Accepted Papers - 3.pdf - UNESCO

anging from 37-60% of recommended doses. The higher values of Crop Productivity
Index(58-87%) confirms the increase per unit area.
The encouraging results of water harvesting have given confidence to farmers. They
are now well organized in a system called “Jalagam Sangh”. The feeling of
participation, cooperation and social justice can be seen among farmers. They are
now governing the resources as per need, local rules and mutual understanding thus
reducing social conflicts. These modules have given opportunity for women to
participate in development programmes and have benefitted them by reducing drudgery
and saving precious time. Women empowerment can be seen in the watershed as Ms
Prem Lata is working as Watershed Secretary. General cleanliness and hygiene of
village has also been improved. There is change in attitude, clothing and food habits.
The people participatory index is also above 55 percent.
Risk bearing capacity and financial empowerment can be seen in the farmers.
Employment opportunities (1100 man days) have been generated due to different
developmental works in progress. Economic equity is another positive point as weaker
sections are being benefitted with wages and other interventions. The opportunities
of livelihoods have also been increased.
1.0 Introduction
Himachal Pradesh is a hilly state and situated
in the lap of Himalayan ranges in the north- west of
India. It is situated between 30 0 -22’-40" to 33 0 -12’-
40" N Latitude and 75 0 -47’-55" to 79 0 -04’22" E
longitude (Anonymous,2002). Himachal Pradesh
has twelve districts and more than 78 percent of
cultivated area is rainfed. District Sirmour is situated
at the south end and has its boundaries with
Utranchal and Haryana state. As we move from
valley to high hills in the district, we experience three
different agro climatic zones (mid hill sub-tropical,
mid hill-sub humid and high hill sub temperate zone
). In Himachal Pradesh more than ninety percent
of population lives in villages and earn its livelihood
through farming . They are mainly involved in
agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry. The
farming in hills mainly depend on rainfall. Water in
the hills is available through rains, snow, springs,
oozing water sources, surface flows and drainage
courses. Major share of water is being used by
agriculture followed by domestic and other sectors.
The hills of Sirmour receive 1670 mm as the average
annual rainfall, still water is a scarce commodity in
these areas, as more than 85% water is received
during June-September, which goes waste in the
shape of runoff due to inadequate harvesting and
storage facilities. The water resources in hills have
high potential, which need harvesting on scientific
lines to cater to the needs of hill farmers. The soil
degradations is another problem in the hills as excess
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rain water as run off takes away the fertile soil
along with it.
Agriculture production is the major livelihood
concern of the inhabitants of fragile, complex, diverse
and risk prone agro-ecosystem of the Himalayas.
Stake holders of this region have poor resources ,
inadequate infrastructures ,marginalized farming
situations and uncertainties due to rainfed conditions.
Efficient utilization of natural resources is essential
to accomplish sustainability and stability of food,
nutritional and environmental securities (Mishra
,2001).The productivity levels in irrigated areas has
attained a level and there is little scope for further
increase. So, the opportunity lies in the development
of rain fed areas . Rainfed agriculture is complex,
diverse and risk prone and is characterized by low
productivity and low input usage. The farmers of
rainfed areas generally face scarcity of water as
major problem i.e erratic and uncertain rains, which
results in wide variation and instability in crop yields.
So in order to have holistic and sustainable
development of natural resources in rainfed areas
“Watershed Approach based on community
action” was adopted, which makes it an ideal
planning unit for development and management of
water and soil resources besides it also enables a
holistic development of agriculture and allied
activities.
The main objectives of watershed approach
1. Natural Resource Development.
2. Farm Production System.