NABARD & JSPL will spend 2.5 Crore for implementation of the project.
The Watershed projects help in recharging ground water, reducing soil erosion, improving water conservation and facilitating agricultural and social development
INDIACSR Correspondent
ANGUL: Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL), Angul, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), AFC India Ltd and Village Watershed Committees (VWC) on February 28, 2013 for Comprehensive Development of two Micro Watersheds in Chhendipada block in Angul District with the objective of recharging ground water, preventing Soil erosion, improve soil moisture and thereby enhance agriculture Production and productivity.
The Programme is being field implemented in two watershed areas – Tubey and Derjang, covering Tubey, Maratira, Kulei, Derjang and Madhiamunda villages over a catchment area of 3450 Acres.
JSPL becomes the first Industrial Organisation in Odisha to directly support field implementation of a Participatory Watershed Development Programme which encompasses Ridge to Valley Treatment, Net Planning, Bio Vegetation intervention on Contour basis, Soil Improvement, Drainage Line Treatment contributing holistic development of the Community. The Project has been recommended by the District Watershed Mission and has been approved by Odisha State Watershed Mission. The Mumbai based AFC India ltd, a deemed GOI company has opened its office in Badkera and is facilitating the Field Implementation.
The MoU was signed in JSPL, Angul’s Plant Site Office by Mr. S.M. Sahasrabuddhe, General Manager of NABARD, Mr. Rakesh Kumar, President of JSPL. Mr. Krishna Chandra Mishra, Programme Coordinator of Agriculture Finance Corporation, Mr. Bidush Chandra Pradhan, President of Jai Kishan VWC and Mr. Anirudh Pattnaik, Secretary of Kalapata VWC co signed the MOU. Mr. KK Gupta, Chief General Manager (Odisha) of NABARD, Mr. DK Saraogi, Executive Director of JSPL and Mr Karlo, Project Director, District Watershed Mission, Angul over saw the signing of the MOU.
Mr. PK Hota, VP (CSR & CC) of JSPL, Mr. Pranab Kumar Jena, DDM of NABARD associated with Mrs Puspa Satapathy and Mr Manoj Jha of JSPL conducted the MOU signing event. The total project cost works out to apx Rs. 250 lakhs and will be co funded by NABARD and JSPL. The Watershed Community encompassing 1750 household will be contributing 16% of the labour component through Shramdan. The Project will be completed over a period of three years.
“Watershed Development Programme has multifaceted benefits for the community. It helps in minimizing soil erosion, promoting water conservation and bringing economic benefits to the people through augmenting production and productivity, ecological conservation, generation of Man days at the village level and finally the value addition measures to the local produces. I am confident that the programme will have positive impact on lives of people in these five villages,” said Mr. Prashant Kumar Hota, Vice-President, JSPL.
The first phase of the project, Capacity Building Phase (CBP) has been already started in August 2011. “On successful completion of the CBP, the Programme Implementation will enter in to the Full Implementation Phase, however a lot will depend on the Watershed Community on their determination to work together and bring sustainable prosperity to their own villages’ said Mr. K.K. Gupta Chief General Manager of NABARD , Odisha office, “This is an unique partnership of JSPL with the local community , the NABARD and the Govt to bring holistic development to the nearby villages through a comprehensive programme for groundwater re-charge, moisture retention, multi-cropping and thereby creating more employment in farm or off farm and non-farm sector” said Mr. Dinesh kumar Saraogi, Executive Director JSPL. Mr Saraogi thanked NABARD, Dist Administration and the State Watershed Mission and the Watershed Community for their support.
Amongst others who were present during the MOU signing event were Mrs Swapna Sarangi of Foundation for Ecological Security, Angul; Dr. Saroj Kumar Mahapatra, VP (HR& Admin), JSPL & Mr. Bishnu Prasad Mishra, GM (Law), JSPL.
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