A REPORT

POLICY ROUNDTABLE On LIVESTOCK ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS IN WATERSHEDS: POLICY ISSUES

Maharashtra

Jointly organized by Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) and International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Hyderabad

Venue :

Hotel President, Pune

Date

11th January 2005

Programme Schedule
Session-1 LEAD Presentations

9:30-10:00 10:00-10:15 10:15-10:30 10:30-11:15 11:15-11:45 11:45-12:00

Registration Inauguration Introduction to CALPI and LEAD LEAD Study Presentation Vaiju Babhulgaon Watershed- Results

Tea/Coffee Break

Session-2 12:00-12:20 12:20-12:40 12:40-13:00 13:00-13:45 13:45-14:00 14:00-14.15 14:15-14:30 14:30-15:30 15:15-15:30

Departmental Presentations Jalsandharan Groundwater Animal Husbandry

Lunch
Forest Agriculture Issues for discussion Group Work

Tea/Coffee Service

Session-3

Policy Recommendations/ Action Points

15:30-16:15 16:15-17:00 17:00

Plenary Presentations Discussion Looking Ahead, Conclusions and Vote of Thanks

Introduction
The Policy Round Table (RT) on Livestock-Environment Interactions in Watersheds for Maharashtra was held on the 11th January 2005 at Hotel President, Pune. The workshop was jointly organized by The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and Watershed Organization Trust (WOTR) as a conclusion of the Livestock-Environment and Development (LEAD) study. Functionaries from the relevant Government Departments, NGOs, academicians, researchers, development and livestock professionals, dairy cooperatives, representatives from the involved agencies and villagers from the study area participated in the RT. The function was inaugurated by Mr. V.D. Patil, Director, Soil and Watershed Management, Directorate of Agriculture, Govt. of Maharashtra. The Background Livestock is an important means of livelihood, especially for the poor in drought prone regions of the country. The National Water Policy accords highest priority to drinking water needs of both humans as well as animals. The National Agricultural Policy (NAP) gives high priority to management of grazing lands and availability of animal feed and fodder. The NAP also gives special attention to promotion of technologies in the field of livestock production, livestock health care as well as to processing, marketing and transportation of animal products. The policy framework highlights the role of livestock in fuel production, utilization of agricultural by-products in arid and semi-arid areas as well as their drought mitigation potential for farmers. However, the national policies regarding watershed development, while focusing on resource regeneration and conservation, do not give sufficient attention to livestock management in targeted watershed areas. The relationships between livestock, environmental rehabilitation and livelihood needs of the poor and those particularly dependent on livestock are not adequately given attention. From experiences of watershed development programs all over the country, it has become evident that livestock plays a crucial role in rural livelihood systems and must be factored in as a component of watershed development and treatment. Without addressing and attending to the needs of livestock and their owners, watershed treatments will either not be sustained or will be achieved at the cost of further pauperizing the already impoverished, in particular, women and widows. For this, we need experts of various disciplines who understand the inseparable linkages between ecological, environmental, livestock, livelihood and social systems; who understand that sustainable and equitable outcomes will only occur when they are willing to attentively listen to the experience and aspirations of farmers, livestock tenders (particularly women) and the landless poor and who are willing to work with each other and with the local inhabitants for sustainable planning and development of watersheds. The Objectives of the Round Table The Workshop was a Round Table policy dialogue with the purpose of addressing policy and institutional issues related to livestock-livelihoods-environment-watersheds interactions in semiarid areas of Maharashtra.

The objectives of the workshop were To present the conclusions of the LEAD study, highlighting the significant interactive processes between the triad-livestock, environment and livelihoods, specifically in the drought prone semi- arid regions of Maharashtra and discuss the same. To review of the current livestock and watershed policies of the State in a bid to identify lacunae. To initiate a policy dialogue with the various stakeholders in view of adequately addressing these issues with some recommendations for actionable policy interventions.

The Chief Guest Mr. V. D. Patil, Director Soil and Watershed Management, GoM, inaugurated the RT by lighting the lamp. He spoke about the activities undertaken by the department on soil conservation. The department has taken up this activity since 1973. Later a comprehensive watershed program, the first of its kind, was undertaken in the year 1983. The Department of Jalsandharan was created in the year 1992. The government felt a need for a participatory approach and presently such a system backed by the government exists. He emphasized that the participatory approach is a must in order to achieve sustainable maintenance of the watershed interventions. Further he added that livestock and livelihood must go hand in hand.

The morning was dedicated to presentations of CALPI, the LEAD study and of the various departments and the Dairy Cooperative. A summary of the presentations is given below highlighting the relevant
1. Capitalization of Livestock Program Experiences, India (CALPI) Shri. Padma Kumar, CALPI The goal of CALPI is to improve livelihood opportunities of small farmers, especially women, who keep livestock by supporting Indian partners to influence the policy frame conditions in the livestock sector in favor of the poor men and women. Threats to livestock and environment are visible. Hence a desk study has been conducted on LivestockEnvironment and Development issues in which various international agencies FAO and Swiss Development Cooperation Inter Coop are involved. This purpose of the study was to give recognition to livestock as a major source of income of the poor. The desk study revealed that the livestock have not been systematically included as an active component in watershed development programs. However, in situations where livestock are integrated, it strongly strengthens the integrated framing system with positive impacts on the environment. It is also observed from the study that primary research at house holds level needs to be carried out to fill in the gaps of information.

2.

Livestock Production Systems in Marginal Areas Ms. Ranjitha Puskur, IWMI

This LEAD study was conducted by IWMI and partner NGOs in 5 states of the country. WOTR, Ahmednagar was the partner NGO for the study in Maharashtra. This study had been supported by CALPI-SDC (Capitalization of Livestock Programme Experiences in India - Swiss Agency for Development Co-operation) and LEAD (Livestock, Environment and Development) Initiative of the FAO.
Five selected watersheds taken up as study sites were: Kosgi watershed in Mahabubnagar, Andhra Pradesh Kanakanala watershed in Koppal, Karnataka Vaiju Babulgaon watershed in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra Ladki Nadi watershed in Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh Kalyanpur watershed in Udaipur, Rajasthan

The study looked at the inter-linkages between livestock production, resource endowment and market conditions in watersheds on the one hand, and the management of resources and the policy environment on the other. Some of the findings of the study are mentioned below. In watersheds in semi- arid areas, 82 % households have livestock and 7% own only small ruminants. However those who do not have livestock usually migrate. The major source of fodder is crop residues and CPRs. However crop residue availability is declining due to a shift to cash crops with the enhanced availability of water and irrigation. The study shows that 75 % of the fallow lands are the important source of livestock feed. But sufficient attention is not given to fodder cultivation. Dairy is the major cash income source, but highly susceptible to market. The trend of livestock holding is decreasing due to scarcity of drinking water and fodder in drought period (summer). Income from animal sale is high in times of drought. 15 % of households sell small ruminants, the cost ranging from Rs. 2000 to 10000/-. Very few households take loans for purchase of livestock. Diverse pattern have been observed related to persons caring for livestock: in some villages women care for animals, while in other villages men play an important role. However children are the most important players in caring for livestock.

Livestock and NRM In some villages common lands are not available and where available the amount of common lands are declining or are encroached. Some villages have JFM to manage the

commons. Is has been observed that in unmanaged commons biomass availability is very low. Some times grazing restrictions are beneficial if costs and restrictions are equally shared. Institutional building is important to manage commons. It has been observed that issues of usufruct rights are possible with PRIs and Forest Department. It has been observed that for sustainable livestock production we should consider trade off between crop and livestock production, common lands and livestock need, etc. Community plans should include meeting fodder needs, accessibility and effectiveness of vet services, coordination between institutions etc. In watershed management, it has been suggested that there should be water harvesting structures ie water points for livestock, restriction on water intensive crop production, institutional linkage building.

3.

Soil and Watershed Management Shri. V.D. Patil (Director, Soil and Watershed Management) Mr. V.D. Patil spoke of the Maharashtra state watershed development programme. The objectives of this department are (i) to conserve the natural resources of soil and water to meet basic needs of the rural population thus increasing availability of food, fodder and fuel. (ii) Execution and maintenance of the water harvesting structures by stakeholders and conservation of rain-water where it falls. Promotion of measures to enhance the irrigation in irrigation deficient districts, thus reducing inter-districts disparities. (iii) Increasing in the life of water reservoirs by arresting soil erosion. (iv) Generation of massive employment during the project period and regular employment during the post project period on continued basis thus promoting rural development and alleviating poverty. (v) Restoration of ecological balance through scientific management of natural resources and improving the quality of life of rural population by increasing their income through increased agricultural production. The above measures are aimed at by the active participation of the local population. To achieve the above said objectives, policy reforms are required. Some are mentioned below: (i) Joint collaboration of GOs and NGOs for effective people's involvement. (ii) Programs and initiatives should focus on the needs and problems especially of landless poor households. (iii) Government organizations should work mainly in their field of expertise i.e. the technical aspects by government departments, while NGOs should work in community mobilization, capacity building trainings, organization; development and networking of SHGs, UGs etc. This should be the main focus of the work of NGOs. Projects should have the active participation of women. Assets and infrastructure created by NGOs should be in the name of local (village) institutions.

The major achievements of the department in terms of soil conservation programs are: (a) increase in land productivity and crop yield from 10% to 30%; (b) underground water table has increased by 1 to 2 meters with 48% increase in number of wells; drinking water problem has been solved completely in 69% villages and partially in 30% villages (c) Increase in irrigated area by about 10 lakh ha. with special care to save agricultural lands threatened by over use of irrigation, chemical fertilizers and pesticides. (d) 72 crore work-days generated. Some of the policy changes in recent years are: (i) The watershed concept and its treatment from ridge to valley is accepted as an integral component and as a mainstream of activity. (ii) Major policy decisions have been taken in terms of funds, manpower and collaborative strategies. (iii) Convergence of different programs related to agriculture, horticulture and soil and water conservation and collaboration between different line departments, private and public institutions and NGOs. (iv) Local planning and implementation based on active participation of the stake holders. Mr. V.D. Patil also gave a brief history of the soil conservation work in Maharashtra. During the period 1943 to 1983, the department only focused on isolated interventions eg CB, GB, Terracing, Land development cum horticulture development, Reclamation of ill-drained soils, Earthern Nala bund, FP, Nala trainings. In second phase from 1983 to 1992 instead of single activities, soil conservation work started on a watershed basis in an integrated manner commonly known as COWDEP programme where the following were undertaken (a) Afforestation and Pasture Development (b) Contour cultivation with Vitevera and (c) cement nala bund. During the Third phase ie from 1992 onwards a separate Water Conservation department was created for coordination among the various departments that includes activities of Forest, Social, Forestry, Minor Irrigation and GSDA departments. Various schemes of central line R.V.P, N.W.D.P.R.A., W.G.D.P., D.P.A.P, S.G.R.Y and state level projects like IWDP and Model Village are being implemented in the state. Currently, the expenditure on soil and water conservation is 16% from Central, 15% State plan and 68% EGS. Some of the challenges and constrains faced by the department are: (i) 87% area under cultivation is rainfed. (ii) More than 50% area of the state is drought prone. (iii) Due to lack of funds, the state would take another 40 years to treat the entire area that requires watershed development. (iv) Lack of technical manpower (v) Lack of research backup (vi) Inadequate technologies for recharging groundwater in Konkan and hilly areas. (vii) Requirement of appropriate technology for soil conservation in black cotton soil. (viii) Salinity problem of Purna basin.

4.

Role of Animal Husbandry in Watershed Dr. B. K. Jondhale (Joint Commissioner, Animal Husbandry)

Dr. B. K. Jondhale, Joint Commissioner Animal Husbandry, GoM, spoke on the critical role of livestock both in conservation, up-gradation and maintenance of the ecology and the livelihood opportunities provided by livestock for the rural poor. This is also an

objective of watershed development. Livestock provides animal protein rich food, organic manure, milk, meat etc and is also a source of food and income for the people. It is considered an insurance against risk.
Increase in livestock population, uncontrolled and over grazing leads to degradation of land. This can be prevented by regulation of animal population, improvement of grazing lands / grass lands, improvement of animal breed, cultivation of forage crops and motivation of the promotion of stall-feeding. Presently, control measures like castration of scrub bull and calves, breed improvement cross breeding by AI, natural breeding by graded bull and cultivation of fodder crops are undertaken. For the improvement of pasture and silvi-pasture, system are to be put in place. Some of which are: (a) cut and carry method, (b) Axe-banning (c) Introduction of alternate and circular grazing. It was also suggested that breed improvement of goat, stall-feeding and backyard poultry should be promoted. The Animal Husbandry department provides, health cover and vaccination, artificial insemination, supply of quality heifers, supply of day old chicken and ducklings, proven breeding bulls and supply of roots, saplings and seeds. 5. Groundwater Policies and Situation in the State of Maharashtra Shri. S. P. Bagade (Additional Director, GSDA) Mr. S. P. Bagade with the support of maps showed various types of rocks and their distribution in the state of Maharashtra, rainfall zones and hydro morphological map of Maharashtra along with drought prone areas. According to the GSDA, the challenges that face the state are: (i) Thousands of villages yet have to be assured of adequate portable drinking water; (ii) Improvement in soil moisture status is required to raise productivity of rainfed lands and to restore degraded land to their full potential. (iii) Extension and improvement in local water harvesting systems is required for food and livelihood security. (iv) There should be an integration of traditional technologies with modern systems affordable, manageable and acceptable by the community. One of the biggest environmental challenges that India faces is "Balancing the increasing demands with the diminishing availability of water." India is one of the countries that overall receives sufficient rainfall, yet there is severe water scarcity. Besides the time and space variation in water availability, erratic rainfall distribution, the geomorphology and geology, the most important of all is the mismanagement of natural resources. Prior to the drought of 1972, more surface water and less ground water was used. In the post drought (1972) period, there is an improvement in drilling and lifting device technology, rural electrification, increase in subsidies in power for rural irrigation and promotion of bore well digging. The Green revolution has led to self-sufficiency with regard to food grains and overall food availability, dry land farming development, which was earlier neglected. But this has created and/or aggravated serious un-intended agricultural, socioeconomic and ecological imbalances. Despite the fact that India is a great country, rich in resources both physical and human, rich in tradition, rich in knowledge and culture something has gone wrong.

For many years, the development excluded the local people in the planning process. Projects were mainly centrally designed and controlled and had adopted a straight jacket, non-integrated and sectoral approach. It was mainly target oriented and little priority was given to resource sustainability. Key inputs of local experiences were usually ignored. With the help of data information, Mr. Bagade spoke about imbalances that are threatening the sustainability of agricultural production even in irrigated areas: the alarming rate at which life and capacity of water reservoirs are reduced. The rate of depletion of ground water is so rapid in some areas due to the heavy and increasing water mining. Adverse impacts are observed in the form of ecological imbalances in terms of degradation and denudation of rainfed lands (148 million ha in Maharashtra). The Groundwater Management, legislation in Maharashtra M.W.P (2003) Section 5.0 states the following: Section 5.1: Periodical reassessment on a scientific basis of the GW potential considering the quality of water available and economic viability Section 5.2: Exploitation of GW sources be regulated so as not to exceed the recharge. GW projects shall be developed and implemented to augment supplies Section 5.3: Integrated and Coordinated development of SW and GW and their conjunctive use should be done. Section 5.4: Over exploitation of GW should be avoided near the coast to prevent ingression of sea water. He also spoke about the conjunctive use of water (ground) and about the concept and importance of water budgeting and accounting with the help of different graphs, diagrams, sketches and photographs. The broad components of a typical detailed water balance takes into account: (A) Inflows (a) Precipitation, (b) Surface water flow (c) Ground water flow. (B) Water use in terms of evaporative losses, evapo-transpiration, water used for domestic purposes and for animals. (C) Outflows (a) Surface water outflow (b) Ground water outflow and (D) Storage Surface and well as ground water. 6. Livestock Environment interactions in watershed: Sustainability issues- some inputs from forestry sector. Dr. A. K. Jha (Joint Director, Social Forestry) The was observed that the problems regarding livestock was faced by the forest sector due to over load on the forest land and over exploitation of forest resources. To fulfill the need of the hour i.e. the demand and supply of fodder and to maintain the ecological balance, the forest department manages their resources with the help different management support systems. These are noted in the various government policies: The National forest policy 1988; Forest, wildlife conservation and biodiversity act; Grazing rules, policy 73rd amendments; The Joint Forest Management government resolutions etc. Besides these, for sustainable management, the forest department has introduced different mechanisms such as grazing settlements are allowed on the basis of carrying capacity of the specific division.

The presentation also reflected that the forest department is making efforts for fodder management and supply through the involvement of all stakeholders (village Institutions, individuals, JFMs etc) by adopting systems like silvi-pastures, pasture development, fodder production and distribution systems. 7. Strategy for Advancement in Livestock at Watersheds in Western Maharashtra Dr. Rajesh Jadhav (Veterinary Officer, B.G.Chitale Dairy) In the presentation Dr. Rajesh Jadhav spoke on how dairy farming along with agriculture is essential in watershed development projects, because dairy farming is a traditional secondary business with agriculture and farmers easily adopt this business. Promoting this is of advantage, as animals can survive with less care and attention, besides being a good source of income with low investments. In drought periods, there is a severe scarcity of fodder, hence intensive migration and culling of animals takes place. Malnutrition of farm animals is due to lack of fodder, unemployment and poverty of those dependent only on dairy animals. To address the drought situation in Sangli district the farmers did the following: More than 150 fodder camp for livestock were set up where about 20,000 animals were admitted for shelter. Green fodder, dry fodder and concentrate were made available; selective animals were reared and maintained due to extensive migration and culling. Along with integrated watershed development we have to do cultivation of fodder crops such as maize, sorghum, bajra etc. that, require less water; plans for conservation of fodder for the summer season and for its provision during scarcity periods. Fodder storage depots should be started on subsidies rates. For the summer, storage of hay and silage should be done. There should be an increase in area of cultivation for fodder crops. Jowar hay should be purchased from irrigated areas at low cost and stored. Dr. Jadhav suggested the following: (i) Development of satellite organized farms - farmers having 2-3 acre land should be motivated for small scale dairy farming, with the introduction of modern technologies in rural dairying. (ii) Improve the watering facilities for surplus availability of water and setup of mini dairy herds and medium dairy herds. The introduction of modern farm implements at low cost and provision of extension services and animal husbandry services free of cost. (iii) He further recommended loans at low interest on a long-term recovery basis from agencies like NABARD, co-operative /commercial banks or foreign agencies should be promoted on a large scale. (iv) Purchase cost of animals, equipments etc. should be reduced. Improved technologies of farm equipments should be introduced and farmers should be provided with subsidies for all equipments and animals initially and for minimum 5 years.

8.

LEAD STUDY: Findings related to Vaiju Babhulgaon (Maharashtra) Sandeep Jadhav (WOTR) A research on Livestock-Environment Interactions was undertaken by WOTR in collaboration with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) with the broad goal of identifying and documenting livestock-environment-livelihood interactions in watersheds in semi-arid India. The final aim of the study is to improve the design and implementation of watershed programs, and influence policies in order to ensure due attention to the role of livestock in sustaining livelihoods of poor women and men. The Vaiju Babulgaon watershed in Ahmednagar district was one of the 5 study areas selected from all over the country for this study. The major findings and policy issues emerging from this study are presented below. Biophysical characteristics of the watershed: Vaiju Babulgaon, in Ahmednagar district, was selected in the study under the low rainfall integrated watershed programme category. The area for the study was 4876 ha. which includes 5 villages fully and 2 villages partially. Average annual rainfall of the area is 430 mm. The livestock density is 0.99 the average cattle unit (acu) per hectare. Only 24% of the area has been treated under different watershed development projects (IGWDP+DPAP). Despite the watershed treatments in the upstream part, rainfed agriculture dominates and the level of irrigation is low. Water stress is also severe due to the drought of the past 4 consecutive years. It is observed that livestock production with stall-fed cows seem to have become an important livelihood option in the light of the low crop yields and reduced grazing options. Among the watersheds studied, Vaiju Babulgaon is the watershed that suffers from the second worst terrain conditions. Nevertheless, relatively high biomass availability is observed, thanks to a well-developed horticulture sector and protected shrub lands as well as improved management which have enabled the villagers to cope comparatively better, despite low rainfall and poor resource endowment. The farming system is mixed with a good integration of crop/livestock. Livestock holding, production and management systems: Almost 50% of the households in Vaiju Babulgaon own crossbred cows; a similar number own bullocks, which are mainly used as draught animals. Sheep owning households are relatively few, while goats are owned by over 70% households. The distribution of household ownership of large ruminants is more unequal as compared to the distribution of small ruminants. This is correlated to the landholding size. The hypothesis that small ruminant holders tend to be the poorer households is supported by the findings which show that the higher the income of the household, the less small ruminants it is likely to own. While indigenous cattle and goats significantly determine the livestock income for landless households, crossbred cattle play an important role for marginal, small and medium farmers. The trend over the last 10 years has shown a reduction in the number of local animals and introduction of crossbreds. The income shifted from livestock sale to milk business (milk route), which could directly be attributed to access to a chilling plant and dairy. This indicates that market integration is an important factor in developing dairy with improved livestock as an enterprise. Stall-feeding is being introduced to avoid land degradation as well as due to limited availability of grazing land. The cut and carry system from common lands is now predominant. Crop residues are also intensively used but are not sufficient to meet feed requirements. Concentrates, market feeds and green fodder is increasingly used. In some

villages of the Vaiju Babulgaon cluster, substantial seasonal fodder cultivation is reported due to high awareness regarding livestock and its linkage to the milk business. The watershed programs have indirectly benefited livestock production through biomass enhancement and natural resource management. Besides, NGO partners have organized livestock camps and fodder purchases have been facilitated in times of drought. However, the main focus of most NRM interventions has been indirectly related to livestock, with the main focus on rehabilitation of the degraded resource base. Livestock producer organizations have not been explicitly involved in watershed planning and implementation.

Hypothesis versus Findings of the Study: The overarching Hypothesis for this study was: Livelihood, livestock and natural resource interactions in watersheds are significant. In brief the hypothesis and study findings are given in the table below. Hypothesis and Study Findings Sr. No. 1 Hypothesis That watershed robustness is directly correlated to the scale and diversity of livestock in watersheds That small ruminants are critical to the livelihood of the watershed poor Study Findings Watershed robustness and production potential depend on how resources are managed and access to market and not only on the availability and use of resources as such. The average income of small ruminant owning households is higher than that of non-livestock owning households. Goats played an important role in determining income of the landless. Despite being not a very robust or endowed watershed, Vaiju Babulgaon has one of the most intensive systems primarily attributable to the market access and the well established dairy cooperatives and milk route. The watershed projects invest in local institution building and NRM, which is crucial for the productivity and sustainability of livestock production. However, focused and effective interventions with regard to livestock production can further improve the linkages. Considering the dependence of households on livestock, especially during drought: when crops fail, depression sets in because of the absence of fodder availability for these households. This reveals the importance of creating a livestock and fodder base in treated watersheds.

That market access defines the degree of livestock exploitation and its impact on natural resources, and inputs and services That watershed projects are critical in protecting, enhancing and mitigating the negative impacts of livestocklivelihood-environment interactions.

Investments on lands of the poor without creating livestock asset base and access to fodder do not improve their livelihoods

Sr. No. 6

Hypothesis Without organizing livestock producers in the watershed, livelihood-livestockenvironment interactions are not sustainable That project policies/conditionality have a direct correlation to post watershed livestock composition

That lack of structured maintenance norms will lead to the deterioration of the natural resource assets created

Livestock development in watersheds is a coping mechanism for combating the adverse impact of drought on livelihoods

Study Findings There are indications that livestock organizations improve the sustainability of production by providing fodder in times of need. No significant differences were observed in livestock composition in villages that have undergone a watershed development project and those without. Watershed treatment and presence of NGO in the village impacted the small ruminant holdings negatively mainly due to the ban on free grazing. Anecdotal evidence does point in this direction. The forest department invests in forest regeneration only if the village forest committees take responsibility for maintaining the plantations. Similarly, structures on common lands are often not maintained if no user groups have been established to maintain structures on the longer term. This is established rather clearly by the dependence of the households on livestock as the reference year for the study and the preceding 2-3 years have been drought years in the watershed areas.

Policy issues emerging from the study: The following are the issues that require policy interventions so as to improve the livelihood-livestock-environment interactions in watershed development programs. Integration of livestock and dairy development components in watershed management programs Sustainability of the dairy production in the watershed is linked with the dairy development process of the area and hence with institutional coordination Building watershed linkages with the market and that too the market managed by the cooperative institutions Strict enforcement of rules regarding grazing and cut and carry by the watershed institutions in the village to stop degradation Watershed focus on wasteland development to provide land for fodder/grass cultivation Technically efficient water harvesting processes and access by all to the surface and underground water sources during stress periods

The Post Lunch Period was dedicated to identification of key areas of common concern. It was followed by group discussions highlighting the issues and related action points.

Identification of issues for the discussion: In a brainstorming session with the entire participant group the following were the issues of concern that were identified: The issues identified were as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Watersheds as a method for drought proofing- Gap Analysis Mechanisms for sharing experiences between NGOs and Government organizations. Equity and gender issues- role of women in the utilization and benefits of resources Common Property Rights - related to water, land, forests and grazing lands Advocacy- How to move government to treat watershed as hydrological unit? Indexing of expenditures Small ruminants - their valuation Where does livestock in watershed make good sense?

Four groups were formed based on their interests in the issues. The groups had participants representing the various sectors eg. government and non-government institutions; watershed and livestock experts; with technical and social strengths. The task given to the groups was to identify important aspects of the particular topic that needs to be taken forward.

The issues highlighted in the group discussions are given below: Group 1:
-

Role of livestock

Where does livestock in watershed make a good sense? Small ruminants- their valuation Benchmarking of utilization of resources

Issues identified: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. A need for strong emphasis on the livestock interaction in watersheds as a source of livelihoods. Strategies for optimum use of common resources. Community participation in common property resources management. Review of forest policy: the ban on grazing needs to be reviewed. Skill up-gradation required so as to reduce the drudgery of women. Need for linkages with milk union, NGOs and other partners Alternative fodder options

Group 2 :
-

Equity issues and CPRs

Common property rights Equity and gender issues

Issues identified: 1. 2. 3. Optimum utilization of bore wells Irrigation for crops and grasslands must be undertaken only through dug wells. Fuel wood and grass and minor produce need to be made available to landless.

4. 5.

Augmented water to be shared with landless SHGs and EGS - regarding schemes that benefit landless: Why not allow SHGs to take up such schemes?

Action plans: 1. 2. Horticulture/dairy development asset building Augmented water needs to be calculated. There is a need for a water audit.

Group 3:
-

Advocacy

How to move the government to treat watershed as hydrological unit? Mechanisms for sharing experiences between NGOs and Government organizations.

Issues identified: Lack of unified framework for land and water use planning

Action plans: 1. 2. 3. 4. United framework for pilot watershed including all agencies with sufficient funds. Project implementing agencies to include community, NGOs, research institutions and other departments Criteria and selection for exploitation of groundwater resources in villages. Field experiences should be studied and validated by universities / academic institutions so as to have an influence on policy. Planning

Group 4: -

Planning- financial, social and biophysical Burning of grass/grasslands

Issues identified: 1. Priorities in planning related to (i) Drinking water, (ii) Rural livelihoods from agriculture, livestock, dairy, other non-agricultural occupations

Action plan: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Taking stock of needs of local communities Projection of feasible alternative products Ownership of lands should not become an issue in planning and implementation of schemes. Stake-holder analysis should be an integral part of planning. Financial constraints need to be analyzed. Distribution mechanisms need to be identified.

Conclusion: The participants expressed satisfaction at the work done during the day. For the first time livestock issues in watershed development were raised with the involvement of the different stakeholders. An overall opinion was that such workshops should be arranged in regular intervals where the NGOs, the various government departments and academic institutions come together for sharing their experiences.
The Vote of Thanks was given by Dr. Marcella DSouza of WOTR.

List of Participants
Sr. No 1 2 3 Name Mr. V. D. Patil Mr. A. G. Ghawate Mr. S.A. Ghorpade Designation Director SAO Deputy Director Department/Organisation Soil Conservation Agriculture Agriculture Commissionerate of Agriculture, Pune Divisional Joint Director-Pune Krishi Bhavan, Pune-5 C/o Commissioner of Agriculture, Central Building, Pune "" AH dept. Pune Office of CCF Pune (I) Old PMT Building, Pune Bhujal Bhavan, Shivajinagar, Pune-411005 S.F. Directorate, Pune Rahuri F, Lantane Gardens, NDA Road, Bavdhan, Pune Warje, Pune-29 Ajay Engineering, Aurangabad E-30, Krishna Kewal Township, Kondhwa, Pune-48 Pune-411004 Dept. of Humanity & Social Sciences, Powai Pune Pune Mumbai 400088 Pune Pune Bhilwadi Station, Dist Sangli Sinhgad Rd Tal Haweli Dist Pune Vaiju Babhulgaon, Taluka Pathardi Taluka Pathardi Taluka Pathardi, Dist Ahmednagar

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Mr. M.S. Raskar Dr. B. K. Jondhale Mr. B. G. Gargote Mr. S. P. Bagade Dr. A. K. Jha Dr. B R Ulmek, HOD, AS&DS Ms. Nitya Ghotge Dr. B R Patil Mr. Vijayanna Borade Mr. Sanjeev Ghotge Dr. A. Narayaanmoorthy Prof. Pushpa Trivedi Ms. Ujwala Masdekar Ms. Chhaya Datar Mr. S G Godse Dr. Subhash Chandra Dr. Rajesh H. Jadhav Mr. Pradeep Sadashiv Zagade Mr. Shivaji Ghorpade Ms. Ranjana Dengale Mr. Shivajirao Shripati Wari

Joint Director Agriculture Joint Animal Husbandry Commissioner ACF Forest Additional Director Joint Director Head, Dept of ASDS Director Vice President Trustee Professor Reader Professor Lecturer Incharge, RuralCampus Manager AGM Veterinary Officer GSDA Social Forestry MPKV ANTHRA BAIF MSSM CASAD Gokhale Institute of Politics & Economics IIT-Bombay Karve Institute ofSocial Sevice TISS NABARD NABARD M/s B.G. Chitale Dairy Wadgaon Bk, Vaijavnath Panlot Vikas Sanstha Vaiju Babhulgaon Grampanchayat Bhose

Sarpanch

Sr. No 25

Name Ms. Poornima Kandi

Designation Technical Coordinator Programme Officer Researcher Director

Department/Organisation CEE, Media for Sustainable Development CALPI IWMI Watershed Organisation Trust Watershed Organisation Trust Watershed Organisation Trust Watershed Organisation Trust Watershed Organisation Trust Watershed Organisation Trust Watershed Organisation Trust No.8, 10th Main, 1st Cross, Indiranagar, II stage, Bangalore560038 B-34, Sarvodaya Enclave, Delhi Hyderabad Paryavaran, Behind Market Yard, Ahmednagar 414 001 Maharashtra " -- -- " " -- -- " " -- -- " " -- -- " " -- -- "

26 27 28

Mr. Padma Kumar Ms. Ranjitha Puskur Dr. Marcella D'Souza

29 30 31 32 33

Sandeep Jadhav Prakash Keskar Harish Daware Balwant Thorat Hemant Pinjan

Manager Manager Sr. Technical Officer Sr. Technical Officer Social Development Officer Research Assistant

34

Pradyumn Jagtap

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