Naydevi Integrated Watershed Development with Climate Proofing Interventions under Watershed Development Fund (WDF)

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The Watershed Development Program (WDP) initially envisaged as a measure for poverty alleviation and improved livelihoods has gained even greater importance in light of the worldwide recognition of its effectiveness in combating climatic change. In India several Ministries namely, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Environment and Forests have been involved in Watershed Development Programs with substantial variation in their approaches. The Ministry of Rural Development had been coordinating sector-wise flagship schemes such as IWDP, DPAP and DDP under Watershed Development Programs. The main objective of the WDP was to improve water conservation, irrigation facility, and land use pattern leading to increased agricultural productivity in drought prone and desert prone areas. Poverty reduction, better livelihoods and improved bio-physical and socioeconomic environment would bring about sustainable development. An interdisciplinary approach has been followed for this study, given the complex and diverse factors underlying WDPs, such as the bio-physical, social, ecological, institutional and economic factors, besides the regional variations. The Program is operational across the country that involves multiple stakeholders. The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India encourages debates and discussions and has formed various Committees to solicit feedback for improving the Program implementation in the country. The schemes such as IWDP, DPAP and DDP were merged under the Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP) in 2008, to bring about a comprehensive approach to sustainable development. The „Common Guidelines-2008‟ was developed for effective implementation of the project.
The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) had earlier taken up country wide evaluation of watershed development projects sanctioned during 1995-1998. Subsequently, another country wide evaluation of the projects sanctioned during the year 1998-2002 was undertaken. National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) was selected as a nodal agency by the MoRD. The NIRD had successfully coordinated the study across different states. Further SIRDs and ATIs are also involved in the study in some states. The involvement of many organizations across the country with vast experience in the field of watershed has made the study comprehensive and well researched. The Centre for Rural Studies (CRS) at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration was entrusted with the analysis and evaluation of the reports submitted by various agencies.
The study noticed changes in ground water level, surface water, irrigation facility, water regeneration capacity, land use pattern, cropping pattern, livestock production, employment generation, income generation and debt reduction, etc. These changes are observed in all watershed development programmes with certain variations. But the changes like land use pattern, cropping pattern, crop diversification, etc. are more prominent in the watershed regions. Some areas need further attention such as greater involvement of the communities during implementation & post implementation phases, training & capacity building, social audit, women participation, and sustainable income generation. The programmes have been examined from the structural and functional dimensions and their effectiveness has been measured from the benefits accrued to various stakeholders.

Project Rationale

• Scarcity of drinking and Irrigation Water.
• Soil erosion.
• Less vegetative cover.
• Rain fed farming.
• Low agriculture income.
• Seasonal migration
• Low health & Education Stand.
• Poor standard of living.

PROJECT GOAL:

• Increase in ground water level.
• Increase in surface water and stream flow.
• Soil erosion reduction.
• Runoff reduction.
• Land use pattern, cropping pattern and agricultural productivity.
  • (a) Change in land use pattern.
  • (b) Cropping pattern and agricultural productivity.
• Reduction in workload.
• Debt reduction position.
• Involvement of Community Based Organizations (CBOs)
• People’s Participation.
• Social audit.
• Management of common property resources (CPR).
• Reduced migration.
• Women empowerment.
• Impact on landless community and livelihood improvement.
• Employment Generation.
• Improvement in Standard of living.

IMPACT OF THE PROJECT :

• Increase in ground water level
• Increase in surface water and stream flow
• Soil erosion reduction
• Runoff reduction
• Land use pattern, cropping pattern and agricultural productivity