Announcement of Watershed Management Project to Preserve Himalayan Ecosystem in India on June 2, 1983

- . FOR IMMEDIATE 8ELEASE •World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A.• Telephone: (202) 477-1234 B.Al'!K NEWS RELEASE NO. 83/96 Contact: Hugh Blackman June 2, 1983 (202) 477-3653 WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROJECT TO PRESERVE HIMALAYAN ECOSYSTEM IN INDIA India's efforts to prevent further deterioration in the Himalayan ecosystem, will be supported with a $46.2 million loan from·the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). This is the Bank's second loan to India for carrying out ecological measures in the areaA Due to depletion of forest cover, overgrazing, and imprope~ .land use, serious denudation and flooding of the Gangetic plains, is taking place. To help reduce the damage, the $69.1 million watershed management project will construct two watersheds covering 312,000 hectares (ha) in the Western Himalayas in Uttar Pradesh state. A total of 168,000 ha will be • planted to meet the increasing need for fuelwood, timber, and fodder • In the upper catchment areas, soil conservation measures such as restrictions on grazing, and construction of small anti-erosion structures, will be undertaken. In addition, the project will provide funds for research and on-going evaluation connected with watershed management. Besides dealing with the problem of er~sion, the project will improve the standard of living through increased agricultural productivity, incomes, and employment opportunities. Project activities also include lives tock development, horticultural development, and r::dnor irrigation. The project will help strengthen the capacity of central, state, and local agencies, to plan and implement such schemes, and encourage people's participation at various levels. The IBRD loan is for 20 years, i.ncluding five years of grace, at an annual rate linked to the cost of Bank borrowings. The loan also carries an annual commitment charge of 0.75% on undisbursed balances, and front-end fee of 0.25% on th amount of the loan. • NOTE: Money figures are expressed in U.S. dollar equivalents •