Question : WATERSHED PROJECTS



(a) the details of ongoing watershed projects in the country, State-wise;

(b) time by which all these ongoing projects will be completed;

(c) whether new watershed projects have been initiated; and

(d) if so, the details thereof ?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI A.NARENDRA)

(a) The Department of Land Resources is implementing three area development Programmes namely the Integrated Wastelands Development Programme (IWDP),the Drought Prone Areas Programmes (DPAP and the Desert Development Programme (DDP) in accordance with their respective guidelines on watershed basis w.e.f. 1.4.1995. 804 projects under IWDP, 14,629 projects under DPAP, and 8,980 projects under DDP are on going and at various stages of implementation. State-wise details of ongoing watershed projects under these Programmes in the country, are given in the Annexure.

(b) Watershed development projects under these Programmes are implemented over a period of 5 years from the date of sanction and funds are released in five instalments on project to project basis under Hariyali guidelines. First instalment is released at the time of sanction of a project and each subsequent instalment is released on submission of theproposals by the concerned State Governments alongwith the requisite documents as well as utilisation of more than 50% funds of the last instalment released.

(c ) & (d) Under IWDP, project proposals are prioritised for sanction in consultation with the State Governments every year. In case of DPAP and DDP,new projects are sanctioned suo moto to .the identified blocks in the country by the Ministry.