Valuation of ecosystem services benefits from a ravine watershed in southeastern Rajasthan

Abstract

Evaluating ecosystem services has become an essential area of study, highlighting the vital benefits that natural environments provide to human societies. This research focuses on the economic benefits of ecosystem services generated through watershed development interventions in the Badakhera Ravine Watershed in Bundi district, Rajasthan. Spanning 682.5 ha, the watershed underwent treatment between 1997 and 2003, employing various soil and water conservation measures such as land leveling, bunding, and water resource development. The economic valuation of ecosystem services utilized primary and secondary data, applying the market price method. The impact of watershed interventions was measured by comparing the enhanced ecosystem services against baseline ecosystem service values. The results indicate that, based on the soybean grain equivalent prices for 2019-20, these interventions significantly increased agricultural productivity, yielding additional returns of ₹ 60,000 per hectare per year from crop production. Furthermore, the interventions contributed ₹ 917 ha yr from fodder production and ₹3,989 ha yr from livestock production. Fuelwood generated from community and agroforestry trees added approximately ₹ 6,864 ha yr , while employment opportunities increased by 62 man-days ha yr , valued at ₹ 12,404. Regulating and cultural services from the watershed were also quantified, including an additional harvest of 24.93 cubic m ha of surface water, valued at ₹ 374, and improvements in groundwater recharge, estimated at ₹ 9,007 ha yr . Nutrient loss due to erosion was valued at ₹ 117 ha yr . Average carbon sequestration across various land uses was estimated at ₹ 36,392 ha yr , and the demonstration value for education and training was calculated at ₹ 70.80 ha yr . This comprehensive valuation underscores the critical role of ecosystem services in sustainable watershed management and development policy