Taprish has initiated
a comprehensive watershed development programme to soil-water
retention and the reversal of land degradation.
Water
Shed Management
NABRAD guided project enables us to move closer to the
four villages which we have adopted in Kanchipuram District
about 100 kms from Chennai.
People’s
Participation
There is a close relationship between the environment
and human community living within that region. When
the economic condition of a community deteriorates,
it leads to over-exploitation and degradation of natural
resources. Thus any programme aimed at improving the
environment and takes steps to evolve suitable mechanisms.
Just as human being and their activities are the primary
cause of environmental destruction, they can also restore
its health. Hence, no watershed development project
can be successfully implemented unless it is “owned”
by the villagers/villages.
Participatory
Watershed Development
Watershed
development by outsiders without involving the local
community is not sustainable as the local community
may not be knowing about the utility of assets or wrong
selection of treatments without considering the future
use planned by the farmers. Hence, to make watershed
development sustainable, there is a basic requirement
for involving local community in all stages of development
including planning, implementation, management and maintenance.
Only the local community can maintain the assets created
for long term utility. The role of external experts
should be restricted to technical suitability of the
structures. The need of the hour is participatory watershed
development involving all the dwellers of the area.
