Raintree Foundation (India)

In the pursuit of water security, the primary challenge is the lack of availability and accessibility of clean drinking water for both the community and livestock. To address this pressing issue, the foundation is involved in the maintenance and repair of existing primary and secondary water sources, complemented by the installation of 8 community water filters with water ATMs. The expected impact of these measures is significant, as they aim to provide equitable access to clean drinking water for 600 households, with a particular focus on empowering women and girls. Additionally, the implementation of this solution is expected to reduce the time required to access drinking water, ensuring a more efficient and sustainable water supply for the entire community.

The Raintree Foundation's Sustainable Landscape Management (SLM) program, launched in 2018, is a 9-year pilot initiative in Velhe Block, Pune district, Maharashtra. This community-based program seeks to create resilient and thriving ecosystems, considering environmental, economic, and mental well-being aspects.
Built on systems thinking principles, SLM involves multiple stakeholders, with the community at its core. The program spans community development, environment, disability, and mental health, incorporating various interconnected initiatives and interventions. The goal is a holistic transformation of the program area, fostering sustainable change and synergy among these focus areas.

In the realm of renewable energy, the prevalent issue of the community's reliance on firewood as an energy source is being addressed through the installation of 60 biodigesters. These biodigesters play a crucial role in converting organic waste into valuable resources, such as manure and biogas. The far-reaching impact of this initiative is multi-faceted: it reduces the pressure on both biotic and abiotic elements in the forest, allowing slow-growing trees the chance to regenerate. Moreover, it curtails air pollution caused by burning firewood, while simultaneously providing organic fertilizers that enhance soil and water quality. Beyond environmental benefits, the use of biodigesters alleviates the burden on women who collect firewood, leading to improvements in both their physical and mental health. Additionally, this sustainable approach results in significant cost savings of approximately INR 10,000+ per household and helps save 600 endemic trees annually.