Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

Monsoon failure draining DPAP gains

By D. Sivarajan

Dharmapuri Jan. 8 . The importance of water - the lifeline - and the need to conserve it is felt only during scarcity. In Dharmapuri district with 14 out of 18 blocks being identified for implementation of the Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP), numerous watersheds to conserve water and augment ground water level have been created. But unfortunately with no rain for two years in a row, the watersheds have dried up.

Based on the data provided by the National Resources Information System, 16 districts in the State were identified for implementation of works under DPAP during 1995-96. Of them, Dharmapuri was placed in high priority list with 14 blocks being marked as drought-prone. For that matter, a special DPAP wing with a project officer was set up in Dharmapuri while in other districts the programme was linked to the District Rural Development Agency. Even among four blocks, Kaveripattinam, Krishnagiri, Harur and Pappireddipatti, left out of DPAP, Harur, was singled out for creation of watersheds under the Integrated Wasteland Development Project (IWDP).

Since then, the DPAP project has been progressing in full swing. Out of the planned 168 watersheds covering 84,000 hectares at a cost of Rs.37.60 crores, the organisers have been able to cover 33,000 hectares at the rate of 500 hectares per watershed spending Rs.16.50 crores. As part of the project, 865 check dams, 321 small check dams, 55 percolation ponds and 38 cattle ponds have been created. Along with this, other works like repairing lakes (116), desilting channels (4527 metres), levelling of fields (2978 hectares), summer ploughing (4274 hectares), retaining walls (6603 metres), planting of saplings (886 hectares), kitchen gardens (16950) and very small check dams (1331) have been undertaken. This year, construction of 170 big check dams, 15 percolation ponds, levelling 637 hectares and improving 32 lakes at a cost of Rs.2.10 crores has been planned.

Similarly, as part of IWDP being implemented in Harur, work on 19 watershed areas covering 9,500 hectares at a cost of Rs.5.70 crores is in progress.

One of its highlights is to ensure active participation of villagers. Before the commencement of the programme, a watershed committee comprising 12 members headed by the local Panchayat leader is formed. Thereafter, the committee charts out the places where augmentation of the watershed programme could be effected. In fact, the required works are taken up based on the resolutions passed by the committees.

Also to ensure involvement of villages, there is a facility called Entry Point Activity wherein works like laying of drainage, drinking water pipes and so on to get the cooperation of village in effective implementation of the watershed programme, is taken up. The committee members are also sent for various training programmes pertaining to agriculture-allied activities to help them supplement their income. Tours to other states are also organised.

The Project Officer, DPAP, N.R. Arumugham, said "The programme has turned out to successful due to the active participation of the farmers. Instead of the officials selecting a spot for construction of a check dam or other related works, the involvement of farmers in selecting the spots based on their requirements has turned out to be useful. The programme has also helped the farmers understand the steep shortage of water in the district and the dire need to conserve it." For the labour costs involved in execution of the work, the administration has decided to offer rice for 50 per cent of the cash component by dovetailing with the SGSY scheme. Nearly 1500 tonnes of rice will be availed of for this purpose saving Rs.1.20 crores.

In most of the areas farmers even offered lands for check dams claiming that during north-east monsoon water remained in the check dams for two months at a stretch. But now, all the stored water has dried up.

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