An agreement for credit of US$ 121.20 million (equivalent) from World Bank for the Uttarakhand Decentralized Watershed Development Project (UDWDP) was signed here today by Shri Nilaya Mitash, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of India and Mr. Micheal Haney, Acting Director, New Delhi Office, World Bank, on behalf of the World Bank.

Similarly the Project Agreement was signed by Shri M.H. Khan, Principal Secretary, Government of Uttarakhand and Chief Project Director, Watershed Management Directorate on behalf of the Government of Uttarakhand.

The Objective of the project is to increase the efficiency of natural resource use and productivity of rain fed agriculture by participating communities in selected micro watersheds of the State of Uttarakhand.

The project has four components: (i) Social Mobilization and Participatory Watershed Planning; (ii) Watershed Treatment and Rain fed Area Development; (iii) Enhancing Livelihood Opportunities; and (iv) Knowledge Management and Project Coordination.

The closing date of UDWDP is September 2021.

Credit agreement for Uttarakhand watershed project secures international financing to support community-led watershed development and livelihoods. A Credit Agreement between the Government of India and the World Bank finances the Uttarakhand Decentralized Watershed Development Project, with the State Government party to the Project Agreement. The project seeks to improve natural resource use efficiency and rain-fed agricultural productivity via community participation and comprises four components: Social Mobilization and Participatory Watershed Planning; Watershed Treatment and Rain-Fed Area Development; Enhancing Livelihood Opportunities; and Knowledge Management and Project Coordination. A project closing date is established.