Inspire Positivity

In 1992, during my tenure with WAPCOS, I gained my initial exposure to watershed development in the ravines of Yamuna, spanning the Agra and Etawah districts of Uttar Pradesh. WAPCOS was entrusted with the monitoring and evaluation of a project funded by an international agency, driven by commendable intentions. However, it became apparent that there were deficiencies in both conceptualization and implementation. A critical shortcoming, in my assessment, lay in the inadequate understanding of local conditions, infrastructural limitations, and the capacities of the available human resources.

For instance, the project planning involved the deployment of highly sophisticated earth movers for land development in undulating fields and advanced tubewells, each with the capacity to irrigate 150 hectares. Unfortunately, crucial issues were overlooked during the planning phase. The absence of adequately trained human resources to operate and maintain these sophisticated earth movers resulted in dismal performance. Additionally, the planning team failed to consider that intermittent power supply and high voltage fluctuations would cause the sensors of the sophisticated tubewells to cease irrigation, leading to mounting frustration among farmers. Their attempts to tamper with the sensors, obstructing the irrigation process, rendered most of these tubewells non-functional in no time.

In stark contrast, land development using less efficient tractors and smaller capacity tubewells, repaired locally, proved to be more effective, irrigating only 5-10 hectares. This experience serves as a valuable lesson—underscoring the importance of planning with an in-depth understanding of local conditions. The critique offered here is not intended to offend but rather to impart a crucial lesson: planning devoid of a comprehensive grasp of local conditions is unlikely to achieve the desired outcomes.

The aforementioned introduction underscores a pivotal lesson: undertaking planning without a profound understanding of local conditions is unlikely to yield success. Despite this inherent limitation, the exposure gained proved instrumental in recognizing the imperative role of watershed development in enhancing productivity within rainfed areas. However, scepticism lingered regarding the sustainability of the assets created. It took nearly a decade before I witnessed a tangible demonstration of truly sustainable watershed development.

Fast forward to 2001, about a decade later, during my tenure at the Royal Danish Embassy. Volunteering my services, I took on the coordination of watershed development projects, in addition to my responsibilities in water supply and sanitation. This endeavour was aimed at alleviating the extensive portfolio burdened upon my colleague in the agricultural sector. Moreover, it provided an opportunity to maintain my affinity for hydrology. As I observed the implementation of these projects, a starkly different vision unfolded compared to the earlier project I had been involved in at WAPCOS.

In this narrative, I aim to recount my encounters with remarkably simple and innovative indigenous technologies and ideas that have been instrumental in transforming the lives of the underprivileged—poor and marginal farmers, landless laborers, and the most impoverished individuals—in the Koraput and Malkangiri districts of Odisha, as well as in the Ratlam and Dhar districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Watershed Development with Sustainability and Social Inclusion:

Facilitation of Government-NGO Partnership:

Traditionally, the relationship between the government and NGOs resembled a client-contractor dynamic, with NGOs being sub-contracted for social development in watershed projects. However, recognizing that sustainability necessitates ongoing community engagement, a collaborative effort was initiated. This involved synergizing the technical expertise of the government with the softer skills of NGOs, creating a harmonious team. Given financial constraints faced by NGOs, low-cost interventions became imperative. Consequently, a government-NGO partnership was piloted in Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, with a key challenge being the identification of NGOs equipped with qualified personnel committed to sustained work post-project phase-out.

The responsibilities assigned to NGOs encompassed:

• Establishing rapport with the community
• Conducting detailed socio-economic surveys in collaboration with government staff, utilizing Participatory Rural Appraisal techniques
• Formulating Participatory Village Development Plans
• Facilitating the establishment of Village Development Committees
• Promoting the development of Self-Help Groups
• Ensuring the inclusion of targeted groups such as the landless and the poor
• Identifying training needs for beneficiaries, particularly members of the Village Development Committee
• Managing the development of the Village Fund for approved village development plans
• Creating indicators to monitor the progress of various project components.

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Working of a Government-NGO Partnership

Forging a collaborative partnership between governmental and non-governmental organizations demanded qualities such as patience, persistence, perseverance, and adept handling. NGOs, with their superior access to the actual issues within the community, held a strategic advantage over government offices in comprehending social intricacies that could influence project outcomes. A prevalent challenge involved the misallocation of funds for project interventions by the recipients toward non-productive social functions. This issue was effectively addressed by the NGOs through the formulation of an eleven-point contract with Self-Help Groups, discouraging expenditures unrelated to project objectives and rigorously monitoring compliance.

Furthermore, a proactive approach was taken to engage school children in educating their elders about the project’s benefits. To mitigate the impact on the children’s education during this initiative, the NGO facilitated a night schedule. This collaborative effort between government and NGO staff proved highly successful, contributing to the enhancement of capacities on both sides.

Affordable Technological Interventions for sustainable development

Projects facilitated by Danish assistance prioritized sustainability within the community. Unlike conventional engineering-based watershed development approaches that relied on structures constructed with cement and other traditional materials, these projects embraced low-cost technologies. The traditional structures, designed to control erosion and manage runoff, often posed a significant risk, especially during unprecedented flood events. Many check dams constructed through classical engineering failed to deliver sustained benefits to the community.

Recognizing the limitations of these traditional structures, the Danish-assisted projects emphasized the need for interventions that could be easily owned, maintained, and replicated by the farmers themselves. The inherent challenges of maintenance, coupled with the communities’ lack of equipment and training, underscored the importance of adopting alternative, cost-effective technologies to ensure long-term success and resilience in watershed development initiatives.

Implementing Sustainable Interventions for Holistic Watershed Development

1. Indigenous Soil Conservation Techniques: The Danish-assisted projects championed the use of low-cost, indigenous, and cement-free technologies, employing locally available materials. This innovative approach included strategically placed structures like checks made from loosely placed boulders, rubble, earth, vegetative barriers, vertical trenches, stacked stones tied with locally available materials (gabions), catchpits, and filter points. These structures, promoting soil conservation, were intentionally designed to be simple, enabling the community to carry out repairs without extensive technical guidance or capital investment.
2. Enhancing Afforestation Survival Rates: In the Odisha districts of Koraput and Malkangiri, the adoption of V ditches and catchpits within plantations significantly increased survival rates from 70 percent to an impressive 90 percent. This indigenous method demonstrated the viability of combining simple techniques with a focus on moisture conservation.
3. Innovative Moisture Conservation Strategies: Departing from conventional check dams, the projects emphasized intervening throughout the watershed to enhance groundwater recharge. The construction of sunken structures, strategically placed across the catchment, aimed to trap the interflow component of the runoff. This cost-effective approach, as opposed to traditional embankments, allowed for easy maintenance by local farmers. The success of these interventions, even in the event of failure, showcased the resilience of small-scale, farmer-led repairs. Additionally, the use of underground storage significantly reduced evaporation losses throughout the catchment.
4. Indigenous Water Conservation Technologies: The encouragement of farmers in both Odisha and Madhya Pradesh to adopt indigenous water conservation technologies, such as ‘Chua’ and ‘doh,’ proved instrumental. These technologies involved digging pits, creating structures along rivulet beds, and using shallow well structures to trap recharge from streams. The implementation of these techniques demonstrated a community-centric approach to water management, especially during dry months.
5. Horticulture and Bio-Technological Initiatives: Recognizing the importance of diversifying income sources, the projects established nurseries and farmer training centres for horticulture. These facilities not only developed horticultural practices suitable for the region but also provided training in biofertilizers and biopesticides. This holistic approach empowered farmers with the knowledge and resources to enhance agricultural practices.
6. Equitable Benefits and Community Empowerment: The projects successfully shifted the paradigm toward more equitable benefits. Small and marginal farmers, traditionally distant from rivulets, experienced positive outcomes due to these interventions. Remarkably, there was a notable increase in the water table, even in the times of comparatively low rainfall. The success stories hailed from project areas in Koraput and Malkangiri in Odisha, as well as Ratlam and Dhar districts in Madhya Pradesh.
7. Extending Project Benefits to Entire Villages: Despite the technical requirement to treat rainfed areas based on watershed ridgelines, the projects exhibited adaptability. Administrative boundaries of some villages did not align with watershed boundaries. Consequently, a decision was made to extend project benefits to entire villages. This strategic move aimed at fostering local ownership of the assets created under the project.
8. Encouraging Farmer Participation and Replication: A noteworthy initiative involved motivating farmers to utilize previously unproductive land. The project provided support for watershed development initiatives on these plots, contingent on farmers providing necessary labour and adhering to advisory inputs. These plots served as demonstration areas, inspiring other farmers to replicate the model and boost productivity. The ripple effect was evident as neighbouring areas witnessed farmers transporting boulders from afar to emulate similar structures through their own funds.

Addressing Persistent Poverty-a holistic approach:

 Poverty Alleviation:

The enduring challenge of poverty in India has been a concern ingrained in my consciousness since childhood, epitomized by the ‘Garibi Hatao’ slogan in the 1971 general elections. Despite numerous governmental efforts, poverty persists, particularly in tribal regions like Koraput and Malkangiri, where daily meals remain uncertain for some families. Strategic interventions, including grain banks operated by Self-Help Groups (SHGs), initial project support for acquiring livestock, skill development initiatives, and NGO assistance in marketing produce, have proven instrumental in alleviating such dire conditions.

Village as an Economic Unit:

While watershed interventions uplift the status of farmers, many individuals in villages remain landless, lacking alternative income-generating assets. In pursuit of holistic development, the project envisioned the village as an economic unit. Focusing on creating income-generating assets, particularly for those organized into Self-Help Groups (SHGs), interventions included cultivating cash crops like cashew nuts on communal lands, establishing ponds for pisciculture with expert guidance, facilitating skill development, and establishing connections for effective product marketing. These initiatives aimed to enhance the economic standing of SHG members, acknowledging the diversity of income sources needed for comprehensive community development.

Conclusion:

In summation, the projects exemplify an integrated, community-centric approach, placing emphasis on sustainability, equitable benefits, and the empowerment of local communities within the watershed development process. Addressing grassroots concerns such as watershed development for small and marginal farmers, assistance to the landless, and poverty alleviation, the experiences in Odisha and Madhya Pradesh provide a adaptable and sustainable model for application in other regions. This model envisions a future where collaborative efforts and tailored interventions create enduring positive impacts, fostering prosperity in communities across diverse landscapes.