Empirical Study on Impact of Integrated watershed Development project in Mizoram state of north east india

Abstract

The present study was conducted with an objective to assess impact of integrated watershed development programme in Mizoram State of North East India. The study is based on primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected from a random sample of the beneficiary households selected in the watershed area. The sample size was 105 households of the 7 project villages. Equal numbers of households were selected from each watershed village on the basis of systematic random sampling. The survey was conducted during November 2010. This study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods approach for evaluating watershed projects. Author surveyed 7 watershed villages in Mizoram and collected socio-economic data from the watershed officials and primary stakeholders. Jhum cultivation causes serious land degradation and ecological problems in Mizoram. Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP) is carried out on watershed approach with a theme of land and water resource management. This study has examined its effect on sustainable development of natural resources, environment protection, and improvement of the socio- economic conditions of the resource poor sections on participatory approach. Generally people in the watershed area are generously appreciated the watershed project because when we compare with other centrally sponsored schemes it is the only scheme reaching to the common poor people's door. They felt that if this scheme is implemented in a systematic and effective manner it will benefit the common people immensely and more productively. The project potential is very high. In order to realize this potential, it needs transparency and efficiency in implementation.