Describe watershed approach in the context of Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) and Desert Development Programme (DDP). Discuss its main features of planning and implementation as envisaged in the guidelines.

The watershed approach is a holistic and integrated strategy for managing land and water resources within a defined geographical area, known as a watershed or catchment area. It aims to address the challenges of soil erosion, water scarcity, environmental degradation, and poverty in drought-prone and desert regions by promoting sustainable land use practices, water conservation measures, and community-based natural resource management. The watershed approach has been widely adopted in development programs such as the Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) and the Desert Development Programme (DDP) in India.

1. Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP):
DPAP was launched in 1973 by the Government of India to mitigate the impact of droughts and improve the resilience of vulnerable communities in drought-prone regions. The program aimed to promote sustainable development through watershed management, soil conservation, afforestation, water harvesting, and livelihood enhancement activities.

2. Desert Development Programme (DDP):
DDP was initiated in 1977 to address the challenges of desertification and land degradation in arid and semi-arid regions of India. The program focused on rehabilitating degraded lands, restoring ecosystems, promoting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing the livelihoods of desert-dwelling communities.

Main Features of Planning and Implementation:

1. Watershed Planning:
The watershed approach begins with the identification and delineation of watershed boundaries, followed by participatory planning processes involving local communities, government agencies, and other stakeholders. Watershed planning aims to assess the natural resources, socio-economic conditions, and development needs of the area, identify priority interventions, and formulate action plans for sustainable land and water management.

2. Community Participation:
A key feature of the watershed approach is the active involvement of local communities in planning, implementation, and management of watershed development activities. Community participation ensures ownership, empowerment, and sustainability of interventions, as local residents contribute their knowledge, resources, and labor to address local challenges and achieve common goals.

3. Integrated Approach:
The watershed approach adopts an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach to address the complex interrelationships between land, water, vegetation, and livelihoods. It promotes synergy between different sectors such as agriculture, forestry, water resources, and rural development to maximize the benefits of watershed interventions and minimize trade-offs.

4. Soil and Water Conservation:
Watershed development programs emphasize soil and water conservation measures such as contour trenching, check dams, gully plugging, afforestation, and contour bunding to reduce soil erosion, enhance groundwater recharge, and improve soil fertility. These measures help to prevent soil degradation, retain moisture, and increase agricultural productivity in drought-prone and desert areas.

5. Water Harvesting and Management:
Water harvesting techniques such as rooftop rainwater harvesting, farm ponds, percolation tanks, and check dams are promoted to capture, store, and utilize rainwater effectively. Water management practices such as micro-irrigation, drip irrigation, and sprinkler irrigation are also encouraged to optimize water use efficiency and mitigate the impact of water scarcity.

6. Livelihood Promotion:
Watershed development programs focus on livelihood promotion through diversification of income sources, skill development, and capacity building activities. They support alternative livelihood options such as horticulture, animal husbandry, agroforestry, and non-farm enterprises to enhance the resilience of rural communities to droughts and desertification.

7. Monitoring and Evaluation:
Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are integral to the watershed approach to assess the progress, effectiveness, and impact of interventions. Regular monitoring of key indicators such as soil moisture levels, vegetation cover, groundwater levels, crop yields, and socio-economic indicators helps to track the performance of watershed projects and make necessary adjustments for improved outcomes.

In conclusion, the watershed approach is a comprehensive and participatory strategy for sustainable development in drought-prone and desert areas, encompassing integrated planning, community participation, and multi-sectoral interventions. Through its emphasis on soil and water conservation, livelihood promotion, and natural resource management, the watershed approach contributes to environmental sustainability, poverty alleviation, and resilience building in vulnerable regions.