WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMESThe RHGBMSS has introduced the concept of Integrated Watershed Management in 52 villages in Sambepalli and T.Sundupalli Mandals. The project is aimed at the Watershed Development of the area through the participatory activities. The watershed are spread over 52 villages covering an area of 5500 hector, around 2950 families are spread over 52 villages covering an area of 5500 hector, around 2270 families of small and marginal farmers and 680 landless agricultural labourers have been benefited from the project. The project enabled the small and marginal farmers in increasing the productivity, fertility and profitability in agriculture and horticultural product.
The watershed intervention in the area has reduced soil erosion, improved soil and water availability in the cultivatable lands and environmental degradation has been reduced. Vegetative cover and fodder production have been increased. The integrated watershed coupled with dry land farming, community organization and increased the employment opportunities have lead to the restoration of the ecological balance as well as development of the community in the area. The project intervention enabled the landless agricultural labours to engage in other income generating activities like vegetable/petty shops, sheep rearing, leaf plate making. Kitchen gardening nursery and dairy development. The individual as well as family income is increased and in the process enhanced their socio-economic status. During the period under review, soil conservation by constructing of gully plugs, waste wears drainage, check-dams and stone bunding works were carried out under the project watershed area management and development programme. Earthen bunding in the whole project area has been constructed, dry land horticulture plantation works were developed in the project area. Waste flow water from the surrounding hills was controlled through construction of check-dams in the catchments area. The increase in the water holding capacity enables the increase of ground water table, arrest of top soil erosion and serving as a drinking water source for cattle during the summer. Under the watershed programme tank desiltation work was undertaken in tanks of the project area villages. Over 950 loads of tank silt was lifted out of the tank and the soil was spread in the cultivable lands of over 85 hectares. This work was carried out by the local group of farmers, youth clubs of the villages jointly. The silt provided precious top soil and manure to the fields. Water storage capacity in the tanks has been increased, the fertility of the cultivable land has been enriched in the process. Forestry and fodder development programme was carried out to increase vegetation in the area. 75,000 nursery of seedlings was raised in the watershed project villages. Women members of the community participated in large numbers are setting up and maintaining of nurseries. Fodder and fuel species, plants were also planted in common lands, tank bunds and both the sides of roads. Different 5000 horticulture plants like Mango and Sapota were planted in farms and public lands. Due to increase in fodder production in the watershed area cross breed cows and buffaloes increased to grater extent in the project area. Cattle health check up camps has also been done and the 10 villagers have been benefited from this and the veterinary department has been given much cooperation. Watershed committees were formed in the project villages. PRA techniques have been introduced. Self Help Groups were developed. Training and workshops have been organized to develop the Watershed skills with the farmers. Trainings on Sangha concept, book keeping, leadership qualities, savings and credit at village level were organized. This made the local groups to take over the project activities even after withdrawal from the organization personnel. Income Generating Programmes were initiated and supported.
NABARD W.D.F –WATERSHED PROJECTS
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