Watershed programmes a boon in Palakkad

PALAKKAD: The Watershed Development Programmes being undertaken with the NABARD assistance has helped regenerate water in the drought-prone eastern parts of the district.At present, three water shed development schemes were being undertaken in Attayampathy, Aanamari and Kizhakethara areas of Kollengode and Muthalamada panchayats at a cost of `3.80 crore in two phases.The implementation agencies will be the Watershed Development Committees constituted at the local panchayat-level. NABARD provided the funds to these committees. The technical support and advice will be lent by a non-governmental organisation selected for the implementation.The backwardness of the people and the availability of water are the criteria takeninto consideration while selecting the areas to implement watershed development programmes, the officials of the Kollengode grama panchayat said.They said that the monthly review meetings would evaluate the progress of the work.“In Kerala, the three districts of Wayanad, Kasargod and Palakkad have been selected for the implementation of the Watershed Development Programme. A total of 136 watershed development projects were proposed to be implemented in the three districts covering an area of 92,459 hectares. In Palakkad district, 45 watershed development projects were proposed to be implemented under 11 block panchayats. It is proposed to bring about the comprehensive development of 30,108 hectares in Palakkad district with technical support provided by 11 NGOs,” chief executive officer of Flame Kerala, one of the NGOs, P K Sudhir said.. The engineers appointed by the watershed development committees consisting of eight to 13 members will measure and make the payment.In the second phase, which was the full implementation phase, works like income generation, land treatment, livelihood activities, women empowerment, training programmes and the construction of small check dams can be undertaken. The work in the three watershed development projects were proposed to be implemented within the next two-and-a-half years.In the three watershed development schemes in Attayampathy, Anamari and Kizhakethara, direct activities will be undertaken in 2,259 hectares. It will benefit 3,519 families consisting of 15,442 members.