KARNATAKA WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

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The Karnataka Watershed Development Project aims at improving the productive potential of selected watersheds, and their associated natural resource base, and, strengthen community, and institutional arrangements for natural resource management. The project has four main components: 1) The participatory watershed development, and protection component will finance social mobilization, and institution building activities, to facilitate planning, and investment activities by local communities. Through an initial information dissemination, social and resource mapping will be conducted, to analyze gaps, evolving potential solutions, village transects, and a development plan. Physical treatment of sub-watersheds will be implemented, selected by the community, but within acceptable technical approaches. 2) Participatory farmer-driven research, and extension processes will be financed, to include a program of farm demonstrations, and farmer training, to introduce improved practices for agriculture, and horticulture. Moreover, silvi-pastoral treatments, extension improvement, and private participation in artificial insemination, and veterinary services will be included, in addition to capacity building, particularly in forestry-related institutions. Integrated pest management will be promoted through adaptive trials, and training. 3) The formation of beneficiary groups for additional income generation will be supported, through craft industries, carpentry, and other related enterprising. 4) Institutional strengthening will consist of: a) monitoring and evaluation, which includes additional environmental, and social assessments, and, the development of a geographic information system database; and, b) project management, and coordination.