The report summarised five years of collaborative investigation by Indian and Nepali researchers on water management needs and options in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and parts of Nepal. Initial goal of researcher was to define the boundaries of ‘local management ‘ in a way that enabled substantive comparison to be made between local, community-based approaches and larger scale, government led initiatives. Five basins for research were focused by collaborative groups: The Sabaramati River in Gujarat, the Sekhawati and Banganga rivers in Rajasthan, the Palar River in Tamil Nadu and the Tinau River in Nepal. By conducting detailed research in a selection of areas in Nepal and India, the collaborative group intended to flesh out the degree to which local approaches to water management could address the array of needs now emerging.