Socio-Economic and Institutional Impacts of Watershed Development in Thanagazi Tehsil, Alwar District

Abstract

This paper examines the socio-economic and institutional outcomes of watershed intervention in Rajpura micro-watershed, Thanagazi Tehsil, Alwar District. The analysis is based on primary household information collected through questionnaires, personal interviews, informal discussions and field visits. A stratified random sample of 100 households was used to assess changes in annual income, asset formation, women’s empowerment, gender equity, health and hygiene, community perceptions and sociopolitical awareness. Total annual income across the reported activities increased from Rs. 737,549 before intervention to Rs. 1,484,712 after intervention, with a reported overall change of 50.32%. The total value of household assets increased from Rs. 963,100 to Rs. 2,406,900, representing a reported change of 59.99%. Economic gains were accompanied by mixed social outcomes. Positive responses were recorded for changes in women’s attitudes and behaviour (58%) and skill improvement (50%), but women’s-group organization (8%), saving and credit programmes (10%), and inclusion of women’s suggestions in watershed activities (22%) remained weak. Access to safe drinking water (97.67%) and family planning (97.44%) was high, whereas access to sanitation facilities was limited (28.57%). The findings demonstrate that watershed intervention improved income, assets and selected welfare indicators, but institutional continuity, women’s decision-making and equitable participation remained inadequate. Long-term socio-economic sustainability requires functional community groups, genderresponsive planning, post-project institutional support and equitable access to programme benefits.