The Ecological and Social Benefits of MGNREGA in India

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act-2005 provides the enhancement of livelihood security to each household in rural areas and put emphasis on conservation of land and water. Many studies unfolds its positive outcomes such as social benefits viz. social security, livelihood protection, increased wage rates, decreased migration, fostering social and gender equality and ecological benefits like water harvesting, groundwater recharge, drought-proofing, and flood protection, increased soil fertility, irrigation area and agricultural production, environment security and biodiversity conservation. This programme has led to significant changes in the lives of rural people and environment conservation. This scheme has become a tool for sustainable development in India. This paper throws lights on ecological and social benefits derived from MGNREGA being implemented since a decade.