the challenges

Apart from risks due to external factors (like drought, floods, revised government laws etc), the following three main challenges have been identified for the ISPWDK :

1. The challenges linked to the revised set up of the project i.e. NGO partnership versus multi-partnership set up that would include the government department as a project partner:

• The challenge to get the required cooperation of the state government for the implementation of watershed development activities in the identified watershed areas. This also includes the facilitation of linkages of Village Development Societies with government departments to integrate government sponsored schemes in the (remaining) part of the watershed.
• The challenge to include treatment on common property resources on forest land and revenue land in the watershed areas due to ownership issues.
• The challenge to affect the future agenda of replication of successful experiences with innovative approaches and technologies by the government.

2. The challenges to remain people oriented and follow participatory processes, given the short duration of the remaining phase period (three years).

3. The challenge to overcome vested interests (including party politics, village factions, communalism) at the village level and to reach out to the poorest in the watersheds.