Impact Assessment Studies of the Watershed Programme of Ministry of Rural Development, GOI, in the states of Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Kerala

The Ministry of Rural Development is implementing three area development programmes, namely, Integrated Wastelands Development Project (IWDP), Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) and Desert Development Programme (DDP), on Watershed Development Approach, in accordance with uniform guidelines for watershed development with effect from 1.4.95. The Ministry had commissioned Impact Assessment Studies (State wise) in respect of these programmes to find out, inter alia, how far they have contributed to the improvement of the socio-economic condition of the resource-poor and the disadvantaged sections inhabiting the programme areas.

The main objectives of the Impact Assessment Study of the Watershed Development projects taken up under DDP/ DPAP/IWDP programmes were:

(i) To assess the economic development of the village community, which is directly or indirectly dependent on the watershed through:

1. Optimum utilization of the watershed’s natural resources like land, water, vegetation, etc. that will mitigate the adverse effects of drought and prevent further ecological degradation.
2. Employment generation and development of the human and other economic resources of the village in order to promote savings and other income-generation activities.

(ii) To assess impact of DDP, DPAP and IWDP on restoration of ecological balance in the village through:

1. Sustained community action for the operation and maintenance of assets created and further development of the potential of the natural resources in the watershed.
   
2. Simple, easy and affordable technological solution and institutional arrangements that make use of, and build upon, local technical knowledge and available materials.

(iii) To assess the impact of the projects in terms of improvement of the economic and social condition of the resource-poor and the disadvantaged sections of the Watershed Community such as the asset-less and the women through:

1. More equitable distribution of the benefits of land and water resources development and the consequent biomass production.
2. Greater access to income generating opportunities and focus on their human resource development.

The Centre collected data for the study in 17 districts in Tamil Nadu and three districts each in Kerala and Karnataka. The Centre was also entrusted with the task of preparing the report for Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The study has been completed and the report submitted.