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The leadership to these partnerships comes from local civil society leaders and organization committed to conservation of natural resources. All stakeholder interests viz. local and state authorities NGO, tourist industry, plantations, education, academic, business and trade interests, industries are encouraged to participate and a forum for discussions and resolution is thus provided. Maha Oya in the wet zone flows through 4 provinces. Major issues are lowering of water table in the downstream reaches due to excessive sand mining, pollution due to dumping of urban waste, encroachment of forest reservations resulting in erosion of steep slopes. This affecting the hydrological regime and the water quality in a relatively densely populated basin (800 persons /sq. km) with related health issues caused by urban and untreated industrial waste. Two AWPs have been established in the Maha Oya Basin for two distinct sub-basins. The sub-basins have area specific issues but are also linked to each other. Mutual representation and participation in the neighbouring water partnership provides the necessary integration of views and adds impact for presentation to authorities for action at provincial/national level.