ANNOUNCEMENTS
This research project aims to address the critical issue of water conservation in the Bandhavgarh forest landscape in Umaria, Madhya Pradesh, through the modeling of water yield potential and the recommendation of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) strategies. The study leverages the InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs) tool to model and assess the water yield potential of the region, which is vital for sustaining the local biodiversity and supporting the livelihoods of the local communities. The research is structured around three main objectives. First, it assesses the current status of water resources in the Bandhavgarh landscape to understand their interlinkages and identify areas of concern and opportunities for sustainable management. This involves a detailed analysis of water availability and quality, to highlight the ecological health of the region. Second, the study explores the concept of ecosystem services and their valuation, focusing on provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services. By quantifying these services, the research aims to integrate their value into local decision-making processes, thereby promoting sustainable land and water use practices. Third, the research evaluates the potential of PES as a tool for enhancing water conservation and management. It identifies key stakeholders, including potential buyers, sellers, and mediators of ecosystem services, and suggests a tailored PES scheme for the Bandhavgarh forest landscape. The proposed PES scheme is designed to incentivize conservation efforts by compensating landowners and resource users for maintaining ecosystem services that benefit the broader community. Key findings of the study indicate that effective water governance and conservation in the Bandhavgarh landscape require an integrated approach that combines scientific modeling, stakeholder engagement, and economic incentives. The proposed PES scheme has the potential to align the interests of various stakeholders towards the common goal of sustainable water management, thereby ensuring the long-term ecological and socio-economic well-being of the region. The insights gained from this research are intended to inform policymakers, conservation practitioners, and local communities about the importance of integrating PES into water conservation strategies. Ultimately, this project contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable water governance and ecosystem management in forested landscapes.
Keywords: Bandhavgarh forest, Umaria, Water Resources, Payment for Ecosystem Services, Water Yield, InVEST.
