70-Role of self help groups in watershed Management and conservation of lakes - Experiences of "MYRADAy" in Karnataka State (India)

Abstract

United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) inl 992, places great emphasis on the adoption of 'participatory techniques' to encourage full public participation in water resources management and developments. Experiences of some Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) showed watershed management through Self Help Groups (SHGs). SHGs are the voluntary organization which disburses micro credit to members and this facilitates them to enter into entrepreneurial actives. This enable in mobilizing people's participation right from its conception to the implementation of project. In India, during mid 1980s SHGs were promoted by Mysore Resettlement and Development Agency (MYRADA) and this organization have 30 years experience in accompanying SHGs. The present paper intends to study MYRADAs experiences about watershed management especially where SHGs are active and the role of women's SHGs for water resource management. The paper concludes with some of the recommendations on how SHGs can become agents for conservation of lakes and environmental sustainability.