A glimpse into the cultural practices and land-based traditions of tribal communities in WOTR’s project regions.
A Better Tomorrow
Stories, Practices, and Solutions
The title ‘Mahila Pravartak’ may sound official, but it captures something far more powerful: a woman changemaker. These women are the backbone of WOTR’s community health efforts—moving door-to-door, to bring real transformation to the communities they serve.
With every shared pot of water, with every community meeting, with every onion harvested, Chaaya weaves a future for Mendhwan where water is a source of life, not a struggle for it.
Bireng Soy overcame obstacles to forge a path toward independence and empowerment.
The community shares firsthand experiences of resilience, innovation, and growth with WOTR
Once abused and estranged, Ujwala now runs her own enterprise—emerging stronger than ever. Read her inspiring story of grit, determination and self-reliance.
Through WOTR’s watershed project, Beni Prasad Jhariya found his calling. He took on the role of a Wasundhara Sevak, inspiring his community to adopt sustainable farming and water conservation practices.
Eight years ago, Vidya Chavan’s husband went for a walk, and never returned. Broken by years of unproductive agriculture, made worse due to unpredictable weather patterns, he decided to end his life, leaving the responsibilities of running the five member household to his wife. Determined to provide for her three daughters, she started rebuilding her life.
In the face of climate change challenges, farmers in Appireddypally, Telangana, were struggling with dwindling yields and migration. The Rural Livelihoods Project by Axis Bank Foundation and WOTR brought hope through the formation of a Mutual Aided Cooperative Society (MACS). Despite initial hesitation, farmers united to establish the ‘Sri Jeevanadhara Paraspara Rythu Sahakara Sangam Limited’ MACS.
Rural communities in Jharkhand and Telangana, struggling to sustain their livelihoods, find hope through the Sustainable Livelihoods Programme, supported by Axis Bank Foundation. With diversified income streams, these communities now thrive, rewriting their stories of resilience and progress.
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When unsafe drinking water became a daily health risk, a clean borewell in an Odisha village brought relief, dignity, and a return to healthier lives.
Community-led solar irrigation in Padardi Village boosting crop yields, enhancing household incomes, empowering women, and driving climate-resilient, sustainable rural development in Rajasthan.
A reflection on WOTR’s 32-year journey translating grassroot watershed and climate resilience practice & research into state and national policies.
Monocropping’s long-term impacts on soil, pests, and farmer incomes are explored through insights from Nitin Kumbhar, highlighting sustainable alternatives, diversification strategies, and pathways to climate-resilient agriculture in India.
A family in Odisha rebuilds their lives after a tragic accident, using community support to start a small shop that restores their livelihood, dignity, and hope.
A glimpse into the cultural practices and land-based traditions of tribal communities in WOTR’s project regions.
Drawing from work with smallholder farmers—from Kumbharwadi in Maharashtra to Madaul in Odisha—WOTR has contributed key experiences, insights, and evidence to the Stories of Resilience 2025, a publication launched by the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil.
How can smallholders farm fish while safeguarding their local ecosystems? One promising answer lies in farm ponds.