Central guidelines for watershed mgmt

The Centre has issued new guidelines to boost productivity under the watershed management development programmes (WMDPs) in India with special focus on proper utilisation of heavy funds.

Watershed management has emerged as an effective tool to enhance the productivity of agriculture, horticulture, fishery and other livelihood-oriented sectors, which in turn boost the economy of a particular area. But despite heavy funding from the centre and other international donor agencies like the World Bank, the watershed programme has not made much headway in the country.

Through the new plan, each ministry at the centre would set up a central nodal agency comprising experts to ensure smooth flow of funds to district watershed development units (DWDUs) and allocate budgetary outlay among the states by adopting criteria evolved in the guidelines. The nodal agency would ensure suitable system of monitoring, social auditing and impact assessment and support capacity-building programmes.

The Dehra-Dun-based Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute (CSWCRTI) has been made the nodal organisation for capacity building of the watershed programmes, its Director V N Sharda said. “Our main role will be for capacity building and develop new model villages under the watershed programme,” Sharda added. After developing several model villages, some of which have been working successfully for over 35 years, CSWCRTI is developing a new model village in Chakrata region of Dehra Dun district.

The national rainfed area authority (NRAA) has also been given the task to develop strategic plans for watershed development projects and prepare state-specific manuals. The NRAA will also provide technical input and expertise and organize conferences and workshops.

A national level data centre and national portal are also being set up under the NRAA for preparing country-wide data and archival data for programmes. A state level nodal agency (SLNA) has also been proposed. The central funding will be directly transferred to SLNA and not through state departments.

New guidelines have also been issued to enhance livelihood opportunities for the poor. The focus has now shifted on involving women in decision-making process and institutional arrangements. Competent organisations (NGOs) will be involved to facilitate in social mobilisation. The participation of primary stakeholders at all levels of the project is essential and community organisations would be accountable to gram sabhas.

A special focus would be on the utilisation of modern tools and IT techniques such as GIS facilities and remote sensing data. Each district will be equipped with IT and domain professionals.