Lok Sabha Question No. 294 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-17
Subject: Geo-Spatial Monitoring of Watershed Programmes
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: FEROZE VARUN GANDHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF LAND RESOURCES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 294 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.11.2016

## Geo-Spatial Monitoring of Watershed Programmes

## 294. SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the SHRISHTI project of geo-spatial monitoring of erstwhile Integrated Watershed Development  Programme  (IWDP)  has  proven  effective  in  monitoring  the  progress  of project;
- (b) if  so,  the details of the issues identified under this programme during the last three years and the solutions proposed for the same, State-wise;
- (c) the names of the regions which are covered under the said programme and the proposed timeline for the coverage of Pan-India monitoring of the same;
- (d) the manner in which the issues identified through SHRISHTI programmes are solved by the Union and State Governments; and
- (e) the steps proposed to be taken to make this project more effective?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)

- (a) & (b): A geo-spatial portal named SRISHTI  is being implemented and used from 2015 with  the  assistance  of  National  Remote  Sensing  Centre  (NRSC),  Hyderabad  for monitoring of watershed projects under the Watershed Development Component of the  Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (WDC-PMKSY). Geo-coded and time stamped photographs on near real time basis are uploaded on SRISHTI portal using a mobile  application  DRISHTI  specifically developed  for the purpose. Till 11.11.2016, about 4.47 lakh photographs have been uploaded on SRISHTI portal. This  aids  in  physical  and  qualitative  assessment  of  the  works  undertaken.  Any shortcomings etc. as evidenced through SRISHTI portal are appropriately taken up on a continuing basis by the project implementers at the various levels. State-wise details of issues are not centrally maintained.
- (c): The  geo-spatial  portal  SRISHTI  is  being  used  in  all  the  28  States  (except  Goa) where watershed projects are currently under implementation. The SRISHTI portal was  first  launched  in  10  States,  namely  Andhra  Pradesh,  Gujarat,  Karnataka, Madhya  Pradesh,  Maharashtra,  Nagaland,  Odisha,  Tamil  Nadu,  Telangana  and Rajasthan,  and  has  thereafter  been  extended  to  all  the  States.  Intensification  and increasing  use  of  the  SRISHTI  portal  in  all  the  projects  /  States  is  a  continuous process.
- (d)  & (e): The  SRISHTI  portal aids in physical and qualitative assessment of  works undertaken.  Any  shortcomings  etc.  as  evidenced  through  SRISHTI  portal  are appropriately  taken  up  on  a  continuing  basis  by  the  project  implementers  at  the various levels. State-wise details of issues are not centrally maintained. Efforts are being  made  on  a  continuing  basis  to  intensify  and  increase  the  use  of  SRISHTI portal in all the projects / States, as well as to ensure that the shortcomings etc. as evidenced through SRISHTI portal are appropriately taken up by the implementers at  the  various  levels.  For  effective  implementation  and  use  of  the  geo-portal SRISHTI  various  steps  are  being  taken  by  the  Department  of  Land  Resources which inter  alia include  coordination  with  and  technical  assistance  from  NRSC, review  meetings  and  technical  discussions  with  State  Level  Nodal  Agencies (SLNAs) and organizing training programmes for field personnel.

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