Watershed development projects have been implemented in large scale in India for the last two decades, but it has not been able to make a lasting impact. This sub-optimal result is generally attributed to the inefficiency of implementing agencies. But literature from implementation research suggests that such an explanation overlooks the organizational and political processes that play an important role in diluting the outcomes of development programmes. Taking a cue from this, this study looks into four watershed projects based in Gujarat, India. The main findings are that restrictions in...