Author: Dandi Ram Bishwakarma
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no.RD-02-20
Year: 2002
Academic Program: Regional and Rural Development Planning (RRDP)
Type: Thesis (M.Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2002
Examination Committee: Gopal B. Thapa (Chairperson); Michael A. Zoebisch, Reidar Dale (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: People centered management approach has been emphasized in several integrated watershed development and management projects in Nepal, including the Bagmati Integrated Watershed Management Program (BIWMP). Due to differences in abilities, attitudes and perceptions of watershed settlers, securing active and equitable participation from all caste/ethnic groups has been a growing matter of concern for development workers and researchers. This research examined socially disadvantaged group’s participation in community organizations, planning and implementation and in benefits sharing of activities implemented by BIWMP in Palung sub-watershed of the northern Makawanpur district. Both qualitative and quantitative information were collected through secondary and primary sources. A total of 217 households from all caste groups were surveyed through questionnaire, group discussion and key informants survey conducted over a period of three months. Findings of the study revealed that the socio-economic status of the settlers closely follows the caste/ethnic hierarchy. Dalits, who lay at the bottom of the hierarchy, were minority populace and the most disadvantaged. Their traditional occupations were gradually deteriorating and they had less access to development resources. Their involvement in community organizations was low, they remained to be silent followers of the rules, regulations, and decisions made by the majority caste/ethnic groups. Most of the groups were not helped much by the project for their capacity building. The majority of project activities were planned and implemented based on informal contacts. The project staffs were their own target oriented. Thus there was a gap in people’s preferred and implemented activities. Several foot-trail construction projects that could not help to improve the economic condition of Dalits were implemented. Irrespective of caste/ethnicity, people’s participation was mostly limited to labour contribution, which provided some income earning opportunity to settlers. The project
Scholarship Donor(s): Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA)
Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science
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