By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal : The country’s biggest ever watershed area management programme is being carried out under the Rajiv Gandhi Watershed Mission in Madhya Pradesh. With the execution of the programme in 42.96 lakh hectare area in all the 48 districts of the state, the availability of resources such as water for irrigation, drinking water, agricultural production, fodder and fuel has substantially increased.
Also, groundwater level has gone up in over 6,000 villages of the state. Besides, quality of the life of rural masses has also improved significantly through the implementation of this country’s biggest every programme. Under the programme, an amount of Rs. seven crore 58 lakh 29 thousand has been spent till July end during the current financial year 2007-08.
Noteworthy increase has also been registered in the area of Kharif, Rabi and summer crops besides agricultural production getting a boost and groundwater level rising substantially. Under the programme, an increase of 22.24 per cent has been registered in the area of Kharif cultivation, 36.73 percent in Kharif production and 36 percent in irrigated area. Similarly, increase of 49.20 per cent has been recorded in Rabi area, 36 per cent in Rabi production and 46.89 per cent in irrigated area.
The watershed area management programme has also contributed significantly to cultivation of summer crops in the state. With the implementation of the programme, the area covered by summer crops has increased by 94.59 per cent, summer crops production by 12.49 per cent and irrigated area of summer crops by 85 per cent. The watershed area management programme has also added to increase of 56.32 per cent in the area of double-crop and 56.82 per cent in the area of tree plantation. The programme has also helped to a great extent in reducing the area of wasteland by 44.65 per cent.
Moreover, the watershed area management programme has led to increase in groundwater table in villages numbering 6014. Apart from this, the number of wells and tubewells which used to get dry up during the summer season has now decreased by 38 per cent and 41 per cent respectively under the programme.
Similarly, availability of drinking water throughout the year has been ensured in 67.62 per cent wells. Besides, increase of 83.14 per cent in the number of tubewells with the availability of water throughout the year, has been registered. ([email protected])