The country is
facing serious challenge because of extensive land degradation and water
stress. Though the estimates may vary, it can be safely stated that nearly half
of the country’s area is suffering from excessive runoff resulting in soil
erosion and loss of precious water resources. The problem is more severe in
rainfed areas of the country. As the agriculture productivity has stabilised in
assured irrigated areas, the rainfed areas of the country assume more
significance because of its potential for enhancement in productivity by
successful implementation of watershed development programme.
What is
IWMP ?
The Integrated
Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) one of the Flagship programme of Ministry
of Rural Development is under implementation by the Department of Land
Resources since 2009-10 after integrating three area development programmes
namely
- Desert Development Programme (DDP),
- Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) and
- Integrated Wastelands Development Programme (IWDP),
What are
the aims of IWMP ?
The main aims of
IWMP are harnessing, conserving and developing degraded natural resources such
as soil, vegetative cover and water; prevention of soil run-off; rain water
harvesting and recharging of the ground water table; increasing the
productivity of crops; introduction of multi-cropping and diverse agro-based
activities; promoting sustainable livelihoods and increasing the household
incomes.
Which are
the major activities undertaken ?
The major
activities taken up under IWMP inter-alia include ridge area treatment,
drainage line treatment, soil and moisture conservation, rain water harvesting,
nursery raising, afforestation, horticulture, pasture development, livelihoods
for asset less persons. The Department of Land Resources has sanctioned 6622
projects covering an area of 31.29 million hectare and has released the central
assistance of Rs.8240.61 crore to the States under IWMP since its inception in
2009-10 to 2013-14 (till November 2013).
What is
the project duration?
The project
duration of IWMP project varies from 4-7 years.Though the IWMP projects are yet
to be completed, the impacts are now visible in many parts of the
country.
What
benefits can be accrued from IWMP ?
The benefits
that are expected to accrue under the IWMP include increase in availability of
surface water & groundwater, changes in cropping pattern from one to two
crops annually, increase in fodder availability and increase in milk yield,
increase in agriculture productivity and increase in employment opportunities
and household income.
What is
the role of Gram Panchayat in IWMP ?
In the IWMP, Gram Panchayat has been effectively
involved to perform important function at Village / Watershed level to keep
transparency and peoples participations. The main
functions to be performed by GramPanchayat are :
To supervise , support and advise Watershed Committee
(WC); Authenticate accounts / expenditure of WC and other institutions of
Watershed Projects; Facilitate convergence of other programmes; Maintain
asset register / watershed projects to retain it after the project; Provide
office accommodation and other requirements to WC and Allocate usufruct
rights to deserving User Groups /Self Help Groups over the assets
created.
