Watershed Development and Livelihood Security: An Assessment of Linkages and Impact in Andhra Pradesh, India.

The present study was an attempt to assess the impact of watershed development programme under the new guidelines in a wider context of rural livelihoods. Specific objectives include: a) Understanding the process of watershed implementation at the micro level, b) Assessment of watershed impact across the socio-economic groups of the community, beneficiary as well as non-beneficiary households, c) Linkages between watershed development and rural livelihoods across different sections of the community, and d) Devising possible policy interventions (issues) for sustainable rural livelihoods through watershed development.

Impact of watershed development on rural livelihoods was positive despite the limitations of the analysis. However, the impact did not reflect the general picture, as the sample watersheds are among the best watersheds though variations in their performance were conspicuous. Agro climatic conditions and institutional strengths of watershed implementation were the possible reasons. Watershed implementation process differed among the PIAs though they followed the guidelines in general. Benefits of watershed improvement as rural livelihood and environment were evident in terms of a) overall increases in income and consumption levels, b) enhanced complementary assets c) reduction of inequalities among households d) increased employment opportunities. E) drinking water improvement f) better groundwater situation g) fuel wood availability. Benefits spread to non-beneficiary households also due to the positive externality of the watershed development. However from economic view point only two watersheds were benefited in terms of net incremental returns (agriculture). Low returns coupled with long gestation period, were disincentives for private investment which did not account for externalities (including positive) such as off - site benefits, reduction in inequalities, ecological improvements, social development, etc. thus calling for state intervention.

In terms of social dynamics at the village level, impact was evident on livelihood activities like migratory labour and social consumption. This analysis is not conclusive on all the aspects. 

A people - centred approach advocated by the new watershed guidelines would make a dent as far as enhancing the livelihood security. Analysis of four selective (model) watersheds not only indicate the potential of watershed development in enhancing livelihoods but also helped to identify the key influencing factors. Based on these observations, coupled with the wider field observations in the region, the study also discussed some of the important issues that need to be addressed in order to achieve effective livelihoods impact of the watershed development programme.