National Watershed Development Programme

National Watershed Development Programme for Rain fed Areas (NWDPRA) is a programme subsumed under Macro Management of agriculture (MMA) Scheme of Department of Agriculture & Cooperation which has been amended for the XI Five Year Plan. The guidelines of the revised MMA are also applicable from the financial year 2008-09. The NWDPRA was launched in 1990-91 in 25 States and two Union Territories and continues to be implemented during IX plan. During the IX Plan it is proposed to treat an area of 2.25 million hectares at an estimated cost of Rs. 1030.00 crores.

The broad objectives of the NWDPRA are:

Conservation, development and sustainable management of natural Resources including their use.
Enhancement of agricultural productivity and production in a sustainable manner.
Restoration of ecological balance in the degraded and fragile rainfed Ecosystems by greening these areas through appropriate mix of trees, shrubs and Grasses.
Reduction in regional disparity between irrigated and rainfed areas.
Creation of sustained EMPLOYMENT opportunities for the rural community including the landless.

Guiding principles

Sequence of activities and their operational modalities under NWDPRA would vary from situation to situation depending upon the status of land degradation, prevailing farming system practices in the selected watershed and prioritization of activities set by the watershed community. Hence, the instructions are made flexible to the extent that desired modifications could be considered at different levels, subject to the condition that provisions contained in the WARASA ANASAHABHAGITA Guidelines, Common Guidelines for Watershed Development Projects issued by the National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) and those approved for the Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA) scheme of Department of Agriculture & Cooperation.

Project activities

Treatment of non-arable lands for Soil and moisture conservation and Biomass/”>Biomass production through afforestation, Horticulture-2/”>Horticulture and pasture development.
Treatment of arable lands for better in-situ soil and moisture conservation and to enhance production through cost effective, sustainable and replicable Cropping techniques with minimum Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE and soil conservation measures.
Adoption of alternate land use to prevent ploughing of steep slopes and thereby reducing runoff and soil erosion by taking up horticulture, silviculture and silvipasture.
Development of Water Resources and improve recharge of underground aquifers.
To increase the Average income of small and marginal farmers and landless families through increased casual employment on marketable surplus of agricultural and Dairy produce and by growing Cash Crops like vegetables.
To improve the social status and living standard of watershed inhabitants.

Implementing agency

At present different states are implementing the NWDPRA programme through different departments namely department of agriculture; department of watershed development; soil conservation department; land development corporation; etc. Likewise these departments are having their respective offices at the district level. In some districts where the technology dissemination component of National Agriculture Technology Project (NATP) is operating, an autonomous agency namely Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) has also been established, recently. Each state may accordingly identify a nodal department at the district level to carry out over all management and supervision of the programme For this purpose, a Committee shall be constituted under the Chairmanship of District Head of the Nodal Department.

Criteria for selection of watershed project

Blocks having less than 30 percent assured means of Irrigation in the arable land.
Identification of priority micro watersheds
Identification of villages having prioritized watersheds based on acuteness of drinking water, preponderance of wastelands / degraded lands, extent of exploitation of ground water, contiguity of watersheds, willingness of community, non availability of assured irrigation etc.,
To ensure completion of targeted activities in the plan period
Watershed area of the NWDPRA projects should not overlap with any other developed/ongoing watershed projects funded by State Governments or any other agencies.

Technology aspects of Watershed Management project

Technologies under Watershed development programme can broadly be classified in two types:

For development of Natural Resources : conservation and upgradation technologies For enhancement of production and productivity of different commodities and combination of commodities production system technologies.

Conservation Technologies: Conventional soil conservation technologies e.g. diversion drains, contour bunds with waste weirs / compromised contour bunds on lower field boundaries, check Dams and drop-structures are universally recommended, planned and implemented over large areas covering different ecological endowments. Such measures are to be built upon indigenous practices like terraces in hilly areas and shelter belts in arid areas adjoining deserts and coastal sand dune regions.

Benefits of NWDPRA:

Drought proofing
Erosion control
Increase in agricultural production.
Increased availability of fodder, fuel and timber.
Ground water recharge.
Creation of durable assets
Restoration of ecological balance.
Employment generation
Ensuring desired Cropping Intensity in rainfed agriculture.
Protection of the tableland and
stabilization of gullies.

The National Watershed Development Programme (NWDP) is a watershed management program implemented by the Government of India. The program was launched in 1987 with the objective of improving the Water Resources Management in the country. The NWDP is implemented by the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

The NWDP aims to achieve the following objectives:

To improve the water availability in the country by increasing the storage capacity of water bodies and reducing the runoff.
To improve the quality of water by reducing the pollution and sedimentation.
To improve the productivity of land by conserving the soil and water resources.
To improve the livelihood of the people by providing them with employment opportunities in the watershed development activities.

The NWDP covers all the states and union territories of India. The program is implemented through a decentralized approach with the involvement of the state governments, district administrations, and local communities. The NWDP is funded by the central government and the state governments.

The NWDP has four components:

Watershed development: This component involves the construction of water harvesting structures, such as check dams, ponds, and tanks.
Soil and water conservation: This component involves the construction of terraces, bunds, and gully plugs.
Afforestation: This component involves the planting of trees and shrubs.
Livelihood generation: This component involves the development of income-generating activities for the people in the watershed.

The NWDP is implemented through a participatory approach with the involvement of the local communities. The program is implemented in a phased manner with the first phase covering the period from 1987 to 1992. The second phase of the program was implemented from 1993 to 1997. The third phase of the program is currently being implemented.

The NWDP is monitored and evaluated by the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. The program has been successful in achieving its objectives. The NWDP has helped to improve the water availability, quality, and productivity of land in the country. The program has also helped to improve the livelihood of the people in the watershed.

The NWDP has faced some challenges, such as lack of coordination between the different stakeholders, inadequate funding, and poor implementation. However, the program has made significant progress in addressing these challenges. The NWDP is a successful watershed management program that has helped to improve the water resources management in the country.

The way forward for the NWDP is to continue to implement the program in a participatory manner with the involvement of the local communities. The program should also focus on improving the coordination between the different stakeholders, increasing the funding, and improving the implementation. The NWDP has the potential to make a significant contribution to the water resources management in the country.

What is a watershed?

A watershed is an area of land that drains into a common water body, such as a river, lake, or ocean. The boundary of a watershed is called a watershed divide.

What is watershed management?

Watershed management is the practice of managing land and water resources within a watershed to protect water quality and quantity, and to promote the sustainable use of natural resources.

What are the benefits of watershed management?

Watershed management can provide a number of benefits, including:

Improved water quality: Watershed management can help to reduce pollution and improve the quality of water in rivers, lakes, and streams.
Increased water supply: Watershed management can help to increase the amount of water available for drinking, irrigation, and other uses.
Reduced flooding: Watershed management can help to reduce the risk of flooding by slowing the flow of water and storing excess water in ponds and wetlands.
Improved habitat for fish and wildlife: Watershed management can help to improve the habitat for fish and wildlife by restoring stream banks, planting trees, and creating wetlands.
Increased recreation opportunities: Watershed management can help to increase the number of recreation opportunities available by improving access to rivers, lakes, and trails.

What are the challenges of watershed management?

Watershed management can be challenging due to a number of factors, including:

The complexity of watersheds: Watershed are complex systems that are affected by a variety of factors, including land use, Climate, and geology.
The need for cooperation: Watershed management often requires cooperation from a variety of stakeholders, including landowners, businesses, and government agencies.
The long-term nature of watershed management: Watershed management is a long-term process that requires sustained effort to achieve results.

What are some examples of watershed management projects?

Some examples of watershed management projects include:

Reforestation: Reforestation is the process of planting trees on land that has been cleared or damaged. Reforestation can help to improve water quality, reduce flooding, and provide habitat for fish and wildlife.
Stream restoration: Stream restoration is the process of repairing damage to streams caused by erosion, sedimentation, and pollution. Stream restoration can help to improve water quality, increase fish and wildlife habitat, and reduce flooding.
Wetland creation: Wetland creation is the process of creating wetlands on land that was previously dry. Wetlands can help to improve water quality, reduce flooding, and provide habitat for fish and wildlife.
Watershed Education: Watershed education is the process of teaching people about the importance of watershed management and how they can help to protect their watershed. Watershed education can help to increase public awareness of watershed issues and encourage people to take action to protect their watershed.

What can I do to help manage my watershed?

There are a number of things you can do to help manage your watershed, including:

Plant trees: Trees help to improve water quality, reduce flooding, and provide habitat for fish and wildlife.
Reduce pollution: Pollution from sources such as cars, factories, and farms can damage water quality. You can help to reduce pollution by driving less, recycling, and using less energy.
Conserve water: Water is a precious resource that we need to conserve. You can help to conserve water by taking shorter showers, fixing leaky faucets, and watering your lawn less often.
Get involved: There are many ways to get involved in watershed management. You can volunteer for a watershed organization, attend a watershed meeting, or write to your elected officials about watershed issues.

Which of the following is not a component of the National Watershed Development Programme?
(A) Soil and moisture conservation
(B) Afforestation
(C) Water harvesting
(D) Irrigation
The National Watershed Development Programme was launched in which year?
(A) 1987
(B) 1992
(C) 1997
(D) 2002
The National Watershed Development Programme is implemented by which ministry?
(A) Ministry of Agriculture
(B) Ministry of Water Resources
(C) Ministry of Environment and Forests
(D) Ministry of Rural Development
The National Watershed Development Programme aims to achieve which of the following?
(A) Increase agricultural production
(B) Reduce soil erosion
(C) Improve water availability
(D) All of the above
The National Watershed Development Programme is implemented in which of the following states?
(A) All states
(B) Select states
(C) Union territories
(D) None of the above
The National Watershed Development Programme is funded by which of the following?
(A) Central government
(B) State Government
(C) Both central and state governments
(D) None of the above
The National Watershed Development Programme is implemented through which of the following?
(A) Central agencies
(B) State agencies
(C) Both central and state agencies
(D) None of the above
The National Watershed Development Programme has been successful in achieving which of the following?
(A) Increase agricultural production
(B) Reduce soil erosion
(C) Improve water availability
(D) All of the above
The National Watershed Development Programme has faced some challenges, which of the following is not a challenge?
(A) Lack of coordination between central and state agencies
(B) Lack of awareness among farmers
(C) Lack of funds
(D) All of the above are challenges
The National Watershed Development Programme has been successful in some areas and not successful in others. What are the reasons for this?
(A) Lack of coordination between central and state agencies
(B) Lack of awareness among farmers
(C) Lack of funds
(D) All of the above are reasons