Major Ongoing Programmes
Watershed Development By The Marginalized Communities Of
Kandhamal District
AFPRO and JANA VIKAS
are involved in a project capacitating marginalized
communities to carry out a watershed development project
on their land in Kandhamal district of Central Orissa.
This TROCAIRE supported endeavor is serving fourteen
villages populated by 300 SC/ST/OBC families. They have
to struggle with the degradation brought about by heavy
soil erosion caused by sloppy meandering streams.
A
participatory watershed development plan was first drawn
up by AFPRO based on its study of field level problems
and potentials. During the year 2004-05, project
activities primarily involved strengthening peoples’
organizations like Watershed Development Committees (WDC)
and Watershed Development Associations (WDA). This was
primarily achieved through motivational trainings,
capacity building exercises and awareness programmes for
project staff and group leaders. While concepts and
components of watershed development and
bio-interventions characterized the technical trainings,
awareness generation activities focused on rights and
situations including the social aspects of gender,
social equity and empowerment.
The period kept for project implementation has been
increased from the 3 to 7 due to difficulties faced in
community organization and encouraging people’s
participation. This was done in consultation with the
partners due to the importance associated with community
mobilization while appreciating field level
difficulties.
(Field Unit : Bhubaneswar, Orissa)
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