Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Watershed Management is established at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, during 2022 as a component of the World Bank supported Rejuvenating Watersheds for Agricultural Resilience through Innovative Development (REWARD) program, implemented by Watershed Development Department (WDD), Government of Karnataka. The REWARD program is currently in operation in Karnataka and Odisha. Uniqueness of this program, is adoption of more advanced scientific approaches through land resource inventory and hydrology for management of watershed. The REWARD program is designed based on the experience gained in Sujala-3 project, which was supported by the World bank and implemented by WDD, Government of Karnataka. The DoLR, GoI, is planning to mainstream these scientific approaches in management of watersheds throughout the country in a phased manner.

Main objective of the CoE on Watershed Management is to mainstream the LRI technology and science based watershed development in the country

The CoE is expected to play a key role in demonstrating the application of science based approaches in watershed development, impart training to the members of line departments of the State and beyond, develop manuals, refinement of decision support system, exchange knowledge, facilitating the development of dissemination tools and a host of other outputs needed for mainstreaming the LRI approach in the country.

Centre of Excellence on Watershed Management is given to the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, considering its pioneering contributions through operation research projects implemented in Rajanukunte, Kabbalanala, Mittemari and Kalyankere–Mavathurkere watersheds, for which the University received National Productivity Council Award. Also, intensive involvement in Sujala-3 project to generate LRI and hydrology data.

The CoE utilizes in-house resources and knowledge in association with premier institutions to take science based tools to communities and stakeholders working towards agriculture resilience and to enhance the viability and quality of rural livelihood support systems.