1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Kathmandu University (KU) - Nepal

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

ICIMOD International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) - Nepal

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

01/03/2013

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Ja

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Protected gullying is a sustainable land management practice initiated and maintained by the traditional community approach; it is based on indigenous knowledge and uses only locally available materials.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Aims / objectives: Sustainable land management aims to prevent soil erosion and to increase productivity; it can take on different forms depending on the exigencies of the terrain.

Methods: In Kabhrepalanchok District, where the slope of the land is not too steep, farmers use gullies controlled using indigenous techniques to protect fertile agricultural land, to minimize erosion, and to help prevent landslides near villages.
For more than two hundred years, land users in jagidol (jagi=rice, dol=gully) villages practiced gully control and they have developed innovative methods for deployment and maintenance of gullies. Periodically, the whole community is involved in discussions for planning and implementation of new measures, but for the most part only routine repairs are needed and the individual farmers whose properties border the gullies shoulder the main responsibility for maintaining them. When severe flooding events cause many gullies to collapse, materials are collected locally and the whole village cooperates in the rebuilding. Both men and women are involved; men usually help with the heavy digging when new gullies are established or during crises when many gullies collapse at once and women are involved in the day-to-day maintenance of the gullies. Communities in villages higher up in the hills have used this approach for a long time; their gullies are more mature and well-entrenched and are reinforced by mature bio-engineering measures. Gullies in villages situated lower down the slope are usually more recently established and typically still require regular maintenance.
The jagidol village community, the Newari guthi (religious group) in the area, and the Hindus who worship the snake god Nagdevata and Shivadevata along the stream banks are particularly conscientious in maintaining the gullies that border the shrine(s). In this example, maintenance of the gullies is a collective effort through social networks.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.7 Type of Approach

• traditional/ indigenous

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The Approach focused mainly on SLM with other activities (Religious, cultural and ecological significance)

To ensure the maintenance of the system of gullies that acts to help prevent soil erosion and protect against flooding. During the rainy season the gullies channel water away, and during the dry season they can be modified to collect water for irrigation. Maintenance is especially important during the rainy season because when water is not channelled many terraces can collapse simultaneously and the ensuing landslide can threaten the stability of the entire village.

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: This approach suffers from a lack of institutional infrastructure. Since the group that maintains the gullies is not registered as a conservation team or an organization, it is not entitled to technical or financial support of any kind from government or non-governmental organizations. The research conducted by the community is not documented anywhere, it is passed on by word of mouth. A shortage of labour (or labour saving devices) is a persistent constraint in the maintenance of the gullies.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	self-mobilization	The community as a whole decides when it needs to initiate sustainable land management in order to prevent erosion, to increase the amount of available farmland, and to protect the village from landslides.
planning	self-mobilization	The community plans to dig gullies during the dry season; during the monsoon they plant grasses whose roots help to anchor the structures.
implementation	self-mobilization	The land users implement protective measures during the times when they are not actively farming; they use all local materials
monitoring/ evaluation	self-mobilization	Gullies are monitored routinely as part of normal farming activities; the gullies are maintained and repaired as needed.
Research	none

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• land users alone (self-initiative)

Explain:

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by by land users* alone (self-initiative / bottom-up)

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• no

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Ja

Comments:

bio-physical aspects were regular monitored by land users through measurements; indicators: Gullies are regularly monitored by the land users but there is no formal reporting; the community observes the evolution of the approach

socio-cultural aspects were regular monitored by land users through observations; indicators: When there are temples or shrines near the gullies, these are also places of worship for Nagadevta (the snake god) and Shivadevata. The villagers make a special effort to maintain the gullies.

Continuity of the approach aspects were regular monitored by land users through observations; indicators: The community has for generations used gullying as a practice for sustainable land management.

There were few changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation: The practice has not changed significantly for generations; however, the use of new materials and techniques can be observed in communities farther downhill where the practice is a more recent innovation.

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• < 2,000

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

Approach costs were met by the following donors: local community / land user(s): 100.0%

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Nee

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• none

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• voluntary

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

Nee

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• uncertain

If no or uncertain, specify and comment:

In recent times there is a shortage of local labour and volunteers. Some form of subsidy or external aid will be needed to support this land management practice and keep it sustainable. With funding, the village can purchase better materials and create longer lasting structures which need less maintenance.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The community works together for the benefit of all. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Continue to support the community in their traditional land management practices.)
Everyone's suggestions, including those of nearby communities, are taken into serious consideration when planning sustainable land management. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Continue to promote a regard for others sharing the same landscape)

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
There is no formal planning and no contact with either the local authorities or potential funding agencies for conservation work	Formalize planning and implementation and become recognized as a legitimate conservation group.
Farmers are leaving the area in search of paid employment. New actors are moving into the area and the larger community is changing. There are recurrent incidents of land use change such as brick factories moving into the area.	The government can institute zoning to regulate what land is deemed for cultivation only.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information