This evaluation study of the performance of watershed based DPAP, DDP and IWDP being implemented in terms of uniform guidelines has revealed that project formulation aspect is weak. The design of required structures and detailed watershed development planning is not based on sound data base/information. Proper technical support for the formulation of projects is necessary to ensure that situation specific needs are addressed. Community participation at the planning stage also needs to be ensured so that its commitment for sustaining the assets created is obtained. The involvement of P R Institutions is essential right from project formulating stage.

These objectives could be achieved by the formation of Technical Committees which include concerned senior officers of the relevant Departments of Land, Water, Soil and Water Conservation of the States and also the concerned officers in the respective districts/watersheds. It is suggested that DRDAs or Zila Parishads might constitute such Technical Committees for the formulation, supervision and monitoring of Watershed Development Programmes to be undertaken by various Implementing Agencies.

Gram Panchayat is the only statutory body charged with planning and implementing authority for such programmes as per the 73^rd amendment of the Constitution. This is an elected body with all enabling legal powers. Therefore, there is no need for creating agencies like Watershed Association and Watershed Committee, etc. It is suggested that all work connected with the land and water based activities in the area may be taken care of by the concerned Gram Panchayats duly supported by respective technical line departments.

Community assets created in watersheds under different programmes for conservation of water resources, afforestation, grassland development, nala bank stabilisation, etc. are for the benefits of rural community.

In DPAP, the major thrust may be on conservation of water and prevention of land degradation. The creation of community assets particularly for conservation of water resources should be given top priority.

In DDP, the main emphasis has to be on the stabilisation of sand-dunes, planting of shelter belts and conservation and harvesting of water resources. Additionally, livestock development and fodder production needs to be given priority. Thus, managing water resources, livestock development and production of fodder should be the main constituents of this Programme.

In IWDP, the major activities are reclamation and development of wastelands for productive use. Type of reclamation measures would depend on the kind of land degradation e.g. waterlogging, salinity, alkalinity and desertification. Reclamation of these lands may be linked with production programmes, like biomass development, afforestation, horticulture development and grassland development.

4. Suggested Works

Vegetative contour hedges on arable lands have to be carefully planned. It is suggested that contour vegetative hedges should be planted after constructing sectional earthen bunds of small cross section. Sunken dug outs at suitable places may also be constructed for harvesting rain water and augmentation of ground water. Small stone and live checks across rills and gullies in the field area would stabilise the soilscape and reduce soil erosion.

Stabilisation of gullies in black soil by constructing check dams, particularly gabions, would be more effective to check soil erosion and in situ conservation of moisture. Alongwith gullies stabilisation, plantation of vetivera, agave and ipomea would prevent back cutting of the gullies.

The soils in areas covered under DPAP and DDP are low in fertility status and are prone to soil erosion by water and wind. Contour cultivation of surface spreading crops like groundnut, moong, soyabean, urad in kharif season particularly in arid and semi-arid regions would help in checking soil erosion and promote in situ moisture conservation.

For treatment of non-arable lands, three tier system of plantation i.e. grasses, bushes and trees would provide adequate bio-mass as fodder, fuelwood and timber to meet the requirement of local rural population and livestock.

Under DPAP, particularly, earthen and concrete water impounding structures should be constructed to collect maximum run off. Diversion drains from upper reaches of watershed should be provided for safe disposal of rain water and prevention of soil erosion.

5. Livestock Development

There is particular need in these watersheds to promote alternative sources of farm incomes as crop cultivation alone cannot lead to viable farm enterprises. Historically, animal husbandry has been one such alternative in these areas. For livestock development, these programmes should be linked with (i) improvement in the breed of local animals particularly cows and buffaloes and castration of scrub bulls and (ii) fodder/pasture development. This study reveals that such programmes were not given due importance and emphasis. Poultry & piggery development also needs to be given priority. It is suggested that greater thrust may be given to livestock development programmes in DDP, DPAP and IWDP areas.

Depending upon obtaining agro-climatic conditions, possible activity diversification should be considered for planning community assets for long term benefit. For instance, pisciculture may be given priority in the States like Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, Goa and Kerala.

6. Management of Common Property Resources

Watershed Development Programmes could create community assets like percolation tanks, stabilized gullies, plantations and other structures etc. Their long term sustainability is a MUST. It is suggested that three per cent of the total budget of Watershed Development may be earmarked for maintenance of these assets for a period of five years. For this purpose community participation should be ensured right from the start so that their maintenance could be successfully transferred to Gram Panchayats after the initial five year period.

7. Training

Officials in the fold of technical agencies, administration and Panchayati Raj Institutions concerned with the formulation and implementation of these programmes need to be given adequate refresher in-service training in the subject area of management of land & water resources in an integrated manner, crop and livestock development and project formulation and viability analysis, etc. Short-term training courses on various attributes of Watershed Development may periodically be arranged at the State/District and watershed levels.

It has been observed that on Watershed Development Programmes, on an average 60 percent of total expenditure is provided by way of labour cost for earth work, nursery establishment, plantation, etc. The remaining 40 percent is for material used i.e. equipment, pipes, seedlings, transportation and inputs. Cost norms should be flexible depending on the rate of earth work per cubic meter and also the cost of specified materials. These costs differ from State to State and also depend on the kind of work to be carried out.

DPAP, DDP and IWDP are being executed in terms of watersheds of about 500 ha. This approach does not often cover the whole population in a village or cluster of villages. The village is an administrative unit for all development activities. It is, therefore, suggested that while watershed might continue to be the basic planning unit under these programmes, all households in the village/cluster of villages in which the watershed lies may be included as the target group.

Under IWDP, wastelands in different blocks are covered. It has, however, been observed from our survey data that most of the area selected for the Programme does not fall in the category of wastelands. It was also observed that most of the so called wastelands are already under cultivation and hence the element of land development including reclamation has not been taken care of. It is recommended that proper selection of wastelands may be made under this programme and project plans prepared and implemented according to the guidelines.