Efforts in Advocacy

Over a period of time, the advocacy strategies of WASSAN developed a particular pattern and following certain guiding principles; Evidence based suggestions are proposed for policy improvements, rather than hypothetical solutions. New experiences are generated in the form of pilots to address critical concerns of mainstream projects and take the quality of projects to higher order. Lessons are generated with consolidation and processing of existing experiences. As policy advocacy is a collaborative effort, WASSAN’s approach of networking is playing a significant role towards that end.

In that cycle of policy advocacy, WASSAN has made several efforts during the last 3 years. It initiated several pilot programs within the purview of Andhra Pradesh Drought Adaptation Initiative (APDAI). And the lessons of certain pilots have already paved way for evolving programs in a wider scale. Rainfed Land Development Program (RLDP), Common Land Development Program, Inland Fisheries, Extension of Livestock services into the watershed programs, Expansion of System of Rice Intensification, etc are some of the key achievements in this regard. WASSAN’s efforts towards redesigning a new paradigm for addressing the needs of rainfed areas have also got much attention in the policy arena; both at state and national level.

Strengthening Watershed Development Projects in Andhra Pradesh
Watershed development projects in Andhra Pradesh since 1998. It functioned as a network based advocacy and resource organization in the state and provided critical inputs to Commissionerate of Rural Development (CRD), NABARD funded watershed development projects etc. It also promoted and facilitated various Networks of NGOs and CBOs. The inputs are in the form of training programs, field level support services, production & dissemination of communication material, research, monitoring and advocacy support, implementation of pilots / innovative models, facilitation of network based consultation processes and anchoring of livelihoods resource centres etc. WASSAN also functioned as Secretariat for Consortium of Resource Organizations, channeling support of various NGOs / Resources Organizations for developing capacities of
mainstream institutions engaged with watershed development projects.

Given the opportunities in revised policy framework (Common Guidelines for Watershed Development Projects (2008), WASSAN and its partners articulated a vision for watershed development projects during the Annual Network Meeting (ANM) 2009. It proposed that the watershed development projects under Common Guidelines could go beyond earlier experiences (such as APRLP) and demonstrate ‘next generation’ watersheds in Andhra Pradesh. However, the Government of Andhra Pradesh was not willing to partner with NGOs in watershed development context. It was sad to realize that the Commissionerate of Rural Development (CRD), which is functioning as State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA) for the state, decided to identify Mandal Praja Prarishad for executing all watershed development projects, even after a long standing partnership with the NGOs in the state. Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO) was expected to function as Project Implementing Agency (PIA) in the state, as per this design. The CRD was unwilling to partner with NGOs, under the pretext that ‘there is too much of pressure on the system to select NGOs and it is too difficult to select NGOs’.

During 2008-09, WASSAN organized series of consultation meetings with CRD for taking an alternative path and follow the provisions of Guidelines, which clearly indicate that 25% projects have to be implemented by NGOs. Some of these meetings also specially focused on evolving alternative roles for NGO, as Resource Organizations. CRD was open to partnerships with NGOs on specific tasks that could be completed in a short period of time, but unwilling to change their position on giving PIA role to NGOs. Mr. K Raju, the then Principal Secretary (2008-09) requested WASSAN to help in drafting a policy / process guidelines, where the partnership between MPDO and Local NGO Networks could be clearly articulated. Based on this, WASSAN prepared a draft Process Guidelines, however, these consultations could not lead to meaningful conclusions, as the political situation in the state changed during September 2009. Thus, there was a stalemate in the consultations between the NGOs and CRD. Theoretically, MPDOs
continued as PIAs in the state and hardly performed any of their expected duties as PIAs. There was any action and progress on the ground.

Since the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of first batch watershed projects was an important requirement for getting funds from Government of India, CRD had to find a way to get the progress on watershed front. CRD is aware that MPDOs could not produce any DPRs and they need help in this process. With this background, CRD invited all member of Consortium of Resource Organizations in the state and requested them to take the responsibility of preparing DPRs for the selected watershed projects. WASSAN and few other members of Consortium of Resource Organizations agreed to support CRD in the preparation of DPRs, to tide over the crisis. However, with the improbable conditions by CRD, it was very difficult to prepare the DPRs as per desired quality. WASSAN constantly provided feedback to the CRD on the gaps and limitations of the process.

During Annual Network Meeting (ANM) in July 2010, WASSAN made a forceful argument in the presence of senior government officers Mr. Reddy Subramanayam, Principal Secretary (Rural Development) and Dr Suvarna, Special Commissioner (RD), to follow the provisions of Common Guidelines for Watershed Development Projects and operationalize the same with true spirit. Principal Secretary agreed to change the position of the CRD and formally announced the decision to identify capable and credible NGOs as PIAs, on the ANM dias itself. He requested NGOs to take up responsibilities such as capacity building and monitoring etc., to strengthen the Watershed projects and also National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

In a subsequent meeting organized by the Principal Secretary (RD) on 20th July 2010, 13 NGOs were formally selected as PIAs for watershed projects in the state. WASSAN also agreed to function as PIA in three projects in Mahabubnagar (Bomraspet Mandal) and Ranga Reddy District (Parigi and Doma Mandals). Other NGOs who are identified as PIAs are – BAIF, Centre for People’s Forestry; Deccan Development Society; APMAS; MYRADA; Dhan Foundation; Foundation for Ecological Security; APPS Network; Rural Development Trust; WOTR, Outreach.

Improving sustainability of interventions and benefit flows under OTELP

Orissa Tribal Empowerment and Livelihood Project (OTELP) was initiated in tribal areas of Western Orissa since 2004–05. The phase- I of the project comprised of 136 watershed projects, covering 396 villages in 4 districts, implemented by local NGOs. As this phase is in its completion stage, OTELP has given an assignment to WASSAN for working out a strategy to improve sustainability and suggest step by step process guidelines. This assignment dealt with certain project concerns that include; sustainability of institutions established, with linkages to financial and other developmental institutions; sustainability of the infrastructure created and its use with clear mechanisms of maintenance / protection, etc; completion of the agenda/mandate of the program and the works initiated; and sustainability of the growth.

Subsequently WASSAN made an analysis and recommendations were structured on 12 thematic areas, which include; land development measures, water resources development, biomass development, forestry management, productivity enhancement (agriculture, livestock, fisheries), nutritional and food security, land rights, institutional / delivery mechanism, management of leftover funds with VDCs and FNGOs, collective marketing, capacity building support, convergence with other departments, gender mainstreaming etc. For each theme certain action points were given.

It was suggested to make efforts for conceptualization of policy and operational strategies for each of the components in a consistent manner and revisit/revise the existing action plans relevant to the components. It was also suggested to revise institutional needs and capacity building services by developing partnerships with different resource organizations / consortia of resource organizations on the relevant themes; Establishing CLRCs, revising existing action plans for capacity building and providing flexibility at FNGO level are some critical necessities in this regard.

Special efforts were suggested for developing convergence platforms at district level by interfacing with district administration, particularly with District Collectors, with a clear set of demands based on the revised action plans on each component. It was also suggested to ensure all components have strong gender and equity dimensions at all levels – policy formulation, delivery of capacity building inputs, revision of action plans, facilitating convergence and execution of action plans. For keeping track of all these important interventions, rigorous monitoring systems were recommended

Involving in Policy Formulation Processes at National Level

WASSAN has been engaged with the process of policy formulation for watershed development projects in the country in different ways. Process Studies in seven states of India (Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Nagaland during 2004-06), membership in informal drafting committees constituted by Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India (during 2007-08), Conducting Process Monitoring of Hariyali Watershed Projects under AP Rural Livelihoods Projects (2005-07); supporting the Parthasarathy Committee; conducting Annual Network Meetings are some of the opportunities to contribute towards policy formulation processes in the country. The recommendations/ prepositions from WASSAN were incorporated in the latest version of – Common Guidelines for Watershed Development Projects (2008).

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