Increase in land value
The value of land in the low-lying area with good topsoil during 1995-96 was Rs. 60000 per acre. Now it has doubled to Rs. 120000. The value of rainfed, less fertile land was Rs. 2.

Employment Generation
The development of water in the wells through these CPRs have generated employment year round through agriculture and allied activities in this micro watershed. It is estimated that about 30,00 person days are being generated annually.

CPR maintenance and management

• WMC present status: Presently, the WMC in Halli village is not active because the implementation of watershed treatment work has been completed. The WMC consists of 12 members - six SHG representatives, four women and landless, one GP member and one progressive farmer.
• Roles and responsibilities: The roles and responsibilities envisaged for the WMC included actively supporting planning, implementation, monitoring and future maintenance and management. The WMC has a bank account in DCCB Mantal, which is being operated by two representatives. It has been observed that the WMC has taken only the role of a Users' Group and as a committee to maintain and manage the entire watershed area in Halli Village.

Benefit derived by dalits and women
The women of the village appreciate the efforts made in Halli village, particularly the water harvesting works, because it has improved the availability of drinking water for animals, as well as increased water levels in drinking water wells and bore wells. It has also provided employment through the year. They feel that dalits, who do not have land in this micro watershed, have not derived direct benefits from the interventions. Wage rate for women increased from Rs.15 to Rs.25 while the wage rate for men increased from Rs. 30 to Rs. 50.

Concerns, challenges, lessons for the future

• The representatives of WMC played a key role in the development of CPR (stream and the traditional tank). All the four VCDs and the tank require regular maintenance for the efficient and effective functioning of water holding and water recharge. Only a few key direct users meet before the onset of monsoon and decide the maintenance works that are to be carried out.
• The WMC has Rs. 16000 in its maintenance fund account, but they have not drawn any money from this. However, the farmer owning lands adjoining the stream contributes Rs. 50-00 based on the length of the stream running along his/her land. This money is not sufficient to carry out annual maintenance and management. Unless all the farmers benefiting from the recharge of this tank and VCDs contribute regularly, it is difficult to sustain the upkeep of the common structures.

Future Lessons:

• Interventions though the project approach yielded certain tangible benefits, but the WMC is not the appropriate institution for the maintenance of assets in the entire watershed area in the village.
• People's participation in project planning, implementation, monitoring worked well, but strategies/ resources for the future maintenance and management of assets should be worked out together with the people.
• The project interveners should work out strategies for mobilisation and development of other resources during the project implementation.

It is heartening to observe this drought-prone village developing into a green and flourishing region that is supporting farmers and rural poor households to generate additional income and employment for a better livelihood. Originally, there were only 50 wells in the area, of which 20 wells were defunct. A total area of about 70-75 acres was under irrigation. The farmers are very exultant that all 50 wells now have sufficient water for irrigation. The total area under irrigation is now 175 acres. It also supports the cultivation of additional crops like wheat, sunflower and fodder crops during winter.

This transformation has not only provided wage employment to the landless households in Halli village but also providing year-round wage employment to about 100 landless households of neighbouring villages. The farmers in the village are adopting eco-friendly agricultural practices promoted by PRAWARDA and thereby preserving the flora and fauna.

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