A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2001

This study is an attempt to assess the performance and sustainability of the Community Development Groups of Adam Khola sub-watershed ofDhading district where District Soil Conservation Office/Danish International Development Assistance has been engaged them in implementing watershed management activities based on community participation approach. Four community development groups namely, Amelichap, Chotetar, Janachetana and Bungeshwori were selected on the basis of types of activities they accomplished and the accessibility to the infrastructure facilities to study their performance in watersource protection, trail improvement and conservation pond program and the organizational sustainability. A four-point scale index was constructed to comprehend respondents' perception regarding the watershed management activities, based on which the overall analysis has been done. The organizational performance was studied by considering effectiveness in participation, satisfaction, decision making, resource allocation, fund collection conflict resolution and information as well as benefit sharing. Similarly, sustainability of the Community Development Groups has been studied by including attitude, participation, political support, fund mobilization, formalization, maintenance and external support. The performance of community development groups in watershed management activities is positively influenced by democratic decision-making and fair distribution of resources which resulted in reduced conflict and helped build good relationship and effective communication among the members. Similarly, the transparency maintained among the members helped generate confidence of the beneficiaries for their organization. The consequences of all those factors resulted in the effective people's participation in program activities leading towards the achievement of higher level of performance and satisfaction. The community development groups with higher level of performance accompanied with positive attitude of community members towards watershed management activities, effective people's participation in program activities, it's ability to tap external resources and necessary political support fosters the favorable environment for their sustainability. However, the organizational sustainability is eventually impeded by the financial capacity. Therefore, there is a need for generating financial resources for the community organization to become viable in the long run. Nevertheless, the process of working through the community approach for watershed management activities in the study area has already been strongly established and they are functioning through it. Such situation creates conducive ground for the efficient functioning and sustainability of community organization provided it is not handicapped by the financial resources