(a) the number of integrated Wastelands Development projects received during the last
three years, State-wise ;
(b) the number of projects pending for clearance till February, 2002, State-wise ;
(c) the time by which these projects are likely to be cleared;
(d) whether the Government have take foreign assistance for the development of wastelands; and
(e) if so, the assistance received during the said period for the purpose and allocated to each State?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHR1 ANNASAHEB M.K. PATIL)
(a) to (c) The Department of Land Resources is implementing an Integrated Wastelands Development
Programme (1WDP) for development/treatment of wastelands/degraded lands under the Guidelines for
Watershed Development. Under this programme, the project proposals are prioritized in consultation
with the State Governments on year to year basis for sanction during a financial year since 1999-2000.
The pending project proposals which are not sanctioned in a financial year are also considered for
prioritisation during the next financial year in consultation with the State Government.The pending
project proposals which do not find a place in the priority list, are then returned to the State Governments.
The number of prioritized project proposals received and sanctioned under IWDP during the last three
years (1998-99 to 2000-01) and the current financial year i.e. 2001-02 are given in the Statement.
New projects are generally sanctioned in a year keeping in view funds available for the programme, after
meeting the liability for the ongoing projects, progress made in ongoing projects, spread of treatable
wastelands in the State, implementation capacity etc. and conformity of project proposals with the
Guidelines for Watershed Development. Since sanction of project proposals depends on many factors
such as budget available, conformity of project proposals with the Guidelines, progress in the ongoing
projects etc., no firm time limit can be indicated.
(d) and (e) in order to mobilise resources for development of wastelands in the country, efforts have been
made for obtaining external assistance. Presently, 7 projects namely
(i) Andhra Pradesh Rural Livelihoods
Project (APRLP),
(ii) Western Orissa Rural Livelihoods Project (WORLP),
(iii) CIDA assisted Tree Growers
Cooperatives Project,
(iv) SIDA assisted Tree Growers, Cooperatives Project,
(v) Attappaddy Wasteland
Comprehensive Environmental Conservation Project,
(vi) Haryana Community Forestry Project, and fvii)
Community management of Natural Resources of Gujarat are under implementation with the assistance of
different Foreign
Donor Agencies.
The APRLP and WORLP are being implementing with the financial assistance from the Department for
International Development (DFID), UK,and funds are released by the Department of Land Resources.
A sum of Rs. 1661.61 lakhs and Rs. 177.23 lakhs have been released so far to APRLP and WORLP respectively.
In other projects, funds are not being released through this Department. The information in respect of these
projects is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.