Watershed projects are typically implemented in phases over a period of 4 to 7 years, with each phase involving specific activities to ensure sustainable watershed development. The activities are generally divided into three main phases: Preparatory Phase, Works Phase, and Consolidation and Withdrawal Phase. Each phase has distinct objectives, covering everything from community mobilization and planning to project implementation and capacity building.

1. Preparatory Phase (Year 1)

The focus of the preparatory phase is on planning, capacity building, and mobilizing the community to ensure local ownership and participation. Key activities include:

Baseline Surveys and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA): Conducting surveys to collect data on land use, water resources, soil health, and socio-economic conditions. PRA techniques are used to involve the community in understanding their own resources.
Awareness and Community Mobilization: Organizing meetings, workshops, and awareness programs to engage the community and promote the benefits of watershed development.
Formation of Village Institutions: Establishing Watershed Committees (WC), User Groups (UGs), and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to facilitate local involvement. These groups help in decision-making and management of project activities.
Capacity Building and Training: Conducting training programs for community members and stakeholders on watershed management practices, such as soil conservation, water harvesting, and sustainable agriculture.
Detailed Project Report (DPR) Preparation: Developing a DPR based on data collected, which includes detailed plans for interventions, budget allocations, and timelines for various activities.

2. Works Phase (Years 2 to 4)

The works phase focuses on implementing physical and biological interventions to conserve soil and water resources, improve land productivity, and enhance vegetation cover. Activities in this phase include:

Soil and Water Conservation: Implementing soil erosion control measures, such as contour bunding, terracing, check dams, and gully plugging, to prevent soil degradation and increase moisture retention.
Water Harvesting Structures: Constructing structures like ponds, check dams, percolation tanks, and rainwater harvesting systems to capture and store rainwater, recharge groundwater, and improve water availability.
Afforestation and Vegetative Cover: Planting trees, shrubs, and grasses in degraded areas to enhance biodiversity, improve soil quality, and control erosion.
Agriculture and Horticulture Development: Promoting sustainable agricultural practices, introducing drought-resistant crops, and supporting horticulture to improve productivity and provide alternative income sources for farmers.
Livelihood Support Activities: Providing training and support for income-generating activities like livestock rearing, beekeeping, poultry, and other micro-enterprises to reduce pressure on natural resources.
Regular Monitoring and Mid-term Evaluation: Periodic monitoring of project progress, resource status, and community participation to make adjustments as needed. Mid-term evaluations assess the effectiveness of interventions and ensure the project stays on track.

3. Consolidation and Withdrawal Phase (Years 5 to 7)

In this final phase, the focus shifts towards ensuring sustainability and community ownership, so that the benefits of the project continue after external support ends. Activities in this phase include:

Maintenance of Structures and Assets: Training local institutions (WCs, UGs, SHGs) to maintain and repair water harvesting structures, soil conservation works, and other assets created during the project.
Capacity Building for Sustainability: Conducting additional training sessions on maintenance, fund management, and sustainable practices for watershed resources to ensure that the community can manage the resources independently.
Promotion of Sustainable Land and Water Use Practices: Encouraging the community to adopt practices like crop rotation, organic farming, and water-saving techniques to ensure long-term resource sustainability.
Handing Over to Local Institutions: Transferring the management responsibilities to local institutions and ensuring they have the skills and knowledge to take over. This includes formalizing maintenance plans and defining roles for WC, UGs, and SHGs.
Final Impact Evaluation: Conducting a comprehensive evaluation to assess the impact of the project on water availability, soil quality, agricultural productivity, and community livelihoods. This helps determine the project’s success and identify lessons for future watershed projects.
Documentation and Knowledge Sharing: Documenting best practices, lessons learned, and successful case studies to share knowledge with other watershed management programs and stakeholders.

Summary of Phased Activities

Preparatory Phase (Year 1): Community mobilization, institution formation, training, and planning.
Works Phase (Years 2 to 4): Soil and water conservation, water harvesting, vegetation development, and livelihood support.
Consolidation and Withdrawal Phase (Years 5 to 7): Ensuring sustainability through maintenance training, final evaluation, and handover to community institutions.

This phased approach, detailed in the Common Guidelines 2008, ensures a systematic, community-driven implementation of watershed projects with lasting benefits for water security, soil health, biodiversity, and sustainable livelihoods.