The (KWP) was initiated as a cooperative endeavour between the Government of Switzerland, the Government of Karnataka, NGOs, the watershed communities and their institutions.
The project was conceived as a participative model. At the onset, government bodies such as the Dry Land Development Board and State Watershed Development Programme came in as project partners while SAMUHA was chosen as the non-governmental partner. Village Watershed Committees, people's institutions at the village level, were also involved in the implementing the project.
The Kanakanala watershed starts on the uplands of Rampur. The stream flows into the Kanakanala reservoir, and then to the Tungabhadra River. The project is in two stages: Phase 1 and Phase 2. The Phase 1 area is confined to the upper parts of the watershed - villages like Nualahalli, Nandapur, Idlapur, Rampur, Jumlapur, Saswihal, Vittlapur and part of Tavaregera of Kushtagi Taluk, Koppal District.
Funding for Phase 1 came from three project partners: the Swiss Government, the Government of Karnataka, and the community in terms of cash or voluntary labour (also known as shramadhan).
Phase 1 activities started during 1995-96 and were completed in 1999. However, consolidation activities to support and strengthen people's institutions through training, information and guidance, continued till as late as 2002.
May 2002 saw the beginning of Phase 2. Since the Government of Karnataka has withdrawn participation in Phase 2, funding now comes from the Swiss Government and the community. The total area proposed for this phase is 3250 hectares, and covers villages like Myadardokki, Juelkunti, Advibhavi and Garjanal.
