Hydrology Project Phase II

The Project Development Objective (PDO) will be to extend and promote the sustained and effective use of the HIS by all potential users concerned with water resources planning and management, both public and private, thereby contributing to improved productivity and cost - effectiveness of water related investments in the 13 States and with Central agencies. The coverage of existing states under the project is to help these agencies from moving over from development of HIS (as in HP-I) towards use of HIS in water resources planning and management. The PDO will be achieved by : (a) strengthening the capacity of hydrology departments (surface and groundwater) to develop and sustain the use of the HIS for hydrological designs and decision tools thus creating enabling environment for improved integrated water resources planning and management; (b) improving the capabilities of implementing agencies at State/Central level in using HIS for efficient water resource planning and management reducing vulnerability floods and droughts and thereby meeting the country's poverty reduction objectives; (c) establishing and enhancing user - friendly, demand responsive and easy accessible HIS to improve shared vision and transparency of HIS between all users; and (d) improving access to the HIS by public agencies, civil society organization and the private sector through awareness building supporting outreach services. Greater use of an improved HIS is expected to have a broad but definite impact on the planning and design of water resources schemes, from which the rural and urban poor will have secure and sustainable access to water for multi - purpose livelihood uses. The conceptual framework of outcome and output indicators is outlined below. Specific measurable indicators will be developed by the project's Management Consultants in consultation with the participating agencies, during the design of the project monitoring system.