Watershed Development Programme:(Aided by NABARD BANK)
NANARD selected Chevalliar Roche Society to take up a Watershed Development Project at Aaraikulam village of Ottapidaram Block in Thoothikudi district. This project is also assisted by Agricultural Department of Tamil Nadu Government. In this village there is hill of about 1 km length and 300 ft height foot of which can be converted into a watershed. Rain water harvested here could irrigated about 500 acres of land. The project is in its planning stage and we are at present involved in the capacity building phase. We have organized meetings of the local communities, Panchayat officials, othe NGOs in which officials of NABARD and Agricultural Department participated. A village watershed. development committee is formed which has 9 members of which 4 are women. Dr. Tagore Derose of Chevaliar Roche Society is the Secretary and Mr. J Krishnasamy, the Pachayat President is the President is the President of the watershed development committee. The committee members and some farmers have made an exposure visit to Nilakottai of Dindigul district where a similar project is developed to gain first hand knowledge. 15th, 16th, 20th and 21st of June 120 farmers each (total 480 mandays) participated in a “shiramathanam” –free labour to develop the land around. The project is being processed by NABARD.
Food and Water Security Project in Tamarbharni Basin:
River Tamarbharni is a main source of drinking and irrigation water in Thoothikudi and Tirunelveli and Tirunelveli districts of Tamil Nadu. In association with Nelli George, and Australian Ethical Committee we are in a process of resource maping of the area, inventory compilation, and classification of the ecosystems in the basin. The study is also looking at the impact of climate change in the region and steps to be taken to reduce the negative effects. A Participator Rural Appraisal (PRA) of the basin is in process. Discussions with water users association is in progress for better management of the river water. Plans are being made for bringing more land under cultivation.
An Integrated Rehabilitation. Programme for those affected by the Gulf of Mannar Marine Bioshphere Park is an important project we are planning to undertake. Providing alternative livelihood programme to more than 60,000 families from 125 villages in the Gulf of Mannar area, there by reducting pressure on the reserve park is a major challenge. A proper rehabilitation of these families and their concientization are important for the success of india’s first marine park.
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