Neeranchal - World Bank Assisted Watershed Management

Program
neeranchal.nic.in/

WORLD BANK ASSISTED NATIONAL WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROJECT (WB-NWMP) NEERANCHAL IN

SUPPORT OF INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME (IWMP).

The Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), which commenced from the year 2009-10, is an
ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme supporting watershed development in 28 states, following the Common
Guidelines for Watershed Development Projects - 2008 (Revised 2011). The IWMP is delivered by the Ministry of
Rural Development (MoRD) through the Department of Land Resources (DOLR) at the national level, and through
dedicated State Level Nodal Agencies (SLNA) set up for this purpose, in the States.
DOLR had set a target of sanctioning an area of 22.65 million ha and 25 million ha to be covered under IWMP
projects during 11th & 12th Five Year Plan periods respectively. Against this target, 6,622 projects for 31.29 million
ha have been appraised and cleared by the Steering Committee at the national level.
The potential of the watershed approach to support both conservation and production outcomes in rainfed areas,
catering to the needs of small and marginal farmers as well as asset-less and women, has been successfully
demonstrated, and forms the basis of the IWMP. However, it was observed that the outcomes and benefits from
IWMP are at times piecemeal and the potential, not fully realized, the participation of the community a cause for
concern, post project sustainability a major challenge, and inadequate capacities and systems to plan, implement
and monitor, in turn result in slow disbursements and programme delays.
Neeranchal is primarily designed to address the following concerns:
bring about institutional changes in watershed management practices in India,
build systems that ensure watershed programmes are better focused and have quantifiable results,
devise strategies for the sustainability of improved watershed management practices in programme areas, even
after the withdrawal of Neeranchal.

As a Technical Assistance (TA) project, Neeranchal aims to strengthen the IWMP structures and systems without
creating parallel ones. This would ensure effective integration of learnings and their upscaling within project states
and at DOLR. The focus of Neeranchal is on value addition through development of models, software and skills, and
at scale piloting of new approaches and innovations, creating awareness and knowledge networks including access
to best practices, addressing the identified weak areas within IWMP, and ensuring institutional and systemic
strengthening for effective and efficient programme delivery. In essence, as Neeranchal is designed to add value to
all aspects of IWMP and cater to the specific requirements of 8 states (Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat,
Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Rajasthan) which together cover approximately 60% of the
total IWMP area, it moves beyond the framework of a demonstration project to provide benefits at scale. Certain
software, models and systemic innovations such as for planning, capacity building, IEC, M&E, financial
management, etc. developed within Neeranchal could be applied to all 28 IWMP states.
What Does Neeranchal Specifically Support ?
Improved Planning at Macro and Micro levels: At present, watersheds are identified and prioritized based on
parameters that do not consider the scientific landscape-level catchment perspective which can ensure optimal
hydrological outcomes over an extended area in the long term. Even at micro-watershed level, in the preparation of
the detailed project report (DPR), tools such as net planning are rarely used. This compromises the quality of the
DPRs and consequently, overall outcomes. Neeranchal would attempt to demonstrate and develop capacities for the
use of planning software and tools at appropriate scales for focused macro and micro-level planning.
Targeted Capacity Building and Delivery Systems: Right skills and capacities are the foundations for successful
project implementation and management. This is more critical and challenging in the context of a project that is
primarily community focused and community driven and involves a multi-sectoral approach at different scales.

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Neeranchal would support an assessment of training needs and institutional and human resources review. Capacity
building has to be attempted both vertically and horizontally. The sheer magnitude of IWMP in terms of area and
target groups makes this a daunting task. Hence, there is a need to address this task as top priority on an entirely
different footing. Neeranchal proposes to develop a capacity building strategy to address this challenge through
adoption of state-of the art technology like SATCOM to reach otherwise less accessible areas and stakeholders. It
will assist in developing customized modules and training materials, networking arrangements, transfer of
knowledge from innovations attempted under the project, and focus on quality assured delivery mechanisms. It
provides learning opportunities through national and international exposure visits for different levels of stakeholders,
particularly the grassroots level.
Greater Awareness Unlike programmes on health, drinking water, irrigation, etc. where results of an intervention are
immediately perceived, the watershed approach in its entirety takes approximately 4-5 years to provide tangible
benefits, though quick results may be seen for some specific activities. Moreover, it is a multi-pronged approach with
environmental, social, investment and institutional dimensions that need to align synergistically to deliver results.
People often fail to understand and appreciate the value of this staggered yet integrated approach necessary to
achieve desired outcomes, and consequently, the value of their participation. Neeranchal will through a well-
designed strategy for communication and IEC will generate in-depth understanding and quick recall, enabling higher
engagement of both communities and decision makers. It will assist partner states to customize communication
packages as per their specific needs.
M&E and MIS: Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is an important tool for ensuring proper implementation and
management of a project. Effective monitoring of programmes is essential particularly in the context of substantial
allocation of funds. Concurrent monitoring which is the cornerstone of realizing project objectives remains
unrealized with in IWMP. Neeranchal proposes to operationalize an independent third party concurrent monitoring
system to ensure greater transparency and improved efficiency in the system. Near real time monitoring would
provide corrective options during the life of the project itself. This model can be subsequently upscaled in all IWMP
states.
Supplementing M&E, a Management Information System would be designed, developed and deployed under
Neeranchal. This will be a tool for financial and physical monitoring of the project in real time. CPSMS would also be
initiated under Neeranchal for IWMP and will supplement the monitoring of financial processes.
Region Specific Technology Packages: The Common Guidelines which precede the IWMP and form the basis of its
implementation, do not take into account difficult and challenge areas such as salinity affected, coastal ingression,
high erosion, mine-affected lands, etc. that require specific and innovative technology and models and perhaps
different fund allocations. Often these areas remain either ignored or inadequately treated and continue to get
further degraded in quality and extent, resulting in larger areas going out of production with loss of livelihood
options. Neeranchal would attempt to access, demonstrate and pilot appropriate technology to address these
challenges, as well as document the learnings for wider application.
Improved Agricultural Productivity: The backbone of sustainability is the continued accrual of tangible and economic
benefits. The focus of watershed management programmes over the years has been on soil and water conservation,
where the spadework for productivity increases is undertaken but the multi-sectoral inputs for agriculture,
horticulture, and allied areas including soil fertility management, quality planting material, implements, value chains
and market linkage, etc., required to translate these into economic returns, are not adequately demonstrated. This
result in less than optimal returns from the resources and efforts invested. Neeranchal, will partner with national and
international leaders in agriculture and allied fields to take advantage of the resource base created to customize and
demonstrate national and international best practices in agriculture and allied fields, to local needs.
Improved Hydrological and Watershed Outcomes: Neeranchal proposes to consider Hydrological aspects of
watershed in a comprehensive manner which is not addressed in IWMP. It is proposed to develop a Decision
Support System for Hydrology and Watershed Management (DSS-H) under the project through the National Institute
of Hydrology (NIH) for the assessment of the present and future demand by various stake holders, at the watershed
level. It would also undertake initiatives such as community water monitoring and management, water-budgeting
and water use efficiency.
Livelihoods and Assured Incomes for Landholders and Asset-less: Neeranchal facilitates the engagement of
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specialized agencies for exploring new avenues for livelihoods for the vulnerable communities within watersheds. It
provides a bigger platform for exploring value additions, market and financial linkages for both farm-based and non-
farm livelihoods. The project provides for hand-holding support to develop assured and sustainable income options
and avenues. For womens self-help groups, entrepreneurship development opportunities based on locally available
resources that are sustainable and economically viable will be a priority.
Climate-smart Agriculture and Watersheds: Integration of climate concerns is imperative for any programme
focusing on agriculture and natural resources such as soil, water and forests. Climate vulnerabilities are specific to
regions and ecosystems, as are their solutions. Neeranchal will support the assessment of climate vulnerabilities in
project areas and recommend customized adaptation packages to address these so that productivity gains
otherwise achieved are not negated. The initiative will explore the potential of climate-proofing investments with
information of climate change built into project planning. It will also assess the potential for carbon sequestration
through watershed interventions. These concerns are not reflected within IWMP. Reputed National Institute with its
experience in climate-change modeling would be identified to assist in this specialized area. Efforts will also be
made to bring in knowledge from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and the National Initiative for
Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), etc...
State-specific Innovations and Pilots: States often struggle with specific challenge areas and situations. Neeranchal
provides space to each state to identify two of these and will assist in finding solutions and providing handholding
support with respect to the challenges identified. Gujarat for example indicated coastal ingress to be a major
challenge, while Maharashtra identified salinity. This effort that will enhance the capacities of the States
implementing agencies, would be difficult to take up under IWMP. Moreover, it will provide the foundation to support
the initiative to allow States the flexibility to identify and address their own specific challenges and requirements
through 10% of all programme funds, in this context from IWMP. Currently, there is no thought towards the utilization
of these flexible funds; Neeranchal will set the process in motion.
Urban Watersheds: IWMP does not provide support for the development of Urban Watersheds. This component is
incorporated under Neeranchal keeping in mind the critical need for water in small urban townships and semi-urban
areas. It is a unique and meaningful experiment being attempted under the project. It would look into the improved
provisioning of water to these urban areas based on source augmentation through watershed works in the
surrounding rural catchments, in situ water conservation, and assess the quality of waste water released, that would
potentially pollute productive rural areas within its command area. The component attempts to experiment the
strategy in small urban agglomerations which would have greater scope to demonstrate models for the country as a
whole.
Access to International Best Practices and State of the Art Technology: As an externally aided project there are
better opportunities to bring in learnings and best practices from international experiences. Thus, international
knowledge flow is foreseen under Neeranchal.
Easier Access to Data and Information: A National Information and Data Centre is envisaged under Neeranchal. It
would act as a repository of watershed-related information from both national and international experiences. A
system of knowledge and information sharing would be institutionalized along with networking and information flow
arrangements. At the state level, digital data centres would act as repositories of information including baselines,
digitized maps, etc. that would support planning and monitoring efforts.
Post-project sustainability including convergence and linkages: Post project sustainability has been a challenge for
most large scale watershed projects in the past. Establishment of linkages and convergence with other ongoing
programmes would provide a basis for sustainability through access to inputs on a continuing basis. Depending on
the requirements, convergence can be attempted with agriculture, forest, MGNREGS, horticulture, fisheries, NRLM,
minor irrigation, NABARD and other schemes and departments. This would also lead to better utilization of
resources, avoid duplication, bring in expertise available locally, and taking advantage of the resource base created
resulting in a mutually beneficial situation for all.
How IWMP can imbibe Neeranchal?: By design, Neeranchal is a technical support project keeping the IWMP
structure in context. Models, software and tools developed, piloted and demonstrated can be upscaled as
appropriate with minor customization to most IWMP contexts. This is especially true for capacity building, M&E,
planning, communications and decision support systems for hydrology and watershed management. It is a science
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and technology focused project aimed at streamlining the processes of IWMP. Once tested these can be upscaled
and provide a clear direction to IWMP. Some of the interventions would be more state- specific but then the partner
states for Neeranchal cover over 60% of the IWMP area. It will help in identifying and establishing linkages with
partners both technical and departmental that can be operationalized across states. The new concerns including
hydrology, investment planning, forward linkages, climate change and urban watersheds are ones that IWMP will
integrate in the future.
To sum up, as per the Guidelines, IWMP allocations and disbursements in the present set up follow a per hectare
pattern of funding where the bulk of the funds is tied to specific budget heads to be spent at the micro-watershed
level. This in most cases does not provide adequate flexibility for systemic or region specific innovations and cross
learnings between States and sub-state implementing agencies or access to national and global best practices.
States often look for guidance from DoLR to address their specific requirements. IWMP stands poised to take off at
a juncture where the initial capacities, systems, networks and knowledge banks are critical. Neeranchal attempts to
fill in this groundwork to let IWMP take wings to realize its full potential, and in turn provide insights for improved
planning and implementation of IWMP.

2. Proposed duration of the project:

Six Years (2014-15to 2019-20)
(The expected effectiveness date is June, 2014 and expected closing date is March, 2020)

3. Total cost of the project over the proposed duration:

US $ 357.00 million
US$ 178.50 million will be contribution of World Bank
US $ 178.50million will be contribution of Government of India

4. Project Development Objective

Project Development Objective is to support IWMP through technical assistance to improve incremental
conservation outcomes and agricultural yields for communities in selected sites and adoption of more effective
processes and technologies into the broader IWMP in participating project states.

5. Project design
The proposed project will be implemented at the national level and in selected sites in eight states of Andhra
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Rajasthan.
The project would be implemented through four components:
Component 1. Central Institutional and Capacity Building
The objective of the component is to strengthen the institutions and human resources of key national stakeholders,
particularly the DoLR, for more effective planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting of
watershed management programs.

The component objectives would be addressed through four sub-components. Sub-component 1.1 (Capacity
Building and Institutional Development at National Level)would support training needs assessment and institutional
and human resources review, build the capacity of DoLR for program management and policy analysis, develop
common training materials, coordinate and support national and international exposure visits, and provide
backstopping for project states who will deliver training programs in Component
Sub-component 1.2 (National Information and Data Center) would establish capacity within the current DoLR
structure to coordinate improved knowledge/information sharing and data base development related to watershed
management.
Sub-component 1.3 (Communications) would enhance the messaging about more effective watershed programs
and impact through a comprehensive communications and branding program.
Sub-component 1.4 (Monitoring and Evaluation) would develop and strengthen an integrated monitoring and
evaluation (M&E) system, linked to a new MIS that connects DoLR and States, for tracking the national performance
of IWMP and other watershed related programs.

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Component 2. National Innovation Support
The objective of Component 2 is to support the application of innovative, science-based knowledge, tools, and
approaches to underpin improvements to IWMP around watershed planning and implementation, agricultural
intensification, climate change, rural livelihoods, and hydrology, based on identified needs of the states,
communities and farmers.

The component objectives would be addressed through two sub-components. Sub-component 2.1 (Agricultural
Performance, Rural Livelihoods, and Climate Change Innovations) would consolidate existing knowledge and
innovations and transfer them to participating project states to support farmers in achieving better agricultural
performance and build better resiliency against climate change, and help more vulnerable community members
improve their livelihoods through professional support for market linkages.
Sub-component 2.2 (Decision Support Systems and Data Bases for Hydrology and Watershed Management) would
develop and pilot new decision-support systems (DSS) to support DoLR and project states to implement IWMP in a
more comprehensive and scientific manner, at landscape, expanded sub-watershed, and micro-watershed levels,
particularly around hydrology, and provide technical backstopping to states for data base development.

Component 3.IWMP Implementation Support in Participating States

The objective of Component 3 is to provide intensive, science-based support to improve IWMP operational
effectiveness, convergence/integration with other government programs, and measurable impacts on the ground in
selected sites in participating states.
The component objectives would be addressed through four core sub-components tied directly to IWMP operations
in selected sites, and two additional pilot sub-components that could be implemented outside IWMP areas.
Sub-component 3.1 (Support for Improved Program Integration in Rainfed Areas) would strengthen GIS capability in
the SLNAs, develop state-level data bases, support landscape-level catchment assessment/planning for IWMP, and
strengthen community-based monitoring.
Sub-component 3.2 (Institutional Strengthening) would enhance relevant capacities in participating states in the
SLNAs, and at field level.
Sub-component 3.3 (Adoption of R&D and Technology Transfer) would improve the adoption of innovations
developed and tested in Component 2 around: agriculture performance; decision support systems for hydrology and
watershed management; climate change and risk reduction; and value addition, supply chains, extension systems,
and livelihood improvement.
Sub-component 3.4 (Project Management and Coordination) would provide incremental support to SNLAs to
implement Component 3 activities effectively. Sub-component 3.5 (State Specific Innovations and Pilots) would
support a limited number of small-scale, state-specific innovations and piloting to address locally suitable
watershed-related initiatives and develop knowledge and lessons learned for possible integration into IWMP.
Sub-component 3.6 (Urban Watershed Management) would pilot demonstrations in urban watershed management
in up to two small catchments in each participating state.

Component 4. Project Management and Coordination

The objective of Component 4 is to ensure effective, efficient and responsive project management to successfully
implement the Neeranchal project.

Cost Estimate
The abstract is given as follows:

Components (INR Crore) (USD Million) % of Total Base Cost

Govt Bank Total Govt Bank Total
A. Central Institution and Capacity Building 34.0 34.0 68.1 5.7 5.7 11.4 3.2
B. National Innovation Support 90.6 90.6 181.2 15.1 15.1 30.2 8.5
C. Support to IWMP in Participating States 910.9 910.9 1,821.8 151.8 151.8 303.6 85.0
D. Project Management and Coordination 35.6 35.6 71.2 5.9 5.9 11.8 3.3

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Total Project Cost 1,071.1 1,071.1 2,142.2 178.5 178.5 357.0 100.0
($1 = INR 60)

Fund Flow
Fund flow under Neeranchal will be through the CPSMS system and is as below:
World Bank and DOLR SLNA WCDC PIA WC/GP
Way forward
The proposed project will be implemented in selected sites in eight states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat,
Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Rajasthan. However, many activities will have State wide
impacts and will subsequently be implemented in non Neeranchal States.

Copyright 2017, Neeranchal

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