ABSTRACT
This chapter is a compilation of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities on major soil conservation and watershed management/development projects executed and being executed in Sri Lanka. It is enriched with relevant background information as well as procedures.
The clearing of the hilly slopes of the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka for planting coffee and tea during the 19th century led to the reduction of water retaining capacity, humidity, and coolness of the environment, which made conservation measures necessary thereafter. Soil erosion was one of the most damaging impacts. Natural resources legislation in Sri Lanka thus dates back to 1840, along with the introduction of the Land Encroachment Ordinance, followed by another 11 Parliamentary Acts to date.
Soil conservation and watershed management and development activities in Sri Lanka are generally launched through foreign-funded, large-scale projects or programmes implemented by mandated ministries or agencies as well as 164other interested agencies such as research institutes and NGOs. Since 1975, there have been 18 foreign-funded projects. The main project successfully completed in 2006 was the Upper Watershed Management Project covering the Mahaweli upper catchment area, the M&E procedure of which is especially elaborated here. In addition, the M&E procedures of some selected mandated agencies are included for the purpose of comparison.
Finally, the attempts of the State in institutionalizing M&E pertaining to relevant fields are also highlighted and linked with some conclusions and recommendations.
