Updated on 20.08.08

NOTE ON WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

The total geographical area of our country is 3290.00 lakh hectares.  While on one hand  50% of our lands are degraded, on the other, nearly 30% of our people are poor or below poverty line.  With proper planning, scientific approach and efficient management it is possible to increase the productivity of degraded lands, while creating huge employment opportunities for the poor.  It is now firmly believed that the development of degraded lands is an important input required for eradication of poverty.

Andhra Pradesh is the fifth largest state of India, both in terms of area and population.  The state is situated between 12⁰  37’ and 19⁰  54’ North Latitude and 76⁰  46’ and 84⁰  46’ East Longitude.  The state has an area of 274.40 lakh ha.  It has tropical to sub-tropical climate.  The coastal area covers a length of 972 kms and therefore, it has humid and semi-humid conditions.  The maximum and minimum mean temperatures are 38.95⁰ C and 15.65⁰ C respectively.

(i)            WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT - INITIAL STAGES

                In order to combat the frequent recurrence of drought in the state, Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) was introduced during the year 1975, as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) with matching state share of 50:50.  Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP) was introduced during 1991 with 100% central assistance.  The wasteland development programmes taken up before April 1995 had not performed well, mainly because they had been planned and implemented on departmental basis by government officials and in isolated patches, without any regard for the complete micro-watershed principle or with people’s participation.

More..