Convergence of Integrated Watershed Management Programme & Mahatma Gandhi Nationalk Rural Employment Guarantee Act: A successful intervention in Andhra Pradesh for natural resource management

Convergences of development programmes have expected to yield better outcomes in order to mitigate the chronic problems of unemployment and poverty in rural India through maximum utilization of public investments. Central and state governments have been making possible interventions through various policies in order to achieve it in sustainable manner. This called for new innovations in regular policy making and pitch for holistic approach with diverse stakeholder interests. This can be observed in the activities of Integrated Watershed Management Programmes (IWMP) and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) convergence programme took place in Andhra Pradesh which has focused on asset creation for asset less. The programme extended support not only financially but also in accessing the necessary knowledge and resources through participation in the activities such as water harvesting structures, soil conservation, irrigation, flood protection, afforestation, and plantation.