Locations
Developing Climate Resilient Livelihoods in the Vulnerable Watershed in Nepal
Summary
Developing Climate Resilient Livelihoods in the Vulnerable Watershed in Nepal Project focuses on safeguarding vulnerable communities and their assets from climate change-induced disasters by applying a long-term, multi-hazard approach with a particular stewardship role for women and marginalized communities. The project aims to strengthen the functional integrity of the pilot watershed through multiple activities including capturing the policy, institutional knowledge gaps and adoption of new tools and techniques.
Background
A long-term solution to the climate change problem is to rehabilitate and maintain functional integrity of watersheds that have critical functions of water storage and release, infiltration, drainage control with due emphasis on resilient livelihood development. With the federal system in Nepal three spheres of government are responsible in managing the natural resources, disaster risk, and climate changes issues. The coordination and harmonization of policy and institutional frame, adoption of adaptive innovative technology, and building community stewardship are becoming critically important to address these multifaceted problems. To address this, a pioneer initiative is taken through Global Environment Facility (GEF)-Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF) project “Developing climate resilient livelihoods in the vulnerable watershed in Nepal”. The project is being implemented at the pilot scale in Lower Dudhkoshi watershed, major tributary of Sunkoshi sub basin, located in eastern part of Nepal.
Major Achievements
- 8 local-level climate-friendly IWM operational directives are endorsed and published in local gazette.
- 646 water sources protected
- 142 Catchment Ponds constructed
- 40 km contour trench constructed
- 1429 farmers trained on conservation farming
- Drought tolerant NTFPs species cultivated in 201 ha area of land.
- Conservation farming adopted on 2771.79 ha land area.
- 21 multipurpose ponds constructed for the Majhi community
- 150 operational plans of NRM groups revised
- 1263 HHs supported with fuel-efficient improved cooking stoves
- 76,241 people benefitted from the Water Stress Management Initiatives.
- 28,441 people benefited from Conservation Farming/Livelihood Promotion Activities
Impact numbers
Project Outcome
- Outcome 1: Integrated watershed management framework established to address climate change induced floods and droughts
- Outcome 2: Integrated watershed management practices introduced and scaled up in 1 watershed covering 782.68km2 of watershed areas and benefiting 121,606 vulnerable people.
GESI Component
The project has developed a Gender Action Plan (GAP) that helps in mainstreaming Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in developing climate resilient livelihoods in the project working areas. The DCRL project also emphasized integrating GESI across the project cycle. GESI is being mainstreamed in the development and revision of government policies and guidelines related to watershed management across three spheres of the government (local, provincial, and federal). At the field level, the project is making sure for meaningful participation of women, and people from socially excluded group mostly Dalit, Janajati, and other marginalized groups such as Majhis. User committees to implement community-level activities are formed inclusively. The project is prioritizing women and people from socially excluded groups on capacity building events. Women friendly agriculture technologies have been introduced. The disaggregated data of the project beneficiaries is maintained and disseminated accordingly. As of August 2025, 50% of females are project beneficiaries (60,370 females out of 120,005 total beneficiaries).
Stories:
Videos:
1. Drone Seeding in Steep Terrains
2. Climate Crisis - Majhi Community
3. Project Introductory Video
Publications:
Project details:
| Project Status | Active |
| Project Period | 1 December 2020 - 30 September 2025 |
| Project ID | 00127610 |
| Focus Area | Resilience and Environment |
| Collaborating Partners | Department of forest and soil conservation, Siddhicharan Municipality, Manebhanjyang Rural Municipality, Chisankhugadhi Rural Municipality, Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality, Halesi Tuwachung Municipality, Ainselukharka Rural Municipality, Kepilasgadhi Rural Municipality, Rawa besi Rural Municipality. |
| Budget: USD 7,900,000 |
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Contact Details:
| Contact | CO Focal Point Mr. Pragyajan Yalamber Rai Portfolio Manager Email: prayajan.rai@undp.org | Project Focal Point Dr. Prem Prasad Paudel National Project Manager Email: prempaudel@dcrl.org.np |