Impact of Watershed Development Projects Implemented in Kerala

In the present study we look into the impact of 12 different watershed projects implemented in Kerala under the Western Ghats Development Programme on the water availability and soil conserva�on. The impact of the watersheds was assessed by examining the benefits that each watershed offered to the sample respondents, people par�cipa�on in watershed programmes at different stages, budget u�liza�on and target achieved with the help of a semi-structured interview schedule. The data collected were analysed using cluster analysis and ANOVA. The results of the data differen�ate 12 watersheds into two different clusters with 4 watersheds in one cluster and the remaining watersheds in another. The results of the study found that there is a significant difference in people's par�cipa�on with respect to different stages of project execu�on in different watersheds and also within each watershed. The study also pinpoints difference in achieving target and budget u�liza�on among different watersheds