ABSTRACT
This chapter examines an initiative in Chhattisgarh, India, that utilises an Integrated Natural Resource Management (INRM) approach to address the livelihood challenges of rural poor communities. The initiative, known as the “High Impact Mega Watershed Project,” demonstrates how the convergence of government programmes, donors, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) can drive sustainable development in resource-constrained regions. The Indian state of Chhattisgarh faces significant development challenges, including high poverty, malnutrition, lack of irrigation, and vulnerabilities to climate change. The approach adopted in this project recognises the critical role of natural resource management in enhancing agricultural productivity, ecosystem balance, and livelihood diversification. The project covered 12 districts and 26 blocks in Chhattisgarh, targeting the treatment of 694,000 ha of catchment areas through a ridge-to-valley planning process. It leveraged government programmes like MGNREGA, partnered with CSOs with funding support from Axis Bank Foundation and Bharat Rural Livelihoods Foundation, and engaged local communities in participatory planning and implementation. The key outcomes include enhanced soil moisture, increased water flow in streams, and the creation of livelihood opportunities that have doubled incomes for over 160,000 households.
