary, payable at any bank in Agra and should reach the organizing Secretary by 30th August, 2009. Late fee of Rs. 400/- will be charged over the normal fee after the due date. TO download the Registration Form, please Click Here

A half day post conference tour in the afternoon of 18th September, 2009 shall be organized for the delegates in and around Agra to places of tourist interest. Interested delegates may kindly give their option for the tour on the first day of conference.

Accommodation arrangements for delegates shall be made on request and payment basis in the nearby guest houses and hotels on first come-first served basis. Delegates are requested to send their travel plan in advance to enable us to make transport and accommodation arrangements.

Agra, the city of Taj, is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is situated on the bank of river Yamuna. Agra is about 220 kilometres from Delhi, the capital of India. Agra has a history steeped in love, war and treachery. Though ruled by many dynasties, it was under the Mughals that Agra attained its name And fame. The city is famous for Taj Mahal, built by Mughal king Sahajahan. Apart from Taj Mahal, there are many other tourist places of attraction like Agra Fort, Sikandra and Fatehpur Sikri. The city is well connected by rail and road with the rest of the country. The weather in the month of September will be pleasant and enjoyable. The mean minimum and maximum temperatures are 24°C and 34°C, respectively. The climate is neither too hot nor too cold in the month of September.