"A reasonable
man adjusts himself to the world. An unreasonable man wants the world to adjust to him. All the developments in the world are due to the unreasonable man" said the well known English writer George Bernard Shaw. These developments have in fact affected our environment. As the world''''s population continues to grow, it is evident that we must all think very carefully in terms of development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs and aspiration; i.e., truly sustainable development (Brundtland Commission, 1987).
In most of the rural areas of the developing and underdeveloped countries, a ‘watershed’ is the basic unit for development. Development of the poorest of the poor in any poverty alleviation and resource conservation programme is a major challenge for the policy makers and planners in most developing countries. Very often, the future of development from various government projects and schemes, designed for the benefit and the up lift of the poor people, are cornered by the richer and more affluent sections of the community. All the development programmes of various departments revolve around people contributing to their socio-economic development.
But time, and again the development programmes are planned for the people without their consent, giving importance to only physical targets and achievements. Even before, a
watershed scheme is completed and the desired results are accrued from it, another welfare measure is announced denying congruity in development of units. This is more, so in case of watershed management programmes initiated by different wings of the governments’ machinery. As a result the
sustainability of the development programmes questioned frequently, though the sustainability is a key aim of any development programme.
Therefore, active
participation and involvement of the people- the stakeholders, in watershed policy making and implementation is crucial. The
stakeholders can decide for themselves what is best for them and do it their way collectively to inculcate a sense of ownership and induce a concept of self-sustenance with
participatory approach.
More abstracts about the People''''s Participation for Sustainable Watershed Management