Consider the following statements with respect to the National Wastel...
Statement 1: The National Wasteland Development Board (NWDB) was established in 1985 under the Ministry of Rural Development.
Statement 2: The NWDB is mainly responsible for the development of wastelands in non-forest areas in totality by involving local people at every stage of development.
Explanation:
The National Wasteland Development Board (NWDB) was indeed established in 1985 under the Ministry of Rural Development. It was created to address the issue of wastelands in non-forest areas and to promote their development. The objective of the NWDB is to reclaim and develop wastelands, making them productive and sustainable for agricultural and other purposes.
The second statement is also correct. The NWDB is primarily responsible for the development of wastelands in non-forest areas. It aims to involve local people at every stage of development, ensuring their active participation in the planning, implementation, and monitoring processes. This approach helps in ensuring the sustainability of the projects and also empowers the local communities.
The involvement of local people in wasteland development projects is crucial as they possess indigenous knowledge about the land and its potential. Their participation helps in identifying suitable land use options, selecting appropriate technologies, and ensuring the effective utilization of resources. It also leads to the socio-economic upliftment of the local communities by generating employment opportunities and enhancing their livelihoods.
The NWDB works closely with state governments, local self-governments, and other stakeholders to implement wasteland development projects. It provides technical and financial support for activities like land reclamation, soil and water conservation, afforestation, horticulture, agroforestry, and other allied activities. The board also promotes capacity building and awareness programs to enhance the knowledge and skills of local communities, enabling them to actively contribute to the development process.
In conclusion, both the statements are correct. The NWDB was established in 1985 under the Ministry of Rural Development, and it is primarily responsible for the development of wastelands in non-forest areas by involving local people at every stage of development.
Consider the following statements with respect to the National Wastel...
- National Wasteland Development Board was established in 1985 under the Ministry of Forests and Environment mainly to tackle the problem of degradation of lands, restoration of ecology and to meet the growing demands of fuelwood and fodder at the national level. Hence statement 1 is not correct.
- During the Seventh Five Year Plan, the strategy adopted by the National Wasteland Development Board emphasised more on tree planting activities rather than Community Participation for wasteland development.
- In the year 1992, the new Department under the Ministry Of Rural Development (now Ministry of Rural Areas and Employment) was created and the National Wasteland Development Board was placed under it.
- The Board was reconstituted in August 1992 and was made responsible for the main development of wastelands in non-forest areas in totality by involving local people at every stage of development. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- It aims at creating a scenario where the Government acts as a facilitator and the people at the grass-root level become the real executioner of the programme. Major programme implemented for improving the productivity of waste & degraded lands keeping in view the poverty, backwardness, gender & equity is Integrated Wasteland Development Programme.