National Watershed Development Project For Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA)
List of Micro Watersheds Project to be Taken Up During The XIth Plan In Meghalaya
Importance of Watershed Management
1. Fluctuation Food Production :-
Inspite of green revolution in irrigated areas the national food security continues to be fragile. During the years of drought when rainfed crops suffer, there is a sharp decline in annual production of foodgrains. The target of food production would be achievable only if our rainfed crop lands develop to their full potential.
2. Shortage of Pulses and Oilseeds :- Whereas production and productivity of irrigated crops have increased manifold, the production of oilseeds and pulses which are largely rainfed, has made little progress.
3. Sustainability of production in irrigated areas :- Catchment areas of irrigation reservoirs and tanks which contribute water, are rainfed. The deterioration of production environment in catchments due to growing human and livestock population in accelerating erosion and causing siltator of storage structures at a faster rate than what was assumed in their initial designs. It is therefore, essential to develop rainfed catchments of irrigation systems if production and productivity even in irrigated areas have to be kept up.
4. Ecological Imbalance :-
5. Socio- Economic Problems :- The gains of agricultural development have been, by and large, confined to irrigated areas. The uneven growth has focused attention on
2. Shortage of Pulses and Oilseeds :- Whereas production and productivity of irrigated crops have increased manifold, the production of oilseeds and pulses which are largely rainfed, has made little progress.
3. Sustainability of production in irrigated areas :- Catchment areas of irrigation reservoirs and tanks which contribute water, are rainfed. The deterioration of production environment in catchments due to growing human and livestock population in accelerating erosion and causing siltator of storage structures at a faster rate than what was assumed in their initial designs. It is therefore, essential to develop rainfed catchments of irrigation systems if production and productivity even in irrigated areas have to be kept up.
4. Ecological Imbalance :-
| Rainfed Farming Systems include about | 148 m. Ha of land. |
| Arable rainfed cultivated land | 100.00m. Ha |
| Barren and un-culturable land | 20.29 m. Ha |
| Culturable waste land | 15.55 m. Ha |
| Permanent pasture and other grazing land | 12.04 m. Ha |
| 148.00m. Ha |
5. Socio- Economic Problems :- The gains of agricultural development have been, by and large, confined to irrigated areas. The uneven growth has focused attention on
- Widespread unemployment/under employment in vast rainfed areas in accentuating all pervasive poverty with associated problems of illiteracy, poor health, frustration and unrest.
- Exodus from backward rainfed hinterland to town and cities creating congestion and slums.