https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Mid-Himalayan_Watershed_Development_ProjectMid-Himalayan Watershed Development Project - Revision history2026-07-30T23:27:07ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mid-Himalayan_Watershed_Development_Project&diff=421732&oldid=prevAjay Kumar: Created a new article2023-08-29T17:09:29Z<p>Created a new article</p>
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The '''Mid-Himalayan Watershed Development Project''' (MHWDP) is a {{convert|222,951|ha|acre|abbr=on}} [[Agriculture|land husbandry]] initiative in [[Himachal Pradesh]], India, that aims by means of [[green growth]] and [[sustainable development]] to establish a functionally tenable [[Drainage basin|watershed]] [[ecosystem]]. MHWDP has started to reverse several decades of degradation of the [[natural resource]] base including forests, has achieved improved agricultural yields and productivity, and has raised rural household incomes. It includes the '''Himachal Pradesh Reforestation Project''' (HPRF), the world's largest [[clean development mechanism]] (CDM) project.<br />
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==Background==<br />
The Mid-Himalayan Watershed Development Project (MHWDP) is an administrative unit of the Department of Forests of the [[Government of Himachal Pradesh]].<ref name=UNFCCC20110203>Project Design Document for Project Activities (CDM-AR-PDD) for India: Himachal Pradesh Reforestation Project – Improving Livelihoods and Watersheds; Version 07. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Executive Board, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (3 February 2011) [http://cdm.unfccc.int/filestorage/J/6/5/J657Z2BKEUCOSLQN1IY3P4MAHFX8T9/PDD.pdf?t=S3V8bWJoejB3fDAL2kf_ebyqQWazPY9hHE6v]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> MHWDP stakeholders are the Department of Forests, local [[gram panchayat]]s (GPs), and the [[World Bank]].<ref name=UNFCCC20110203 /> The project aims to reverse several decades of degradation of the natural resource base and improve the productive potential and incomes of the rural households in the project areas.<ref name=JP20120520>World Bank to give USD 37 million more for Himachal Pradesh watershed project. Jagran Post. (20 May 2012) [http://post.jagran.com/World-Bank-to-give-USD-37-million-more-for-Himachal-Pradesh-watershed-project-1337519063]</ref> Using a community-driven development approach, MHWDP aims to improve water harvesting, increase the area under irrigation to diversify [[agriculture]] and [[horticulture]], and conserve and [[sustainability|sustainably develop]] soil and water resources.<ref name=JP20120520 /><br />
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MHWDP covers 222,951 [[hectare|ha]] in the watersheds of Mid-Himalayan region in the [[Siwalik Hills]] between 600 and 1800 metres above mean sea level.<ref name=UNFCCC20110203 /> It encompasses the [[Drainage basin|catchment area]]s for three major rivers of Northern India, the [[Ravi River|Ravi]], [[Beas]] and [[Sutlej]].<ref name=UNFCCC20110203 /> These rivers join the [[Indus]], which carries water that sustains more than 200 million people.<ref name=WB20120907>Development Policy Loan (DPL) to Promote Inclusive Green Growth and Sustainable Development in Himachal Pradesh. The World Bank Group. (7 Sept 2012) [http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/2012/09/07/india-dpl-inclusive-green-growth-himachal-pradesh]</ref><br />
The project covers 11 watershed divisions and involves 704 gram panchayats located in 43 blocks spread over 10 [[List of districts of Himachal Pradesh|district]]s of the [[Himachal Pradesh|state]].<br />
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MHWDP manages a subproject,<ref name=GoHP20090416 /> the Himachal Pradesh Reforestation Project (HPRP),<ref name="FCP">[http://www.forestcarbonportal.com/project/himachal-pradesh-reforestation-project--improving-livelihoods-and-watersheds TITLE]</ref> also called the HP Bio-Carbon Reforestation Project-Improving Livelihoods and Watersheds.<ref name=GoHP20090416>Approval letter for HP Bio-Carbon Reforestation Project-Improving Livelihoods and Watersheds. Government of Himachal Pradesh Department of Forests. (16 April 2009)[http://cdm.unfccc.int/filestorage/1/C/O/1COFK7BVDQ5MHUG4XSTJ9AEN680L2Y/Enclosure.pdf?t=WXB8bWJoejEyfDAxPpnh7xbz3OsNtkpga7Wga]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> HPRP implements Afforestation and Reforestation [[Clean Development Mechanism]] (A/R CDM) activities, initially on 4,003.07 ha<ref name=UNFCCC20110203 /> but subsequently expanded to approximately 10,000 ha of degraded lands.{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}} MHWDP will manage HPRP until 2013 or beyond.<ref name="FCP"/> The State Forest Department will subsequently manage the project.<ref name="FCP"/> HPRP was registered with the [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|UNFCCC]] 30 Jun 2011 (or whenever...)<ref name=UNFCCCProject4174>Project 4174 : India: Himachal Pradesh Reforestation Project – Improving Livelihoods and Watersheds. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) [http://cdm.unfccc.int/Projects/DB/TUEV-SUED1291278527.37/view]</ref><br />
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==Overview==<br />
{{Expand section|date=October 2012}} <br />
The natural habitats of Himachal Pradesh exhibit a high degree of [[endemism]],<ref name=PID20120216>Program Information Document (PID) Appraisal Stage: Himachal Pradesh Development Policy Loan to Support a Shift<br />
towards Green Growth (30 May 2011; updated 16 February 2012) [http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2012/02/17/000003596_20120221101204/Rendered/PDF/Appraisal0PID0HPDPL02011.pdf]</ref> referring to species only found in these areas. Watershed<br />
management aims at multifaceted environmental benefits such as habitats for [[biodiversity]], soil conservation, reduced sedimentation, and improved forest cover.<ref name=PID20120216 /><br />
<br />
The forests of the Himachal Pradesh [[Drainage basin|watershed]]s are an important [[carbon sink]] for [[greenhouse gas]]es.<ref name=PID20120216 /> Trees naturally [[Carbon sequestration|sequester carbon]] dioxide, contributing about 90% of the earth's surface carbon storage.<ref name="PTI20110426">[http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_sunderbans-absorb-over-4-crore-tones-carbon-dioxide_1536346 Sunderbans absorb over 4 crore tones carbon dioxide PTI (26 Apr 2011)]</ref> A cubic foot of merchantable wood retains approximately 15&nbsp;kg of carbon.<ref name="PTI20110426"/> The UN recognised carbon trading as mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.<ref name="PTI20110426"/> The approximate international market value of one tonne of carbon is US$19.<ref name="PTI20110426"/><br />
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Himachal Pradesh endeavors to become the first carbon-neutral state in India.<ref name=WB20120906>India - Development Policy Loan to Support Inclusive Green Growth and Sustainable Development in Himachal Pradesh Project : summary of discussion. World Bank. Washington D.C. (6 September 2012) [http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2012/09/16715902/india-development-policy-loan-support-inclusive-green-growth-sustainable-development-himachal-pradesh-project-summary-discussion]</ref> The A/R CDM project is developed under the umbrella of the World Bank funded MHWD Project and it expected to sequester 828,016 units tCO2-e of [[Certified Emission Reduction]]s (tCER){{Citation needed|date=October 2012}} commonly known as [[carbon credit]]s, each unit being equivalent to the reduction of one [[tonne]] of CO<sub>2</sub>e, e.g. CO<sub>2</sub> or its equivalent),<br />
<br />
over the first crediting period of 20-years at the rate of 10.34 t[[CO2-e]]/[[hectare|ha]]/year.{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}}<br />
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* India's first clean development mechanism (CDM) project<br />
* carbon emissions will be reduced by 40,000 tonnes per year for a 20-year crediting period from the year 2006.<br />
* can be extended to total 60 years<br />
* project is registered for carbon credits by the UN under which the World Bank will buy carbon credits from the new forests/ plantations being developed on degraded areas in 177 gram panchayats covering around 4,000 hectare land falling in 10 districts of the state.<br />
* impact an area of 4,003.07 hectares<br />
* largest project of its kind in the world,<br />
* strong incentive to protect forest cover in the area.<ref name="PTI20110626">UN-aided project in Himachal to cut down carbon emissions. Times of India (26 Jun 2011) [https://web.archive.org/web/20120910075625/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-26/developmental-issues/29706075_1_carbon-credits-crediting-period-carbon-revenue]<br />
<br />
</ref><br />
expand : [Carbon dioxide equivalent]<br />
The carbon revenues were calculated at US$5 per tonne of carbon dioxide accumulated in tree biomass, above as well as under the ground.<ref name=Ausante20120409>India: Himachal carbon credit project to be replicated in other states. Ausante. (9 April 2012) [http://ausanteindia.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/india-himachal-carbon-credit-project-to-be-replicated-in-other-states/]</ref> This equates to approximately [[Rupee|Rs]] 2,500 per hectare, depending on growth of trees and other factors.<ref name=Ausante20120409 /><br />
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==Accountability==<br />
Emphasis was given to assuring transparency and accountability of governmental oversight and project decision making.<ref name=PID20120216 /> To facilitate broad participation ownership of the program, the Himachal Pradesh government conducted consultations with key stakeholders, and also chartered the [[World Wildlife Fund]] to independently assess and report on stakeholder views.<ref name=WB20120907 /> Velander analyzed the MHWDP model, which implements project goals and objectives through the pre-existent local governments, the Gram Panchayats.<ref name=Velander/><br />
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==Achievements== <br />
MHWDP has enabled over 200&nbsp;km of irrigation channels as well as over 6,000 water harvesting tanks, over 1,000 ponds, nearly 300 dams and over 260 lift or gravity irrigation schemes, and has converted about 9,000 hectares of rain-fed land into irrigated acreage, benefiting some 100,000 families.<ref>World Bank grants additional $37m for HP mid-Himalayan watershed project. The Pioneer. (28 Sept 2012) [http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/chandigarh/97850-world-bank-grants-additional-37m-for-hp-mid-himalayan-watershed-project.html]</ref><ref name=NYDN20120928>World Bank approves loan of $37 million for Himachal. New York Daily News 28 September 2012 {{cite web |url=http://india.nydailynews.com/business/f5215fd3b58183c955f9918dee9be338/world-bank-approves-loan-of-37-million-for-himachal |title=World Bank approves loan of $37 million for Himachal - NY Daily News &#124; NewsCred SmartWire |accessdate=2012-10-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130130211406/http://india.nydailynews.com/business/f5215fd3b58183c955f9918dee9be338/world-bank-approves-loan-of-37-million-for-himachal |archivedate=30 January 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><br />
Scaling up [[Compost#Windrow composting|vermicomposting]] and other sustainable agriculture practices increases the organic matter content of the soil, and the enhanced water retention capacity facilitates sustainable and productive agriculture.<ref name=WB20120927>[http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/2012/09/27/37-million-additional-financing-himachal-pradesh-mid-himalayan-watershed-development-project-india-18000-farmer-households-benefit TITLE (27 September 2012)]</ref><br />
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At mid-term review in November, 2009, the project had already surpassed its end-of-project target of 50 per cent increased agricultural yield, achieving increased paddy (236 percent), maize (163 per cent), wheat (90 per cent), and milk yields (11 percent).<ref name=WB20120927 /> Approximately 10,000 farmers had modified their cultivation and marketing approaches, including adopting higher value crops such as vegetables and spices.<ref name=WB20120927 /> 1,500 farmers were grouped into milk federations connected to milk chilling plants.<ref name=WB20120927 /> Overall household incomes had risen 13 percent, largely on account of project extension services, particularly improved agricultural production technologies and market linkages.<ref name=WB20120927 /><br />
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Other states in India are looking to replicate the Himachal carbon credit project.<ref name=Ausante20120409 /> It has seen as a potential showcase for other countries in South Asia.<ref>India's Himachal Pradesh to Benefit From World Bank Loan. Michael Harris. HydroWorld.com (11 September 2012) [http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/09/indias-himachal-pradesh-to-benefit-from-world-bank-loan]</ref> "...After getting the Mid-Himalayan Watershed Development Project registered with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in India to implement the clean development mechanism (CDM) project. Under the project, world’s largest..."<br />
Expand based on<ref name="UNFCCC20110203"/><br />
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==Financing==<br />
The World Bank and Himachal Pradesh state government project is financed by a credit from the [[International Development Association]] (IDA), the [[World Bank]]'s concessionary lending arm.{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}} International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) is acting as trustee for BioCarbon Fund (BioCF)<ref>TITLE ETC http://cdm.unfccc.int/Projects/DB/TUEV-SUED1291278527.37/view</ref> DNA{{who|date=November 2012}} Spain{{Citation needed|date=November 2012}} is the source of funding to IDA.<ref>http://cdm.unfccc.int/filestorage/V/X/2/VX2CMP0TOKN7J698QEBZDU1HFS4R3I/LoA%20Spain.PDF?t=aW18bWN2ZWhtfDByhCSDl5I2fV5dO-wH1qxh{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The green development loan is for US$200 million.<ref>World Bank gives $200 million loan to Himachal Pradesh for green development. Times of India. (28 July 2012) [https://archive.today/20130103074548/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-28/developmental-issues/32906322_1_world-bank-loan-sq-km]</ref><ref name=jagranjosh20120730>World Bank approved 1100 Crore Rupees Loan for Himachal Pradesh. JagranJosh. (30 July 2012) [http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/world-bank-approved-1100-crore-rupees-loan-for-himachal-pradesh-1343628934-1]</ref><ref name="PTI">World Bank to give $ 200 mn aid to Himachal Pradesh. Press Trust of India (23 July 2012) [http://m.ibnlive.com/news/world-bank-to-give--200-mn-aid-to-himachal-pradesh/273709-40.html]</ref> The loan agreement was signed between the World Bank and the state government in New Delhi on 28 July 2012.<ref name=jagranjosh20120730 /> Funding consists of a 90 per cent grant and a 10 per cent loan at interest rate of 0.7 per cent (payable in 30 years).<ref name=jagranjosh20120730 /><ref name="PTI"/><br />
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Although only 1 of 76 projects and just US$200 million of World Bank's US$23 billion portfolio in India,<ref name=jarganjosh20120926>World Bank and Government jointly review projects worth USD 4.3 billion. Jagran Post (26 September 2012) [http://post.jagran.com/World-Bank-govt-jointly-review-projects-worth-USD-43-billion-1348667073]</ref> HPRF is the world's largest and India's first [[clean development mechanism]] (CDM) project.<ref name=PB20110527>World Bank signs world’s largest CDM project with Himachal Pradesh state government in India. Panchabuta. (27 May 2011) [http://panchabuta.com/2011/05/27/world-bank-signs-worlds-largest-cdm-project-with-himachal-pradesh-state-government-in-india/]</ref> The United Nations has registered MHWDP for carbon trading scheme under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.<ref name=TOI20110717>Himachal's afforestation plan, Mid-Himalayan Watershed Development Project for carbon trading scheme, gets UN nod. The Times of India. (17 July 2011) [http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/himachals-afforestation-plan-mid-himalayan-watershed-development-project-for-carbon-trading-scheme-gets-un-nod/articleshow/9260534.cms]</ref> The bank will buy carbon credits from the new forests being developed.<ref name=PB20110527 /><br />
The loan program breaks new ground and has the potential for significant demonstration effects in promoting the green growth agenda.<ref name=WB20120906 /><br />
<br />
WB project to cover 102 more villages<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110613/himachal.htm#4 TITLE Rakesh Lohumi Tribune News Service (12 June 2012)]</ref><br />
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Externally Aided Projects in Himachal Pradesh<ref>[http://hpforest.nic.in/ExternallyAidedProjects.pdf TITLE DATE] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410004524/http://hpforest.nic.in/ExternallyAidedProjects.pdf |date=10 April 2009 }}</ref><br />
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The project got approval on 6 September 2012 and the proposed closing date of this project is 30 September 2013.{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}}<br />
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== References ==<br />
{{Reflist|30em|refs=<br />
<br />
<ref name=Velander>Velander M. Redefining Development Around Local Authorities: Case Study of Himachal Pradesh Mid-Himalayan Watershed Project</ref><br />
<br />
}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
* [http://hpmidhimalayan.org/Mountain_Livelihood.htm ''Mid Himalayan Watershed Development Project''. hpmidhimalayan.org]<br />
* [http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/SAR/2011/12/27/306DDD0ABAA0B64F8525797300763446/1_0/Rendered/PDF/P0937200ISR0Di027201101325021466243.pdf ''Implementation Status and Results Himachal Pradesh Mid-Himalayan Watershed Development Project : P093720.'' The World Bank.]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Himachal Pradesh]]<br />
[[Category:Sustainable forest management]]<br />
[[Category:Forestry in India]]<br />
[[Category:Environmental issues in India]]<br />
[[Category:World Bank]]</div>Ajay Kumar