The project is successful in reclaiming additional 8 ha abandoned wetlands area and additional 2 ha land towards the north-west end after construting checkdam. Extended to a total of 16ha, and mobilising local youth to prevent poaching of birds, the wetland has been ideal place for migratory birds. In addition, agro-forestry activities were initiated in 14 ha degraded land around the wetlands benefitting 662 families. These initiatives helped to generate greenery but also served as wetland buffer required to control siltation in the wetland. The local community ensured ban on free grazing in these area but Gaurishankar community forest area has developed rotational grazing in the forest area to manage pasture land.

With the initiative of this project, a total of three inlets and one outlet were constructed. The seepage problem from the south edge (around 200m long) of the wetlands was fixed. In coordination with IRDC/IM Swedish, Gaurishankar community forest user committee and Tingheruwa wetland conservation committee, a retaining wall of around 1700m long in strategic location is constructed (the breadth and height of the retaining wall is 6 feet and 14 feet respectively). A total of 612 m long RCC canal is being constructed in the strategic locations where soil type is sandy with high seepage. More than 1300m earthen canal was also improved to reach the water at the tail-end of the irrigation command area. With this intervention, the irrigation command area has been increased to 512ha from 200ha.

Once the irrigation facilities were in place, it significantly contributed to sustainable agriculture. Now, a total of 10.75ha land is under the green vegetable (onion, garlic, potato, brinjal, cucumber, beans, cabbage, cauliflower) cultivation benefitting 240 families and 3.50 ha of land covered with climate smart crops (turmeric, ginger, taro, and banana) benefitting 180 families. Hence, a total of 14.25ha land is utilized under sustainable agriculture scheme. The farmer?s records revealed that income of each participating family is ranging from Rs 12000 to 24000 per month (from vegetable farming) and Rs 3000 to 7000 per month (from climate smart crops).

The project also supported to install 50 M-ICS, which has saved 25,028 kg of fuel-wood in a year resulting prevention of 37,543 kg of carbon dioxide emission which is equivalent to clean development mechanism (CDM) that benefit NRs 67,577. With the multiple benefits, people have started to invest their own money for the installation of new stoves.

In order to engage locals in wetland management, 4 community wetland users groups (CWUGs) having over 400 households were formed/strenthen. These groups were further federated to users network to effectively distribute water for irrigation. While doing so, the project also considered traditional Tharu water management practice and revived their water management system of Culopani Chaukidar and Badghar system. The project further oriented 40 lead farmers and develop their capacity as wetland champions. These groups and network are linked with local government for further resource mobilisation.

With the initiation of community based system, the wetland is also opening up for ecotourism after Gaurishankar Forest Users Group constructed picnic spot and bird view tower.

The project further oriented/ trained 160 women members on wetland based souvenir making training of which nearly 70 women are producing handicraft which are being marketed by Daharchandi cooperatives by opening a souvenir shop in Tilaurakot (known for religious Tourist destination for Buddhist).