Final project evaluation report : landslide and soil stabilization project; Far Western Hills road, Dhangarhi to Dadeldhura, Nepal

The multidisciplinary team concludes that the project goal of providing an operable, all-weather road (despite the region"s extremely rough terrain and geologic situation with extensive landslides) was met. The Ministry of Public Works Roads Department (DOR) is not, at this point, prepared to assume responsibility for ongoing operation and maintenance of the road at the standard to which it was constructed. The equipment is worn out and they are not organized, budgeted or trained to keep the road functional except during the dry seasons. The revegetation component was unsuccessful. The two nurseries were well designed and executed, but the transplanting program failed due to site erosion, incorrect species selection, and a variety of other reasons. Future work should concentrate on grasses rather than trees, and on facilitating natural regeneration. Any future revegetation project leader should be more highly qualified than was the case in LSS. The road has become a part of the environment and is relied upon by the people. Several important statistical indicators vary directly with distance from the road. Alternative forms of transportation in the road corridor have largely disappeared as porters have turned to other work. Events which unexpectedly close the road (such as the September 11 and 12, 1983 rainstorm) cause shortages of key items (e.g., salt, ghee, and sugar) and drastically increase prices. Financial procedures developed to expedite transfers of LSS funds were successful and have been adapted to other USAID/N projects since FY 82/83. The people of the area appreciate the road and realize that it is a major benefit to them. During the original WHR construction (1969-79), they were well aware of A.I.D. involvement. However, during LSS, A.I.D. personnel were not highly visible along the project and so the people seem to have accepted that A.I.D. is not currently involved.