An Overview on Socio-economic Impact of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Program (A case study of Jhuprakhola Sub-watershed in Surkhet District)

Abstract

Nepal is situated in betweenChina and India. It is a mountainous country wheremost of the people are under the poverty line. The country is divided into variouswatersheds.Soil conservation and watershed management program are lunchedunder the Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management onthese watersheds. I/N/GOshave supported on this program through DSCWM.Soil conservation program is launched in 55 district of Nepal through DSCOs.Various activities are implemented but none have tried to analyze the impact andinfluence of such program.The purpose of the study was to analyze the socio-economic impact of SCWM program implemented within the Jhuprakhola sub-watershed. For this, 55 respondents were taken randomly applying randomsampling method,necessary data for analyzing SCWM program were gatheredthrough interview,group discussion and field observation methods.The data aretabulated,presented and analyzed concurrently. It is found that 253 activitieswere implementedunderphysical & IGAactivities and 48 foundmore succeededgiving good impact. Furthermore, people of that watershed are eager toimplement such types of activities knowing the importance of them. IGA activitieshave raised the income level of people,extension and awareness activities haveraised the knowledge of people in SCWM program. Similarly plantation hasadded the greenery and helped in yielding the water sources every year.Peopleparticipation in implementation of program is increasing. Deprived, dalit andwomen are involved in CDG's meeting and decision making process. Theyinvolved from the very beginning of planning, implementation,benefit sharing andmaintenance works.People of the watershed seem to becheerful and proud onthe DSCWM program. They have understood the importance of DSCWMprogram and its activities.