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Summary:

An evaluation of soil conservation activities implemented by the District Soil Conservation Offices (DSCO) in Sindhu Palchok and Kabhre Palanchok districts was conducted in May 1998. A team of Project and DSCO staff observed a total of 19 field activities.

The results showed the need to improve the equity and sustainability of DSCO programs. Most activities were directed towards the socio-economically better off groups. Inadequate staffing continues to delay the implementation and the quality of activities. It particularly reduces peoples’ participation in all aspects of the programs. This lack of participation in program planning and implementation appears to reduce the peoples’ interest in maintenance of facilities and their long term sustainabilty, eg activities involving irrigation canal, foot trail and some drinking water schemes.

Recommendations to address these problems are:

•	Develop criteria to ensure the selection and implementation of activities are equitable, efficient and sustainable.
•	Ensure full complements of trained staff are in place in both Districts. The Project will provide various skill development trainings, particularly in the areas of social mobilisation, community development, and participatory planning, design and implementation, to ensure all DSC staff possess the necessary skills. This will allow the DSC to adopt participatory approaches to involve local people in all aspects of their programs.
•	If the full staff complements are NOT in place, then reduce direct Project funding for District annual programs accordingly, and investigate the following options:
•	Identify and contract capable NGOs to undertake some or all of the outstanding activities of the DSCOs programs, at no extra cost to the project. Ideally the DSCOs would be involved as the coordinators of these contracts.
•	Hold funds for use in the soil conservation programs of Year 3 onwards.
•	Transfer funds to other activities within the Project.