FILE COP DRAFT TRIBAL STRATEGY. E411 Volume 4 INDIA. Proposed. Rajasthan Water Sector Restructuring Project (P )

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1 FILE COP Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized INDIA Proposed E411 Volume 4 Rajasthan Water Sector Restructuring Project (P ) DRAFT TRIBAL STRATEGY (Part of the Sectoral Environmental Assessment Report) March 2001

2 Tribal Development Strategy Background Rajasthan has a tribal population of 5.47 million people, amounting to percent of its total population (1991 census). Of the total 24 districts where the project schemes are located, 9 districts have tribal populations over 20 percent. About 95 % of tribal population belong to rural areas. According to the baseline survey carried out in 17 sample schemes, 14.5 % of farmers are scheduled tribals. The principal tribal groups are the Meenas, Bhils, Grasia, and Saharias.. Most of these tribal groups are cultivators, agricultural laborers, and are involved in forest-related occupations. Majority of those engaged in farming have taken up to settled cultivation. Only a very small proportion of them are engaged in other occupations of the district such as mining, quarrying, construction or services. They are generally found to be poorer than non-tribal groups. The Scheduled Tribes have lower literacy levels than non-tribal people. According to the 1991 Census, the average literacy rate was percent for the whole state, but it was only for the STs. While the female literacy rate for the state was percent, for ST females it was only 4.42 percent. The four EA consultations workshops held during project preparation included tribal communities representatives, and continued tribal participation was raised as one possible issue. The EA summary was translated and disclosed in September 2000 at 18 locations. The EA found that impacts on tribals were likely to be positive and, the approach described below is intended to ensure that tribals in project areas continue to have a voice in the specific designs and plans developed and implemented under the schemes, ensure adverse impacts are avoided, disputes are resolved fairly and the benefits intended are culturally appropriate. Since the project's approach is participatory, the specific schemes will only be developed through consultation and community management, ensuring disclosure of specific designs and plans before implementation-and opportunity for public review. The approach in each component includes the following elements, although during implementation elements must be tailored to the specific circumstances of tribals in each area covered by the project, based on their experience and needs. Project Approach Surface irrigation (For more details on this component particularly the proposed implementation mechanism and the physical and other development works refer to Annex 2 subcomponent A5 and B] and 2) In terms of irrigated farming, poorer farmers (including tribals) in the State are mostly benefited from the 'minor' and 'medium' irrigation schemes, where the system performance is at its lowest level. Under the project, of the total 91 schemes proposed to be rehabilitated (selection criteria included the age of the scheme, its performance, water supply reliability and poverty profile), the majority are 'minor' (47) and 'medium' (38) schemes, accounting for almost 94 % of all schemes. This approach is expected to enhance project benefits to poorer farmers. Nevertheless, the risk of ethnic disputes exists and has been carefully mitigated in project design: * no involuntary land acquisition is expected but if any is required, the terms and provisions of the Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy (October 2000) adopted for the water sector will be followed (which include provisions to ensure plans are based on the informed participation of tribals, protection of customary resource rights and culturally compatible entitlements, among others in Section 7.8 of the policy);

3 * arbitration of grievances during implementation will be through elected Water User Associations (WUA), Distributory Level Committees (DLC) and Project Level Committees (PLC) as outlined in the "Rajasthan Farmers Participation in Management of Irrigation Systems Bill" -RFPMIS Bill. Because the problems of tribals with irrigated farms are many and the result of social conflicts and problems that have evolved over time, improvement in their condition will require deliberate interventions and sustained efforts over a long period. The baseline survey carried out in 17 sample schemes has not identified any specific concerns of tribal groups. However, the precise nature of the interventions and the additional activities needed to address any specific issues can only be determined as NGOs start working with the individual communities. The first and foremost issue is likely to be tribal involvement and active participation in forming Water Users Associations (WUA). In all the irrigation schemes, NGOs will be involved, prior to formation of WUAs, to undertake mass awareness and communication program to explain the participatory nature of irrigation management and the process of forming WUAs. In areas inhabited by tribals, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns will be tailored to meet their socio-cultural situations (for e.g. material in local languages, linking planning to customary land and waters use practices, or decision-making processes) to ensure that they are fully involved in the process of forming WUAs and have active representation in WUAs. The TOR for IEC will explicitly include the need to customize IEC material to meet the needs of the tribal conditions. NGOs already working with tribal people will be involved in the project as social motivators to undertake community organization work and/or provide other project-related services. The criteria for selection of NGOs will include their ability to address tribal and cultural issues. NGOs will be engaged as interface between the Technical Support Program and the community (mainly to provide enhanced quality extension services in all the schemes). Particular efforts will be made in schemes with tribal communities to promote improved and suitable package of irrigated agricultural practices through intensive extension services including field demonstrations. NGOs will liaise with and mobilize other govemment agencies in the districts to provide support, including officers and line department staff working in tribal areas. Where needed, the project would enhance the capacity of NGOs working with tribal people: NGOs will be provided adequate resources for their field operations in schemes with large tribal communities. The implementation and management structure will have three tiers - WUAs, DLC and PLC - below minor, distributory and the project (as outlined in the "Rajasthan Farmers Participation in Management of Irrigation Systems Bill" -RFPMIS Bill) composed of the farmers and their representatives. The project is based on the fundamental premise of synchronizing investment in schemes with the formation of WUAs below the minor distributory head. All farmers within a WUA area are members of WUA and the executive committee is formed through a democratic process as outlined in the RFPMIS Bill. However, in schemes where tribals do not get proportional representation, members from this community would be co-opted in WUAs, either through existing tribal organizations or groups formed by participants themselves (and this representation will form part of the By-laws of such WUAs) to ensure that they are fully involved in the decision making process. NGOs undertaking IEC campaigns will explain the need for active tribal involvement in the formation of WUAs and facilitate their participation in the process of social assessment and planning. Building capacity and empowering WUAs through training of WUA members is an important activity supported by the project. The focus is to impart skills in managing the system and adopting improved irrigated farming. Training needs assessment of tribals would be undertaken to help in designing training modules suited to the needs of the tribal groups so that

4 they can derive maximum benefit from the project. Where necessary, the capacities (sensitivity, motivation, skills) of the staff working in schemes with tribal groups would also be enhanced under the project. This would, in turn, encourage dovetailing existing programs for the overall development of tribal communities. The Project Management Unit (PMU) at the state level would be responsible for the overall project planning and supervision, including ensuring that monitoring data are collected and utilized to keep project implementation on track to meet its development objectives in tribal areas -- strengthening capacity for planning, sustainable development and management of water resources; and increasing the productivity of irrigated agriculture. Agricultural support services under the project are focussed on improving agricultural productivity through improving water use efficiency, adoption of improved technologies, better on-farm practices, and new cropping systems. For this purpose, at WUA level, a multidisciplinary Technical Support Group (TSG) of about 7-10 members would be formed as the core group for implementing the component. This group will have three representatives of farmers, of which one would be a woman. In schemes with tribal groups, at least one tribal representative shall be included. Agricultural extension services will be tailored in such a way that the tribal groups derive maximum benefits from the improved system functioning. Implementation Arrangements, Organization and Management AGENCY MEMBERS FUNCTIONS State Level Chaired by Chief Minister with Providing necessary guidance and State Water resource r epresentative of Tribal Welfare Department (TWD) as ex-officio support to the project in respect of tribal areas/groups Council member State Level Standing Chaired by the Additional Chief Providing necessary guidance and Committee Secretary with representative of the support to the project in respect of TWD as one of the members, and tribal areas/groups representatives of farmers including tribal State Water Resources Participation Specialist/ Social Scientist Develop and plan a suitable Planning Department in the Basin Planning Unit participatory planning process, and (SWRPN) provide input on disaster risk mitigation measures for areas affected by floods and draughts. Coordinate with and monitor and report to SWRPN on tribal area activities and enhance their sector strategies and plans.

5 Project and field level All farmers (including tribals) in WUA Promote (i) participation in the area are members. Tribal representative management of irrigation system will be co-opted if the group is not (ii) improve water distribution Water Users Association represented adequately in the WUA among water users (iii) efficient Executive Committee which is elected through a democratic process. WUA By-laws would be adopted accordingly to give effectiveness. and economic use of water. liaise with TSG and optimize agricultural production Distributory Level Representatives of WUAs within a Prepare plans and regulate water Committee (DLC) distributory. Tribal representative will be management among WUAs, co-opted if the group is not represented resolve disputes, if any and adequately. DLC By-laws would be coordinate with District TSG for adopted accordingly to give agricultural services effectiveness. Project Level Committee Representatives of DLC within a project Prepare plans and regulate water (PLC) Tribal representative will be co-opted if management among DLC, resolve the group is not represented adequately. disputes, if any and coordinate PLC By-laws would be adopted with Project TSG for agricultural accordingly to give effectiveness. services NGOs Social motivators Explain participatory irrigation management, provisions of RFPMIS Bill, and ensure active participation of farmers particularly vulnerable sections including tribal in WUA elections. Identify tribal specific needs, impart training and provide interface between TSG and the community TSG at WUA level Representatives of farmers including Collect and analyze sociowomen and tribal economic and technical data, identify farmers needs through participatory approaches, plan and disseminate crop plans and provide linkages for farm inputs including credit and market Screen works plans to ensure adverse impacts are avoided and benefits are culturally appropriate District Technical Representative from TWD, at district Same as above in respect of WUAs and TSG in addition to Support Group level coordinating project (DTSG) implementation at the district level State Coordination Representative from TWD Provide overall supervision and Committee (SCC) technical guidance to implementation of the the agricultural support services

6 Impact Management Problem Mitigation Actions Implementing Agency Lack of knowledge of tribal Motivation State Coordination Committee, culture, etc. among project Targeted IEC materials and activities District Technical Support Group and functionaries Training Consultants preparing training Exchange visits/tours modules and IEC program Coordinating with other departments for Implementation and monitoring Lack of awareness of the Translation of RFPMIS Bill in local NGOs, project officials with other provisions of RFPMIS Bill language. Customizing IEC materials departments and IEC Consultant at to suit tribal needs and undertaking PMU level IEC campaigns Reluctance to participate in Motivate tribal groups and explain NGOs and project officials with other democratic process for advantages, take help of tribal departments electing WUA leaders, prepare pamphlets and other IEC material Lack of knowledge of Undertaking training need SCC, PMU, DTSG, TSG at WUA managing irrigation system assessment, preparing training level, NGOs and line departments following participatory modules specific to the needs of and Reputed Training Institutions approach and improved tribal groups. Organizing training irrigated farming programs, demonstration plots and exposure trips. Financial support and provision of tools Inadequate access to farm Providing information on the SCC,PMU, DTSG, TSG at WUA inputs, credit and market availability and prices of farm inputs level, NGOs, Banks and line and output and facilitating access to departments credit and market Lack of women's Awareness generation through IEC SCC, PMU, DTSG, TSG at WUA empowerment and low campaigns, educating women on level, NGOs and line departments and participation their role in WUAs and ensuring Reputed Training Institutions that their representatives actively participate in the program, and planning and organizing training programs specific to women needs. Facilitating access to farm input, market and credit Need for coordination Planning, Review and Co-ordination SCC, DTSG, TSG at WUA level, between different at state and district levels NGOs, Banks and line departments implementing agencies to avoid overlap and ensure integration Need for coordination in Coordinating all training programs in SCC, DTSG, TSG at WUA level, training tribal areas NGOs, and line departments

7 Monitoring and Evaluation Objective Actions Implementing Agency Monitoring and Evaluation Quarterly Progress Reports SCC, DTSG, NGOs, WUAs and of all activities in Tribal Six-monthly and Progress Reports Independent contracted agencies Areas Process Monitoring activities Development Audits (Year 2 and 4) Impact Evaluation

8 Groundwater component (For more details on this component particularly the proposed implementation mechanism and the physical and other development works refer to Annex 2 subcomponenta5 and A6) The basic thrust of this component is a community based approach to sustainable groundwater management (including the basic need for safe drinking water) where the community, aided by a Technical Support Group (TSG), develops a sustainable groundwater management plan that would be subjected to review by a separate Technical Review Committee (TRC) before implementation commences. The TRC would review the plan for technical, social, environmental, economic and sustainability soundness. The activities would be supported by an IEC strategy to educate policy makers and the public on the importance of managing groundwater effectively in the state. The major sub-component has at its core the planning and implementation of Pilot Groundwater Management Projects (PGWMP) in three aquifers in Jodhpur, Sikar and Raj smand districts of the state, of which only the last one has more than 10% tribal population. While the pilot activity is expected to provide benefits to a large area (each pilot area covering approximately sq. km), efforts under the project would be to actively promote local community involvement, specifically vulnerable groups including tribals and women, and help them draw maximum benefits from the project. In this context, the first step is therefore to undertake a social assessment in each of the pilot areas to identify potential socio-economic issues associated with the groundwater pilot in the particular area; plan mitigation measures, if required, consult with a variety of stakeholders; examine the legal, policy and institutional aspects to ensure adequate and effective stakeholder group formation, management, and functioning that is central to the community-based approach for the pilots.. Community involvement and participation is central to the successful planning and implementation of PGWMP. The institutional arrangement for the pilots that has so far emerged, through the consultation process carried out at various levels, including with pilot area communities, consists of three tier structure: Gram Panchayat Level Management Associations (GPLA), apexed into a Ground Water Management Association (GWMA) for each pilot area. A Technical Support Group (TSG) of Departmental officers and NGO representation would support the GPLAs and GWMA. (TSG) GPLMA and GWMA are constituted by local communities under the Societies Act and would be empowered to take all decisions while the implementing agencies SGWD ) would serve as a facilitating agency. Like WUAs, the general body of GPLA will have one person from each family of farmers, landless laborer and other stakeholders including artisans, women, etc. The Executive Committee of GPLA would have 11 members with at least one representative from landless, different farm holdings, women, tribal, scheduled castes and other backward groups. The GPLAs will be federated into GWMA covering a hydrogeologically compact pilot area. However, the social assessment that would be carried out as part of the process of participatory planning could suggest modifications in

9 the institutional structure required to increase the effectiveness of local community participation. PGWMP is intended to be a community driven activity. The social assessment will spell out the mechanism for flow of funds to GPLAs/GWMA for the implementation of various activities under the component. The proposed IEC program is expected to mobilize the community and encourage them to manage the ground water resources of their areas. This sub activity is considered to be the center of the entire implementation process, as the community itself has to come out with their own willingness for being involved in pilot project implementation program. IEC material would be customized to suit different categories of stakeholders, particularly the poorer groups like tribals, scheduled castes, women and other vulnerable sections to ensure their active participation. NGOs will be engaged to work with local communities to organize them to form GPLAs representing all water users of the villages falling within its jurisdiction and GWMA with representatives from GPLAs coming within the hydro-geologically compact pilot area. For this purpose, NGOs will organize village/panchayat level workshops, training programs including exposure trips, prepare and disseminate IEC material in local language - customizing it to suit the needs of different categories of stakeholders particularly tribals and women. Further, NGOs will engage village animators for person to person communication in the villages and will ensure that all animators are imparted the required skills, particularly to work with poor groups including tribals, the landless and women. They would also have a facilitating role between the community groups and the TSG. Implementation Arrangements, Organization and Management State Level Agency Members Functions State Water resource Chaired by Chief Minister with Providing necessary guidance and Council representative of Tribal Welfare support to the project in respect of Department (TWD) as ex-officio tribal areas/groups member State Level Standing Chaired by the Additional Chief Providing necessary guidance and Committee Secretary with representative of the support to the project in respect of TWD as one of the members, and tribal areas/groups representatives of farmers including tribal State Water Resources Participation Specialist! Social Scientist Develop and plan a suitable Planning Department in the Basin Planning Unit participatory planning process, and (SWRPN) provide input on disaster risk mitigation measures for areas affected by floods and droughts. Coordinate with and monitor and report to SWRPN on tribal area activities and enhance their sector strategies and plans.

10 Project and field level GPLA One person from each family Promote (i) participation in the (including tribals, women, landless) within a gram panchayat coming under the ground water pilot area are members. The Executive Committee includes at least one representative from among tribals, women, landless and other vulnerable sections The Executive Committee will be elected through a democratic process. If required GPLA By-laws would be adopt changes to give adequate representation to such vulnerable sections. ground water management (ii) plan and implement physical and other activities under the ground water component (iii) efficient and economic use of water, liaise with TSG for efficient ground water management. GWMA Representatives of all GPLAs within a Coordinate with GPLAs, and pilot area. Tribal representative will be prepare a sustainable groundwater co-opted if the group is not represented management plan for their area. adequately. By-laws of GWMA would Regulate ground water be adopted accordingly to give management among community, effectiveness. resolve disputes, if any and coordinate with the TSG for advice on hydro-geology, drinking water, water for agriculture and agricultural support services, industrial water use and environmental activities. Consultant Consultant team including Community Carry out social assessment of the organizer pilot areas. NGOs/consultant Social motivators and Local Animators Explain participatory ground water Facilitator between community groups and TSG management, ensure active participation of local communities particularly vulnerable sections including tribal, women and landless in GPLAA elections. Identify tribal specific needs, customize IEC material, assess training needs, impart training and provide interface between GWMA, TSG and the local communities TGS at pilot area level Representatives (as appropriate to the Use socio-economic and technical issues)of district level govemment data collected through social departments of SGWRD, agriculture, assessment, identify physical works departmen,ter shed, PHED and including to be undertaken, promote shift in AD, ID, water shed, PHED and including cropping pattern to include low women and tribal welfare, and NGO duty crops, and ensure efficient representative irrigation practices. Work closely with GPLAs and GWMA through participatory approaches, help

11 prepare Community Level Plans and disseminate them and provide linkages for farm inputs including credit and market State Coordination Representative from TWD Provide overall supervision and Committee (SCC) technical guidance to the implementation of the agricultural support services Impact Management: The social assessment will identify problems specific to poorer people particularly women, tribals, landless and other vulnerable sections and suggest and plan mitigation measures to address them. These mitigation plans will be developed for each of the pilot areas and are a pre-condition for any physical works to be initiated.

12 WORLD BANK/ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK COMPLETE PRELIMINARY GUJARAT EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND RECOVERY PLAN New Delhi, March 22, 2001-The World Bank and Asian Development Bank have estimated that improved reconstruction of the areas in Gujarat devastated by the January 26, 2001, earthquake will cost Rs 10,600 crore (US $ 2.3 billion). In their joint Gujarat Earthquake Recovery Program Assessment Report presented to the Governments of Gujarat and India, the two multilateral banks have put the total loss of assets, including private assets, at Rs 9,900 crore (US $ 2.1 billion). The bulk of these losses are in the housing sector (Rs 5,166 crore /US $ 1.1 billion). Among the other severely affected sectors are education, health, rural water supply, irrigation, transport, and public buildings and monuments. The impact on Gujarat's fiscal deficit is expected to be Rs 10,100 crore (US$ 2.17 billion) over three years. The Report represents the best assessment possible as of end-february It is based on a field assessment conducted by a joint World Bank-ADB team in the affected areas in February. As a more detailed review of the damage is undertaken by the Government of Gujarat, understanding and data will be updated and made available. The joint Assessment Report outlines immediate needs, damage assessments, and a medium-term recovery strategy for each sector. International experience from other disaster-hit areas suggests that the recovery program be based on the following principles: * Revival of the economy * Empowering individuals and communities * Affordability, private sector participation, and equity * Decentralization * Communication and transparency "These core principles should be integrated into the recovery strategy for each sector, and are key to the success, acceptability, and sustainability of the process, " say Keith Oblitas and Robert Maurer, co-leaders of the World Bank's assessment team to Gujarat. In particular, the Report suggests that an approach based on consultation with and participation by the affected communities must be at the heart of the recovery program, including, as far as possible, rebuilding of their own houses by individuals in their original location. "While the reconstruction of physical assets is crucial, the Bank's primary objective is to help restore normalcy to the over one million families who have lost their homes and, in

13 many cases, their loved ones and livelihoods as well. This is an unprecedented challenge, but over the past years of drought and hardship, the people of Kutch have demonstrated remarkable resilience and strength," say Oblitas and Maurer. The Report identifies the following immediate needs: provision of temporary shelter before the onset of monsoon in July; restoration of public services such as hospitals, schools, water supply, power, communications, municipal and environmental infrastructure, and state administration; and, securing income earning opportunities of vulnerable people in the affected areas. The World Bank has already announced a two-phase assistance package for Gujarat: immediate emergency funding of about US $ 400 million, and a second longer-term recovery loan within six months. The ADB has indicated support of US $500 million. The World Bank, ADB and other donors are coordinating their support with the Government of Gujarat to ensure that all sectors are adequately addressed. For more information on the assessment, including the full online report, please visit: