Development Partner: Oxfam, Nepal

Project Duration:

First Year: August 2023 to March 2024

Second Year: April 2024 to March 2025

Project Area: Dadeldhura District and Doti District of Sudur Paschim Province, Nepal

Parashuram Municipality, Alital Rural Municipality and Jorayal Rural Municipality

Background

Oxfam Nepal in Collaboration with Rural Women Unity and Development Center (RUWDUC) is implementing the Project “Watershed management and development Plan: Generating a replicable watershed management model” with a Project Period of April 2024 to March 2025 in response to identified shortcomings in natural resource management, particularly concerning water, land, and biodiversity, including poor upstream-downstream linkages and inadequate coordination among ministries and departments.

In the first year, the overarching goal was to improve governance in watershed management, address water insecurity, and manage local water conflicts through evidence-based interventions in the Rangoon watershed in Nepal. In the first year of the project basic foundation was laid through studies and proposed structure on Water Conflict Resolution Model, Water Governance Structure and Web based Interactive GIS portal development. This year the project is implementing those findings through a series of meetings and discussions at watershed and national level along with development of watershed database.

Objectives:

• Restore degraded watersheds to enhance their ability to capture and retain rainwater, reduce soil erosion, and enhance soil fertility, leading to increased agricultural productivity and overall environmental benefits.
• Promote holistic watershed management practices integrating forestry, agriculture, pasture, and water management to ensure sustainable utilization of natural resources, fostering interactions among stakeholders for effective upstream-downstream coordination
• Foster active engagement of local communities, stakeholders, and government bodies in bottom-up planning and implementation, ensuring the alignment of project activities with local needs and priorities while promoting transparency and accountability for long-term sustainability.

Key achievements

1. Achievements of potential water governance structure at both watershed and basin level
2. Establishment of Women Empowerment Centre WECs in Raxaun, Aalital Rural Municipality
3. Water Conflict Resolution Model
4. Development of an Interactive web GIS Map
5. World Water Day Celebration through Indo-Nepal Rafting in Parashuramdham.
6. Engagement of stakeholders through various interaction and validation programs at watershed and national level.