Keskar strengthening rural communities against unpredictable climate
Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) has formed a partnership with Sun Pharma to address the challenges of water security and climate change in the Ahmednagar and Beed districts of Maharashtra by creating a water harvesting capacity of over 5.2 billion litres.
With the 3-year project spanning nearly 30,000 hectares, reaching across 22 villages and impacting a population of 36,884 and 7,823 families, this alliance signifies a major stride in enhancing rural communities’ resilience through efficient water harvesting and management practices.
Renowned for its commitment to ecosystem restoration through Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), WOTR believes in the necessity of rooting sustainable development in the health of local ecosystems. This approach ensures that the interventions are not only beneficial for the community but also contribute to the larger goal of environmental sustainability.
Prakash Keskar, Executive Director of WOTR, explained on 9 Nov, “This collaboration underscores WOTR’s unwavering commitment to strengthening rural communities against the unpredictable variations of climate change. Our partnership with Sun Pharma is a significant step towards empowering these communities to better manage their water resources, ensuring the security of their livelihoods and enhancing their resilience to climate volatility.”
Sun Pharma believes that business and responsibility go hand-in-hand. The company is committed to leveraging its people, expertise, and networks to address the needs of the communities it serves and catalyse overall development.
Lasting value can only be created if the right balance between the triple bottom lines of economic, environmental, and social is achieved. Sun Pharma is committed to making a positive, tangible impact on the communities. Through CSR and Sustainability Initiatives, Sun Pharma interventions address critical needs of rural people, which are sustainable over a period of time. The partnership with WOTR exemplifies Sun Pharma’s commitment to serve the community and ensure sustainability.
The project will focus on water conservation, climate-resilient agriculture practices, capacity building for leveraging government schemes, and livestock development. These interventions are expected to manage the supply and demand of water effectively, including addressing behavioural aspects towards water use.
The partnership between WOTR and Sun Pharma promises a brighter future for rural communities in the Ahmednagar and Beed districts. The two organisations eagerly anticipate the results of this collaboration in their continued journey towards rural development.
WOTR is a nationally and globally recognized leader and think tank in rural development, committed to eradicating the root causes of rural poverty. The organization stands at the forefront of ecosystem rejuvenation and community resilience strengthening in the face of climate change.
Through initiatives aimed at enhancing water availability, improving land and agricultural productivity, diversifying livelihoods, empowering women, and bolstering the health and well-being of vulnerable rural communities, WOTR has significantly transformed rural landscapes. Its unique approach convenes a diverse spectrum of stakeholders, fostering collaborative efforts to build rural community resilience.
Celebrating 30 years of impactful operation, WOTR has worked in 5,107 villages across 10 states in India, bringing positive change to 4.95 million individuals. Fiinews.com
