WESTERN
GHAT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
S
e c t i o n - I
Western
Ghat Development Programme (WGDP)
1. Introduction:
The
Western Ghat region of Kerala covers 450 Kms (28.12%)
out of the total length of 1600 Kms. The Kerala region
(“Sahyadri”) of Western Ghats comprises of 31 out of 63
taluks in the State encompassing 72% of the total geographical
area of the Sate and around 50% of the State’s population.
The region covers 80 cut of 152 Block Panchayats and 537
out of 999 Grama Panchayats in the State. The population
of this region increased from 68.8 lakhs in 1971 to 158.16
lakhs in 2001 (Provisional). The density of population
in this region in 565 pr sq. km as against thee State
average of 819 per Sq.km. The Western Ghats play an important
role in providing substantial rainfall in the state. The
“Sahyadri” is the birthplace of 44 major rivers flowing
through the state. The rich natural forests of this region
are a treasure house of plants, animals and minerals.
The influence of Western Ghats has been remarkable in
thee maintenance and preservation of ecology of the state.
2.
Genesis of WGDP:
The
National development Council (NDC) accepted the adoption
of area approach for accelerated development of important
regions in the country with a view to bringing them on
par with the adjoining developed areas. On such region
identified by the Planning Commission was the Western
Ghats Region which lies in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala,
Tamil Nadu and Goa. The question was entrusted a suitable
plan for integrated development of this region was entrusted
to a High Level Committee of the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra,
Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory
of Goa Under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
The Committee gave priority to the economic well being
of the local population and emphasized on programmes in
key sectors like, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Forestry,
Diary, Development, Minor Irrigation and Roads. Since
it was very difficult for the High Level Committee to
meet very often, a Secretaries Committee was formed and
that committee met regularly to review the progress. In
December 1982 the High level Committee and the secretaries
Committee were reconstituted as Committee of Chief Ministers
headed by the Minister of Planning and Deputy Chairman,
Planning Commission in charge of the Hill Areas. At Present
the Western Ghat Secretariat of Planning Commission is
in charge of coordinating the programme at the national
level.
The experience of WGDP implementation during the Fifth
Five year Plan revealed that the area development approach
alone couldn’t meet the development needs of Western Ghat
region. The need for a balance between beneficiary oriented
and infrastructure development schemes keeping in mind
the vital importance of ecological restoration and conservation
was keenly felt.
Hence
the Sixth Five Years Plan suggested an integrated strategy
for development of hill areas based on should principles
of ecology and economies, marking a shift of emphasis.
During the Seventh Give-Year Plan, the Planning Commission
released an approach paper, which called for harmonious
Socio-economics growth with eco-preservation, eco-restoration,
and eco-development. Harnessing of the natural resource
endowments like water, soil, forest, minerals and biological
resources on a watershed basis along with development
of human resources became the core strategy. Large projects
(particularly capital intensive projects), which have
adverse and often irreversible impact on the ecology and
environment of hill areas, were to be appraised with extreme
care before being permitted.
Apart
from the general strategy, outlined for the development
of hill areas in the country, some specific recommendations
were made for the development of Western Ghat region by
the Area Sub-group on Western Ghats Constituted by the
Planning Commission which highlighted the need to arrest
the degradation of forests in the hills and to bring as
much area as possible under green cover. It was further
noted that the success of eco-conservation projects largely
depends on the extent of public co-operation and involvement
in the planning process. Scientific land management practices
in the hill slopes, switch-cover from annual crops to
perennial plantation crops, successful implementation
of social forestry schemes and integrated watershed management
projects, all require the willing co-operation of the
community.
The Eighth Five Year Plan more or less followed the same
strategy as the 7th Plan. Its general approach
was that of taking up integrated development programme
on compact watershed basis keeping in view the over-riding
priorities of eco-development and eco-restoration as well
as the basic needs of the hilly people. A sub plan approach
was advocated instead of the earlier schematic approach.
During the Eighth Plan more than 60 percent of the outlay
was used for undertaking various integrated development
programmes in the select4d priority watersheds.
A
common approach for watershed development activities was
adopted for the 9th Five Year Plan. The key
features of this approach were:
a) Participatory approach for empowerment of community]
b) Implementation of watershed projects through watershed
Communities.
c) Facilitation, Co-ordination and supervision by
Programme Implementation Agency (PIA)
d) Creation of a responsive community and proper
selection of PIAs
e) Project proposals to be demand driven reflecting
the felt needs of the community.
f) Replication of successful watershed development
projects
g) Development of Common Property Resources (CPRs)
and sharing of usufruct rights
h) Development of forest lands also on watershed
areas
i) Linkage of watershed Communities with PRIs
j) Proper linkage with credit institutions
k) Promoting equity for the resources poor and women
l) Watershed programmes to have a development component
and an administrative component.
m) Integrated development of natural resources
n) Promoting water harvesting structures
o) Strengthening linkages between conservation measures
and livehood systems
p) Flexibility in choice of technology
q) Research input in watershed development
r) Extension support through line departments
The
report of the working group in WGDP for 10th
plan, has stated that the main objective of the programme
would continue to be eco-preservation and eco-restoration.
However the needs of the people particularly their economic
needs also have to be considered, as these would have
to bee addressed in particular if the eco-system has to
be preserved.
3.
Relevance of guidelines in Kerala context:
1)
To integrate implementation of WGDP with the decentralized
planning process being institutionalized in the state.
2)
To follow the principle of “people’s participation” for
design of locally relevant programmes for integrated and
sustainable development of Western Ghat region on watershed
basis.
3)
To develop a “participatory mode” for implementation of
WGDP projects through the active involvement of Watershed
Community, Panchayat Raj Institutions, Voluntary Agencies,
and Government Department/
Organizations.
4)
To strengthen people’s institution like “elf Help Groups,
“Neighborhood Groups”, “User Groups” “Kudumbasree” etc
for organization and execution of location specific development
activities on watershed basis.
5)
To link watershed based programmes implemented in the
region.
SECTION
– II
Objectives,
Approach & Organizational Setup
1. Programme
Objectives:
1. Integrated
development of Western Ghat region on compact watershed
basis keeping in view the over-riding priorities of eco-development
and eco-restoration.
2. Preservation
of bio-diversity of the Western Ghat region.
3. Restoration
of ecological damage caused by human inter-action in Western
Ghat region.
4. Awareness
creation among the people of Western Ghats and educating
them on the far-reaching implications of ecological degradation
and promotion of a change in their mindset for preservation
of the “Resource Trinity”-Land, Water and Biomass.
5. Development
of an approach for sustainable utilization of natural
resources to prevent further ecological degradation in
Western Ghat region.
6. Promotion
of simple, easy and affordable technological solutions
for eco-friendly development of Western Ghat region and
providing institutional arrangements for propagation and
documentation of such local technical know how.
7. Development
of degraded forest lands through “Participatory Forest
Management Programmes” on watershed basis.
8. Promotion
of application research in eco-restoration and eco-preservation
of Western Ghat region.
2.
Programme Approach:
Watershed Based
programme: A watershed is a geographical area that drains
to a common point, which makes it an ideal unit of conservation
of soil and water. It is a logical unit for planning optimum
development of the “resource trinity” namely land, water
and biomass. It may extend to part of a Panchayat or several
Panchayat contain both arable and non-arable lands, various
categories of land-holdings and farmers whose action may
impact on each others interests.
3.
Selection of Watershed:
a) The Criteria: The following criteria may be
used for selection of watersheds for implementation of
WGDP.
1) Small contiguous micro watersheds with area
of 50-600 hectare included in the prioritized list of
watersheds of Western Ghat region. The list of prioritized
watersheds is available with the District Soil Survey
Offices in the State.
2) Watersheds with large Tribal/Scheduled Caste/Agricultural
Labour population.
3) Watersheds with preponderance of degraded lands.
4) Watersheds with acute shortage of drinking
water.
5) Watersheds with sizable livestock population.
6) Watersheds where people’s participation is
assured through cash, material or labour contribution
for development and maintenance of assets created under
the programme.
b)
Watershed Maps: Maps drawn from the Topo-Sheets maintained
by Soil Survey Offices of Agriculture Department in respect
of prioritized watersheds of Western Ghat region may be
utilized for conducting soil and land utilization surveys
of the watershed.
c) Baseline Data of Watersheds: The Programme
Implementing Agency (PIA) should arrange collection and
compilation of baseline data on land use pattern, cropping
pattern, productivity of important crops, water level
of wells and ponds, socio-economic data of watershed population
etc before starting any intervention in the project area.
This benchmark data is of extreme importance for assessing
the impact of intervention activities later. Technical
people, preferably from the Department of Economic and
Statistics, should do collection and processing of baseline
data of the watersheds selected for treatment. The PIA
has to provide the fund necessary for training, printing
of forms, data processing and honorarium for the field
Investigators from 5% of project cost earmarked for data
collection and PRA. The survey formats designed and approved
by the Department of Economics & Statistics for baseline
survey of watersheds is furnished in Annexures-7&8.
4.
Organizational Set Up For Implementation:
1)
Western Ghat Cell.
The
Western Ghat Cell is located in the Planning and Economic
Affairs Department. The Cell is in charge of coordinating
the implementation of the programme with special reference
to release of funds, issue of guidelines and clarifications,
monitoring and evaluation of the programme and reporting
to Government of India. The Cell will monitor both the
quality of the programme as well as physical and financial
progress.
2)
District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC):
The
District level Coordination Committee would function with
the following members.
1) District Collector – Chairman.
2) Principal Agriculture Officer – Member
3) District Soil Conservation Officer – Member
4) District Soil Survey Officer – Member
5) District Animal Husbandry Officer – Member
6) District Officer, Dairy Development – Member
7) Divisional Forest Officer – Member
8) Project Director, Poverty Alleviation Unit – Member
9) Executive Engineer, Minor Irrigation – Member
10) Deputy Director, Economics & Statistics – Member
11) District Social Welfare Officer – Member
12) District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbasree – Member
13) Deputy Director, Panchayats – Member
14) District Planning Officer – Convener
The functions of the District level Coordination Committee
are:
(1) Identification of watersheds where the Western Ghat
Development programme is to be implemented
(2) Assisting the Grama Panchayat to prepare projects
(3) Preparation of the panel of accredited NGOs for PRA,
execution of works and evaluation.
(4) Approval of projects
(5) Providing technical assistance for implementation
of projects
(6) Sorting out problems which may arise during implementation
(7) Monthly monitoring of implementation including conduct
of field visits
(8) Concurrent and post-facto evaluation
(9) The DLCC would also develop a database on the natural
resources of the district on a watershed basis.
3.
Grama Panchayats:
The
Grama Panchayat is responsible for preparing the detailed
project for implementation under the guidance of the DLCC
and with the full participation of the farmers. The functions
of the Grama Panchayat are:
(1) Preparation of watershed Management Project report
as per the guidelines and in accordance with the principals
laid down by the DLCC, and with the full participation
of the farmers.
(2) Securing the contribution of beneficiaries.
(3) Involving the beneficiaries in the implementation.
(4) Converging of other programmes with the WGDP Action
plan
(5) Making arrangements for monitoring and evaluation
(6) Conducting Social audit through and approved NGO
(7) Replicating the project in the remaining portion
of the Game panchayat in a phased manner using plan funds.
4)
Watershed Community (Watershed Grama Sabha):
This
is the General Body of the residents of the watershed
as well as farmers who own land within the watershed area.
Its functions are:
(1) Discuss local problems and possible solutions
based on available data and arrive at consensus on the
priorities.
(2) Mobilize the contribution of the beneficiaries
to the programme
(3) Ensure full beneficiary participation in the implementation
(4) Decide on locations of public assets created as
part of the programme
(5) Sort out problems, which may arise during implementation
(6) Conduct social audit of the programme every six
months.
The
Watershed Community should meet at least four times a
year.
5)
Watershed Committee (WC):
The
Watershed Committee is the executive arm of the watershed
Community. Its membership should be as follows:
(1)
10 farmers from the watershed Community identified in
a general body meeting through draw of lots and having
land ownership as follows:
| Below
50 cents |
- |
2
Members |
| 50
to 100 cents |
- |
2
Members |
| 101
to 250 cents |
- |
2
Members |
| 251
to 500 cents |
- |
2
Members |
| Above
500 cents |
- |
2
Members |
(2)
Five representatives of Kudumbashree/ NHGs/ SHGs from
the Watershed Community
(3)
Representatives of NGOs active in the area in watershed
development.
(4)
All officials of the Working Group on Agriculture and
allied sectors and Poverty Reduction
(5)
Elected members from the Wards in which the watershed
falls.
The
President of the Grama panchayat will chair the watershed
Committee and the Agriculture Officer will be its Convener.
Functions
of the Watershed Committee:
1.
Act on behalf of the watershed Community
2.
Preparation of beneficiary list for final approval of
Watershed Community
3.
Collecting beneficiary contribution.
4.
Coordinating with beneficiaries to sort out problems,
which may arise during implementation.
5.
Verification of the quality of work through social audit
6.
Approval of completion reports of various items of work
7.
Regular monitoring of the implementation
The
Watershed Committee shall meet very month and keep a record
of its discussions and decisions.
6) Working
Group:
The
working Group for Agriculture and Allied Sectors shall
look after watershed management. Its functions are:
1)
Delinate micro watersheds according to degradation
2)
Conduct technical service and analysis
3)
Identify the problems in consultation with the farmers
4)
Develop appropriate solutions
5)
Integrate the resources and services of different agencies
and prepare action plans
6)
Over see implementation
7)
Conduct regular technical monitoring and evaluation
8)
Provide feedback to the DLCC, and when requested to the
Western Ghat Cell.
7) Watershed
Development Team (WDT):
The
experts of the Working Group will constitute the Watershed
Development Team, which would be in charge of the professional
and technical aspects of watershed management at the level
of the watershed taken up for project implementation.
8) Accredited
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs):
Dependable
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)/ Voluntary Agencies
who have the infrastructure and vision for intervention
in developmental activities in Western Ghat region can
be considered as Programme Implementing Agency (PIA) for
projects under WGDP/ A panel of accredited NGOs may be
prepared by the District Level Co-ordination Committee
based on the following criteria;
1.
At least year of standing.
2.
Experience in having executed at least one watershed project.
3.
Availability of technical manpower
4.
With Chartered Accountant audited accounts for the last
1 year.
5.
Willingness to submit to social conditions and keep all
records of spending in the project as open document.
6.
Clean track records.
5.
Organizational Chart for wgdp implementation
S
e c t i o n - III
Operational
Guidelines
1. Sector
Priority: The overall sectoral priority of investment
under WGDP in the state will be as follows;
1.
Watershed Development 80%
2.
Forestry 10%
3
Other Activities
(Admin, research, training, M & E, etc) 10%
2. Focus
Activity: The main focus of WGDP is integrated development
of watersheds within the western ghat area, keeping in
view the over-riding priorities of eco-restoration and
eco-preservation.
3. Cost
Norms and Allocation for Components: Projects proposed
under WGDP should follow he following cost norms for various
components;
a)
Watershed Development Projects:
(1)
Unit Cost Norms. @ Of Rs. 7500/-
Hect
(2)
Development Component. (80% of Total Project
Cost)
To
be further allocated as follows;
a) Natural Resources Management 52.5%
b) Production Systems Management 20%
c) Livelihood Support Systems 7.5%
a)
Natural Resources Management: The Component includes activities
for conservation and development of natural resources
namely land, water and vegetation. Structural and vegetative
measures for soil, moisture and water conservation, drainage
line treatment, checking of land degradation, rejuvenation
of water sources, social forestry, rainwater harvesting,
and micro irrigation measures are some examples of activities
under this component.
b)
Production System Management: This component includes
testing and demonstration of low cost technologies in
agriculture and allied activities for increasing production
and productivity and for value addition and diversification
or production system like horticulture, agro-forestry,
integrated household production system etc,
c)
Livelihood Support System: This component includes activities
improving income, from existing as well as of new individual/group
activities and micro enterprises.
(3) Management
Component (20 % of Total Project Cost)
To be further as follows;
a) Awareness Training & Community Organization
5%
b) Baseline Data Collection & PRA
5%
c) Administrative Cost of PIA
7.5%
d) Documentation
2.5%
b)
Other Projects: (maximum assistance limited to Rs.15 Lakhs)
1. Activities/ works/ programmes 85%
2. Awareness Generation, Training
5%
3. Documentation
2.5%
4. Administrative Cost of PIA
7.5%
(Salary component/establishment cost of project staff
will not to be funded from WGDP in respect of Research
Projects)
4. Livelihood
Support : Separate provision for Livelihood Support
Programmes will be discontinued from 2003-2004. This component
will become part of the programme for integrated development
of watersheds selected for treatment under WGDP. However
Livelihood Support Sector will be implemented as a separate
component during 2002-2003 through KUDUMBASREE to implement
livelihood support programmes for women below poverty
line.
5. Promotion
of Water Harvesting Structures : Appropriate technologies
for water harvesting especially rainwater harvesting in
watersheds have to be made a integral component of a watershed
management project funded under WGDP. Only technology
appropriate to the region may be used for rainwater harvesting.
Projects for development of micro drinking water and irrigation
schemes and community structures for water conservation
would be promoted.
6.
Working Modality : project funding and resources
pooling for sustainable, demand driven and location specific
intervention programmes of watershed Communities, Panchayat
Raj Institutions and Voluntary Organizations in micro
watersheds of Western Ghat region would be the working
under WGDP.
7. Project
based funding : A “Project based Approach” would be
followed in programme funding. WGDP project cost should
be shared as follow.
(1)
WGDP Funds 80 %
(2)
PRI / Other Source 10 %
(3)
Beneficiary 10 %
8. Allocation
of funds to Districts : Allocation of funds to districts
for integrated development of micro watersheds in Western
Ghat region will be done on the basis of the following
non-technical and technical parameters with weight as
given in brackets;
Non
– technical
1. Per Hectare Investment (25 %)
2. Per Capita Investment (20 %)
3. SC/ST Population (25 %)
4. Area under Western Ghats (20 %)
5. Backwardness (10 %)
Technical
6. Slope (30 %)
7. Infiltration (15
%)
8. Erosion (15 %)
9. Depth (21 %)
10. Rainfall (6 %)
11. Land cover (13 %)
9. Selection
of watershed for Implementation of Projects : The
DLCC would be responsible for selecting the watersheds
for implementation of projects under WGGDP. It has to
adhere to the following steps.
(1) Divide the district into watersheds of
approximately 500-600 Hact size and study thee priority
watersheds as fixed by the Soil Survey Department. This
priority may be re-verified on the basis of technical
parameters.
(2) Prepare a status report on implementation
of watershed development programmes by different government
department/agencies, local government and NGOs in the
district.
(3) Based on the steps mentioned above identify
areas to be taken up for project implementation as follows:
(a)
Watersheds with significant portion of land actually possessed
and cultivated by tribal should bee given the first priority.
(b)
Other watershed may be selected on the basis of the following
criteria applied to the Grama Panchayat concerned.
i. Per Capita own income:
25 % weightage
ii. SC / ST population:
25 % weightage
iii. Agriculture labour population.
50 % weightage
4. A meeting of the priority Grama panchayat may
be called by the DLCC in which the Agriculture Officers
of the concerned Panchayats should be invited. In the
meeting the guidelines of WGDP, the process of project
preparation, the obligations of the village Panchayat
and other organizational structures should be clearly
explained and the final list approved, after excluding
the Panchayat if any which are not interested in the project
or which do not agree to meet the conditions stipulated
in the guidelines.
10. Project
Proposal Format : Project proposals for Integrated
Development of micro watersheds paused for WGDP funding
should contain the following essential components;
1) Need for the project
2) Description of the watershed with area, location,
slope soil, terrain relevant maps.
3) Household characteristics, occupational pattern,
land holding pattern, land use and cropping pattern of
the watershed.
4) Major objectives of the project
5) Major problems of soil, water, land management,
livelihood problems in the watershed
6) Sector-wise description of major interventions/programmes
proposed in the project with time frame for action.
7) Indicator of outputs/physical targets
8) Specific success criteria (Quantified parameters
of result based Management (RBM) of the project.
9) Cost details table indicating expenditure for;
a) PRA Exercise/Baseline data.
b) Awareness Training, Exposure visit etc.
c) Sector wise breakup of activities/Programmes
d) Consultancy for Watershed Development Team
e) Documentation
f) Administrative Cost of PIA
11) Phasing of financial allocation over the project
period.
12) Annexures
1) Resolution of GP nominating the PIA for the project.
2) Resolution of GP to share 10% of project cost.
3) List of major public assets in the watershed
4) List of programmes of department/agencies in the
watershed area
5) Table of financial and physical targets of the
programme
6) Table of sector-wise break up of cost
7) Activity chart with time frame
[NB:
Project Report to be prepared in English]
11. Reference
Documents : The following documents have to be used
for preparation of watershed development project under
WGDP and the offices concerned have to make the documents
available for reference to agencies authorized by the
Grama Panchayats.
a)
Watershed Master Plan and appraisal reports of Block Panchayats
b) Watershed Development Reports of Grama Panchayat
c)
Development Report of Grama, Block, District Panchayat
d)
Topo-sheets with District Soil Survey Officers
e)
Cadastral maps with Survey/Village Offices
f)
Panchayat level resources maps
g)
Secondary data available in Taluk Statistical Offices/District
Offices of department of Economic & Statistics.
12. Process
for Preparation of the Plan and Implementation :
(1) Meeting of Watershed Community
A
meeting of all the households with in the watershed as
well as of landholders be held as the first step. This
meeting should be convened after elaborate publicity,
house visits by volunteers and adequate awareness creation.
This meeting should be called by the Grama Panchayat in
the presence of an expert team deputed by DLCC and the
process monitored. The model agenda is as follows:
(a)
Explanation of the concept of Watershed management
b) Explanation of WGDP and its guidelines.
c)
Discussion on the role of the Watershed Community including
question and answer sessions.
d) Selection
of the Watershed Committee.
e) Discussion
on the role of the Watershed Community and Modalities
of functioning.
f) Decision on the next steps to be taken like
PRA, Consultation with farmers, discussion of action plan
etc.
(2) An exhaustive
socio economic database on the selected watersheds has
to be generated. This should also include technical data
on to natural resources. The existing data should be collected
from different available sources. Where Panchayat Resource
maps are available they should be fully utilized. Gaps
in data may be filled by assigning responsibility to the
respective agencies by DLCC .
(3) PRA should
be conducted to identify the problems and possible solutions
and priorities, based on the perceptions of the local
people. PRA should focus on issues related to natural
resources management including agricultural production,
poverty, infrastructure development etc. The PRA should
be conducted by an NGO identified by the DLCC from the
empaneled list.
(4) based on the
data and the PRA results the Watershed development Team
would prepare draft project which would have components
of watershed management, infrastructure development. Provision
of minimum needs and reduction of poverty.
(5) Draft project
may be vetted by an expert team from the district or by
CWRDM/CESS and necessary modifications made.
(6) The draft projects
of all the selected Grama Panchayats and Block Panchayats
should be circulated to them with a request to identify
components, which they have to fund from their sources.
(7) As the next
step the Action Plan should be discussed in the Watershed
Community as well as in the watershed committee and the
roles and responsibilities of varies stakeholders including
contribution finalized.
(8) Thereafter
the plan should be forwarded to the DLCC for approval.
13. Project
Implementation:
(1)
Implementation.
The
Grama Panchayat concerned would be the Implementing Agency
However, they are free to entrust components of the project
to an NGO, which they may identify from the empanelled
list. However, Poverty Reduction Programme should be done
only through the CDS set up.
(2)
Selection Beneficiaries.
Selection
of beneficiaries would be in the presence of watershed
Committee based on eligibility criteria and prioritization
criteria after which the list should be approved by the
watershed Grame Sabha.
(3)
Technical Approval
Technical
approval for different components should be from a Technical
Committee constituted for Integrated watershed Management.
District Collectors are free to constitute such a Committee,
which should include technical experts from Government,
Public sector agencies, academic institutions and NGOs
besides individual experts.
(4)
Auditing.
There must be compulsory social audit through the Watershed
Community as well as through independent agencies to be
accredited for the purpose. All documents relating to
the watershed development plan, its implementation etc.
would be public documents available to any one for scrutiny
or for taking copies.
14.
Forest Sector Projects: Participatory Forest management
activities suited for eco restoration and eco preservation
will be priority under the forest component of WGDP.
Eco-tourism promoting tribal culture and heritage will
be another priority area in forest sector.
15.
Research Projects: WGDP funding for research projects
will be limited to areas having relation to the objectives
of WGDP. A committee consisting of chairman STED, Secretary
(Planning) and Joint Director, Western Ghat Cell would
select the projects.
16.
Model Watershed and Special Projects: The Western
Ghat Cell in Planning Department will co-ordinate the
implementation of model watershed Projects and Special
Projects. This will be done with people’s participation
and also through integration of watershed based programme
of PRIs. Line Departments, NGOs, and other agencies.
17.
Memorandum of Understanding: The PIA will have
to execute a memorandum of undertaking with the district
Collector/
Secretary Planning in stamp paper worth Rs. 50/- (Rupees
fifty) for proper implementation of the project and utilization
of the project fund as per the Action Plan approved for
the project. Any violation of the MOU will warrant action
for recovery of amount from the PIA.
18.
Settlement of claims: Settlement of claims/bills/vouchers
in connection with implementation of Watershed Projects
will be made with the approval of the Watershed Committee.
On strength of the recommendation of the Watershed Committee
the bills/vouchers of the PIA can be passed affixing the
signature of the Chairman and Convener of the Watershed
Committee. Thee designated signatory of the PIA will make
claims of expenditure/ advance payments. Payment will
be released from the WGDP project Account only through
Cheque countersigned by the designated signatory of the
PIA, the Chairman and the Convener of the Watershed Committee.
19.
Documentation: A maximum of 2.5% of the project
cost can be utilized for effective documentation of WGDP
activities. Implementation Agencies will have to submit
to the Western Ghat Cell Photo Album and a short Video
area are and all important meetings, awareness camps,
discussions,, activities, works, livelihood support initiatives,
impact indicators of the programme done in connection
with the treatment of the watershed/implementation of
other projects.
20.
Flow of Funds:
(1)
Allocation of WGDP Funds to Districts: The Planning &
Economic Affairs Department will allocate WGDP funds admissible
to the District Collectors on intimation of WGDP Annual
Outlay for the state by the Planning Commission. Government
will make allocation of funds for forest and research
projects after scrutiny and selection of suitable projects
in Western Ghat Cell.
(2) Administrative Sanction And Allocation of Funds to
Grama Panchayats: In respect of WGDP funds allotted to
district the District Collectors will issue Administrative
Sanction for WGDP projects approved by the DLCC and release
the project assistance to the Grama Panchayat concerned
in three equal installments.
(3)
Allocation of Funds to watershed Committee: The Grama
panchayat Committee will treat WGDP assistance received
from the District Collector as a Special Programme Fund
to the Grama Panchayat and resolve to open a WGDP Account
for the Watershed Committee in any of the Nationalized
bank/Co operative bank near the Watershed area. WGDP Account
will be operated jointly by the designated signatory of
the Programme Implementing Agency, the Chairman and the
Convener of the watershed Committee.The Grama panchayat
Committee will resolve to permit the Secretary of Grama
Panchayat to draw the fund in lump sum from treasury and
credit the amount to the WGDP Account the same day or
the next working day.
(4)
Payments to the Programme Implementing Agency: payments
to the PIA will have to be approved by the Watershed Committee.
The Agricultural Officer, before affixing his signature
on the cheque, will obtain a copy of the minutes of the
watershed Committee approving the payments due to the
PIA. The Chairman and Convener of the watershed Committee
should sign the copy of the minutes. All payments due
to the PIA should be effected through Cheque only. The
programme Implementing Agency will be the custodian of
the Cheque and pass book of the WGDP Account. Timely updating
of the passbook etc will be the responsibility of the
PIA.
(5)
Allocation of funds for Forest based and research Projects:
The PIA for forest based and research projects will have
to submit the Grant in aid claims in three equal installments
to the Western Ghat Cell of Planning Department. The western
Ghat Cell will forward the bills to Planning Department.
The Western Ghat Cell will forward the bills to Planning
(E) Department with the prescribed “Scrutiny Report” for
sanction of the installment amount. The Planning (E) Department
in turn arranges sanction and countersignature of the
bills by the Secretary to Government Planning & Economic
Affairs Department.
(6)
Sanction in final installment of WGDP assistance: The
District Collectors and other Implementing Agencies will
have to ensure the prompt submission of progress report
and other returns to the Western Ghat Cell. The Planning
(E) Department and District Collectors will sanction the
last installment of WGDP assistance only on receipt of
a clearance certificate to this effect from the Western
Ghat Cell.
(7)
Furnishing copy of the sanction order to Western Ghat
cell:
The
District Collectors and the Planning (E) department have
to mark a copy of the sanction order to Western Ghat Cell
for monitoring the flow funds under WGDP.
(8)
Intimation of the date of encashment to Western Ghat Cell:
The
PIA of Forest based and Research projects will have to
inform the date of encashment of the grant-in-aid bills
to Western Ghat Cell for monitoring the cash flow. The
district Planning Officer and the Secretary of Grama Panchayat
will inform the date of crediting the amount to WGDP Account
of Watershed committee to the Western Ghat cell.
(9)
Beneficiary Share: The Watershed Committee and the SHGs
associating with the implementation of the project will
have to ensure mobilization of 10% of the cost as contribution
of the beneficiary/community. The WC can resort to suitable
measures for mobilizing the beneficiary share in cash
or as labour participation.
21.
Utilization Certificate and Audit report: Utilization
certificate for WGDP assistance will have to be produced
by the PIA before 15th of April every year
in the Performa furnished in Annexure-5. Audited report
of WGDP accounts by a Chartered Account should be furnished
to Government before 30th April every year.
The DLCC can prepare a panel of Auditors for this purpose.
Special audit can also be conducted on request from the
District Collectors/Western Ghat Cell.
22. Fixing
of Responsibilities: The chairman of the Watershed
Committee the designed signatory of the PIA and Agricultural
Officer will be held responsible for any irregularity
in operating the “WGDP Account”. It is the responsibility
of all members of the watershed Committee to ensure proper
utilization of the project fund by the PIA. Programme
Implementing Agencies achieving full and ;proper utilization
of project assistance under WGDP.
23. Mis
utilization of funds: Mis-utilisation / diversion
of WGDP assistance will be viewed as a serious irregularity
and the PIA found guilty of diversion/ misappropriation/
Mis-utilisation of WGDP fund will be proceeded against
as per law for recovery of amount and if it is an NGO
it will also be black listed.
24. Monitoring
Arrangements:
The
following monitoring arrangements would be in place.
(1)
WGDP Cell would arrange a monitoring system by expert
agency, which may also include NGOs not involved in execution
of works in the district.
(2)
The DLCCs should monitor the progress of works every month
and send reports to Government in the prescribed Profroma.
(3)
The DLCC should prescribe a schedule of inspection for
different officials including the District Collectors
and take follow up action on the reports in the meetings
of DLCC.
(4)
Watershed Community and the Watershed Committee would
also regularly monitor the progress of implementation
in their periodic meetings.
Section
– IV
Publicity,
Award & Success Criteria
1.
Publicity : Adequate publicity should be given
for WGDP in the state. All WGDP activities/works should
be marked with a small “WGDP – Mark
Plate” for publicity and also for verification by the
funding agency. All beneficiary households of the watershed
programme should display a colour sticker in Malayam indicating
the need for protecting/preservating/preserving the “resources
trinity” viz Land WATER AND BIO-MASS. “a®v, Pew, ssPhk¼¯v,
\ap¡pw hcpw Xeapdbv¡pw” The WGDP mark Plates/must contain
the name of Implementing Agency and the year of implementation
of the project. WGDP display boards can be erected in
prominent place in the watershed for transparency and
publicity for the programme. Miniature models/canvas
maps of the watersheds may prepared and kept in the Grama
panchayat Office and Krishi Bhavan. Electronic and print
media should also be based to ensure adequate publicity
for WGDP activities in the selected watersheds.
2.
WGDP Awards : Cash Award and Mementos of State
Government will be given to honor the innovative and successful
participants in WGDP implementation every year. A cash
award of Rs,. 10000 (Rupees Ten thousand) such will be
given to one farmer successful in developing and using
a local and low cost technology solution appropriate for
farm operations and also for one programme Implementing
Agency (PIA) selected for outstanding programme in organizing
WGDP implementation with the best participation of watershed
Community, and the PRIs of the project area. The western
Ghat Cell will obtain nominations for the awards with
supporting details from the Districts Collectors and a
state Level Committee will decide the award winners from
among valid nominations.
3. Success
Criteria :
It
is important that a few measurable and quantifiable success
criteria for various activities undertaken under WGDP
in the State are fixed.
some
of the success criteria are listed below to help of the
monitoring of the programme.
1)
Measurable/quantifiable aspects achieved in time
2)
Percentage of survival, usefulness of assets created
3)
Extent of Community/peoples participations in the project
4)
Extent of integration of development programme in the
watershed.
5)
Increase in production of usufructs like fodder, grass,
fuel wood etc.
6)
Change in biomass production
7)
Measurement of recharging of wells
8)
Rate of prevention of soil runoff
9)
Increase in yield of major crops
10)
Employment generation from the programme
11)
Coverage of a minimum of 80% of the area under treatment
12)
A minimum of 80% of activities done through user groups
13)
A minimum of 80% of the activities completed as per time
schedule.
14)
No cost escalation is involved in activities.
15)
Extent of use of local solution and indigenous technology.
16)
Increase in the number of micro enterprise programme
17)
Number of meetings of the WC with a minimum of 80% attendance
18)
Maintenance of clear and correct accounts by the WC and
the PIA.
19)
Amount mobilized through beneficiary contribution.
20)
Clear documentation of all the activities connected with
the programme
4.
Conclusion :
Any queries/suggestions may be addressed to the Western
Ghat Cell located in the State Planning Board Office (Annex)
Pattom Palace PO, and Thiruvananthapuram-04. Pin 695004.
(Ph. 0471-544590. Fax 0471 – 544590,
E-mail: wgcell@zyberway.com)
Sd/-
S.M. Vijayanad IAS
Secretary (Planning)
