This project aims to strengthen local capacity for emergency preparedness through a Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) approach and to increase the resilience of livelihoods through the prevention of landslide disasters and establishment of safer agricultural livelihood strategies. Prevention of landslide disasters in the targeted watershed areas reduces the loss of life and livelihoods related to such hazards.

The Gorkha Earthquake of April 25, 2015 in Nepal triggered thousands of landslides, affecting the lives and livelihoods of communities in rural areas where landslides are already frequent and serious hazards. The devastating earthquake not only impacted land productivity due to loss of mountain landmass and topsoil, but also affected settlements, resulting in loss of lives, properties and assets. Agriculture is the main source of food security, livelihood, and employment in the rural areas which are badly affected by natural calamities, such as earthquakes and landslides. As such, Nuwakot is one of six severely earthquake affected districts where risks due to landslides and erosion have increased and exacerbated the vulnerability of rural, agriculture-dependent farmers.

Consequently, the Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management (DSCWM) under the Government of Nepal (GoN) Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) has initiated an effort to harmonize landslide inventory methods and standardize landslide hazard, vulnerability, and risk-mapping methodologies. In response to these concerns, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)—with support from USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) is providing technical assistance to the DSCWM, supporting slope stabilization and landslide mitigation with proven technologies and experience. The project is a pilot initiative, demonstrating appropriate landslide treatment and mitigation techniques using the bi-engineering approach to reduce crisis in watershed areas.