Chhattisgarh
The Challenge
Largely rural and tribal, the state of Chhattisgarh is dependent on agriculture and forest resources to a large extent. Most families in this region fall in the low-income category and face the repercussions of land degradation. Parts of Chhattisgarh are in hilly terrains where soil erosion is a common problem. This is not only depleting the forest resources but also making agricultural land unfit for cultivation. The project areas in Chhattisgarh are in remote locations, impacting villages’ connectivity to the outside world.
WOTR’s Approach
WOTR has recently started working in Chhattisgarh with a focus on mitigating poverty by expanding livelihood options for the communities. With integrated natural resource management and sustainable agriculture, our aim is to strengthen the socio-economic status of the rural and tribal population. The focus is on building the capacities of marginal farmers and improving their resilience.
Presence
Flagship Programmes
Land and Water Management
To support farmers and encourage more sustainable practices, WOTR has introduced integrated watershed management in the region. This approach helps ensure that water is used more efficiently, not just for growing crops, but also for everyday household needs. It’s all about making the most of available resources to build a more resilient farming community.
To date, our interventions in Chhattisgarh have benefited over 8,000 households, restoring more than 3,000 hectares of land, creating nearly 600 crore litres of water storage capacity, and bringing close to 2,000 hectares under irrigation, paving the way for more resilient communities and sustainable growth.
Climate Resilient Agriculture
In Chhattisgarh, farmers have traditionally grown crops only during the Kharif season, once a year. But now, WOTR is working with these communities to help them adopt modern, climate-resilient farming practices and grow crops in the rabi season too. The idea is to help them make smart crop choices and diversify their cropping patterns and grow more throughout the year, sustainably.
We’re also encouraging sustainable land and ecosystem management, including organic farming methods using formulations like Dashparni ark and Jeevamrut. Along with that, we support farmers in managing pests and diseases naturally and using water more efficiently.
More than 5,000 farmers have adopted organic farming, and over 4,500 farmers have brought additional areas under rabi crops, enabling them to grow two crops in a year.
farmers have adopted climate-resilient agriculture
community members will be supported to start vegetable farming and kitchen gardens
Livelihoods
In Chhattisgarh, most people earn their living through farming and forest-based activities, with livestock rearing also contributing as a secondary source of income. To help communities—especially landless families and other vulnerable groups—build more stable and diverse livelihoods, WOTR is promoting a range of alternative farm and non-farm income opportunities like poultry, flour mills, fish farming etc. The goal is to reduce their dependence on just one or two sources and make them more resilient to climate change and extreme weather events.
Nearly 1,000 households in Chhattisgarh are being supported with livelihood initiatives, helping families build more secure and sustainable sources of income.
WOTR’s team in Chhattisgarh has participated in Gram Sabhas to raise awareness on different interventions. Well-being ranking, net planning, PRA and formation of Village Development Committees (VDCs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Sanyukt Mahila Samhiti (SMS) have been initiated at the beginning of every project. WOTR is raising awareness on various government support schemes and helping eligible families with the necessary paperwork to avail the benefits.
To promote health and hygiene, WOTR has been working closely with the community, particularly with women, local schools, and Anganwadis. Through regular height and weight monitoring sessions, our team is raising awareness among parents about the importance of proper nutrition and curbing cases of malnutrition and anaemia among children, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers. Ensuring consistent access to safe and clean drinking water is also leading to a noticeable decline in waterborne diseases and contributing to the improved overall health of communities in the region.
Over 3,000 households in Chhattisgarh now have access to safe drinking water, marking a significant step toward better health and well-being. Around 2,800 children are regularly monitored for their height and weight, helping ensure healthy development. Additionally, nearly 2,400 pregnant women have been screened for anemia—an important step in safeguarding maternal and child health.
Women are central to all our initiatives, for we believe real change can come only when the lives of the women in the community are improved. To begin with, WOTR supports the formation of self-help groups (SHGs), which enable local women to become more vocal about their issues and empower them to make decisions. WOTR provides training and capacity-building support across various projects, actively encouraging women to establish and manage their enterprises. With constant encouragement and guidance, we equip women with the necessary tools to become financially independent.
Around 500 women are now actively involved in various enterprises, while nearly 750 women have received support for reducing daily drudgery, making their work easier, more efficient, and less physically demanding.
