Major Programmes of the Department

The programmes/schemes implemented by the Department include both Centrally Sponsored Schemes as well as State Plan Schemes.

A. State Plan Schemes

(1) Soil & Water Conservation in General Areas.
(2) Watershed Management Programme.

B. Centrally Sponsored Schemes

(1) Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP).
(2) Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP).

C. Additional Central Assistance

(1) Watershed Development project in Shifting Cultivation Areas (WDPSCA)
(2) Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP)

D.  NABARD Loan

Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)

E. Other Government of India Schemes

(1) Soil Conservation for enhancing the productivity of degraded lands in the catchment of River Kopili in Jaintia Hills District under Macro-Management Mode of Agriculture Department, Meghalaya.
(2) Rastriya Krishi Vigyan Yojna (RKVY)

F. Special Plan Assistance

(1) Cherrapunjee Ecological Project- Restoration of Degraded Lands Under Sohra Plateau.

A. State Plan Schemes

1. Soil & Water Conservation in General Areas

This scheme covers the general areas outside those not specifically covered by other packages of schemes of the Department. Its main objective is to reduce soil erosion hazards and land degradation and conservation of water, where individuals/groups of farmers are targeted. Activities taken up under this Scheme include terracing and reclamation, erosion control, water conservation and distribution, afforestation, cash/horticulture crops development works water harvesting works, farm ponds, conservation works in urban areas, etc.

2. Watershed Management Programme

The programme aims for treating the micro watersheds on an integrated approach. The activities include treatment of arable land, non-arable land and drainage lines. Due to fund constraint, the activities have been confined mainly to afforestation, cash/ horticultural crop developmental works.

B. Centrally Sponsored Schemes

1. Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP)

The scheme is funded by the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India with 91.66% as Central Share and 8.34% as State Share. With an intention of involving village communities in the implementation of Watershed Development Projects (WDP) under IWDP, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, adopted the WDP Guidelines (1995) which was subsequently revised in 2001 (WDP Revised Guidelines, 2001) and later evolved the New Guidelines for Hariyali (2003) which are under implementation w.e.f. April 1, 2003.

There are 112 projects sanctioned for treatment in 439 micro-watersheds covering a total area of 2,21,225.00 hectare with a total cost of Rs.13,053.25 lakh.

2. Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP)

During 2009-10, the Government of India, Ministry of Rural Development, Department of Land Resources, has approved for treatment of 30,000 hectares in 18 watershed projects of the State. Subsequently, the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India approved 52,000, 37,500 and 38,870 hectares of area for treatment during 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively.

The Central and State share for the IWMP projects is in the ratio of 90:10.

The main objectives of this programme are as follows:

  • To dissipate soil and water erosion and surface run-off
  • To harvest/ recycle surface runoff and rainwater
  • To enhance soil moisture regime/ water holding capacity
  • To promote sub-surface flow, base flow and ground water recharge
  • To improve soil health and tilth
  • To improve production and productivity
  • To promote generation and gainful employment opportunities
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