(a) whether the Watershed Development Programme has not been effectively implemented
in different parts of the country;
(b) if so, the steps the Government proposes to give an impetus to the Watershed Development Programme;and
(c) the details of the foreign aided projects for watershed development programme in the country?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI)
(a) & (b): The Technical Committee on Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP), Desert Development Programme
(DDP) and Integrated Wastelands Development Programme (IWDP), under the chairmanship of Shri S. Parthasarathy,
addressed major issues in watershed programmes and recommended viable strategies and mechanisms for effective
implementation of these programmes. Based on the suggestions of the Committee, National Rainfed Area Authority
(NRAA) in coordination with Planning Commission formulated Common Guidelines for Watershed Development
Projects, 2008 to give an impetus to watershed development programmes. All the three programmes have been
integrated into a single modified programme called ‘Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP)’ with
effect from 26-02-2009. The provisions of develoment of micro-watersheds on cluster basis, reduced number
of installments, delegation of power of sanction of projects to the States, dedicated institutions, capacity
building of stakeholders, monitoring & evaluation, specific budget provision for detailed project report
preparation, livelihood for assetless people and productivity enhancement are some of the features of IWMP
to ensure its effective implementation.
(c): The details of the foreign aided projects for watershed development programme
in the country during last three years are as below:
(Rs. in crore)
S. State Name of Funding Amount Assistance utilized No. the project agency by the State and reimbursed by aid agency
2007- 2008- 2009-10 08 09
1 Andhra Andhra Pradesh Department 14.50 14.50 Scheme was Pradesh Rural Livelihood for International closed on Programme Development (DFID) 31.12.2007
2 Kerala Attapady Wasteland Japan International 208.83 22.96 25.45 67.14 Comprehensive Cooperation Agency Environmental (JICA) formerly Conservation Project known as JBIC
3 Orissa Western Orissa Department for 229.27 39.18 39.72 40.65 Rural International Livelihood Development (DFID) Programme