Watershed is a hydrological unit of an area draining to a common outlet point. It is recognized as an ideal unit for planning and development of land, water and vegetation resource. Watershed concept has been used extensively because of importance of water balance in the study of ecosystems. Integrated watershed management covering an area from the highest point (ridge line) to the outlet is, therefore, the process of formulating, implementing and managing a course of actions involving natural and human resources in a watershed. It takes into account all the factors operating within the watershed.With time the watershed management concept has evolved into a decentralized and participatory approach with financial autonomy to the PRIs, (legal institution under 73rd amendment) thereby improving and ensuring efficient process delivery system. In watershed management the decision making regarding uses and modification of all categories of lands and water within the watershed are made in an iterative process with participation of all stakeholders in the Gram Panchayats. The repeated coming together and discussion provides opportunity to all stakeholders to balance diverse objectives for enhancement of productivity not only of individually owned resources but also of common property resources, and to consider how their cumulative actions may ensure long term sustainable use of all the natural resources.
Since the last decade it has been realized that ensuring livelihood opportunities and food security of the rural inhabitants is must for a sustainable watershed management approach thus focus on increasing the productivity of rainfed areas and ensuring livelihood opportunity for poorest of the poor is the mandate of the project.

To increase the efficiency of natural resource use and productivity of rain-fed agriculture by participating communities in selected micro-watersheds of the State of Uttarakhand.

The project objective was achieved by

• (a) supporting sustainable natural resource management through treating watersheds comprehensively at micro-watershed level;
• (b) increasing productivity on arable lands through providing extension services;
• (c) increasing rural incomes through enhancing agribusiness development for target farmers and alternative livelihoods for vulnerable households;and
• (d) as needed, providing response to an eligible crisis or emergency in the target micro-watersheds.

This project will be based on joint relationship among three entities: (i) village communities and GPs; (ii) WMD; and (iii) NGOs and other service providers. All these three stakeholders will fulfill their respective roles and responsibilities for the project to be successful.

The project is expected to benefit about 55605 households in the hills, ranging from 700 m to 2,700 m above sea level spread over 263837 ha area in 82 MWS(including 1 model MWS). In supporting comprehensive watershed treatment at micro-watershed level, the proposed UDWDP II, locally known as Gramya II would target 509 GPs, which are contiguous to the Gramya I supported GPs. This would enhance natural resource base and improve sustainability. The target GPs would be selected according to the Government of India?s Common Guidelines for Watershed Development Projects. In addition, the project would also support the farmer federations formed by Gramya I to ensure their sustainability.

The total cost of the project is 170.0 million US$ with IDA Credit as 121.2 million US$ (71.3%), State contribution as 45.8 million US$ (27.0%) and beneficiary contribution as 3.0 million US$ (1.7%). The project period will be for seven years i.e. from 2014 to 2021.

Component 1: Social Mobilization and Participatory Watershed Planning (US$ 30.0 Million)
(a).Mobilization of GPs in order to prepare integrated and coordinated GPWDPs including, inter alia, the identification of specific interventions to increase effective land use and water resource management and develop agriculture and income generation activities.
(b).Development of watershed treatment plans to guide the preparation and implementation of GPWDPs.