The natural resources in Maharashtra pose several  constraints for better utilization because of the peculiar physiographic,  geologic and climatic conditions.  Two  major hill ranges viz. The Sanhyadri  and the Satpura traverse the state with  their off-shoots spreading in from of small hill ranges.    A large area  of the State (93%) is covered  by  hard rocks of  which the Deccan Trap basalts constitute 83% .  The state has nearly 10.2 million hectares of land lying under the rain shadow zone and quite often experiences drought spells of varying intensity.

In addition, about  5.85 M ha (19)% of the total geographical area is under wastelands, while forest occupy around  6.38 M ha (21%) leaving 17.87 M ha (58%) of  the geographical area as arable land.   The natural resources constraints / limitations are further aggravated by the increasing biotic pressure due to rising population.  The situation,  therefore, calls for  judicious management of natural resources,  for  achieving the objective of the sustained development.

In this context,  watershed management and  development assumes a great significance.  Realizing the need for overall developmental activities related to natural resources of the  state, the  emphasis is being given for developmental planning of resources, taking watershed as a unit.  However, to ensure cost effective implementation of the developmental programme, it is necessary to identify the priority target areas.  Need is therefore felt to prioritise the watersheds, to facilitate judicious utilization of the available financial resources.

With this well defined objective in mind the Water Conservation Department of Govt. of Maharashtra, the  nodal agency to service the watershed development in the state has embarked upon the task of watershed prioritisation for entire state seeking the expertise of Maharashtra Remote Sensing Applications Centre, (MRSAC), Nagpur, adopting advanced techniques such as remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS).

For identification of priority watersheds for the whole state MRSAC has proposed utilization of available natural resources data base on 1:2,50,000 scale adopting integrated approach.  The task has been successfully completed with bringing out an “Atlas on Watershed Prioritisation” of Kokan division.

MRSAC hopes that the atlas would find immense applicability to the planners and executives in preparing their developmental plans and would facilitate in judicious diversion of available funds towards priority areas.

The project team of MRSAC, Nagpur expresses deep sense of gratitude to Shri Suresh Yadawadkar, I.A.S., Secretary, Rural Development and Water Conservation Department, Govt. of Maharashtra for his excellent supports.

The thanks are also due to Shri Ashok Sharma, I.F.S., Joint Secretary, Water Conservation Department, Govt. of Maharashtra for constant interaction and valuable guidance during the execution of the project.

The project Team also expresses its deep gratitude to Shri Vinay Bansal, I.A.S.,  Principal Secretary, Planning Department, Govt. of Maharashtra for his keen interest and encouragement during the execution of the project.