Shillong, Sept 30: In a bid to transform the government initiative for watershed development into a public movement, citizen-centric watershed reforms will be taken to the grassroots through ‘Reform Utsav’ starting October 2.
The exercise will cover around 283 villages under 32 Watershed Development Projects, followed by 12 district and project-level programmes across the state.
Under the initiative, 5,325.23 hectares have been brought under soil and moisture conservation and 7,716.85 hectares under plantation, horticulture and afforestation, according to an official release.
Across the country, 9,593 Gram Panchayats are set to disseminate information through Gram Sabhas under the People’s Plan Campaign – Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas.
Around 3.4 crore hectares have been covered nationally in the last 12 years, with completed projects reporting up to 3 metre rise in groundwater, 30% increase in cultivated area, 40% rise in milk production and up to 70% increase in annual farm income.
Under the initiative, funding has been enhanced from Rs 12,000 to Rs 22,000 per hectare in plain areas and from Rs 15,000 to Rs 28,000 per hectare in hilly areas, while project duration has been cut from 7 years to 5 years for faster delivery.
Other interventions include quality seeds, improved farm implements, crop diversification, and springshed development in mountainous regions.
As many as 411 springs have been rejuvenated, showing up to three-fold increase in discharge and longer availability, reducing water scarcity in hilly areas.
In Meghalaya, the release said, earlier initiatives such as Watershed Yatra and Watershed Mahotsav had ensured Jan Bhagidari for creation and maintenance of water harvesting structures.
Field agencies have been asked to activate machinery to ensure maximum participation to achieve the larger goal of a drought-free India by 2047.
