Poverty alleviation programmes and environmental sustainability with reference to Mahatma Gandhi national rural employment guarantee programme in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA), provides for 100 days of employment in a year to any rural household on demand. The list of schemes/works which are selected and approved for implementation in MGNREGA are aimed to strengthen and improve micro environment and village economy. The initial six notified schemes under the act relates to water management and conservation. The Act is the first expression of the right to work, enforceable legal entitlement. This study has revealed that participation of women in Himachal Pradesh is more than 40%. The research work has co-related environment service activity undertaken under MGNREGA, which directly or indirectly are related to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Environmental sustainability is a complex phenomenon that requires change in the living style of the society. The impact of implementation of MGNREGA schemes and environmental sustainability of the micro climate, at village level is difficult to quantify. The study of implementation of MGNREGA and environmental protection schemes in district Sirmour and Kinnaur of Himachal Pradesh, helps in understanding the contribution of MGNREGA in employment generation, empowerment of the women and how it has created awareness for water conservation. Schemes implemented under the MGNREGA, pertains to the catchment area treatment, check dam construction, ground water recharge, micro irrigation, renovation of traditional water resource, drought proofing and flood control etc. These schemes have direct bearing on the environment and results in to better ground water level, improve water storage capacity water storage capacity and enhanced irrigation sources and helps in checking deforestation and soil erosion soil erosion. . The study has suggested policy prescriptions to implement schemes to strengthen further positive linkages between MGNREGA and environment resources by improving ground water recharge, soil water retention, check soil erosion and protect soil fertility.