Murat River Watershed Rehabilitation Project

This project aims to improve rural livelihoods through the rehabilitation and sustainable use of natural assets in upland villages of the Murat River watershed. Breaking the linkage between poverty and the degradation of resources in these communities, it links the rehabilitation of degraded land, vegetation and water resources with poverty reduction. 

The primary target group is composed of poor rural people living in selected micro-catchment areas, with an emphasis on women and the poorest households. The project will empower them to manage the resources they use to feed livestock, collect firewood and obtain water for household use, irrigation and livestock. 

Expected outcomes for the project participants include:

• Higher income from agricultural and livestock production

• Reduced household expenditures and workload

• Reduced negative impacts from erosion; flash floods and landslides. 

Initially, the participants will benefit from employment in civil works; in time, improvements in resource management will start to generate longer-term livelihood benefits in the target communities.