The project is categorised under the 4th Operational Program of GEF that is Biodiversity conservation and land degradation by conserving the water sources and restoring the dying streams and conservation of local indigenous species of flora. The project addressed to make the local community aware of their responsibilities towards conserving the Tendong Nature Reserve which is the sole water supplier to all the adjoining villages around it. The project also focuses on reducing grazing and collection of firewood and fodder from Tendong.

This is a community driven project. It concentrates on conserving the water sources in Tendong Nature Reserve by organising the community by formation of Pani Panchayats (PPs) and strengthening this local institution. Soil and Moisture Conservation works (SMC) were carried out through the community. Initially 5 check dams of loose stone were created across the fast flowing streams but due to heavy force of rain water 2 got swept away. Hence the NGO together with the PPs worked on rejuvenating the existing water sources and lakes by increasing the carrying capacity by desilting and making bund/wall followed by vegetative fencing. The community initiated the concept of social fencing for protecting the forest lands from over grazing. With the joint effort of the Forest Department the number of cows that use to stay permanently within the Reserve has been reduced tremendously.

The overall physical progress of the project is satisfactory. 10 Pani Panchayats (PPs) were formed under the project comprising of members from different villages with both male and female participation. The PPs along with the community were involved in surveying the 27 water sources and in restoration and sustenance of the dying streams in Tendong. Check dams were constructed to recharge the ground water and plantation work completed around these water sources by the community. The species planted include Wild Banana (Musa spp), Michelia spp and other indigenous trees and shrubs, which occur mostly at water sources. Ponds were also localed, which were silted. These traditional ponds were desilted to act as a natural reservoir of water. The NGO had always been receiving technical guidance from the Forest Department. The Pani Panchayats formed under the project has been taken up as SHGs under the Tista Rangit Integrated Wasteland Development Project in South Sikkim. They have also been registered. The DFO, South Sikkim has taken initiative in supporting the organisation. The Chief Minister of Sikkim had also visited the project. The agency was awarded certificate of merits as a recognition of their water conservation efforts by the Zilla Panchayat Adyaksha, South Sikkim. Sh. Gokul Rai, General Secretary of SPSS bagged the National Youth Award by Government of India in January 2003. He is the only recipient of this award from North East during the year and the SGP project has helped him to some extent in receiving this coveted award. He has also been selected in the state level committee of the Forest Development Agency, Forest Department.