WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

With an objective to restore the ecological balance by harnessing, conserving, and developing degraded natural resources such as soil, vegetative cover, and water through prevention of soil run-off, regeneration of natural vegetation, rainwater harvesting, and recharge of the groundwater table, SARDA, with support of NABARD and State Government has been implementing three area-based watershed program for the development of wastelands/degraded lands, namely Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP) & WDF program is being executed in States of Jharkhand, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh.

NABARD-supported Watershed Development Program is being implemented by Social Action for Rural Development (SARDA) at Khizersarai block of Gaya district in Bihar. The project is expected to result in better-informed farmers about watershed components and modern farming systems and treatment of non-arable land and crop improvement programs in arable land. This will boost food security and climate change mitigation measures in the state and in the long run will provide a sustainable environment and lifestyle. In the ongoing VWC phase various community mobilization activities like village watershed committee formation and New Pond Construction, Horticulture and Forestry Plantation, Renovation Pyne, watershed exposure visits, etc. are conducted in participatory mode at Hemara, Sarbahda, and Khudai village of Khizersarai block of Gaya District under Hemara Watershed.

Jogarnala Watershed Development Programme is an integrated Programme for the rehabilitation of watersheds for the regeneration of natural resources, initiated with the financial support of NABARD. Social action for Rural Development (SARDA) Mirzapur as a Project Implementing Agency (PIA), implementing capacity building phase of a watershed development project in Kubakhurd and Goverdaha villages in Rajgarh block of Mirzapur district in UP. Jogernala watershed is having a gross area of 1287.22 ha, in which 94.22 ha area is taken under the CBP phase for treatment and presently FIP sanctioned by Lukhnow RO NABARD.

Farmers have been equipped with more knowledge and skills in water management, soil and moisture conservation measures, and modern agricultural practices, to cultivate the drought-affected areas. Ponds and farm bunds have been created and developed to bring rainwater to the fields and harvest water effectively and store it in sub-surface and groundwater.

Sukhal-Khad Watershed Project, with the main objective of providing a permanent solution to the water problem, improving agricultural productivity, increasing ground water level and bringing barren land into cultivable land in a remote village Athyalta, Mahanpur block of Kathua district.

As per the field conditions, Sukhal-Khad area is highly suitable for watershed plan implementation and the area has deep ravines and high hills. Social Action for Rural Development (SARDA) is providing necessary technical and material support to this WDF scheme funded by NABARD. This project is beneficial in soil conservation, water harvesting and greenery development in villages. Four types of activities have been undertaken by SukhalKhad VWC for agriculture 

productivity enhancement and ground water level enhancement – 1. Area Treatment 2. Drainage Line Treatment, 3. Agriculture Promotion Measures and 4. Livelihood Activities.

Impact/ Outcome:

Total direct land treatment area in the year 2022-23 covered 18 villages from 09 Panchayats in 4 blocks, benefitting more than 3000 families. The total area covered for treatment is 591.00 Ha. WDF has enabled soil & water conservation and management, enhancing agricultural activities & production. Most importantly, villagers are institutionalized and are proactive in the internal monitoring, conservation, and judicious use of water at the village level.