SCDP was found successful demonstration Programme, and therefore, His Majesty's Government of Nepal and UNDP decided to expand the programme in 3 new districts - Humla, Myagdi and Okhaldhunga while continuing support to Surkhet, Dang and Kailali for programme consolidation. It will also support the government in formulation of Sustainable Development Agenda for Nepal (SDAN) or National Agenda 21 for the 21st century.

Humla and Myagdi are the big treasuries of vegetation especially rich in medicinal plants and endangered wildlife. Upper Karnali flows from Humla which makes many narrow valleys relatively good for seasonal crops.

Myagdi has two, major drainage - Myagdi khola and Kaligandaki. Bio-geographically Myagdi district is most significant. It consists of world's deepest gorge the Andha george which divides Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna massifs. Likewise, the Kaligandaki valley is also the transitional zone where both eastern and western vegetation meet. This is an important trekking route to Annapurna area and across the Annapurna circuit.

Since it is equally important to conserve micro-watersheds, including forest and other natural resources, in order to safeguard local supplies of fresh drinking water and check further soil erosion, the Programme is implemented in diverse micro-watersheds. Okhaldhunga borders with its adjoining districts by two major tributaries of Koshi river namely, Likhu, Dudhkoshi and Sunkoshi. These river systems engulf a number of degraded micro watersheds. Landslides and floods are severe after monsoon that causes a heavy loss every year.

SCDP was experimental in nature and had been implemented as a pilot programme in three districts. Based on the need, initially the entry points were different for each district whereby environmental management was the focus in Surkhet, social development in Kailali and economic development in Dang. In course of time, all the entry points had been integrated as holistic approach to development.

SCDP is designed to promote effective macromicro linkages to establish through three approaches:

• Participation of all stakeholders, from national to the grassroots levels.
• Integration of environmentally sustainable socio-economic development plans and activities.
• Information sharing to replicate/adapt the experiences of the Programme, both within Nepal and abroad.

FROM AGENDA TO ACTIONS

SCDP plans and implements various activities under each entry point.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

• Formation of functional community based organisations; or groups. Promotion of environmental education and awareness.
• Implementation of forest resource conservation and watershed-management activities, including sustainable use of non-timber forest products and alternative energy sources
• Promotion of biodiversity conservation.
• Establishment of local networking and information systems.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• Establishment of institutional support for functional community-based organisations such as farmers, traders and self-help cooperatives for agro-based industries.
• Enhancement of local production systems.
• Establishment of market linkages and market information systems.
• Promotion of credit mobilisation and microenterprise development for both men and women groups.

The Executive Committee of SCDP, headed by the Member of the Planning Commission responsible for Forest and Soil conservation, formulates policies at the Central level. The Sustainable Development Committee (SDC) chaired by the District Development Committee (DDC) Chairperson is responsible for coordination and managing the Programme at the district level. In the same way, community organisations are responsible for implementing programmes at the settlement or village level. The Programme office is responsible for coordinating the activities of all central, district and village level institutions to achieve the Programme's goal by the 21st century.

Sustainable Development Facility (SDF), either under NGO or DDC/Support Organisation (SO), are created in each districts to support the communities in the long run. These SDFs are autonomous institutions who provide technical as well as loan support to develop micro-enterprises.

While SCDP aims to implement its programmes through capacity building of partner NGOs and CBOs, it has also been working with the authorities at the DDC and VDC levels to develop an information system and a district level natural resources management programme. SCDP also provides a unique opportunity for the government, local authorities, partner NGOs, and CBOs to work together for sustainable development.

A Network called Sustainable Development Network (SDN) is established to facilitate the member NGOs in replication and adapting the SCDP methods and processes. Registered as an NGO, over the time, the SDN is expected to work as the Human Resource Development Centre for Sustainable Development in Nepal.

SCDP also collaborates with different line agencies and development partners such as Global Environment Facility, Small Grants Programme and many other UNDP assisted development programmes in order to promote synergic efforts.

SCDP has adopted the following five phases strategy for effective implementation of its agenda:

First Phase: Selection of partner NGOs or Support Organisations for each entry point (environmental, economical and social) to facilitate Programme activities.

Second Phase: Formation of community based organisations (CBOs) by partner NGOs. CBOs are responsible for implementing all activities at the settlement or village level. This phase concentrates on the three entry point for each district.

Third, Forth and Fifth Phases: Consolidation of achievements for both higher impact and sustainability.

The Programme provides training and the necessary technical, financial and institutional support to partner NGOs/SOs and implementing CBOs. This support is to be enhanced by the creation of a Sustainable Development Facility

to ensure all activities undertaken are towards sustainability. At the same time, it is anticipated that NGOs and CBOs will soon have the capacity to independently carry out development activities that are sustainable socially, economically and environmentally.

SCDP's support will have developed approaches that can help other communities replicate and promote community-based sustainable development throughout the country. Communities will be able to mobilise human and financial capital, both internal and external. They will be able to identify problems, formulate and implement plans, and manage resources. Most importantly, communities will have established link with the services and resources available and developed partnerships with government organisations, NGOs and private sector organisations. This, ultimately, will lead to better collaboration in the design, planning and management of community-based conservation and development at the micro watershed level.