Introduction

The Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) came under implementation in Gujarat since 2008. The Gujarat State Watershed Management Agency (GSWMA) serves as a State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA) to undertake the IWMP in the state. One of the main objectives of project is promoting eco friendly and locally suitable activities with the required capacity building of the stakeholders. Other important aspect of that is the activities planned under the project have to be demand driven and need based with active participation of community members.

Background

The IWMP-8 project is sanctioned under the batch-2 projects of the state in the year of 2010-11. The project area lies under the Kadana Taluka of the district of Panchmahal. District Watershed Development Unit is the Project Implementation Agency (PIA) for this project.

Project Area

The IWMP-8 project area is located in South West side of the Kadana taluka; Panchmahal district, Gujarat state. The project consists of total sixteen villages and has a Geographical area of 6225.41 ha, of which 150.35 ha has been covered under Watershed –Hariyali Project hence the remaining area of 6180.74 ha is covered under Integrated Watershed management Programme.

Socio Economic

The total population of IWMP-8 project area is 9871. Majority of the population belong to Scheduled Caste (75.25%). The literacy rate is 47.75% and among them the female literacy rate is 33.28%. The people depend on Agricultural and animal husbandry for livelihood and income generation. During lean season people migrate to nearby cities for casual labour. This migration period lasts for 3 months .Out of the total 1903 households 967 are under Below Poverty Line (BPL).

The whole population of Pandorini Andhari village belong to Scheduled tribe and out of total 28 households 15 belong to BPL. People involved in Agricultural related activities along with animal husbandry. The agricultural practices are purely traditional and the seeds used are local variety. The major crops are Maize and Paddy. Crops are practiced only in 2 seasons. Due to water scarcity only 60% agricultural area is available for cultivation of 2nd crop.

The first step towards change

The Project villages are located nearby Kadana dam. The adjacent villages depend on the dam for income generation through fishery. They use their own boats and equipments to indulge in the activity. Previously, the members either had to wait to get a chance for vacant boat or else they had to catch fish on the shores using fishing rod. They used to get very less catch and the size of the fish is also not that big to fetch good prices. Many at times they had to leave their villages and migrate to near cities in search for employment. Many of them used to work as daily labour in nearby cities in lean seasons.

The Intervention

The livelihood activities are identified and selected under the livelihood component of the project. This exercise is done through the standard process in the preparation of DPR as per the operational guidelines. In the operational guidelines it has mentioned that the preference has to be given for activities that are especially targeted towards asset-less families including land less, small and marginal farmers. This objective is achieved by organizing the deprived people and formation of their Self Help Group (SHGs).

Fig. 1: Members of Jai Mahinadhi Men Self Help Group

The Self Help Group ( SHG) , “Jai Mahinadhi Men Self Help Group” was formed during the year 2012 in the village of Pandorini Andhari. Fishery is taken as an activity to be carried out under this group since the members were involved in catching fish in the dam.

Shri. Pador Shaileshbhai Khatrabhai is the president and Shri.Bhivabhai Khatrabhai is the cashier/secretary of the 10 member SHG group. All the members belong to the Scheduled Tribes (ST).

Table No: 1 Member details

Name of SHG Member
Pandor Shaileshbhai Khatrabhai	Pandor Bharatbhai Koyabhai
Pandor Jivabhai Khatrabhai	Pandor Rameshbhai Koyabhai
Pandor Parvatbhai Khatrabhai	Pandor Nathabhai Hirabhai
Pandor Koyabhai Somabhai	Pandor Dayabhai Nathabhai
Pandor Parvatbhai Koyabhai	Pandor Jashvantbhai Rupabhai

The SHG has registered and the bank account has opened in Bank of Baroda. They started regular savings with a contribution of Rs. 30 per month per person and developed the habit internal loaning. Until the end of November, 2013 the group has successfully saved Rs. 6000 and an amount of Rs. 3000 has been used in the internal loaning. The regular meetings of SHG, assisted by the Watershed development Team (WDT) of District Watershed Development Unit (DWDU), helped to facilitate proper understanding and establish rapport among themselves. The SHG approach helped the under privileged to build their self-confidence and internal financial support through the internal loaning in emergencies. Interaction in group meetings and collective decision making enables them in identification and prioritization of their needs and resources.

The components provided to the SHG as the part of IWMP activity are listed out in the table below

Table No:2 Estimate of Activity

No.	Item	Unit	Price/unit (Rs.)	Total cost (Rs.)
1	Boat	3	15000	45000/-
2	Fish catching net	5	5000	25000/-
	Total			70,000/-

The boats they received under IWMP have greatly increased their capacity. Everyday two or three members use a single boat to catch fish. The table mentioned below, explains the average income received by the members of the SHG members in every month since the items received from the IWMP. Hence the average catch of individual/per day is two to three kilograms and the average income received is Rs.200.

Table No:3 Details about the Catch and Income Generated per Boat

Month	Catch(Kg/Month)	Avg. Price/Kg	Income (Rs.)
April	130	80	10400
May	120	80	9600
June	130	80	10400
July	60	80	4800
August	70	90	6300
September	50	90	4500
October	150	90	13500
November	170	90	15300
Total	880		74800

The average catch varied from month to month and so is their income. The catch is especially low in the months of July, August and September, because of monsoon. But the change is clearly visible in their income. Since the fishing activity requires less labour and time these people can indulge in regular agricultural related work and other works in the village during day time. Hence now they are able to generate sustainable income that can support themselves and their family.

Fig. 2: Men in action – Men Laying net

Way Forward

The group has plans to upgrade the quality of fishing equipments and tools from the regular savings they make. The periodic maintenance and related expenses are met from the savings they make. As per their own estimation they will able to add 2 more boats to their credit by next year.

Contributor: Kiran.K.P (Technical Expert, Panchmahal), Damor Laxmanbhai Maganbhai (WDT-Community Mobilizer), DWDU Panchmahal

Table Details of the beneficiaries

The way ahead….


     Furthermore the IWMP project has incorporated a plan of providing more assistance to the farmers in its Net Planning through convergence strategy of amount worth Rs.5 Lakhs with Bac ward Region Grant Fund (BRGF), through which facility for lift irrigation will be provided.
   


 This entire episode shows that the necessity of community participation and unity in addressing the issues related to them and solving it with the resources available around them for better tomorrow. 

Contributors : Kiran KP, Technical Expert Panchmahals and DWDU, Panchmahals