Climate Proofing of Watersheds
Climate Change has been impacting agricultural production, productivity and livelihood of the farmer, especially in dryland and rainfed areas. In order to reduce vulnerability of the rural community due to impact of climate change, NABARD had taken up climate change adaptation initiatives under WDF Climate-proofing projects under WDF are under implementation in four states viz. Himanchal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Core components of the programme are:
- Soil & Water Conservation
- Soil health improvement & productivity enhancement measures
- Promotion of sustainable NRM, CCA & food security
- Measures to mitigate Climate Change risk
- Capacity building, institutional building & Knowledge management, etc.
Currently, 42 climate proofing projects under WDF and 40 projects under IGWDP are being implemented in 6 States with total financial outlay of Rs.2250.40 lakh.
Springshed Development Programme in NER & other hilly regions
Due to adverse impact of climate change in the recent pass in the region, the springs which are the lifeline in the NER are getting dried up, affecting agriculture and livelihood of rural community. To address the issue, NABARD is promoting innovative and integrated concept of Springshed based participatory watershed development programme in NER, including Sikkim on a pilot basis with financial support under WDF.
The programme was launched in January 2017, and the entry point activities are being undertaken in the programme area. The approach is expected not only to address drinking water scarcity in the region but also, help farmers doing farming during off-season as well, for the alternate livelihood. It is planned to sanction and implement 25 projects during the current financial year in the identified project areas.
Sustainable Development Plan
To address the sustainable development in completed watershed projects, NABARD has come out with Sustainable Development Policy, wherein, the critical issues of technology transfer, agriculture extension, credit intensification, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), Promotion of FPOs etc., are being addressed in the post watershed development period through capacity building and leadership development of the watershed community, convergence of various centrally sponsored schemes like National Food Security Mission, National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, etc. including social security schemes like PMJJBY, PMSBY, APY, JDY, etc. The pilot has been rolled out in 8 States during 2016-17. In all, 336 SDP projects are being implemented, with financial commitment of ` 3259 lakh.
Watershed Development Projects through Co-funding arrangement with Corporates
In order to promote holistic development in watershed villages with integration of social infrastructural facilities like health, education, sanitation, etc., in NABARD assisted watershed projects, a few corporate bodies have partnered with NABARD for convergence of their CSR funds on Co-funding basis. So far, about 28 corporates bodies are associated with NABARD for implementation of 130 Watershed Development projects with co-funding arrangement. Major corporate bodies include ITC, TATA TRUST, MCX, Ambuja Cement Foundation, Dalmia Cement, Jindal Steel, BALCO, Mahindra & Mahindra. As on 31 December 2017, 130 projects are being implemented under CSR collaboration with total financial outlay of Rs. 9385.21 lakh, out of which Rs. 3571.68 lakh has been contributed by corporate bodies. In order to have enhanced value addition, more visibility and better impact of such collaboration, integration of CSR funds is being advocated for watershed plus activities like health, sanitation, drinking water, education, skill development, popularizing alternate Agri and Allied livelihood enterprises among watershed community, etc. to ensure holistic development on such areas.
Monitoring of Watersheds using Geospatial Technologies
NABARD has signed MoU with National Remote Sensing Centre, Hyderabad (NRSC) for monitoring of all the ongoing watershed projects in 16 states through Geospatial, satellite and mobile app. based technologies. The project provides NABARD the platform on BHUVAN web portal for digitization, online and real time tracking of physical and financial progress and impact evaluation of watershed projects through use of remote sensing, GIS and GPS technologies.
Externally aided projects
A Integrated Watershed Development for Rehabilitation of Degraded Soils and Climate Change Adaptation
In order to address climate change issues along with restoration and rehabilitation of degraded soils for ensuring food security, under ‘One World No Hunger’ programme, KfW Germany is implementing Soil Restoration and Rehabilitation programme in 123 watershed projects completed by NABARD under Watershed Development Fund. The programme is being implemented over a period of 4 years until December 2019 in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and Chhattisgarh with total Financial Component of EUR 10 million. The funds are routed through NABARD for implementation of the programme by Project Facilitating Agencies and Village Watershed Committees (VWCs). An amount of Rs.5952.98 lakh has been sanctioned for 123 projects out of which as on 31st December 2017, Rs. 2350.57 has been disbursed to PFAs and VWCs for implementation of the projects.