Question : REVISION OF ACTION PLAN FOR WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES



(a) whether the Government have decided to revise the action plan for the ongoing Watershed Development Programmes according to the demand of the area and also to ensure effective implementation of the cluster catchment development project;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the works carried out and achievements made thereunder under various Watershed Schemes during the last three years and till date, State-wise ?

Answer given by the minister


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.