Uttaranchal Decentralized Watershed Development Project

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The Uttaranchal Decentralized Watershed Development Project seeks to expand the geographical coverage of some 20 sub-watersheds in the middle Himalayan hills of Uttaranchal, benefiting the populations of Gram Panchayats (GPs), by encouraging adoption of improved agriculture technologies, and diversification to increase productivity and rural growth, and, adopting a watershed approach for a sustainable management of natural resources, while building institutional capacity for the poor, emphasizing on devolution and building local organizational capacity. Through its components, the project focuses on: 1) promotion of social mobilization and community driven decision making, financing a participatory watershed planning at the village level, and the establishment of Revenue Village Committees (RVCs) as representative bodies of resource users. In addition, treatments on arable and non-arable lands will be identified, and, RVC proposals integrated into GP Watershed Development Plans (GPWDPs), supported by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs); 2) enhancing livelihood opportunities through farming systems improvements, increasing the role of the private sector, input supply and support services, increasing as well the participation of farmers in the choice of technologies. Value added and marketing support, will be achieved through the establishment of an agribusiness pilot, to identify potential niche market opportunities; to establish links with private sector entrepreneurs who could help exploit market potential, and, disseminate information and technology to facilitate farmers entry into production. The income-generating activities for vulnerable groups sub-component, will finance small income generating micro-enterprises, provide training assistance, and encourage entrepreneurial development; and, 3) capacity building of GPs and local community institutions, through training provision to elected officials of GPs in core administrative functions, stakeholders, and, training of community representatives, and organizations in project related activities.