Overall objective of the project Loka Kalyan Parishad

• The main objective of the project is to maximize present and future benefits for the largest number of people, especially poor people, who depend on natural resources.
• Restoration of degraded land and soil enrichment 
• In-situ water harvesting conservation & efficient use
• Conversion of agriculturally marginal lands to appropriate land use (Cropping Intensity enhancement)
• To reduce the impacts of climate variations and to make the communities active in climate resilient activities
• Adoption of improved farm management practices (e.g. practice of water recycling, green manuring etc. for soil water holding capacity enhancement)  
• Intensification and diversification of farming that would promote prosperity and enhanced human conditions (Integrated farming, multi storied cropping) 
• The project is estimated to cover around 7.50 Lakh ha. of catchments in the upper ridges under the mega-watershed approach

• Restoration of over 4 lakh ha. of upland areas, checking soil erosion, reducing run off by at least 50% where UM LKP project area will have Geographical Area of 1,17,000 ha where Treatable Area approximately comes at 46,700 ha.
• An increased flow in rivers and rivulets in the sub-basin areas and prolonging of water flow in the downstream areas at least by 3-additional months.
• At least 50% area (3.50 Lakh ha.) would be covered under 150% to 200% cropping intensity.
• Significant reduction in impacts of climate variations actively engage community climate resilient activities
• Economic vibrancy and emergence of multiple options of employment for young women and men
• At least 50% increase in income (from the current level) at household level.
• Enhanced social capital - Community collectives, progressive farmers, agro- entrepreneurs etc.
• Strong and mutual relationship among People, PRI and Public Systems

• The implementation strategy envisaged is that CSOs with proven track record and presence in these regions would be selected to participate in the programme as a consortium. CSOs will provide facilitation support to the PIA – Gram Panchayat
• Physical work would be carried out by leveraging vast financial resources from MGNREGA
• Work would be carried out in 8 blocks -1 Intensive (Kanksa) and 7 Non-Intensive where 6 blocks in Paschim Bardhaman District and 2 blocks in Purulia District will be facilitated by LKP.
• In intensive block CSO partner will set up a dedicated project implementation team with deeper engagement – community mobilization, DPR preparation and technical support for field implementation. In non-intensive blocks CSOs are expected to play capacity building support for the Block / Panchayat functionaries as an extended arm of the State Support Unit.
• In the first year, the State would be facilitated to develop perspective plan for the region, develop strategies for capacity building and M&E, initiate baseline survey by a involving third party agency and conducting training and exposure visits for the entire group of stakeholders including SHG collectives, PRI Functionaries, BDOs, NREGA Nodal Officers, CBOs, NGOs and SRLM. The State will create a pool of 1500-Rural Watershed / Livelihoods Experts (Dhara Sevaks) where 148 MWS will be in UM LKP project who would be supporting panchayats in the implementation.
• The office of the MGNREGA Commissioner would continue to monitor key processes, remove bottle-necks and aid in the implementation processes by ways of issuing administrative orders / circulars, listening to and acting upon grievances, convening review meetings at block, district and state levels and in general, ensure that all that needs to be done from the side of the state for smooth functioning of the project is carried out by it.
• BRLF will provide financial support to the CSO partners for their core HR and project management cost. Besides, this it will facilitate periodic reviews, reflection and training / workshops at the state level, involving all the stakeholders, help in distilling learning and adoption of best practices across locations. BRLF will anchor the baseline, mid-term and end-term evaluation processes for the project. 
• PRADAN would be the lead partner and would have `Intensive’ operations in 5-blocks. Other 6 CSO partners would have `Intensive’ operations in 1 block each. Thus, there will be 5 Intensive blocks in PRADAN Areas and 6 Intensive Blocks in the CSO areas. Together, there will be 11 `Intensive’ Blocks.
• PRADAN teams will extend support to additional 17-blocks. Other CSOs together would extend support to 26 additional blocks, Therefore, a total of 43-blocks (to be covered through extending support by CSOs.).
• Altogether, there will be 54-Blocks (11-Intensive Blocks and 43-non-Intensive blocks) to be covered through the efforts of CSOs.
• It is proposed to create a pool of experts drawn from PRADAN, ACWADAM, WASSAN AKRSP and some individuals well known in the field. They will provide technical inputs into the project. Their engagements would be periodic, as per the requirements of the State.

• Restoration of over 4 lakh ha. of upland areas, checking soil erosion, reducing run off by at least 50%.
• Increased flow in rivers and rivulets in the sub-basin areas and prolonging of water flow in the downstream areas at least by 3 additional months