Kathmandu, November 26, 2025
As climate change increasingly deepens water stress, degrades ecosystems, and pressures rural livelihoods across Nepal’s Mid-Hill regions, a five-year climate resilience initiative has demonstrated how locally driven solutions can reverse vulnerability into opportunity.
The Developing Climate Resilient Livelihoods (DCRL) project-implemented by the Government of Nepal and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with support from the Global Environment Facility’s Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF)-formally concluded today, marking a significant milestone in Nepal’s climate adaptation journey.
The closing ceremony, attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MOFE), representatives from provincial and local governments, technical experts, and community members, reflected on the project’s tangible impact across Khotang and Okhaldhunga districts-areas officially recognised as drought-prone by the Government of Nepal.
Transforming Watersheds into Lifelines
At the heart of the DCRL project was integrated, community-led watershed management. Over five years, the initiative successfully protected 646 water sources, restoring local hydrological systems strained by erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells. These efforts were complemented by landscape-level interventions that strengthened soil moisture, reduced erosion, and revived degraded ecosystems.
Climate-smart agriculture played a central role in livelihood resilience. Conservation farming practices were expanded across 2,777 hectares, while drought-resistant crop varieties were introduced to reduce climate risk and improve food security. In parallel, 600 hectares of farmland were brought under irrigation, contributing to higher productivity and more stable household incomes.
Clean Energy and Innovation in Rural Water Access
To address water scarcity in difficult terrain, the project installed five solar-powered water lifting systems and supported 710 households with rainwater harvesting units. These interventions reduced women’s workload, improved access to drinking water, and ensured year-round water availability for farming.
Innovative restoration techniques were also tested and scaled. Degraded hill slopes were reforested using aerial seeding and drone-based technologies, demonstrating how modern tools can complement traditional conservation practices in fragile landscapes.
One of the project’s most lasting contributions is institutional. The DCRL initiative developed Nepal’s first standardized Watershed Atlas, providing a scientific foundation for planning and decision-making while strengthening technical capacity at local, provincial, and federal levels.
Impact on Communities and Migration
According to project outcomes, improved water availability, diversified crops, and better land management have contributed to declining out-migration in several intervention areas. Importantly, 74 percent of beneficiaries came from local ethnic communities, including the Majhi people, highlighting the project’s inclusive approach and its focus on communities most exposed to climate risks.
Government Recognition and Future Scaling
Speaking at the closing event, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra, Secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Environment, described the DCRL project as one of MOFE’s most successful initiatives in recent years. He noted that large-scale contour trench systems-once discussed mainly in theory-are now delivering practical results by restoring water sources, improving drinking water access, increasing agricultural productivity, and enhancing nutrition security.
Dr. Mishra also expressed appreciation to the Global Environment Facility, UNDP, and the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation for their continued support in bringing the project to a successful conclusion.
Looking ahead, the DCRL project has left behind more than completed activities. Provincial governments have already begun allocating resources to continue and replicate key interventions, reflecting growing ownership at sub-national levels.
UNDP Resident Representative Kyoko Yokosuka underscored this legacy, stating that the DCRL model demonstrates what is possible when communities, government institutions, and innovation work together. “This is not just a project completed,” she noted, “but a pathway for Nepal’s climate-resilient future.”
As Nepal faces intensifying climate pressures, the DCRL experience offers a replicable blueprint for integrated watershed management-one rooted in local leadership, ecological restoration, and long-term resilience for the Mid-Hills and beyond.
