The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has invited applications for a one-year diploma course in watershed management for its session commencing July 2013, an official said Friday.

Diploma in Watershed Management (DWM) programme has been developed with financial support of Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.

"The course intends to impart basic knowledge and skills for water harvesting, conservation and utilisation, soil erosion and its management, crop and animal husbandry, agro-forestry, fish farming etc.," said a statement by IGNOU.

"It will provide the basic understanding of various activities undertaken during the development of watershed programmes, address the workforce requirement of the watershed management and focus on upgrading the knowledge and skills of existing personnel," it added.

Although the duration of the programme is one year, candidates have the flexibility of completing it within four years. The mediums of instruction are English and Hindi. The course fee is Rs.10,000.

The programme is open only for candidates who have passed either class 12 or Bachelor Preparatory Programme (BPP) from IGNOU.

IGNOU is the world's largest open university system with a pan-India and international reach with flexible entry qualifications and a wide range of academic programmes at affordable cost.