- Open Access
- Total Downloads : 165
- Authors : A . P. Sahu, N. Sahoo
- Paper ID : IJERTV3IS090509
- Volume & Issue : Volume 03, Issue 09 (September 2014)
- Published (First Online): 20-09-2014
- ISSN (Online) : 2278-0181
- Publisher Name : IJERT
- License: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Impact Assessment of ACA Watersheds Through Mid-Term Evaluation in Kalahandi District of Odisha, India
A. P. Sahu1 N. Sahoo2 1 & 2Associate Professors
Department of Soil & Water Conservation Engineering College of Agricultural Engineering & Technology OUAT, Bhubaneswar, India
Abstract- The overall performance of watershed programmes has been examined for 16 nos. of micro-watersheds for the first 3 years through mid-term evaluation in the state of Odisha. The impacts of major watershed programmes have been outlined in terms of bio-physical impacts, environmental impacts, socio-economic impacts and overall economic impacts. The watershed development activities have made significant positive impacts on various bio-physical aspects like soil and water conservation, soil and water erosion in the cropped area, changes in cropping pattern, cropping intensity, rise in water table, perenniality of water in wells, water availability for livestock and other domestic purposes. The peoples participation in watershed development activities, training and capacity building of farmers has been found very effective in gaining technical knowhow. The different commercial ventures taken up by the stakeholders in the watersheds were also found to increase.
Key Words Watershed; impact; socio-economic; environmental; afforestation; water resources
-
INTRODUCTION
Indian agriculture is predominantly rainfed. Out of 143 million hectare of total cultivated area in the country, nearly 70 per cent areas are rainfed and about 42 per cent are dry land areas. Erratic distribution of rainfall in the country has always posed a serious threat to Indian agriculture and hence shattered the socio-economic status of Indian farmers. The reduction in productivity, deforestation and ground water depletion have also posed a serious concern to the path of agricultural development.
In India most of the watershed projects are implemented with the twin objectives of soil and water conservation and enhancing the livelihood status of the rural poor [6]. Different types of interventions carried out in a watershed include, soil and moisture conservation measures in agricultural lands (contour/field bunding and summer ploughing), drainage line treatment (loose boulder check dam, minor and major check dam, retaining walls etc.), water resource development and management (farm pond, dug well, percolation pond and micro-irrigation), crop diversification, crop demonstration, horticultural and silvicultural plantation and afforestation [1]. The aim has been to ensure the accessibility and availability of drinking water, fuel wood and fodder and raise income and
employment for farmers and landless labourers through improvement in agricultural production and productivity [3]. Active participation of people is a good indicator for sustainable development in a watershed [4]. The other impact indicators were far ahead in watersheds having greater peoples participation. The importance of watershed programme was recognized by the villagers through awareness created by Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs) and watershed development team members through meetings, display boards, wall painting etc. [5]. The impacts of the Integrated Watershed Management Program in selected tribal areas of Gujarat and Chhattisgarh, India was assessed and positive link between watershed management and sustainable development was found [2].
Additional Central Assistance (ACA) watersheds under Revised Long Term Action Plan (RLTAP) is one of the major schemes launched and implemented to improve and conserve the natural resources through watershed basis. The Government of Odisha introduced this programme in all the hilly districts following the direction outlined by the Govt. of India. More than 80 per cent upland areas in all the hilly districts are mostly rainfed. In Western Undulating Zone of Odisha i.e. in Kalahandi district, the watershed development programme was implemented over geographical area of 10532 ha, from which, arable and non-arable land was 6472.5 ha and 2917.5 ha, respectively. The treatable arable area and non- arable area was to the tune of 3466.12ha and 1337.7 ha, respectively (Table 1). Thus impact assessment of those watersheds is necessary for further development.
-
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Mid-term evaluation of ACA watersheds was conducted in all the eight randomly selected watersheds out of the total 16 nos. of ACA watershed located in 8 blocks of the district (Table 1). The watershed evaluation team had detailed discussion with project implementation agencies and watershed committee members separately during their visit. Interactions with the beneficiary farmers, members of user groups (UGs), self-help groups (SHGs) and watershed committees were made. The factors on which the team emphasized in assessing the achievements
were physical and financial progress, status of water harvesting structures (WHS), increase in ground water level, plantation, soil conservation measures etc., participation in project implementation and contribution, constraints in achieving the target, training and skill development, social management of resources and socio- economic development of the UGs and SHGs. For impact assessment study, emphasis was given on women and SC/ST representation in watershed committees, constitution of SHGs and UGs, conduct of training/capacity building, exposure visits to stake-holders, conduct of regular meetings of watershed committees and watershed association, preparation of micro action plan, soil and moisture conservation works executed, water harvesting structures executed, methodology adopted for afforestation and horticulture.
-
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The different interventions taken in the watersheds were contour and graded bunding, continuous and staggered contour trenches, ring ditches, vegetative barriers, rock fill dams, loose boulder structures, farm ponds, percolation tanks, sunken ponds, check dams, runoff management structures, water harvesting structures, afforestation, renovation of existing structures, vermi compost pits, agro forestry plantation, agri-horti system, silviculture, mushroom cultivation, broiler farming, goat rearing, sheep rearing, cow rearing, bee-keeping, duckery, pisci-culture and kitchen gardens.
Table 1 Areal distribution for treatment of ACA Watershed under RLTAP of Kalahandi district
Block
Name of watershed
Code No.
Treatable area (ha)
Area treated (ha)
Percentage of area treated
Bhawanipatna
Sardhapur
04-07-01-02-08-07-02-03
520
251.00
48.27
Dorapadar
04-07-01-02-08-07-02-01
506
232.00
45.85
Kesinga
Kundabandha
04-07-01-02-08-10-01-02
660
246.00
37.27
Gaudtola
04-07-01-02-08-11-02-01
463
264.00
57.02
Narla
Sripali
04-07-01-02-06-27-02-03
700
214.00
30.57
Dengsargi
04-07-01-02-06-27-01-02
700
210.00
30.00
M. Rampur
Podagudi
04-07-01-02-04-04-01-1
550
238.00
43.27
Kadamdunguri
04-07-01-02-04-04-01-02
600
261.00
43.50
Lanjigarh
Gopalpur
04-07-01-02-07-10-02-02
660
405.00
61.36
Sikerkupa
04-07-01-02-07-09-01-02
700
372.00
53.14
Th. Rampur
Raj Khandual
04-07-01-05-03-01-01-02
300
278.00
92.67
Maa Manikeswari
04-07-01-11-06-01-01-02
300
278.00
92.67
Koksara
Bangomunda
04-07-01-05-06-07-01-01
600
297.39
49.57
Badpodaguda
04-07-01-05-06-07-01-01
500
303.47
60.69
Golamunda
Siva Shakti
04-07-01-05-01-03-02-04
700
353.96
50.57
Bordi Kuhura
04-07-01-05-01-06-02-01
650
600.00
92.31
Total
9109
4803.82
55.54
Women representatives in the committee ranged from 25 to 57 per cent. Majority of the representatives of Sardapur (53%), Dorapadar (57%), Rajkhandual (30%) and Maa Manikeswari (30%) watershed committees (WCs) were actively participating and raising their voice and feelings in different watershed activities and meetings for decision making (Table 2). The SC and ST representation in the watershed committee ranged from 25 to 90 per cent in all the 16 watersheds of the district. The maximum SC/ST representation was from Raj Khandual (90%) and
Maa Manikeswari (90%) watersheds. A total of 479 numbers of SHGs and UGs consisting of male and female were constituted in all the watersheds. Some of the women SHGs had been engaged in vegetable marketing, tailoring, preparation of spice powder, black gram products like noodles and cakes making, poultry farming, mushroom cultivation and preservation of fruits and vegetables. The SHG of Gaudtola has taken keen interest in pisciculture.
Table 2 Peoples participation in ACA Watershed of Kalahandi district
Name of watershed
Women representative (%)
SC/ST representative (%)
Constitution of SHGs / UGs (No.)
Sardhapur
53
42
27
Dorapadar
57
39
36
Kundabandha
30
30
37
Gaudtola
30
30
35
Sripali
30
30
52
Dengsargi
25
25
43
Podagudi
30
30
33
Kadamdunguri
30
40
56
Gopalpur
25
70
12
Sikerkupa
25
60
10
Raj Khandual
30
90
10
Maa Manikeswari
30
90
13
Bangomunda
30
80
23
Badpodaguda
30
70
29
Siva Shakti
30
30
35
Bordi Kuhura
30
30
28
Total
515
786
479
Average
32.19
49.13
29.94
-
Soil and Moisture Conservation Measures
There were 149 earthen bunds and 281km of continuous contour trenches (CCTs) in 109.8 ha of land. Different areas of the watersheds had been treated witp03 vegetative check dams, 40 rock fill dams, 162 loose boulder structures (Table 3). These structures were found to be functioning well in Dorapoadar and Gopalpur watersheds except at few places, where the structures had been damaged/silted up or both and needed maintenance.
There were 102 farm ponds, 29 percolation tanks, 42 drought/sunken ponds, 33 check dams, 38 nala bunding structures and 101 other structures like runoff storage structures/ water harvesting structures/ runoff management structures and ring wells (Table 4). Maximum 85 water harvesting structures including different types of water storage bodies had been constructed in Kadamdunguri watershed, which indicated the active participation the people.
Table 3 Conservation measures taken in ACA watersheds
Name of watershed
Bunding
(m)
Area coverage under CCT (ha)
Vegetative checks
(Nos.)
Earthen bunds
(Nos.)
LBS
(Nos.)
Rock filled dams (Nos.)
Sardhapur
1664
55
32
63
3
2
Dorapadar
2551
47
38
72
12
10
Kundabandha
200
49
10
0
0
8
Gaudtola
250
53
15
0
8
0
Sripali
524
43
03
2
2
2
Dengsargi
618
42
04
5
12
3
Podagudi
201
48
02
3
2
0
Kadamdunguri
1012
52
02
4
10
0
Gopalpur
805
81
03
0
40
0
Sikerkupa
328
74
04
0
13
0
Raj Khandual
258
56
03
0
10
10
Maa Manikeswari
277
55
05
0
20
0
Bangomunda
481
59
15
0
10
5
Badpodaguda
251
61
08
0
8
0
Siva Shakti
286
71
–
0
12
0
Bordi Kuhura
249
120
–
0
0
1
Total
9955
966
144
149
162
41
Average
622.19
60.38
10.29
9.31
10.13
2.56
Table 4 Water harvesting measures taken in ACA watersheds
Name of watershed
Farm ponds
(Nos)
Percolation tanks (Nos)
Drought/Sunken ponds
(Nos)
Check dams (Nos)
Nala bunding structures (Nos)
Ring wells
(Nos)
Sardhapur
13
2
4
5
1
15
Dorapadar
22
2
5
7
0
23
Kundabandha
0
3
0
2
0
6
Gaudtola
1
1
16
0
0
7
Sripali
1
2
2
5
2
0
Dengsargi
4
2
1
3
3
0
Podagudi
20
6
3
0
7
5
Kadamdunguri
40
5
4
11
25
0
Gopalpur
0
0
0
0
0
9
Sikerkupa
0
0
0
0
0
6
Raj Khandual
0
0
0
0
0
1
Maa Manikeswari
0
0
0
0
0
1
Bangomunda
1
3
1
0
0
3
Badpodaguda
0
1
6
0
0
4
Siva Shakti
0
2
0
0
0
8
Bordi Kuhura
0
0
0
0
0
13
Total
102
29
42
33
38
101
Average
6.38
1.81
2.63
2.06
2.38
6.31
Afforestation was done in private and common lands separately over an area of 303.45 ha with 2,60,520 numbers of seedlings like teak, cashew, mango, acacia, amla, gamhari, bamboo, subabul, chakunda, karanja, simaruba and golmohur plants. Major plantations of acacia, amla, gamhari, bamboo, subabul, chakunda, karanja,
simaruba and teak had been taken up in community lands and fruit plants like mango, cashew and some forest species in private lands. It was found that around 153.55 ha of private and community land was under fruit tree plantation. The survival rate of the horticultural plantation varied from 50 to 60 per cent (Table 5).
Table 5 Afforestation in ACA watersheds of Kalahandi district
Name of watershed
Area covered (ha)
No of seedlings planted
Survival percentage (%)
Private land
Common land
Private land
Common land
Private land
Common land
Sardhapur
26
15
41600
24000
80
75
Dorapadar
18
12
18800
15360
95
82
Kundabandha
2.5
–
4500
4500
60
–
Gaudtola
2.5
30
50000
50000
70
72
Sripali
–
20
–
32000
–
71
Dengsargi
–
20
–
34000
–
50
Podagudi
–
41
–
10000
–
65
Kadamdunguri
–
48
–
10500
–
70
Gopalpur
10
–
16000
–
95
–
Sikerkupa
–
–
–
–
–
–
Raj Khandual
10
–
16000
–
82
–
Maa Manikeswari
15
–
24500
–
85
–
Bangomunda
16
–
21000
–
83
–
Badpodaguda
10
20
15350
33240
90
81
Siva Shakti
16
22
23500
35600
75
71
Bordi Kuhura
8
12
11400
17350
65
76
Total
134
240
242650
266550
880
713
Average
12.18
24.00
22059.09
24231.82
80.00
71.30
-
Impact Assessment
Different watershed activities were taken up to conserve soil and moisture, develop water resources and increase green cover in the watershed area so as to maintain the ecological balance. From the ground water study it was revealed that the water level in the watershed area increased by 0.15 to 3.0 m after the developmental activities taken up in the watersheds. As evidence to ground water rise, 100 dug wells had been rejuvenated in the watershed area as per the observation of evaluation
experts. In addition to this 101 additional dug wells were also constructed in the watersheds during the programme. An additional area of 1497.8 ha had been brought under cultivation with rehabilitation of gullied lands and bunding of uplands, which helped to increase the infiltration opportunity time of runoff water in the watershed. Then the above area was brought under irrigation due to development of water resources in the boundary of watersheds (Table 6).
Table 6 Impact assessment of ACA watersheds of Kalahandi district with respect to water resources development
Name of watershed
Increase in water levels
(m)
Dug wells rejuvenated (nos.)
Additional dug wells (nos.)
Average soil depth deposited across check dams*
(cm)
Percentage of runoff loss
(%)
Sardhapur
1.5
17
15
12.0
25.5
Dorapadar
1.8
38
23
15.0
18.0
Kundabandha
1.0
–
5
11.5
28.3
Gaudtola
0.9
10
5
12.5
27.5
Sripali
0.15
6
–
13.6
24.0
Dengsargi
0.20
2
–
14.1
24.5
Podagudi
2.1
2
10
11.6
31.5
Kadamdunguri
2.6
6
11
9.8
33.2
Gopalpur
1.0
2
–
10.9
27.0
Sikerkupa
1.0
–
2
13.3
21.0
Raj Khandual
1.2
1
2
12.6
25.3
Maa Manikeswari
3.0
5
10
9.8
32.0
Bangomunda
1.6
2
4
12.7
22.1
Badpodaguda
1.8
–
3
13.2
28.0
Siva Shakti
2.2
6
6
12.8
26.5
Bordi Kuhura
2.1
3
5
11.7
16.5
Total
24.15
100
101
197.1
410.9
Average
1.51
7.69
7.77
12.32
25.68
*After 2 years of construction
The average cropping intensity increased from 80 to 166 per cent after 75 per cent treatment of the watersheds in 3 years (Table 7). Most of the user groups / beneficiaries were growing vegetables and other commercial crops like cotton, sunflower, spices crop like onion, chilly in the catchment areas. The high intense rains in monsoon period damaged the paddy crop in the watersheds. Due to creation of series of water harvesting structures/dug wells/farm ponds/percolation ponds/sunken ponds etc., the excess runoff resulting from high intensity rainfalls were successively stored and the same were used effectively during winter season for vegetable cultivation. The farmers of the catchments area not only saved their paddy in principal growing season (June October) during initial dry spells by providing supplemental irrigation but also grew vegetables as their second crop.
The quick growing forest species like chakunda, subabul, simaruba ensured the availability of fuel wood as well as fodders for the goats and sheep. The availability of timber wood would take time as most of the forest species
like teak, gamhari, acacia plants were only of 2 to 3 years old. The average bio-mass production was increased by
24.73 per cent in case of timber and non-timber products (Table 7).
The labour migration was reduced to 7 per cent from maximum of 50 per cent due to successful implementation of watershed activities (Table 7). Most of the labourers were getting enough wage employment due to different watershed activities, facilities created for growing second crop and other allied agricultural activities during the project period. However, the stake holders were apprehending that after completion of project the labour employment might be reduced.
In Sardhapur and Dorapadar watershed the number of milch cows increased from 100 to 290 and 80 to 200 respectively. In other watersheds the increase in milch cows was not so much encouraging but there was enough scope for enhancing the number of milch cows in the treated areas.
There was considerable improvement in drinking water facility in all the watersheds due to enhancement in ground water recharge either naturally or artificially or both. Now, good quantity drinking water is made available to all the watershed dwellers in the project area.
Around 2790 nos of families had been found to be benefited directly and/or indirectly through watershed development activities, crop production, live stock production and management, fuel wood collection and other forest products, marketing of agricultural produce and value added products by SHGs and also through employment generation. From a sample estimate it was found that the annual income of stakeholders was increased from 50 to 60 per cent after 3 years of implementation of watershed programmes.
Some commercial interventions like vermi compost pits, mushroom cultivation, broiler farming, goat and sheep rearing, bee keeping, pisciculture and duckery, agri-horticultural system and kitchen garden were taken up in most of the watersheds. The average percentage increase of above interventions in sequence per watershed was found 38.46, 24.31, 37.86, 11.60, 9.60, 19.68, 30.80, 36.79
and 24.20 respectively (Table 8). The stakeholders were getting higher returns from the above commercial ventures through watershed development programme as per the discussions made with them.
The user groups and SHGs were in opinion that they would look into the post project maintenance of the structures created, continue growing water efficient crops following improved cropping pattern and modern agricultural practices based on the capabilities of lands. The officials of the bank and co-operative societies were also in agreement of providing adequate loan facilities for post project maintenance activities.
-
-
CONCLUSION
Impact assessment of ACA watersheds indicated that women representation and their empowerment were very encouraging. The SC and ST representation in the watershed committee was also quite impressive. The SHGs and UGs were strengthened technically through training and exposure visits and financially through banks and co- operatives. Construction of water harvesting structures, dug wells construction and renovation, afforestation, horticultural and silvicultural development were quite impressive in terms of quality and quantity. It was realized from the study that there was considerable development of water resources due to construction of water harvesting structures, dug wells and rise in ground water table from 0.15m to 3.0m. There was also enhancement in cropping intensity from 80 to 166% due to adoption of improved cropping pattern and modern agricultural practices. Promising developments were also found in the improvement of drinking water facilities, reduction in labour migration, increase in milching cows and other animal resources like sheep, goat and poultry birds etc. In a nutshell, 174 farm families per watershed had been found to be benefited from the project. The commercial ventures taken up by the stakeholders were found to be very remunerative. The assessed programmes were economically efficient, technically feasible and socially acceptable while emphasizing on equity. Regular monitoring of environmental parameters is important for sustainable development as environmental enhancement increases the credibility and acceptability of the watershed programme.
Table 7 Impact assessment of ACA watersheds of Kalahandi district with respect to socio-economic values
Name of watershed
Additional area under cultivation
(ha)
Cropping intensity increase
(%)
Increase in bio-mass, timber and non-timber (%)
Improvement of pasture land for fodder
(ha)
Labour migration
(%)
Increase of milch cow
(No.)
Families benefited
(No.)
Before project
After project
Sardhapur
18.6
70
150
22
25
10
290
172
Dorapadar
20.6
85
160
29
15
10
200
180
Kundabandha
104
75
140
18
10
0
50
411
Gaudtola
85.4
55
150
20
13
0
30
402
Sripali
10.5
80
150
15
12
1
10
100
Dengsargi
12.2
90
175
27
15
1
20
120
Podagudi
91.2
85
150
25
10
0
0
210
Kadamdunguri
97.6
90
175
35
15
0
20
215
Gopalpur
285.0
82
200
40
21
0
40
20
Sikerkupa
270.0
75
150
35
12
12
45
25
Raj Khandual
90.6
80
160
18
25
0
68
100
Maa Manikeswari
101.5
90
170
32
24
0
20
41
Bangomunda
85.5
75
120
12
2
50
23
252
Badpodaguda
88.5
70
150
14
1
50
5
175
Siva Shakti
106.4
95
250
33
1
3
5
180
Bordi Kuhura
30.2
90
200
18
14
3
12
187
Total
1497.8
1287
2650
393
215
140
838
2790
Average
93.61
80.44
165.63
24.56
13.44
8.75
52.38
174.38
Table 8 Percentage increase in different commercial activities in ACA watersheds of Kalahandi district
Name of watershed
Vermi compost pits
Mushroom cultivation
Broiler farming
Goat rearing
Sheep rearing
Bee- keeping
Pisci-culture and duckery
Stake holders in agri-horti system
Kitchen garden
Sardhapur
100
30.2
52.0
15.1
13.2
15.2
50.0
48.5
22.5
Dorapadar
30
20.2
44.2
13.5
11.1
–
40.0
33.4
23.6
Kundabandha
35
22.5
42.3
12.6
12.0
–
–
30.2
30.4
Gaudtola
30
24.7
45.6
13.4
9.7
7.5
–
32.2
28.8
Sripali
20
15.2
41.7
11.2
–
–
15.5
40.5
–
Dengsargi
20
–
40.8
13.6
–
–
17.5
42.5
18.8
Podagudi
30
–
50.5
–
10.3
20.0
30.3
50.0
24.0
Kadamdunguri
–
–
45.4
9.5
7.8
–
31.5
35.0
–
Gopalpur
–
25.0
35.0
15.0
–
25.4
–
30.5
–
Sikerkupa
20
30.3
30.5
14.2
6.6
–
–
22.5
26.5
Raj Khandual
30
22.2
15.8
8.6
–
–
–
34.0
27.2
Maa
Manikeswari
100
–
25.4
9.0
–
–
–
25.0
19.0
Bangomunda
–
14.0
–
–
12.4
20.0
–
–
Badpodaguda
20
12.6
–
3.5
–
–
–
22.6
–
Siva Shakti
50
50.5
46.5
–
–
30.0
–
45.0
21.2
Bordi Kuhura
15
–
14.4
–
3.3
–
–
60.0
–
Total
85
63.1
60.9
3.5
3.3
30
0
127.6
21.2
Average
38.46
24.31
37.86
11.6
9.6
19.68
30.8
36.79
24.2
-
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