Rainfed areas account for approximately 105 million hectares or nearly 70% of the cropped area in the country and account for more than 90% of the production of country's oilseeds and pulses. Development of rainfed agriculture has been recognised as a thrust area and is in focus of the centrally- sponsored programmes such as National Watershed Development Programme for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) and the Drought Prone Areas Programme.
Tamil Nadu is an agrarian state with majority of its population depending primarily on agricultural sector for their livelihood. Vagaries of the climate has direct bearing on the farming community as considerable share of gross sown area is under the rainfed condition. Performance of the area under assured irrigation also influenced strongly by rainfall which was evidenced by the drought situation faced by the state often. Average rainfall received by the State was 979 mm per year with around 34 per cent during South West monsoon, 48 per cent during North East monsoon and the rest during the winter/summer/unseasoned rains. During 2001, the average actual rainfall received in the state was deficient by 21 per cent and in 2000 the deficit was 13 percent. Continuous drought in the past three years has adversely affected the water availability for crop cultivation.
All the major crops in almost all the districts have suffered due to drought situation in the state. During the Khariff season (2002-03), of the total cultivated area, 0.912 lakh ha. was affected by the drought fully and 1.611 lakh ha. was affected partially. During the Rabi season, 2.831 lakh ha. was affected fully and 3.071 lakh ha. was affected partially by the drought. Production loss for the fully damaged crops in the State due to drought was to the tune of 13.29 lakh MT during Khariff and 16.16 lakh MT during Rabi season in crop cultivation alone and the same valued at Rs. 171.18 crore and 851.437 crore respectively.
Realising the importance of water for agriculture and livelihood, the National Bank has been supporting water harvesting structure in different parts of the State. These structures conserve water and soil including plantation crops, drinking water to cattle, making possible fish culture and improve background water recharge. The National Bank has supplemented the government efforts in water harvesting structures like dug out ponds, check dams, nalla bunds, pick up weirs etc. through its promotional programme like KfW assisted watershed development, loan to State Governments through RIDF. The National Bank has been playing a pro-active role through co-ordination, promotion, development and credit support for location specific structures.
Concept
In Tamil Nadu state out of 80,421 human habitations only 28,623 habitations are fully covered with rural water supply. The drinking water crisis is acute due to negative ground water balance in many blocks. The project is aiming at water resource conservation and management on watershed approach for minimising use of ground water from shear zone.
Objectives
To harvest rain water for ground water recharge by putting up water harvesting structures suitable in recharge zones identified scientifically by means of integrating satellite / areal photographs with ground level thematic maps using Geographical Information Software (GIS).
Project Components
Check Dams and Nullah Bunds in proximity to existing drinking water sources.
Major Features
Project is of recent origin and expected to bring about massive ground water recharge in recharge zones in drought prone, drinking water scare districts of Tamil Nadu. Check Dams and Bunded Nallahs have been used as Water Harvesting Structures.
Uniqueness
Acute drinking water crisis is expected to be mitigated by rising water table in existing wells, tubewells etc. Project is formulated on very scientific approach integrating modern IT technologies. The uniqueness of the programme is people's participation in restoring the environment with further commitment to maintain the structures created.
