Agriculture is the mainstay of India’s economy. Land and Water therefore, are of critical importance. Vast tracts of the land are, however, degraded but can be brought under plough with some effort. Such lands are known as Wastelands. The productivity of these lands is very low and people owning these lands are poor and are therefore forced to earn a living from wage employment. Redressing these lands is regarded as a powerful tool of attacking the issues of poverty and backwardness.

Government of India have therefore, launched the Integrated Wastelands Development Programme (IWDP) throughout the country so as to improve the productivity of these lands and there by improve the living standards of the rural poor who own these lands. The IWDP is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme. The development of wastelands is taken up on watershed basis. Watershed is a geographical unit where rain falling in the area drains through a common point.

The objectives of the programme are to arrest rainwater run off and conserve it in situ where it falls. This would in turn lead to control of soil erosion which is usually caused by rainwater –run-off. Water and soil conservation also leads to improved green cover in the project areas leading to improved productivity of land. Under this programme, Wastelands are sought to be developed in an integrated manner based on village micro watershed plans. These plans are prepared after taking into consideration the land capability and site conditions and in consultation with the local people in regard to their needs. The watershed projects are executed by the local people using low cost technologies locally available.

DRDA assigns project areas to Project implementing Agencies which may be either from Government Sector including Panchayati Raj Institutions or the non- Government Sector. The Project Implementing Agency facilitates the actual implementation of the projects by the watershed communities through Watershed Associations. Besides, planning and execution of the watershed projects, the local people are also responsible to maintain and manage these projects through a special provision in the form of Watershed Development Fund created through people’s contributions.

The watershed activities under the Integrated Wasteland Development Programme are expected to result in improved productivity of wastelands, improved availability of fuel wood and fodder, increased water availability, reduction in migration from rural areas and overall improvement in the economic status of the rural people.