SRINAGAR: Special Gram Sabhas will be held in 198 Gram Panchayats across Jammu and Kashmir on October 2 to raise awareness about watershed development and promote community participation in soil and water conservation, the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) has said.
The Gram Sabhas will cover 19 Watershed Development Projects and provide local communities an opportunity to learn about ongoing interventions, participate in planning and contribute to the creation and long-term maintenance of water-harvesting and soil-conservation assets.
The programme said the activities would focus on the benefits of watershed development, including improved water availability, reduced soil erosion, restoration of degraded land, higher agricultural productivity and livelihood opportunities for rural communities.
IWMP Chief Executive Officer Rajnish Kumar said the Special Gram Sabhas were intended to strengthen community ownership of watershed projects and ensure that interventions respond to local requirements.
“Watershed development can deliver sustainable results only when local communities are fully involved in its planning, implementation and maintenance,” Kumar said, adding that the meetings would also help authorities understand local priorities and promote collective responsibility for conserving soil and water resources.
He directed district and project-level implementing agencies to mobilise their field machinery, ensure broad public participation and explain watershed interventions to farmers and rural households in accessible language.
According to the programme, around 53,619 hectares have so far been covered under watershed development initiatives in J&K. The financial provision has been increased from Rs 15,000 to Rs 28,000 per hectare in view of the Union Territory’s hilly and difficult terrain, enabling greater investment in soil and water conservation works.
The project implementation period has also been reduced from seven years to five years to accelerate execution and enable farmers to receive benefits sooner.
The programme includes interventions such as quality seeds and saplings, improved agricultural implements, crop diversification, horticulture and agroforestry, along with measures suited to local agro-climatic conditions.
Springshed development has also been prioritised in mountainous areas, with more than 550 springs reportedly rejuvenated or developed. Preliminary data indicates that spring discharge has increased by up to three times in some locations, with water remaining available for longer periods.
The IWMP has further proposed similar awareness activities at around 80 locations at district and project levels as part of efforts to increase community participation in watershed development.
