The development of a region is primarily based on the efficient use and planned utilisation of available resources, hence, it is necessary to use and conserve resources, particularly land, water, soil and vegetation with utimost care for sustainable development. The exploitation and lavish use of resources may threaten our life cycle causing land degradation at a greater scale. Various measures are being adopted to conserve these resources by State and Central Government. “Hariyali” (Greenary) project as community level efforts for the conservation of natural resource are introduced by Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, and Government of India from April 2003. The present investigation aims to assess the nature, consisted works, carried works and benefits achieved through Hariyali project implemented in western hilly part of Kolhapur district, comprising seven small watersheds of Shahuwadi tahsil. For the present investigation the required data and information has been collected from Block Development Officer and Tahsil Agricultural Officer, Panchayat Samiti, Shahuwadi. The field visits to confirm the ground reality have been arranged. The topomaps has been used to analyse geographical situation such as location, watershed demarcation, topography, landforms, drainage, forested areas and other landuse. The findings and results are represented through tables and maps. The analysis revels that Hariyali project has achieved great success in conserving the land, soil, water and vegetation. Hariyali project could be a ideal model for successfully combating the land degradation, provided the sufficient funds are made available timely and local peoples participation is made active.

1. ‘HARIYALI’: AS A MODEL TO COMBAT LAND DEGRADATION C. T. Pawar, M. N. Survase & A. V. Pore
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‘HARIYALI’: AS A MODEL TO COMBAT LAND DEGRADATION
* C. T. Pawar ** M. N. Survase *** A. V. Pore
ABSTRACT:
The development of a region is primarily based on the efficient use and planned utilisation of
available resources, hence, it is necessary to use and conserve resources, particularly land, water,
soil and vegetation with utimost care for sustainable development. The exploitation and lavish use of
resources may threaten our life cycle causing land degradation at a greater scale. Various measures
are being adopted to conserve these resources by State and Central Government. “Hariyali”
(Greenary) project as community level efforts for the conservation of natural resource are introduced
by Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, and Government of India from
April 2003. The present investigation aims to assess the nature, consisted works, carried works and
benefits achieved through Hariyali project implemented in western hilly part of Kolhapur district,
comprising seven small watersheds of Shahuwadi tahsil.
For the present investigation the required data and information has been collected from
Block Development Officer and Tahsil Agricultural Officer, Panchayat Samiti, Shahuwadi. The field
visits to confirm the ground reality have been arranged. The topomaps has been used to analyse
geographical situation such as location, watershed demarcation, topography, landforms, drainage,
forested areas and other landuse. The findings and results are represented through tables and maps.
The analysis revels that Hariyali project has achieved great success in conserving the land, soil,
water and vegetation. Hariyali project could be a ideal model for successfully combating the land
degradation, provided the sufficient funds are made available timely and local peoples participation
is made active.
INTRODUCTION:
There is doubt that lands subjected to erosion constitute the biggest single threat to
country’s economy. The lands suffer an increasing loss of productivity of soil due to erosion
and great deal of water loss by way of excessive runoff along denuded slopes. Every year
about 12 millian tones of soil is eroded from watersheds and agricultural lands in India
(Rajora, 1989). The extent of degraded lands in the country is 175 million hectares.
Watershed is an ideal area for the management of natural resources (Pawar, 2003).
Participation of local people with the help of government from local government (Gram
Panchyat) to Central Government will be helpful while doing watershed development,
management and conservation of land, water and forest. The involvement of village
communities is essential while doing preparation of planning, its implementation and
management for integrated rural development also. ‘Hariyali’ projects are implemented for
economic benefit and natural resource conservation. These projects have been sanctioned by
* Former Prof. & Head, Dept. of Geography, Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
** Research Scholar (Ph.D.), Dept. of Geography, Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
*** Project Fellow, Department of Geography, Shivaji University, Kolhapur.

2. ‘HARIYALI’: AS A MODEL TO COMBAT LAND DEGRADATION C. T. Pawar, M. N. Survase & A. V. Pore
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the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, and Government of
India. The Department may sanction special projects for treatment of wastelands in Special
Problem Areas such as high altitude regions, land slide areas, sloppy areas, eroded and
erosion prone areas.
The main objectives of this project are to conserve natural resources such as lands
water and forests. To encourage the village community towards sustained community
oriented action for the operation and maintenance of assets creation and further development
of the potential of the natural resources in the watershed. Irrigation development, plantations,
including horticulture and floriculture, create regular sources of income. It also supports to
employment generation, poverty alleviation, community empowerment and development of
human and other economic resources of the rural areas. These projects are implemented
mainly through Zillha Parishad (ZPs), District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) and
necessary workforce are trained at village, block, and district level for carry out their
responsibilities.
OBJECTIVE:
The present investigation aims to acess the impact of Hariyali project so far
combating the land degradation which is being carried out in Shahuwadi tahsil of Kolhapur
district.
DATABASE & METHODOLOGY:
For the present investigation both regional and integrated approach have been
adopted. The required data and information has been collected from B.D.O. and Tahsil
Agricultural Officer, Panchayat Samiti, Shahuwadi. The field visits to confirm the ground
reality have been arranged and confined on foremost stage of carried work carried out. The
topomaps have been used to analyse geographical situation such as location, micro-watershed
demarcation, topography, landforms, drainage, forested areas and other landuses. The
findings are represented through tables and maps and benefits achieved are analysed in the
text.
STUDY REGION:
Selected region for the case study of Hariyali project is implemented in the part of
Kadavi minor irrigation command area comprising the villages Bhendewade, Lolane,
Karungale, Parale Ninai, Wakoli, Altur and Pusarle of Shahuwadi Tahsil in Kolhapur district.

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It lies around 160
57" north to 170
01" north latitude and 730
51" east to 730
56" east
longitudes and comprises 502 sq. km. of area (Fig. 1). This region is topographically
complex having hilly ranges and undulating nature of topography. Kadvi is the main river
and its tributaries formed the main watershed. Climatically this region have temperate
climate and average annual rainfall is about 2000 mm. The soils of the region are mainly
derived from the Deccan trap (Deshpande, 1971). Pedologically this region has laterite &
brownish soils. Deforestation, forest burning, loss of soil moisture, high runoff, land slides
and erosion proneness are common problems in these areas.
ANALYSIS:
A. Nature of ‘Hariyali’ Project:
Watershed treatment plan and detailed action plan prepared under “Hariyali” project
includes... (http://megsoil.gov.in/HARAYALI_Guidelines.pdf).
1. Development of small water harvesting structures such as low-cost farm ponds, nalla
bunds, check-dams, percolation tanks and other ground water recharge measures.
2. Renovation and augmentation of water sources, desiltation of village tanks for
drinking water/irrigation/fisheries development.
3. Afforstation including block plantations, agro-forestry and horticultural development,
shelterbelt plantations, pasture development etc.
4. Land Development including soil and moisture conservation measures like contour
and graded bunds fortified by plantation, bench terracing in hilly terrain, nursery
raising for fodder, timber, fuel wood, horticulture and non-timber forest product
species.
5. Drainage line treatment with a combination of vegetative and engineering structures.
6. Crop demonstrations for popularizing new crops/varieties or innovative management
practices.
While preparing the watershed treatment plan, the Gram Panchyat gives emphasis on
rain water-harvesting activities and undertakes massive plantation works on community as
well as private lands.
B. Hariyali Project in Shahuwadi Tahsil:
It is beneficial to conserve rainwater, improvement of degraded land by gully, rill and
sheet erosion which is the result of removed blanket of vegetative cover from hilly and

4. ‘HARIYALI’: AS A MODEL TO COMBAT LAND DEGRADATION C. T. Pawar, M. N. Survase & A. V. Pore
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sloppy land and converted in to barren lands. To assess how Hariyali project is an ideal
model for soil, water and forest conservation, Hariyali project implemented under the
command area of Kadavi minor irrigation project of Shahuwadi tahsil has been selected
(Fig.1).
Number of soil conservation measures as per the nature of degradation has been
adopted in the area of this project. It is a hilly area with high rainfall and fine soils texture
which results soil erosion as a dominant problem in this area. Raindrop erosion, Rills erosion
and Gully erosion are the major forms of the erosion observed at different spots. Most of the
areas reflect as a badland are due to the gully erosion and rill erosion.
Table 1
Sub-Watershed wise Work Done through Hariyali Project till March, 2009 in
Shahuwadi Tahsil (Area in Hectare)
Sr.
No
Nature of Work Bhendewade Lolane Karungale
Parale
Ninai
Wakoli Altur Pusarle Total
1.
Group Plantation
(Private)
22 0 50 35 20 45.5 20 192.5
2.
Group Plantation
(Public)
0 21 20 18.25 15 31 25 130.25
3. CCT (Public) 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 10
4. CCT(Private) 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 20
5. Horticulture 0 73 259 170 65 330 0 897
6. Gandul Manure 4 tones 4 tones 11 tones 9.5 tones 4 tones 7 tones 4 tones
43.5
tones
7.
Vam / BGA
Manure
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7
8. Farm Ponds 2 1 2 8 0 3 1 17
9. Graded Bunds 1 0 2 1 2 2 1 9
10. Cement Bunds 1 0 2 6 1 1 0 11
11. Mud Nala Bunds 0 1 2 2 0 5 4 14
Total Area of
Work done
43 95 330 224.25 101 417.5 46 1256.75
Sanctioned Area 501.33 338.92 721.99 1321.25 563.03 1124.53 627.43 5198.48
Source: Panchayat Samiti, Tahsil: Shahuwadi, District: Kolhapur.
Hariyali project was introduced in about 5000 hectares of area since 20th
October,
2004 and about 300 lack rupees were granted for different works to be carried out such as
soil conservation, water conservation and afforstation. The main watershed is divided in sub
watersheds named Bhendewade, Lolane, Karungale, Parale Ninai, Wakoli, Altur and Pusarle
(Fig. 1). Different conservational measures are applied directly from gram panchyat with the
help of local people. Water is stored and conserved into small bunds, check dams, nala
bunds, farm bunds, cement bunds (Photo Plate No. 1.A). etc. (Fig. 1 & Table 1).

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6. ‘HARIYALI’: AS A MODEL TO COMBAT LAND DEGRADATION C. T. Pawar, M. N. Survase & A. V. Pore
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C. Works carried out: Out of the total area benefited under this scheme, about 322 hectares
of land was brought under plantation, both by private and public sectors. Various tree plants
suitable for the local ecology were planted (Photo Plate No. 1.B). All the plants were
developed on the site by creating special nursery (Photo Plate No. 1.C). The land brought
under horticulture was about 897 hectares. CCT were implemented in about 30 hectares of
land.
D. Benefits achieved: Within period of 5 years the trees planted are well grown having the
height between 1.5 to 2 mtrs. with good biomass. Similarly the fruit species such as cashew,
mango etc. are grown over 800 hectares of land which are good in canopy. Due to various
measures adopted for soil and water conservation such as graded bunds, cement bunds, mud
nala bunds, farm ponds the ground water level has increased ( personal interview ) which
have solved the problem of drinking water partly. Moreover the gravity of soil erosion has
reduced there by achieving both soil and water conservation.
Thus the Hariyali (i.e. greenery) project has converted the barren land into
green rich land (Pawar, et. al. 2009). However, due to lack of maintenance particularly,
inadequacy of enough water during the month of April and May is the major constraint in
making this project complete success. The other constrains are inadequacy of funds and poor
response of local peoples
CONCLUSIONS:
The problem of soil degradation is a common phenomena in most of the hilly areas,
but the nature of those problems also differs. As such the measures to be adopted also vary
accordingly. Accordingly various schemes implemented through Hariyali project have
become successful. Irrigation development, plantations, including horticulture and
floriculture have created regular sources of income. The project also supports the
employment generation, poverty alleviation, community empowerment and development of
human and other economic resources of the rural areas. Thus the Hariyali project is
successful partly in combating the land degradation as it has converted the barren lands into
green rich land and become as a model of natural resource conservation. However, for its
complete success, adequate funds and active involvement of local people is highly essential.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Present paper is the outcome of U.G.C. Major Research Project
entitled ‘Land Degradation, Land Conservation and Improvement in Panchganga Basin
(Maharashtra): A Geo-ecological analyses’. Research team is grateful to U.G.C authorities.
Research team is also grateful to B.D.O. and Tahsil Agricultural Officer, Panchayat Samiti,
Shahuwadi, Dist. Kolhapur for providing related data, information and assistance for field
work.
REFERENCES:
1. Deshpande C.D. (1971): “Geography of Maharashtra”, N.B.T. of India. New Delhi.
2. Pawar C.T. (2003): Assessment of Watershed Development Programme: A Micro Level
Imperial Analysis, Transactions, Institute of Indian Geographers, Vol.25, 1 & 2, pp. 85 –
93.
3. Pawar C.T, Pawar D. H. Potdar M. B., & Panhalkar S.S.(2009): “Land Degradation, Land
Conservation and Improvement in Panchganga Basin (Maharashtra): A Geo-ecological
Analysis”, Unpublished UGC Major Research Project, Unpublished to, Shivaji
University, Kolhapur.
4. Rajora, Rajesh (1998): “Integrated Water Management, Field Manual, for equitable,
Productive and Sustainable Development.” Rawat Publication, Jaipur & New Delhi, pp.
222.
5. http://megsoil.gov.in/HARAYALI_Guidelines.pdf
6. http://wbprd.gov.in/html/activities/schemes/GuideLine%20Hariyali.pdf