Introduction
Sustainable development of rural areas involves conservation of land and management of water resources. With the increasing pressure of the ever-growing human and cattle population, increased living standards and the concomitant economic activities are exerting tremendous pressure on the finite natural resources. Due to lack of advance planning and non-judicious/indiscriminate use of natural resources, ground water levels are getting depleted and lands are getting either degraded or turning into wasteland.
In India out of total 3,290 lakh ha nearly 50% of land is either waste or degraded. In Andhra Pradesh, out of 275 lakh ha of geographical area 115 lakh ha. (42%) is either waste or degraded. Andhra Pradesh Government have launched a massive 10 years watershed program for development of all degraded and waste lands during 1997 with an aim of treating 100 lakh ha of land. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has constituted Water Conservation Mission during April 2001 with the prime objective of conservation and utilisation of water on a sustainable basis.
To fulfill the aim of treating these 100 lakh ha of lands the Government of Andhra Pradesh have identified certain line departments, as below:
- Rural Development
- Forest Department
- Minor Irrigation -I & CAD
- Minor Irrigation (PR)
- Rural Water Supply (PR)
- Municipal Administration and Urban Development
- Endowments Department
- Medium Irrigation
- Major Irrigation
The programme is being implemented in a phased manner. Each phase comprises of nearly three to four months. Three phases are already over and the fourth phase is in progress.
The plans and programs of these line departments working directly or indirectly for conservation and utilisation of water are clustered together into a single programme and christened the same as Neeru - Meeru (Water and You) with the motto of promoting of water conservation on a mission basis.
Concept of 'Neeru-Meeru' Programme
The concept of the programme envisages creation of awareness amongst people for ensuring their participation in land and water resource management. Prioritization of the areas has been carried out to execute the water conservation & soil moisture retention activities based on the field data furnished by the state ground water department.
Stress mandals are identified based on the ground water availability and according priorities to most stress mandals of the stress mandals and areas experiencing drinking water scarcity etc. The Water Conservation Mission (WCM) acts as a facilitator and envisages to co-ordinate and guide the water conservation efforts initiated by various departments.