UNDP Nepal intern Elias Naess blogs on his experience monitoring the project 'Developing Climate Resilient Livelihoods in the Vulnerable Watershed in Nepal'.
Funded by the GEF least Develioped Countries Fund, the project focuses on enhancing watershed management and promoting sustainable agriculture to sustain the livelihoods of subsistence farmers.
Communities of Khotang district face several agricultural challenges throughout the year, mainly due to drought and unreliable access to water. During the monsoon season of June-August, however, there is an abundance of water, but the intensified periods of precipitation due to climate change have exacerbated the risk of hazardous flash floods. These threats make it increasingly difficult for many households to sustain their livelihoods.
To address the challenges, the UN has partnered with local communities to implement innovative solutions which aim to help farmers collect and store rainwater, protect vital water sources in the area, and create efficient water distribution systems to reduce the amount of time women and girls spend fetching water.