Special evaluation of the resources conservation and utilization project

Special evaluation covers the period 7/80-4/83 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with persons associated with the project. It is too early to judge whether RCUP has potential for arresting and reversing the decline in Nepal's environment, although it should be noted that District Chairmen in Myadgi and Ghorka believe that the project will be able to stabilize watershed conditions if continued over a 10-year period. While good progress has been made toward targeted outputs, these targets are not adequately linked to the scale of actual environmental problems. RCUP's integrated, multisectoral approach to soil and water conservation and increased agricultural production is suitable and probably essential. While this approach does present management problems, these are not insoluble, for core project activities involve only four departments in two ministries. Organizational arrangements are basically sound, and should contribute to long-term institutionalization of project activities. However, the TA team has not been adequately integrated into RCUP central staff or with line agencies and the use of catchment area advisors has not worked well; the composition, overall size, and roles of the team need to be reexamined. The Government of Nepal has created several interagency mechanisms at national, district, and panchayat levels to facilitate coordination; those at the district level are particularly effective, offsetting the difficulties elsewhere. A great deal of effort is being made to foster local participation, but much remains to be done, e.g., in utilizing local governmental institutions and in expanding extension and public information efforts. Degree training is proceeding on schedule, despite delays in constructing facilities, but lacks an interdisciplinary flavor and should be better integrated into the overall scheme of the RCUP. The project should be continued basically as planned but with a periodic review of targets. Over time, it may be possible to sharpen its focus by reducing or eliminating marginal activities. Sixteen recommendations are made.