INTEGRATED WASTELAND

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
BACKGROUND
India shares 16% of the world population, while its land is only 2% of the total geographical area
of the world. Naturally, the pressure on the land is often beyond its carrying capacity. Therefore,
the productive lands, especially the farmlands in the India are in the constant process of various
degrees of degradation and are fast turning into wastelands. At present, approximately 68.35
million hectare area of the land is lying as wastelands in India. Out of these lands, approximately
50% lands are such non-forest lands, which can be made fertile again if treated properly. It was
unprotected non-forestlands, which suffered the maximum degradation mainly due to the
tremendous biotic pressure on it. In the last 50 years it is India’s lush green village forests and
wood lots have been deforested to the maximum.

INTEGRATED WASTELAND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

The problem

The degradation of environment in the fragile Indian sub-topical eco-system is basically

attributed to:-

 Increasing biotic pressure

 Absence of adequate investments and appropriate management practices.

High rate of Population growth and high incidence poverty in rural areas.

Over-exploitation of National Resources.

The break-down of traditional institutions for managing common property resources and
failure of new institutions to fill the vacuum.

Faulty land use practices.

CONSEQUENCES

 Soil Erosion Land Degradation

Depletion of natural resources

Lower productivity

Ground Water Depletion

 Shortage of Drinking Water

Reduction in Species Diversity

 Increase in the extent of Wastelands

The strategy

Development of wastelands mainly in non-forest areas aimed at checking land degradation,

putting such wastelands of the country to SUSTAINABLE use & increasing bio-mass
availability especially that of fuelwood, fodder, fruits, fiber & small timber. It can done and
achieved through INTEGRATED WASTELAND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT SCHEME by
revitalizing & reviving village level institutions & enlisting people's participation. It is people's
own programme which aims at giving them actual decision making powers in terms of project
implementation & fund disbursal.

It is one programme which is making sincere efforts towards the empowerment of the people so
that a sense of collective responsibility can be evolved among them. The approach of watershed
development in a holistic manner automatically strikes a prudent balance between environmental
concerns & developmental aspirations. In fact , the effective community control has been an
integral part of the Indian social fabric which was fragmented by the colonial rule.

WHAT IS WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT ?

Watershed development refers to the conservation regeneration and the judicious use of all the
resources – natural (like land, water plants, animals) and human – within the watershed area.
Watershed Management tries to bring about the best possible balance in the environment
between natural resources on the one side and man and animals on the other. Since it is the man
which is primarily responsible for degradation of environment, regeneration and conservation
can only be possible by promoting awakening and participation among the people who inhabit
the watersheds.

WHY WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT ?

Man and his environment are interdependent. The changes in the environment directly affect the
lives of the people depending on it. A degraded environment means a degraded quality of life of
the people. Environmental degradation can be tackled effectively through the holistic
development of the watershed. A watershed provides a natural geo-hydrological unit for
planning any developmental initiative.
A Check Dam

Geographical Details of India

AREA (m.ha)
Total Geographical Area 329 mha.
Records available 304 mha.
Area fit for vegetation 264 mha.
Area under Crops 142 mha.
Area under forest 67 mha.
Degraded Area in villages 35 mha.
Degraded Area with farmers 20 mha.

What are Wastelands ?

Degraded land which can be brought under vegetative cover, with reasonable effort, and which is
currently under utilised and land which is deteriorating for lack of appropriate water and soil
management or on account of natural causes. The programme does not focus solely on
uncultivable wastelands because such lands are:

 Too degraded to recoupe in isolation

 Cost of treatment is very expensive and economical
 Such lands are too remote from the village through protection of vegetative measures and
participation of local people is not possible

Categories of Wastelands in India

Area
Category
(in sq.Kms.)
Snow Covered/Glacial 55788.49
Barren Rocky/Sheet Rock 64584.77
Sands-inland/coastal 50021.65
Land affected by salinity/alkalinity 20477.38
Gullied/or ravinous land 20553.35
Upland with or without scrub 194014.29
Water logged & Marshy 16568.45
Steep sloping area 7656.29
Shifting cultivation land 35142.20
Mining/Industrial Wastelands 1252.13
Degraded/pastures/grazing land 25978.91
Under utilised/degraded notified forest land 140652.31
Degraded land under plantation crop 5828.09
Grand Total: 638518.31 sq. kms

WHY PEOPLE’S PARTICIPATION?

There is a close relationship between the environment and the community living within that area
as the community derives sustenance from it. Increase in biotic pressure leads to over-
exploitation and degradation of natural resources. Paucity of resources also leads to internal
conflict giving opportunity to others to exploit the situation. It is thus necessary for people to
realize the intrinsic relationship between population, poverty and degraded environment they live
in. the poor, in the developing country like India are left with no option but to degrade their own
environment for their very own survival.

Still, it is only they who can restore the health to environment thus ruined, outside actors can
only facilitate but never substitute for stake holders. Hence, there can be no sustainable natural
resources management unless it involves all inhabitants of the affected areas in an active manner
and development plans are formulated and executed by them.

Integration of indigenous technologies with development is vital. Rural people’s knowledge and
the technological advancements are complimentary in their strengths and weaknesses. Combined
together, they may achieve what neither would achieve along. Low cost locally available
technology with suitable intervention by latest advancements yields best solution.

It is clear that the watershed development cannot be done in isolation. It is a natural entity and
may contain different types of lands namely, forest lands, community lands, government lands or
private lands. These lands can be treated on "ridge to valley" approach. A land lying in a valley
cannot be improved if the land at upper reaches is not treated. Treatment of land in a scattered
manner will not lead to wasteland development. Mere treatment of land is not enough. Land and
people cannot and should not be viewed in isolation. So the best possible strategy would be
treating the land by empowering the people who live in it. It is watershed plus approach which
takes care of holistic development. Therefore, the entire watershed community is to be involved
for the integrated development of watershed and the assets created in such an effort are to also be
maintained through the people of the watershed community in order to ensure sustainability.
People’s participation also ensure conservation and development of Common Property
Resources. Besides when people decide what they have to do their stake in development become
more pronounced leading to their intense involvement. This involvement in decision making is
the key to success which brings sustainable development. Hence people’s participation is the
approach for the purpose.

Objectives:

The basic objective of this scheme is an integrated wastelands development based on

village/micro watershed plans. These plans are prepared after taking into consideration the land
capability, site condition and local needs of the people.

The scheme also aims at rural employment besides enhancing the contents of people's
participation in the wastelands development programmes at all stages, which is ensured by
providing modalities for equitable and sustainable sharing of benefits and usufructs arising from
such projects.

Activities:

The major activities taken up under the scheme are:

 In situ soil and moisture conservation measures like terracing, bunding, trenching,
vegetative barriers and drainage line treatment.
 Planting and sowing of multi-purpose trees, shrubs, grasses, legumes and pasture land
development.
 Encouraging natural regeneration.
 Promotion of agro-forestry & horticulture.
 Wood substitution and fuel wood conservation measures.
 Awareness raising, training & extension.
 Encouraging people's participation through community organization and capacity
building.
 Drainage Line treatment by vegetative and engineering structures
 Development of small water Harvesting Structures.
 Afforestation of degraded forest and non forest wasteland.
 Development and conservation of common Property Resources.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION

To restore the ecological balance in the degraded watersheds through sustained community
action, mass mobilization is needed. The programme can only succeed when the community is
motivated enough to realize that the programme is not only for eco-restoration through
watershed development but also to addresses their other pressing socio-economic needs. The
activities under this community organization include organizing Self Help Groups and User
Groups, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercises, awareness camps, exposure visits &
programmes on literacy, family welfare, social services, income generating activities etc. giving
small contributions to SHGs or other village institutions like mahila mandals/ youth clubs/
anganwadis which are considered important for people participation.

The idea is rapport building with the people at grass root level and PIA. The people must feel
that the programme belongs to them and its success depends on them only. Once the people
realize that it is they who own the programme, the sustenance of the project evolves.

One of the notable features of this component is the flexibility available to the PIAs (Project
Implementing Agencies). There is a provision for entry point activities for trust building exercise
and speedy community organization. Under this component they can even take up those works
which are not directly related to conservation and wasteland development. Certain works of great
priority and importance to villagers such as repairing and construction of community and
panchayat houses, sanitation improvement, provision of drinking water school building etc. can
be taken up. Effective community organization is important to establish credibility of the
Watershed Development Team and create a rapport with the village community who is
ultimately going to own and implement the programme even after withdrawing the Government
machinery.

Approach

Wasteland Development through holistic development of Degraded watershed.

Employment of people through Institutional arrangements

Planning from below bottom up approach.

Sustainability through people’s participation.

Equitable distribution of Usufructs.

Institutional Arrangements

To make the programme successful, proper Institutional arrangement has been provided in the
Guidelines from state level to village level. These institutions help in making the programme
broad based, sustainable and equitable. These institutions are given below:

STATE WATERSHED PROGRAMME AND REVIEW COMMITTEE

 ZILA PARISHADAS/DRDAs

WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEES

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AGENCIES (PIA)

WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT TEAM (WDT)

WATERSHED COMMITTEE (WC)

USER GROUPS

SELF HELP GROUPS

State Watershed Programme Implementation and Review Committee

This is an apex organisation at a state level under the chairmanship of Chief

Secretary/Addl.Chief Secretary/APC. Representatives of prominent NGOs, SIRDs, Heads of
Department of related Departments are also member of the Committee. The Committee
undertakes monitoring, review and evaluation of Watershed Development projects. It is an
important link between DRDAs and Department of Wastelands Development. Success of
programme depend on functioning of State Watershed Programme Implementation and Review
Committee.
i. District Rural Development Agency/ZP:- DRDA/ZP is a key institution in the programme
execution. The project is sanctioned in favour of the DRDA and funds are released to it directly
from Government of India. The DRDA is responsible for successful implementation of the
project as per guidelines and submission of various reports and returns to DoWD as well as State
Government.

ii. Project Implementing Agency:- The PIA is an organisation having sufficient exposure and
experience in the field of community organsiation as well as watershed development activities.
These organsiations can be reputed NGOs having proven credibility or technical officers like
DFO, Soil Conservation Officer, Horticulture Officer, etc. The PIA is an important link between
the villagers and the DRDA. It imparts technical know how to the villagers with the help of
Watershed Development Team and ensures that programme is executed as per Guidelines and
funds are spent judiciously. It compiles information from Watershed Committees and send to
DRDA.

iii. Watershed Development Team:-The Watershed Development Team is a multi-disciplinary

team responsible for technical and financial supervision of the project activities. The team
consists of field level officials drawn from various disciplines like forestry, soil conservation,
horticulture, social sciences etc. These officials are key functionaries in sensitisation of Self help
Groups/User Groups and villagers at large.

iv. Watershed Development Association:- Watershed Development Association (WA) consists of

all members of the village whose land is situated in the watershed area called user group (UG)
and all those members who drive sustenance from the watershed area called self help group
(SHG).

v. Watershed Committee:- Watershed Committee (WC) is the key institution at Watershed level
consisting of about 2-3 representatives, each of UG, SHG, Panchayat and women etc. Committee
also appoints a Watershed Secretary preferably a local man graduate from the same area.

Sanctioning of Project

The IWDP Scheme is 100% Grant-in-Aid from Government of India. The projects are
sanctioned on getting basic information from DRDAs about the watershed to be treated and
capability of the PIA and over all situation in the area. A well laid criteria for selection of
watersheds has been provided in para 27 of the Guidelines. The watersheds selected for the
projects should be as far as possible contiguous and there should be preponderance of
wastelands. Acute shortage of drinking water, low wage rates and non over lapping of
watersheds with any other project are other requirements.

Instead of detailed project having action plan suggested by the Government officials, the project
is sanctioned after obtaining basic information in respect of project areas/watersheds and detailed
action plan is prepared by the villagers themselves under the guidance of Watershed
Development Team
Under IWDP scheme the projects are sanctioned in non DPAP/DDP areas. Normally, not more
than two projects are sanctioned in a district. The

DRDA/ZP after getting satisfied that there is a need of watershed development, and that there are
suitable PIAs to implement the project, send the project proposal to DoWD. DoWD after proper
scrutiny of proposal, in consultation with Internal Finance Division sanctions the project in
favour of DRDA/ZP concern and first instalment of allotment is released in favour of DRDA by
telegraphic transfer.

Funding Mechanism and Flow of Funds

Funds from DRDA flow to Watershed Committees who open an account in the nearest bank to
be operated jointly by WDT member and local man i.e. Secretary of WC. The Watershed
Committee is the primary unit which is directly involved in implementation of the programme
right from preparation of action plan and check measurements of works and payment of wages.
The WC also decides usufruct sharing mechanism and post project sustenance arrangements.

The WC also maintains an account called Watershed Development Fund Account, where
contribution realised from the members of Watershed Associations are deposited for utilisation
in post project maintenance of assets. Contribution in shape of labour, cash and kind are valued
and kept in interest bearing account.

Sanctioning mechanism

FLOW OF FUNDS

FROM DOWD TO DRDA

 FROM DRDA TO PIA

FROM PIA TO WATERSHED COMMITTEE

WATERSHED COMMITTEE TO EXECUTE THE PROJECTS

FUNDING PATTERN ( DISTRIBUTION )

ASSISTANCE Rs.4,000 per ha.

ADMN. COST 10%
COMMUNITY ORGANISATION 5%
TRAINING 5%
WORKS 80%

TRAINING

OBJECTIVES OF TRAINING
Successful Implementation of the Wastelands Development Projects.

 Understanding various aspects of the Wastelands Development.

 Skill Up-gradation
 Sustainability of Projects
 Confidence Building
 Planning implementation & Monitoring of Wastelands Development Projects.

Empowering the Masses

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF TRAINING INSTITUTIONS

 Experience in implementation of watershed development projects as PIA

 Good Library and Availability of Communication
 Technology and other Facilities for imparting Training.
 Faculties for training with adequate qualification
 Ability to arrange field visits
 Linkages with other academic and research institutions involved in watershed
development.

Training of User Groups

TRAINING CONTENTS

 Concept of Watershed Development

 Community Organisation
 Technical Issues
 Accounts and Administration
 Issue of Equity and Sustainability
 Scientific Inputs - GIS & Role of Remote Sensing in Watershed Development
 Role of Panchayati Raj Institutions
 Involvement of women & weaker Sections of Society.

VARIOUS LEVELS TO BE TRAINED

State Level-Secretaries, State Watershed Programme Implementations & Review Committee

Members, Head of line Departments

District Level-CEO of Zila Parishad, Project Directors, District Rural Development Agencies
and line Dept. Officers
Block Level - BDOs & Line Deptt. Officers, Ext. Officers and Village Development Officers

Project Implementing Agencies and 'would be' PIAs

Watershed Development Team Members

Watershed Developments

WC (Watershed Committee) Members

Secretary (WC)

Village volunteers

Self Help Groups and Users Groups

Villagers in General

Sustainability

The projects under IWDP Scheme aim at sustainability in the long run. This is achieved through
the establishment of Watershed Development Fund which takes care of past project maintenance
and sustenance. This fund is meant to sustain the maintenance of the assets created during the
course of project implementation so that the people in the watershed area continue to reap the
benefits even after the completion of the project.

Further, the village level institutions such as Watershed Association/Watershed Committee

remain in position even after the PIA withdraws from the project after its completion. These
institutions have intrinsic strength as they are self constituted and lead by natural leaders in the
villages.

The institutional arrangements envisaged in the guidelines ensure sustainability through the
following :

 Constitution of watershed dev. fund

 Active people’s participation

Involvement of panchayats

Involvement of self help groups, user groups, women & weaker sections

Community needs taken care of

Sustainable use of Water Resources

EQUITY

 CONSTITUTION OF SELF HELP GROUP’S

 CREATION OF REVOLVING FUND

GREATER ACCESS TO INCOME GENERATING OPPORTUNITIES

SHARING OF BENEFITS BY COMMUNITY

ASSETS WITH WEAKER SECTIONS OF POPULATION

MORE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LANDLESS AND WEAKER

SECTION

END RESULTS

 IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY OF WASTELANDS

 IMPROVED AVAILABILITY OF FUEL-WOOD AND FODDER

INCREASE IN WATER TABLE

REDUCTION IN MIGRATION

IMPROVEMENT OF ECONOMIC STATUS OF THE PEOPLE