PS-India-Climate-resilient and gender inclusive MGNREGA based on Mission Water Conservation

In 2017, MoRD, in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), developed a Mission Water Conservation guideline to place greater priority on water conservation works among the MGNREGA’s shelves of works ( especially in 2264 water stressed blocks), located in 324 districts of 21 states with inadequate rainfall, which will contribute to protect water resources while providing employment opportunities. This is in line with the MoWR’s ‘National Water Mission’ goals to promote water conservation in vulnerable areas which are likely to be adversely affected due to impact of climate change and the areas where the water resources, particularly the groundwater resources that are declining due to over-use. The project aims to integrate climate resilience in MGNREGS and support the MGNREGA Division to report on the Outcomes of water related works. Given that Water Conservation is the dominant theme, it was decided to develop an Outcome based monitoring framework template for selected water management works, pilot it through MGNREGA funds and then tweak/adopt it for all works under MGNREGA. in line with the supporting letter attached. GGGI India program has also decided to advocate for policy to incorporate Climate Change into MGNREGA architecture by selective mapping of geographies to their climate change vulnerability, associated impacts on rural livelihoods and identifying gaps with MGNREGA’s shelf of works In these regards, GGGI India country team and water team consider this as a great opportunity to support the MoRD to make a strategic approach in planning, implementing, and monitoring MGNREGA/Mission Water Conservation that will greatly contribute to sustainable and inclusive green growth of the Indian rural communities, while promoting sustainable water conservation/management.