International Journal Advances in Social Science and Humanities
Available online at: www.ijassh.com
CASE STUDY
An Evaluation study on Integrated Watershed Management
Programme (IWMP) in Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu
R. Aruna Jaymani
Centre for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, National Institute of Rural development and Panchayati Raj, Rajendra Nagar, Hyderabad, India.
Important Features of IWMP
In 1994, a Technical Committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. C.H. Hanumantha Rao, was appointed to assess the Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) and the Desert Development Programme (DDP) with the purpose of identifying weaknesses and suggesting improvements. The Committee, after careful appraisal, opined that the “programmes have been implemented in a fragmented manner by different departments through rigid guidelines without any well-designed plans prepared on watershed basis by involving the inhabitants. (Hanumantha Rao Committee, 1994, Preface). Against this backdrop, the Committee made a number of recommendations and formulated a set of guidelines that brought the DDP, the DPAP and the Integrated Wastelands Develop. The watershed approach has been accepted as a major theme for development of rain fed areas with a view to conserving natural resources of water, soil and vegetation by mobilizing social capital.
Guiding Principles IWMP
The common guidelines for watershed development projects are based on the following principles:
Equity and Gender Sensitivity
Decentralization
Facilitating Agencies
Centrality of Community Participation
Capacity Building and Technology Inputs
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
Organizational Restructuring
Village Level Institutions and
People’s Participation
Self Help Groups
The Watershed Committee shall constitute SHGs in the watershed area with the help of WDT from amongst poor, small and marginal farmer households, landless/asset less poor agricultural laborers, women, shepherds and SC/ST persons. These Groups shall be homogenous groups having common identity and interest who are dependent on the watershed area for their livelihood. Each Self Help Group will be provided with a revolving fund of an amount to be decided by the Nodal Ministry.
User Groups
Gram Panchayat and the Gram Sabha.
Watershed Committee (WC)
The Gram Sabha will constitute the Watershed Committee (WC) to implement the Watershed project with the technical support of the WDT in the village. The Watershed Committee (WC) has to be registered under the Society Registration Act, 1860. The Gram Sabha may elect/appoint any suitable person from the village as the Chairman of Watershed Committee. Sarpanch and /or ward member/ Panchayat members may also be member/ Chairman of WC. The secretary of the Watershed Committee (WC) will be a paid functionary of the Watershed Committee (WC). The Watershed Committee (WC) will comprise of at least 10 members, half of the members shall be representatives of SHGs and User Groups, SC/ST community, women and landless persons in the village. One member of the WDT shall also be represented in the Watershed Committee (WC). Funds may be released to WC. Alternatively, the WC shall be constituted by the GS and it will be a subcommittee of GP. In such situation, WC need not be registered under Society Registration Act. Funds will be released to WC. Where the Panchayat covers more than one village, they would constitute a separate subcommittee for each village to manage the watershed development project in the concerned village. Where a watershed project covers more than one Gram Panchayat, separate committees will be constituted for each Gram Panchayat. The Watershed Committee (WC) would be provided with an independent rented office accommodation.
General Description of the District
Kancheepuram district is situated on the northern East Coast of Tamil Nadu and is adjacent by Bay of Bengal and Chennai city and is bounded in the west by Vellore and Thiruvannamalai district, in the north by Thiruvallur district and Chennai District, in the south by Viluppuram district in the east by Bay of Bengal.
Issues of the Study
The present study looks in to verifying the following issues
Whither people aware of the scheme IWMP and their roles, responsibilities and obligations in the scheme/programme and their right to participate and decision making in the ongoing process of watershed works.
Verification of all the records and documents for their genuine nature and originality and also timely entries.
Ensuring the decision-making process, especially for those decisions that are critical and / or vulnerable to distortions, is transparent and open and carried out, as far as possible, in the presence of the stakeholders.
To verify the works carried out in the scheme in terms of quantity, quality, utility and worthiness.
Also ensuring that members of the public and committees are facilitated to inspect and verify records, inspect works and generally monitor planning and implementation.
Verification and interaction with the institutions created under the scheme like User Groups (UGs), Watershed Committees (WCs), Watershed Development Team (WDTs) SHGs about their existence, capacity, duties and responsibilities and level of performance, etc to understand their overall potential and functions.
Verification of training imparted as per the targets and achievements and further training needs to fulfill the functional requirements.
activities/works on the ground and social
audit. Direct interview, focus group discussion and participatory observation techniques were used for collection of data.
Table 1: Number of sample watersheds selected for the study
Name of the Districts 2010-11
No. of Projects Implemented Sample Projects for the study (30%
project coverage)
Kancheepuram 10 4
Major
Findings
and
Recommendations
The present evaluation study basically focused to understand the Preparatory Phase activities implemented in the district under IWMP with special reference to the year 2010-11 projects. The study presents following major findings and recommendations.
E.P.A (Entry Point Activities)
In Kancheepuram district EPA works were timely completed as per the plan and targets fixed in the DPR under Preparatory Phase of IWMP in the district and an average two EPA works were carried in each watershed regions and some WS created 3 EPAs depends upon the funds received in proportionate to the total geographical area of watershed region. The district secured the status of ‘Excellent’ regarding timely completion of EPAs and expenditure of received funds. Each watershed was given on an average of Rs. 2.5 lakhs for undertaking EPA works and 100% fund utilization was noticed.
Majority of the watersheds in the district have undertaken E.P.A activities related to providing of drinking water i.e the works like extension and erection of drinking water pipes, establishment of Syntax Tanks with platform and construction of threshing floor.
Quality of EPA activities are appreciable in all activities of the sample watersheds of the project area. More than 80% of the assets created under EPA have high utility value. Due to the assets are demand driven, type and location of the services are also nearer to habitation and reachable area.
As per the data collected from the sample watersheds, all the activities of EPAs are
decided through PRA exercises conducted in the project region and approved by the Watershed Committee and Gramsabha of the respective regions. All 4 sample WS have ranked ‘Very Good’ regarding participatory process of decision of making in collection of EPA works.
Village Level Institution Building
The data of sample watersheds in Kancheepuram district show that, target for formation of User Groups (UGs) was 22 with acoverage of 86 members, the same was achieved within the prescribed time. It received ‘Excellent’ status for all sample watersheds.
This district SHG formation target was 1 per watershed with coverage of 20 women, the sample 5 WS achieved the 100% targets.
Watersheds which have formed SHGs were given financial assistance. Each SHG has been given Rs. 20,000 to 25,000 by the Watershed Committee as Revolving Fund (RF) to initiate economic activities. This money has been given as interest free loan and the repayment period is 12 months.
Majority of the watersheds have formed a number of groups exclusively for women, all together 5 WS created 9 women groups with a coverage of 36 members. The performance of women groups is shown ‘Excellent’ for all the watersheds.
quality of LAP in this district received 75% ‘Excellent’ score and 25% ‘Very Good’.
SHGs are very active in the district, they engaged in fruitful income generating activities either new or strengthening of already engaged activities by the groups or individual..
Formation and Functioning of Watershed Committees (WCs)
Watershed Committees were formed 100% in all watersheds.
Watershed Committee is formed as per the IWMP guidelines consists 11 members from among local habitants and one. The number of members in the committee is between 7 to 12 members depends upon the size of the Gram Panchayat.
Some major watersheds are having more than one WCs due to the larger area of watershed or area fall under more than one village panchayat.
It is found that, almost all the WC’s were formed in the first or second quarter of the project’s first year itself i.e. year 2010-11.
The bank account also opened in the same year, immediately after formation of WC’s. The Bank account has been operated jointly by two persons namely President of WC and one of the WDT member of the Watershed Committee specially appointed for the purpose. But, in the case of GP members operated WC, the president of GP and one of the members of WDT operate the cheque and other banking transactions.
In majority cases, WC is not a sub-committee of the GP, they are separate body nominated and approved by the Gram Sabha, WC formed by only GP members become the sub-committee of the GP.
It was noticed, majority of the WC are registered under Society Registration Act 27/TN Act 1975 in the local sub Registrar’s Office with specific by-laws covering the objectives, activities and governing members. But, the districts / Watersheds which adopted the GP body as WC are not
registered since being GP is a constitutionally governed institution.
The study proves based on the field data that, the chairman of the WC are either elected or appointed by the Gram Sabha of the respective Gram Panchayat of the watershed area.
It is observed that, the WCs appointed separately for the purpose have followed the IWMP guideline in composition of WC, by representing farmers, landless labourers, weaker sections and women. It is observed that all the watershed committees meet regularly once in a month, they also meet more than once in a month based on the need and emergency arise.
It is highly appreciable that all WCs maintain records and documents excellently. Each WC has Minutes Book, Cash Book, Cheque Book, Bank Pass Book, Receipt and Payment Book, Ledger, Asset Register, Voucher Book and Stock Register.
All the WCs in the district are making entries timely and properly without any discrepancies. The documents are also cross checked and verified by the WDT member, DD and Engineer of the District Watershed Development Agency.
Formation and Efficiency of Project Implementing Agency
Watershed Development Teams were formed in promptly and according to the scheme guidelines. There are only three members, in the team consists of one Civil or Agriculture Engineer, one Agriculture specialist and one Sociologist.
It is found that, the district appointed experienced candidates as WDTs who worked earlier in similar projects like DPAP and IWDP etc. WDTs who had earlier experience in watershed works deliver better performances than the fresh candidates. In general, majority of the team members perform well with high involvement.
Capacity Building
Building of required capacity to all stakeholders is an important area for the successful implementation of any scheme. Most of the Watersheds have prepared plan for capacity building and conducted awareness camps, exposure visits, trainings, etc.
All the watersheds in the district carried out capacity building for their stakeholders. The details of number of programmes conducted by 4 sample watersheds are awareness camps 4 (1 per watershed), exposure visits 4, workshop / training 8 (2 per watershed). In total 553 persons were trained in the selected sample WS as against the target of 580. The quality of capacity building in the district scored ‘Very Good’. Village people were oriented on the importance of IWMP and its future contribution to increase the ground water level. The potential of the scheme in conserving natural resources through which possibility of increasing agricultural and allied sectors production over a period time also emphasised through various types of awareness programmes and exposure visits.
The district conducted field visits to farmers and landless labourers covering 172 members against the target of 215 by the 4 sample WS. The farmers were taken to different places with in the state for the purpose of understanding the importance of watershed development through exposure visits. It helped to gain the acceptability of people to initiate the scheme in their regions.
Around 70% of SHG members from each watershed were trained on various income
generating activities to support their livelihoods. Local technical institutions were involved to impart short duration training for SHGs. Responses from SHG women revealed that quality and worthiness of the trainings are ‘Very Good’.
All 4 sample WS in the district trained WDT members, and quality of training was reported as ‘Very Good’. But, it is essential to impart in-depth professional, functional and attitudinal trainings to improve functional efficiency of the team members. Further, It is essential to take necessary initiatives DWDA to train all stakeholders especially WDTs on the functional mode.
Status of Watershed Work
It is found that, the works proposed to undertake during the whole project period of IWMP have incorporated in the DPRs. The works are initiated and completed by the watershed Committees which are to be carried out under preparatory phase. Second year works are ongoing.
The evaluation teams have made physical verification of the entire watershed works carried in the sample watersheds. The teams observed that, the quality of works are very good and excellent.
Type of works carried out under land development are; land leveling, creation and strengthening of land bund, etc. Major works under water harvesting structures are digging of new ponds, desiltation and bund rising of existing percolation tanks, digging of sunken ponds, farm ponds, etc.
Drainage line treatment consists of desiltation of canals, construction of check dam, gully checks, construction of retaining wall, sunken ponds, etc.
Majority of the watersheds have spent more than 70% of the funds received. Only training administration fund is not spent 100%.
Recommendations
Based on the field observations and findings the following few major recommendations are given EPA works
Regarding EPA works, it is advisable to select the most needed and optimum benefitable works, it is better to avoid repetition and duplication of assets. In some of the watersheds, it is noted that establishment of drinking water pipe and erection of syntax tanks seems to be in duplication, provided in addition to the already existing water supply system in the village.
Even though very good structures and
quality equipments installed under EPA, it is essential to develop a suitable mechanism among the users to maintain the assets created even after the withdrawal of project.
It is highly appreciable that, all the watersheds have created village institutions in better under IWMP for successful implementation of the scheme through participatory mode. But, furthermore focus is required to strengthen the groups like SHGs, WCs and WDTs. More coverage and livelihood support for landless families through SHGs of both men and women to be considered for support.
It is also essential to form User Groups (UGs) formally and some form of responsibilities to be given to them for proper maintenance of the assets created for them.
Appropriate Livelihood Plan have to be prepared with the consultation of SHG members and more financial and technical support have to be extended for making SHG units more viable and vibrant.
It may be considered on rethinking of cheque signatory power given to the ‘Secretary’ of the WC. The Secretary’s appointed under the scheme are educationally less qualified, less experienced. Exploitation possibility may
arise in money transaction by the local leaders or dominants.
It is better to increase the honorarium of
watershed Secretary and appoint
experienced and qualified people to get more responsibility and transparency in financial transactions.
It is very good that all the Watershed Committee maintain records, minutes books, cash and bank book entries. Periodical, continues checking and verifying by the DWDA is essential in the future, because of more funds inflow and implementation of more and more activities in the next phase.
Capacity Building (CB)
The district has to ensure training of its cadres at the district and watershed level. Serious view is necessary to enable the DWDA to train their members.
SHGs can be trained with the help of abled local NGOs. Further nurturing and other supports in any form could be drawn from NGOs and Technical Institutions.
More training for farmers and landless labourers will yield better results in strengthening agricultural production by incorporating watershed development. Serious attempt can be made for preparation
of Livelihood Action Plan and Production System Enhancement Plan with timeline to take timely action and to understand the benefits of IWMP on the production system.
Possibility of exploring convergence with line department schemes and Rural Development Programmes may yield concentrated efforts on drought proofing and increasing ground water potential.
Development works carried under the
scheme in all the districts are excellent, in terms of quality, worthiness and optimal benefits, same efforts to be continued.
