Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR): Empowering Resilient Rural Communities
Established in 1993, the Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) is a globally recognized non-profit organization and think-tank dedicated to transforming the lives of India’s rural poor. Born from the Indo-German Watershed Development Programme (IGWDP)—a landmark bilateral initiative between the governments of India and Germany—WOTR has spent over three decades at the forefront of the community-led watershed movement.

From Watersheds to Ecosystem-Based Adaptation
While its roots lie in watershed development, WOTR’s approach has evolved into a comprehensive Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) strategy. This shift acknowledges that rural livelihoods are inextricably linked to the health of the surrounding environment. By focusing on EbA, WOTR helps vulnerable communities build resilience against the unpredictable impacts of climate change.

A Holistic Approach to Rural Upliftment
WOTR tackles the root causes of rural poverty by rejuvenating both ecosystems and the communities that inhabit them. Their work is built on three core pillars:

Community Mobilization: Empowering villagers to take ownership of their natural resources.

Resource Management: Promoting the regeneration and efficient use of land, water, and forests.

Livelihood Diversification: Creating sustainable economic opportunities that reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture.

Bridging Practice and Policy: W-CReS
WOTR is not just an implementer; it is a center for academic and applied excellence. The organization established the WOTR Centre for Resilience Studies (W-CReS) in Pune to bridge the gap between "ground-to-lab" and "lab-to-land."

W-CReS performs several vital functions:

Applied Research: Conducting rigorous studies on climate change, water security, and agriculture.

Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborating with academic institutions, government bodies, and local communities.

Policy Influence: Translating field-level data into actionable insights to help shape national and international development policies.

Vision for the Future
WOTR’s ultimate goal is to create resilient rural communities that enjoy a fulfilling quality of life. By combining traditional wisdom with modern science, WOTR continues to scale its impact, ensuring that the most marginalized populations can thrive in harmony with their environment.