active · WASH

Integrated River Basin Management at Koshi River ? Safeguarding the lives of millions

The proposed project is continuation of the earlier MFA funded project in the Indrawati Sub-basin of the Koshi river basin (Jan 2010-Dec 2012). This project is based on the outcomes needs and recommendations of the first phase and has involved extensive st akeholder consultation in the process of design and planning. The overall development objective of the project is ?By 2020 water and related resources of Koshi basin are best managed (in the face of climate change and development scenario) to promote socio economic development for the benefit of all the local people especially the poorest and marginalized while maintaining the ecological balance?.The immediate objectives include: 1) By 2016 institutional structures are functional having broad-based partner s upport to implement democratic IWRM approach which empowers local communities and marginalised groups to participate in decision-making planning and implementation 2) By 2016 local communities in target areas are empowered and capacitated to manage natural resources sustainably and to reduce their vulnerability against the impact of climate change through rights-based approach complemented by optimised economic benefits from water and other natural resources At the catchment level the project will be implem ented through the 9 Integrated Resource Management Committee (IRMCs) the legally registered institutions that were established and institutionalized during the first phase. The IRMCs are responsible for planning and implementation of the IWRM activities at catchment levels with the technical and financial support from project office. The project will strengthen them further to enhance their capability to function as an independent institutions in the longer run. In addition the project will play an instrume ntal role of coordinating with the concerned and relevant agencies and organizations for the IRMCs to enable them to raise funds for sustainable functioning.The proposed project will directly benefit atleast 4000 HHs and 20000 individuals across the projec t intervention areas in Indrawati. Indigenous people (IPs) Marginalized Janajatis and disadvantaged groups primarily women will be project's prime focus. IRMCs Eco-clubs water smart communities Buffer zone user committees are the direct beneficiaries. The indirect beneficiaries are primarily the stakeholders indirectly associated with IRMCs and different user groups (waterirrigation farmers forest agriculture).