Knowledge Centre
July 2024
Scaling Impact in the Shastri River Basin. Empowering 400 Villages
After adapting and strengthening our approach in Velhe, the Raintree Foundation is scaling the impact to the Shastri River Basin, another critical region in the heart of Western Ghats.
A Landscape of Untapped Potential
While the Shastri River Basin encompasses 209,800 hectares, the pristine river is one of the few undammed and unpolluted in the Western Ghats. The region is a cradle of biodiversity and a source of life for countless communities. However, the communities here face challenges such as the ill effects of industrialisation, non-sustainable agricultural practices, limited water security, and climate change.
A Holistic Approach to Sustainable Transformation
Raintree Foundation is committed to addressing these challenges comprehensively. Our integrated programs will focus on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering a prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future.
We endeavour to take forward the same fundamental landscape model that will be customised and adapted according to the region’s needs. Our core programs on water security, biodiversity conservation, and clean energy will continue to be critical parts of our interventions in the new region.
We intend to take a micro-to-macro approach where building resilience will start with individual households and extend to communities and, thereby, the region. The core aspects will be mental health, inclusion, financial literacy, and livelihood support, followed by fostering climate consciousness and sustainable living practices. The further strengthening of communities will focus on mental health capacity building and encouraging health-seeking behaviour.
The objective is to have livelihood support take shape in the form of green enterprises that encourage entrepreneurship in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner. The micro-to-macro approach could also extend to the goal of green townships. We will look at facilitating collaboration between communities, local governments, and industries to create thriving semi-urban areas with sustainable practices such as solid waste management, green transport, rainwater harvesting, limiting plastic pollution, etc.
While we will begin by focusing on today’s challenges, we want to simultaneously work on building custodians of tomorrow. Breaking the ongoing chain of climate change needs a generational mindset shift. This can only be possible if climate consciousness is ingrained in the young mindsets of today. Equipping children and youth with the knowledge and tools to tackle climate change, mental health, and social issues will help build the ground for the “changemakers” of tomorrow.
The Power of Collaboration
At Raintree Foundation, we believe that lasting change is achieved through collaboration. We are grateful for the unwavering support of our partners and funders. Together, we can transform the Shastri River Basin into a beacon of sustainability, empowering its communities and preserving its ecological wonder for future generations.
Partner with us to create a positive change for communities and the environment!
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- contactus@theraintree.org
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