The major project of IBRAD which is undergoing in the northern region is the mid Himalayan watershed development project. The main assignments of IBRAD in this project is to develop strategy and facilitate the process of Microplanning for Integrated Watershed Development through

• Building capacity of functionaries of Panchayat Raj Institutions and other stakeholders at the Gram Panchayat level
• Sensitizing the field staff involved in the given gram Panchayat

Mid Himalayan Watershed Development Project is an integrated watershed development project being implemented in the state with the assistance from the World Bank. The primary objective of the project is to reverse the process of degradation of the natural resource base and improve the productive potential of natural resources and incomes of the rural households in the project area.

The secondary objective is to support policy and institutional development to harmonize watershed development projects and programmes across the state in accordance with best practices.

Following are the main objective of the project:

• To sensitise the community and panchayat functionaries on the project objectives and approaches related to the issue of scarcity of natural resources and need to enhance productivity of such natural resources
• To build capacity of the PRI functionaries and field staff of a given Gram Panchayat (GP) on preparation, implementation and monitoring of watershed development and management plan to emerge as effective leaders for Natural Resource Management
• Capacity building of the community members and formation of sub groups for specific activities to ensure sustainable management of natural resources.
• To facilitate the process of preparation of microplans by involving the community members and other stakeholders based on local resources and their implementation. Presentation, consolidation and approval of the ward level microplans at the GP level.
• To develop resource persons from the community who in turn can facilitate other GP.
• To organize training for skill building of the villagers in Soil Moisture Conservation measures, forestry plantation, water harvesting structures, improved cropping system, fodder development, improving the existing livestock.
• To sensitise villagers and help them in forming common interest group for different activities for forming federation of Common Interest Group (CIG).

• To introduce need based appropriate technology through identification of CIG and their activities.
• To involve representatives of line departments in microplanning process.
• To involve PRI functionaries at different level by organizing meetings and workshops.
• To document the process and prepare case studies on best practices. Findings of the project