Govt to give thrust to watershed development projects

Govt to give thrust to watershed development projects
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, SEPT 12
The State Directorate of Agriculture has decided to give thrust to watershed development projects under Central Government guidelines and its watershed section has now constituted a state-level nodal agency to prepare a perspective and strategic plan of watershed development.
This agency will establish and maintain a state-level data cell from the funds sanctioned to the States and connect it online with the national-level data centre. It will also provide technical support to District Watershed Development Units (DWDU) throughout the state.
The agency will be headed by State Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava as its chairman and will have State Agriculture Secretary and Secretary for Rural Development as members.
Further, the agency will ensure regular and quality on-line monitoring of watershed projects in the State in association with the nodal agency at the Centre and secure feedback by developing partnerships with independent and capable agencies.
The agency also includes representation from the Ministry of Rural Development (Government of India), National Rainfed Area Authority (Government of India), Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operation, Chief Conservator of Forests (Goa), Chief Engineer, Water Resources Department (Goa), General Manager, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Goa, Project Director, Rural Development Agency (North Goa), Panjim, Project Director, Rural Development Agency (South Goa), Margao, Director, Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Sciences, (Panjim), Director, Indian Council of Agriculture Research Complex (Ela-Old Goa), Programme Co-ordinator, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (South Goa), Margao, Representative of Voluntary Organisation, Project Director, Mineral Foundation of Goa, Panjim, Director of Agriculture.