|
Watersheds |
Research Papers... |
|
Historical Transact of Watershed Policies in India -
Shifts in Content and Philosophy and their
implications
-
by
M.V. Rama Chandrudu
Community based management of natural resources in the
framework of watershed program is now an accepted
approach for ecological regeneration and sustainable
use of natural resources. The Guidelines issued by
Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India
(Oct 1994) have significantly contributed to
popularize watershed approach in communities, NGOs,
academicians, donors and government departments. These
Guidelines have shifted the paradigm from centralized
top driven approach to decentralized and bottom up
approaches and initiated a new era in the ecological
restoration. Since 1994, the country has wide variety
of experiences in facilitating the watershed program.
Eventually, the Guidelines of watershed development
program are revised in 2001 (Watershed Guidelines -
Revised) and 2003 (Hariyali). Apart from these
guidelines, Ministry of Agriculture also issued
guidelines for National Watershed Development Project
for Rainfed Areas (2000). In state like Andhra Pradesh
(which has highest number of watershed development
projects in the country) Government of Andhra Pradesh
has recognized the need for strengthening
participatory processes and supported a process of
consultations on the issue. As a result of this, "Process Guidelines
for Watershed Development Program" came into existence
in Dec 2002. These Process Guidelines were conceived
in the broad framework of earlier guidelines (1994 and
2001).
For details ....
 |
|
The Watershed Development Programme in Andhra Pradesh:
Reflections for Reforms...
-
by
M.V. Rama Chandrudu
This paper reflects on the experiences of implementing
the watershed development programme in Andhra Pradesh.
Key issues that emerge from this analysis form the
basis for 'reforming' the watershed development program
in terms of policy framework and interventions needed
to strengthen the programme. The first three chapters
present the analysis, reflections and thus a rationale
for 'reforms', while the remaining three chapters
propose a refined or redefined framework for watershed
development program in terms of programme components,
thrust areas, policy options and agenda for generating
new knowledge to enhance the performance of program.
For details ....
|
|
Watershed Development Program in Andhra Pradesh:
Its implications on Livelihoods of Rural Poor
-
by
M.V. Rama Chandrudu
Many critiques negate the term 'livelihoods' as one of
those new buzzwords in the development jargon.
Suddenly everyone seems to be busy promoting
livelihoods of poor. Many are trying to bring their
past experiences into the framework of livelihoods, to
gain some credibility. Irrespective of the criticism
associated with the term, many agree that the
framework of livelihoods provides an over arching and
comprehensive understanding of the reality in a
systematic manner. The contribution from international
donors (SDC, DFID, OXFAM, UNDP and others) and
academic institutions (IDS, IRMA and others) in
developing conceptual frameworks and crystallizing the
philosophy was well recognized.
Watershed Development program also tried to expand its
scope by adopting the terminology of livelihoods and
tried to rediscover itself in Andhra Pradesh. This
paper tries to analyze the present preparedness of
watershed program in addressing the livelihoods
concerns. Conceptually, can watershed program
contribute to the cause of livelihoods approaches/
philosophy? Let us explore this, using the key words
of livelihoods framework.
For details ....
|
|
Combating Land Degradation and Droughts...
-
by A. Ravindra
The process of degradation of fragile drylands affects
25 per cent of the earth’s land area and threatens the
livelihoods of 900 million people in one hundred
countries. Desertification affects one-sixth of the
world’s population. 800 million people live without
adequate food resources in these drylands. The problem
is particularly endemic in India. Droughts have been a major impediment in India’s
development, a country heavily dependant on monsoon
rains to annually replenish its water sources. A poor
monsoon caused draught like situations in 77.6 per
cent of India’s geographical area at least once or
twice in every five years. Forcing people to sell
their livestock and leave their homes, droughts cause
large-scale misery in the lives of the poor and the marginalised. Combating the effects of drought often
precipitates into larger crisis, as drought relief
operations struggle to provide wage employment,
drinking water, food, fodder and often wage employment
to those affected. The drought in 1999-2000 affected
around 100 million people and 3.4 million cattle.
For
details ....
|
|
Dynamic Group Strategy -
The least understood phenomenon in participatory
watershed management
-
by K. Suresh
We are already into the 4th year since the ‘New
Guidelines’ have come into force. I have a strong
feeling that the spirit and approach of the guidelines
has been missed by most who have tried to mechanically
interpret them for their own convenience and ease.
Everybody claims to have implemented the programme
strictly according to the guidelines and some even
quote para numbers of the guidelines right from their
memory. Before going into the details of the Dynamic
Group strategy let us review what the guidelines
expected out of this programme. Like poor people we
have poor lands: poor in water resources, poor in soil
fertility, poor in vegetation and poor in
productivity. These are the arid and semi-arid lands
of the country. These lands are drought prone. The
DPAP, DDP and IWDP have failed in their objectives and
the recommendations of the Hanumantha Rao Committee
resulted in prescription of great paradigm shift in
the approach of these programmes. The words
‘watershed’ and ‘participation’ have become popular
but the reversals that were expected in the
implementation of these programmes have by and large
not taken place.
For details ....
|
|
Women and Watersheds - Current status -
Strategies for ensuring Gender Balance in Watershed
Program...
-
by K. Vanaja
In a male dominated society like ours, one has to
accept the fact that women are at the receiving end.
The opportunities and access to decision-making
institutions are not equal to men and women. Because
of this less access, the needs /issues of
women aren’t given priority and therefore not
addressed. We see a clear division of labour among men
and women, designating certain tasks exclusively to
each other. Most often we see that the activities,
which are considered of low value, or those which do
not have the element of market or money attached to
them are treated as women’s sphere and the others of
men. It clearly shapes the livelihood pattern of men
and women. With women spending most of their time in
household maintenance and the men in the matters of so
called productive activities getting an image of bread
winner. Women’s livelihood then clearly made dependent
on the men. Though she interacts
with the natural resources relatively more, she
doesn’t have the rights over them. If we take the case
of water, Women’s priority concern is very largely the
water for domestic use. Providing water for domestic
purpose has been traditionally the responsibility of
women. Family water needs like drinking, cooking,
bathing, washing clothes, water for animals to drink
and wash, for making cow dung cakes, construction etc.
Depending upon the no. of people, season and animals
in the
family women have to go far distances to fetch water.
For
details ....
|
 Back
to top
|
|
