(a) whether the Government propose to link National Watershed policy to the
technology missions of pulses, oilseed and cotton;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the present status of implementation of the proposal; and
(d) the action plan finalised for the next five years to evolve and implement an
integrated natural resource management strategy addressing issues like soil, water
and country`s bio-diversity and their use in a sustainable manner?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE
(SHRI SUNDAR LAL PATWA)
(a) to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED
QUESTION NO.291 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 15TH MARCH, 2000 IN THE LOK
SABHA.
(a) to (c) There is no National Watershed Policy. However, the Watershed
Approach is being adopted for the development of rainfed areas. Oilseeds, pulses
and cotton are generally cultivated in the dryland and rainfed conditions.
(d) The Watershed Approach aims at achieving the twin objectives of
sustainable production of bio-mass through integrated management of natural
endowments like land, water, plant, animal and human resources and restoration of
ecological balance.
The major Centrally Sponsored Schemes being implemented by various
Ministries on watershed basis for development of rainfed areas, drought prone
areas, wastelands and reclamation of problem and degraded forest area are as
follows:
A. Ministry of Agriculture
1. National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA)
2. Watershed Development in Shifting Cultivation Areas (WDSCA)
B. Ministry of Rural Development
3. Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP)
4. Desert Development Programme (DDP)
5. Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP)
6. Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS)
C. Ministry of Environment & Forests
7 Integrated Afforestation and Eco Development Project.