ECONOMIC VALUATION OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN THE MICRO-WATERSHED AREA OF TUTICORIN DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU

Abstract

Integrated Watershed management is initiated to minimise drought-prone areas and promote development in rural areas. The watershed Programme was implemented to improve and regulate ecosystem services in rural areas and to enhance the livelihoods of rural communities. This research focuses on the economic valuation of ecosystem services and the impact of micro-watershed development interventions in the Tuticorin district. The study is conducted by collecting data using purposive random sampling. The watershed impact was measured by comparing pre- and post-watershed market prices, and incremental changes in ecosystem service values were estimated using the market price method. The interventions in the study area include check dams, farm ponds, crop diversification, crop intensification, and soil moisture conservation, with impacts on employment and milk yield. The results indicate that milk production has increased, and crop diversification and land area cultivation in the study region have also increased. The check dam and the farm pond have improved the groundwater table in the watershed and enabled timely crop irrigation. Employment has been provided to more than 150 village farmers in each micro watershed region. The results also indicate that interventions significantly increased agricultural productivity and increased the average net income of around Rs. 19750 per hectare per year from crop production. This valuation of ecosystem services highlights the role of integrated watershed management in increasing food security and improving the livelihoods of rural communities in arid regions.