Skip to content
  • About
  • Partner with Us
  • Indonesia
  • Subscribe
  • Log In
Primary Menu
  • Home
  • Latest
  • Topics
  • News
  • Brief
  • Interview
  • Opinion
  • Figure
  • Infographic
  • Video
  • Community
  • Partner
  • Press Release
  • Youth
  • Global
  • Featured
  • Soft News

WOTR India: Rural Development Through a Holistic Approach

A non-profit organization supports the development of rural India through a human-centered, nature-based strategy called Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA).
by Kresentia Madina August 16, 2022
a man standing behind a cow equipped with plowing tools

Photo by amol sonar on Unsplash

There is no doubt that climate change is impacting all of us. However, rural people who depend on nature suffer a more significant impact from the degraded ecosystem.

In India, a non-profit organization called Watershed Organization Trust (WOTR) has supported rural communities across the country through water and food management. The organization uses a strategy called Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA).

Watershed Organization Trust

WOTR was first established in 1993 with the mission of creating resilient rural communities that are capable of managing their own resources. As of 2021, WOTR’s programs have reached over 5,200 villages across 9 states in India. 

A watershed is an area that drains off rainfall and snow into bodies of water, such as rivers and streams. This drainage basin is essential for the ecosystem in rural India because it improves groundwater and crop quality and restores eroded soil. Unfortunately, unsustainable agricultural practices have damaged the ecosystem.

WOTR’s watershed management program is grounded on Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA). This program is a series of interventions at farm and landscape levels.

Ecosystem-based Adaptation

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity defines Ecosystem-based Adaptation as “the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall adaptation strategy to help people adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.” In other words, EbA is a strategy that is human-centered and nature-based.

The EbA strategy was first implemented in Maharashtra through a holistic design of interventions, which include disaster risk reduction, biodiversity & ecosystem services, water budgeting, agro-meteorology, adaptive sustainable agriculture, watershed development, and energy alternatives.

The results of these interventions are assessed based on three criteria:

  • Helping people adapt to climate change

Practicing climate-resilient agriculture resulted in an increase in income by 37%. Food quality improved, and the distress migration stopped due to increased available water.

  • Improving ecosystems and biodiversity

Farm forestry resulted in an increase in forest cover and plantations by 43%. Treating watersheds through soil and water conservation measures also halted soil erosion and reclaimed gullies. There was also an increase in water storage capacity by 87%.

  • Strengthening participatory governance

The project saw an increase in women’s participation in governance and decision-making. Four more institutions were also formed throughout the project to participate in natural resources management.

Supporting SDGs

According to Rural Marketing, WOTR has recently started its watershed development program in 10 villages in Karnataka state. The program will focus on treating the village areas and drainage system, promoting water-saving technologies, testing soil, and promoting agricultural livelihood activities and practices. If adopted widely, WOTR’s Ecosystem-based Adaptation can support India’s progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma


Subscribe to Green Network Asia
Strengthen your personal and professional development with cross-sectoral insights on sustainability-related issues and sustainable development across the Asia Pacific and beyond.
Select Your Subscription Plan
Kresentia Madina
Kresentia Madina
Reporter at Green Network Asia | Website |  + postsBio

Madina is the Assistant Manager for Digital Publications at Green Network Asia. She graduated from Universitas Indonesia with a bachelor's degree in English Literature. She has three years of professional experience working on GNA international digital publications, programs, and partnerships particularly on social and cultural issues.

  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    How the City of Umeå Addresses Gender Inequality in Urban Areas
  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    Implementing Integrated Approach to Strengthen Resilience in South Africa
  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    Looking into the Vehicle Scrapping Program in China
  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    Balancing Sustainable Use and Conservation of Threatened Species

Continue Reading

Previous: How to Provide Childcare during Humanitarian Crises
Next: Linking Forest Patches in Peninsular Malaysia

Related Stories

two hands joining puzzle pieces Indonesia-UN Collaboration to Support Job Creation and Social Protection
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Indonesia-UN Collaboration to Support Job Creation and Social Protection

by Abul Muamar June 16, 2025
a photo of Umea town landscape. How the City of Umeå Addresses Gender Inequality in Urban Areas
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

How the City of Umeå Addresses Gender Inequality in Urban Areas

by Ayu Nabilah and Kresentia Madina June 13, 2025
Fabrics drying on a clothesline Using Eco-Friendly Textiles to Support Sustainability in Fashion
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Using Eco-Friendly Textiles to Support Sustainability in Fashion

by Attiatul Noor June 12, 2025
a bunch of dumped circuit boards Reducing E-Waste by Making Recyclable and Healable Electronics
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Reducing E-Waste by Making Recyclable and Healable Electronics

by Dinda Rahmania June 11, 2025
side view of motion blurred hands typing on a laptop. Does Deleting Emails Really Help Save the Planet?
  • Brief
  • Featured

Does Deleting Emails Really Help Save the Planet?

by Sukma Prasanthi June 10, 2025
small green farming fields on the side of the road Implementing Integrated Approach to Strengthen Resilience in South Africa
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Implementing Integrated Approach to Strengthen Resilience in South Africa

by Kresentia Madina June 9, 2025

About Us

  • GNA Founder’s Letter
  • GNA In-House Team
  • GNA Author Network
  • GNA Press Release Guidelines
  • GNA Op-ed Article Guidelines
  • GNA Community Content Guidelines
  • GNA Internship
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
© 2021-2025 Green Network Asia