POTENTIAL OF INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME IN FURTHERING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS: AN ASSESSMENT THROUGH LOCALISATION PERSPECTIVE

The 17 goals and 169 targets defined as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations (UN), spread their network over each and every aspect of the world community as a whole. Localisation of the SDGs is the most important task as the goals are in general and abstract form which should get tailored according to the needs of local communities. Thus, to make them a reality, they should get adopted at the grassroot level and implemented with the participation of people living there-in. This can be achieved through the schemes and programmes being implemented by the government with a tiered administration channel involving national, subnational and regional authorities for execution. For timely and effective realisation of the goals, it is essential that the programmes are evaluated in terms of their capacity in targeting SDGs. The Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) is one such scheme which focuses on efficient utilisation and sustainable management of natural resources, as well as improving the socio-economic status of the local communities. The study analyses the potential of IWMP in furthering and achieving the SDGs. The SDGs, corresponding targets and indicators have been cross- mapped with the activities undertaken towards implementation of the scheme. The analysis indicates a positive role of the programme in localising the SDGs.