IJSR - International Journal of Scientific Research

D. Raghupathi; M. Venkatesha

Volume : VI, Issue : III, March - 2017

Evaluation of Watershed Activities and Peopleâ€™s Participation in Mysore District of Karnataka

D. Raghupathi, M. Venkatesha

Abstract :

The Govt. of India, initiated watershed programs with a mission to conserve the precious soil and water natural resources by using technologies, by working with the people,. One such watershed in Mysore district was selected for evaluation under Govt. funding during 2011–12. The study was conducted with the objectives of assessing the extent of soil and water conservation physical structures were achieved against the set target by the watershed Department, finding the status of forest and horticulture plantations survivability and finding nof extent of people’s involvement in the watershed activities. The study found that though the watershed Dept., Department had achieved the progress with respect to achieving the set target of completing the physical structures 9bulders, check dams, ponds, bundling etc. ) of soil and conservation, the utility of these structures by the farmers is less than the expected. Regarding the forestry and horticulture plants, survivability in the watershed area was 70% and 80% respectively, which required protection and maintenance through people’s participation. The extent of people involvement, in the watershed programs was low (64%), as they were not fully motivated, to have sense of belonging and owning it and owe to preserve and undertake developmental activities with Govt., Private and NGOs; collaboration. This requires, the human resource developmental initiatives of capacity building activities involving all the stake holders, to reap the fruits of the watershed activities to the people and sustainable development and restoring the ecology.