THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI ANNASAHEB M.K. PATIL):
(a) and (b) The Guidelines for Watershed Development have been revised in September, 2001
for better execution of the Integrated Wastelands Development Programme (IWDP), Drought
Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) and Desert Development Programme (DDP) for development of
non-forest wastelands/degraded lands on watershed approach. As a result, the action plan
for ongoing watershed projects which were sanctioned before September, 2001 and after
1.4.2000 were chalked out as per revised Guidelines taking into consideration the needs
of the local people living in the watershed areas to ensure more effective implementation
of the project.
(c) Various type of field activities carried out under the ongoing watershed projects
being implemented under IWDP, DPAP and DDP include measures to check land degradation
through soil and moisture conservation measures and water harvesting structures for
recharge of ground water table, tree planting and related activities for production of
bio-mass including fuel wood and fodder. 436 projects covering an area of 38.03 lakh
hectares under iWDP, 16,268 projects covering an area of 81.34 lakh hectares under DPAP
and 8,314 projects covering an area of 41.57 lakh hectares under DDP have been sanctioned
under these programmes. State-wise details showing number of projects and area sanctioned
under IWDP, DPAP and DDP from 1995-96 to till date are contained in the statement.