National Workshop Normative Concerns, Challenges and Opportunities in the New Era of Watershed Development Projects in India September 2008 National Academy of Agriculture Sciences (NAAS), New Delhi

Context The immediate context: The New Common Guidelines The wider context: Watershed as the last frontier – The significance of watershed resources in the context of globalisation and privatisation sweeping the country – With right kind of policies and political will it can expand the livelihood opportunities of the rural poor; in the absence of the above the augmented watershed resources would be utilised unsustainably, benefiting the better off, and impoverishing the poor

Objectives To create a shared understanding on the important provisions of Common Guidelines for Watershed Development Projects in India To identify spaces and opportunities to support the implementation of the new Common Guidelines keeping in view the shared normative concerns To develop partnerships for better implementation, piloting innovative projects, research and documentation, protocols for participatory monitoring, training and capacity building, advocacy and outreach To develop strategies of partnership amongst NGOs/CSOs as well as State Departments/ Ministries

Programme Day One – Introductory session – Technical session – 4 key presentations – Group discussions – 3 groups and presentations Day Two – State/region wise working groups – Working group presentations – Inputs and conclusions – Way forward