Hand Book for Gaon Burahs and Panchayati Raj Leader

152. Ensuring overall development of rural areas through the GramPanchayats and creating regular sources of income for the Panchayatsfrom rainwater harvesting and management.3. Employment generation, poverty alleviation, community empowermentand development of human and other economic resources of the ruralareas.4. Mitigating the adverse effects of extreme climatic conditions such asdrought and desertification on crops, human and livestock population forthe overall improvement of rural areas.5. Resorting ecological balance by harnessing, conserving and developingnatural resources i.e. land, water, vegetative cover especiallyplantations.6. Encouraging village community towards sustained community action forthe operation and maintenance of assets created and furtherdevelopment of the potential of the natural resources in the watershed.7. Promoting use of simple, easy and affordable technological solutionsand institutional arrangements that make use of and build upon, localtechnical knowledge and available materials.ROLE OF PRI IN THE CONTEXT OF HARIYALIAt the District Level, ZP/DRDA is the nodal authority for implementationof all area development programmes under supervision and guidance of StateGovernment and Govt. of India. It is empower to approve the selection ofwatersheds, the appointment of Project Implementation Agency, approve theaction plan/treatment plan of the project etc. The ZP/DRDA is entitle torecover funds from any institution/organization/individual and take appropriateaction under law if the projects is not properly implemented or funds are misutilisedor not spent as per the guideline.At the field level, the Gram Panchayats are to implement the projects underover all supervision and guidance of project implementation agencies. Anintermediate Panchayat may be the PIA for all the projects sanctioned to aparticular block. In case these Panchayats are not adequately empowered,then the ZP/DRDA can either act as PIA or appoint a suitable line departmentlike Agriculture, Forestry/Social forestry etc or an agency of the StateGovernment /University/Institute as PIA. Failing these options, the ZP/DRDAmay consider appointing a reputed Non-Governmental Organization in thedistrict with adequate experience and expertise in the implementation ofwatershed project or related area development works as the PIA afterthoroughly checking its credentials.Agencies / Officers entrusted for the implementation of Rural DevelopmentSchemes