Videos

The documentary “Apli Pragati Aplya Hati “demonstrates us about, what is watershed development? What are its various components and their relationship with each other? about the watershed area development process and its various advantages along with the FAQ’s about watershed development area from the rural areas in details. .... more

In India, where Poverty, drought Loan, migration being a long tell, the message that, Nothing on this Earth can stop women when she decides to transform the situation, is well conveyed through the film “Chaluya Swawlambnachya Vatevar”. .... more

The ban on free grazing in treated areas, which is one of the ‘non negotiable’ of the watershed program, holds different meaning for different stakeholders in the program. While it ensures protection of the treatments undertaken and survival of plantation done, it also adversely affects the herding community, who are usually the poorest in the watershed, in the form of additional work to cut and carry fodder for their livestock. The main opposition to this ban on free grazing comes from them. This film makes an attempt to see the situation from different perspectives. While some of the herders see the advantages of the watershed program in terms of increased water and fodder which has greatly benefitted them, others just are not willing to accept that they be made the sacrificial lambs to this developmental initiative which is supposed to benefit the entire watershed community. It is very necessary that their needs too, be taken into consideration and sensitive ways forward be found which are acceptable to all. Once the trees have gained sufficient height, methods like controlled grazing could be adopted. .... more

Damalwadi and Wazar were two drought prone villages of Maharashtra, where availability of drinking water was a perennial problem. The women were the most affected by this. The requirements to implement WOTR’s clean and safe drinking water project’ were do able yet challenging. This short film tell the story of how the Samyukt Mahila Samiti (Apex Body of Women’s Self Help Groups) challenged tradition and together resolved the water issue. .... more

Dongaon (Taluka Biloli, Dist. Nanded) was a village divided into two political factions. A rivalary so harsh that any work involving the entire village community was impossible. A severe drought made the entire village sit up and think. The only hope was the Watershed Development Programme offered by the Watershed Organisation Trust, (WOTR). But there was a catch. The watershed programme stipulated the participation of the entire village. So would the ‘leaders’ bury their hatchet and rise above the rivalary? Would community spirit win over individual egos? Would Dongaon reverse its (mis) fortunes by embracing watershed development? The Dongaon Watershed Project was facilitated by Sanskriti Samvardhan Mandal. ‘Dongaon – U turn to fortune’ is an important case study for individuals and organizations involved in the development sector. .... more

The environment is all about balance. When earth and water come together in the WOTR projects, harmony comes about. While re-creating the watershed for themselves, the village communities of men and women, tribal groups, low caste and high caste resolve their differences. Prosperity comes in many ways: school drop-out rates reduce; the opinions of women are considered; agricultural production increases and dramatically; lessons are learnt on local self-governance; rural women get micro-financed; trees are planted. As a precious promise, WOTR helps watershed dwellers harvest every drop of rain. Earth And Water are the keepers of the common destiny of the human race. The pot of goodness flows to all – Water Gives Life. Experience how, WOTR brings water to earth and makes a greener earth. .... more

The successful implementation of a Watershed Development Program not only improves local water resources and agriculture activity but also improves social cohesion, helps the women’s sector, micro finance etc through the ‘watershed plus’ activities. The self help groups of the women give them a space to come together, discuss their problems, hopes and work out ways ahead collectively. For many of the women, the SHG gave them the opportunity to step out of their houses, experience the world outside their own villages and built up their self esteem and confidence. All these are the steps on the road to empowerment. This film is the compilation of the experiences of many such women who have found strength in the unity and solidarity of their groups. While they have come far, they have dreams of taking up bigger and bigger challenges in the future – with the assured support of their groups. .... more

In the implementation of a watershed development project, the Watershed Committee has an important role to play. The more representative, transparent and efficient is the Watershed Committee, the better is the quality of the watershed work and the overall development of the village. Through its more than ten years of work, the Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) has been able to establish many such watershed committees throughout the State of Maharashtra. Experiences of Watershed Committee members on important issues like watershed development, village development, women’s empowerment etc… are depicted in this video film. Members of the watershed committee have shared their views about the effots made, difficulties faces, solutions explored, their achievements and also failures. The video explores different issues and situations, changes that occurred from self centered attitudes to owning social responsibility, the relationship between natural resources conservation and daily village life, consequences of leadership etc. The beauty of this video is that the Watershed Committee members themselves are at centre stage. They express themselves, their new perception, experiences in their own earthy and inimitable style. .... more

The Wasundhara Project is the first of its kind – it follows WOTR’s Wasundhara Guidelines. The guidelines’ various successful facets was an ideal methodology to take up the challenge of breaking into new territories of Madhya Pradesh for the WOTR team. .... more

For a village so small, remote and relegated to eternal poverty, one would expect its inhabitants to welcome the Watershed Programme with open arms. After the all programme brought with it the much needed funds and employment. Yet the village Garamsur chose otherwise. The ‘power centres’ of the village felt threatened by this programme which sought to empower common people. Ostensibly, the issue raised was charaibandi or ban on free grazing, but in reality, the village sought to be divided on caste lines. A group of dedicated people from the village took up the challenge. They mobilized women’s Self help groups. As the groups flourished, more and more women joined in, women even from the ‘dissenting’ families. This was women’s power. The change in attitude came in slowly, but surely. The entire village joined the Watershed Programme and completed the pogramme before its deadline! This is a moving story of the triumph of sincerity, hard work and perseverance over village ‘powers’ and certainly of the important role which can be played by women in bringing about lasting changes. .... more