Resuscitating Ecological Balance in Palnadu District Watershed Development Programme Using Micro-Watershed Approach

Aim: This study was taken up to understand the impact of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) Integrated Watershed Management Project (IWMP) interventions on components of Natural Resource Management (NRM) including land productivity, reclamation,land use pattern, water resource replenishment and conservation along with availability and access of drinking waterin Palnadu District of Andhra Pradesh.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted by Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department, Andhra Pradesh from 2009 to 2022.

Methodology: The primary data was collected through the field surveys conducted by the MEL&D team of NABCONS during May 2022, covering all 17 Micro Watersheds under four sanctioned PMKSY projects. The secondary data about the projects and watershed interventions was obtained from the DPRs of the projects.

Results: There is a significant reduction in the wasteland area from 198.2 Acres to 126 Acres, which indicates there is an improvement in cultivated area. Irrigated area and fodder area increased by 61.9 Acresand 47 acres respectively. As a result of Natural Resource Management (NRM) works the gross cropped area in the micro watershed increased by 114.5 acres which generate additional employment and income for the farmers.

Conclusion: Implementation of watershed projects had resulted in a significant improvement in natural resource management as evidenced in terms of increases in wasteland reclamation, improving the quantum of green cover, increasing the availability of fodder and fuelwood for local use by the indigenous households, enhancements in crop production and productivity with higher acreage under horticulture crops, which have had positive spin-offs in terms of higher employment opportunities and better wages both for men and women within the project area itself; resulting in a reduction of migration to contiguous areas as well.