RUNNING HEAD TITLE

RESEARCH PAPER

2023
12/14/2023

EMPOWERING SUSTAINABILIT
AND AWARENESS
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Group Members

Ritesh Rajendra Ghonge (10)

Arnav Ajit Gire (11)

Rama Ramesh Jakhalekar (16)

Aditya Ramesh Pangarkar (31)

Institutional Affiliation(s)

Course Name: FIELD PROJECT

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Author Note

This case paper on Empowering Sustainability was prepared by all the

Group’s Member’s of students of Computer Science. Undertaking this exploration

into the realm of water conservation and awareness among NGO’s has been an

enlightening journey. The significance of sustaining our planet’s most vital

resource cannot be overstated, and the tireless efforts of various non-

government organizations (NGOs) in this pursuit are commendable.

Through this case paper, I aimed to shed light on the invaluable work

carried out by these organizations, emphasizing their strategies, challenges, and

impacts in promoting water conservation and awareness.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the individuals and organizations

whose contributions and insights have enriched this study. May this paper serve

as a testament to the unwavering commitment of NGOs and inspire further

collaborative endeavors toward a more water-conservation and sustainable

future.
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Abstract

This paper explores the pivotal role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in fostering

sustainability through their dedicated efforts in promoting water conservation and awareness. As the

global population burgeons and environmental challenges intensify, the preservation of water resources

emerges as a critical imperative for the sustenance of life and ecosystems. NGOs, driven by a

commitment to environmental stewardship, play a significant role in spearheading initiatives,

campaigns, and collaborations aimed at addressing the pressing issues surrounding water scarcity and

degradation.

Through a comprehensive analysis of prominent NGOs working in the realm of water conservation, this

paper delineates their missions, multifaceted approaches, and geographic focuses. By examining the

strategies employed by these organizations, including community engagement, policy advocacy, and

innovative solutions, the paper elucidates the diverse and impactful efforts undertaken to promote

sustainable water management practices.

Moreover, this study delves into the tangible outcomes of these NGO-led endeavors, showcasing

successful campaigns and initiatives that have positively influenced water conservation and heightened

public awareness. By highlighting specific case studies and projects, this paper underscores the

transformative impact of collaborative efforts in mitigating water-related challenges and fostering a

culture of conservation.

Ultimately, this exploration aims to underscore the profound significance of NGOs as catalysts for

change in the realm of water conservation and awareness. By advocating for sustainable practices,

fostering partnerships, and empowering communities, these organizations pave the way for a more

sustainable future, where the invaluable resource of water is preserved for generations to come.
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INTRODUCTION

Water, the essence of life, is an invaluable resource essential for the survival of all living beings

and the sustainability of ecosystems. The importance of water conservation cannot be

overstated in the face of escalating global challenges, including population growth, climate

change, and increasing water scarcity.

At its core, water conservation refers to the responsible management and preservation of

water resources to ensure their availability for present and future generations. It encompasses

a spectrum of practices aimed at reducing water wastage, improving efficiency in water use,

and safeguarding freshwater ecosystems.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) stand at the forefront of initiatives dedicated to

promoting sustainability across various sectors, including water conservation. These

organizations, driven by a commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility,

actively engage in raising awareness, implementing programs, and advocating for policies

aimed at preserving and managing our planet's water resources.

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NGOs play a pivotal role in promoting sustainability by serving as catalysts for change,

leveraging their expertise, networks, and resources to address water-related challenges. They

collaborate with communities, governments, businesses, and other stakeholders to initiate

impactful projects, drive policy reforms, and empower individuals with the knowledge and tools

needed to foster a culture of conservation.

The purpose of this case paper is to delve into the critical role played by NGOs in advancing

water conservation and awareness. It aims to explore the strategies, initiatives, and impact of

these organizations in safeguarding our planet's most precious resource. By examining their

methods, successes, and challenges, this paper seeks to underscore the significance of

collective efforts in addressing the global water crisis while offering insights into the way

forward for sustainable water management.

The scope of this paper encompasses an in-depth analysis of select NGOs actively involved in
water conservation efforts, their approaches, collaborations, and the tangible outcomes of their
work. Through this exploration, a comprehensive understanding of the invaluable contributions
of NGOs in advocating for water conservation and fostering awareness will be elucidated.
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Overview of Water Conservation NGOs

1) Watershed Organization Trust (WOTR)

Mission: WOTR tackles the key causes of rural poverty by rejuvenating ecosystems

and building the community’s resilience to climate change. We enhance the

availability of water, increase the productivity of land and agriculture, diversify

livelihoods, empower women, and strengthen the health and well-being of

vulnerable rural communities.

Vision: Resilient rural communities that enjoy a fulfilling quality of life within

vibrant and sustainable ecosystems.

Area’s of Work: There are multiple area’s in which WOTR has worked which are:-

i. Watershed Development and Ecosystem Management.

ii. Integrated Water Resources Management.

iii. Climate Resilient Agriculture.

iv. Sustainable Rural Livelihoods.

v. Biodiversity.
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vi. Women Empowerment.

2) TAHAAN

Mission: Providing permanent solutions to the water crisis in India by establishing

rainwater harvesting projects, water sanitation facilities, Providing emergency

water tankers and plantation of trees to revive the ecology.

Vision: Providing permanent solutions to the water crisis in India by establishing

rainwater harvesting projects, water sanitation facilities, Providing emergency
water tankers and plantation of trees to revive the ecology.
Area’s of Work: There are multiple area’s in which WOTR has worked which are:-

i. We provided more than 520 tankers (Project costed us around 7 Lakh Rs.) to
different drought affected villages to alleviate their immediate need for
water.To spread awareness about water conservation, we conducted more than
24 street plays across these villages(Year-2016).
ii. We did a prototype of an urban tree-adoption program at the Taljai hills, where
the community adopted around 300 trees(planted last year) to ensure their
survival over the summer when the hill is short of water.Post the summer, we
did a survey to analyse the survival rate of the trees, which came out to be more
than 80%(on an average, tree adoption rate of random plantation is 5-20 % in
the Year-2017).
iii. According to government data, 14,000sq km of forests were cleared to
accommodate 23,716 industrial projects across India over the last 30 years. To
save the greener future we have to take the actions today.This year our major
focus was to plant as much as trees as possible. And to achieve our goal we
have successfully conducted tree plantation drives in Pune, Marnewadi and in
Baramati(Year-2018).
iv. More than 163 million people in India do not have access to clean water. In
tribal villages to fetch water people travel miles even today. Due to unclean
water, many people are exposed to water-borne diseases affecting the village by
kidney stones, liver and kidney damages and many types of skin diseases. The
current practice of fetching water requires heavy water pots to be carried on the
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head, typically by the ladies and young girls of the rural households. Head-
loading leads to chronic pain and can cause serious complications during child-
birth.After understanding the situation we decided to help these villages. To
provide the relief from unclean water and headload Tahaan conducted Filter
Donation Drive in Vangani & Water Wheel Donation drive in Thakarwadi
Village(Year-2019).

3) ACWADAM
Mission: ACWADAM’s mission is to stimulate and facilitate work related to
groundwater management in various parts if India, through partnerships, while
evolving into an institution that works on aquifer-based groundwater
management. A not-for-profit organization that aims at establishing a
groundwater management agenda in India, ACWADAM has set itself an agenda
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that is based on the science of hydrogeology and the principles of managing a

“common pool resource” through scientifically based participatory processes.
Vision: ACWADAM has also come to believe that the efficiency of programmes
such as watershed development, drinking water and sanitation security and
revitalizing rain-fed agriculture can be significantly improved by integrating the
science of groundwater during the planning and execution phases of these
programmes.
Area’s of Work: ACWADAM's action research has spanned two decades now.
Moreover, its action research is backed by more than 35 years of conventional
academic research by its founder trustee. The focus of this research is
groundwater management. The action research has included scientific aspects of
developing implementable plans for groundwater management, without
overemphasizing the need to publish research in a classically academic mode.

The conventional over-emphasis on scientific precision in aquifer understanding,

ironically casts a mysterious mask on the pedagogy of groundwater as a common
pool resource whereas this very aspect should become fundamental to many
public programmes dealing with water, given India's large dependency on
groundwater resources. In many ways, this contradiction leads to a disregard of
science in various programmes.

ACWADAM undertakes independent and collaborative research to develop an

improved understanding of aquifers, the demand imposed on groundwater and
the associated supply systems. Such research endeavors to fill the gap between
an academician and the practitioner. ACWADAM has been able to dovetail
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'classical' research and action research into a 'facilitative' mode so as to produce

improved responses to groundwater problems in different parts of India.
ACWADAM has tweaked the process of understanding and mapping aquifers to
suit its applicability to different programmes. Such research has also fed into
policy reforms and international research on the subject of groundwater
management. Action research is strongly driven by the process of field facilitation
to various partner organizations.

This research includes but is not restricted to:-

i. Aquifers in agriculture and rain-fed agriculture.
ii. Aquifers in drinking water and sanitation programmes.
iii. Aquifers and ecosystems.
iv. Artificial recharge and aquifers.
v. Aquifers in watershed programmes.
vi. Participatory groundwater management (PGWM).
vii. Urban groundwater.

4) Ecosan Services Foundation

Mission: The mission of this Organization is in following way’s:-

i. To develop sustainable organizational structure and processes.

ii. To strengthen organization position in capacity development through

training, piloting and demonstration, awareness raising, R & D and coaching

in new enterprises.
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iii. To strengthen organization networking platform with national and

international experts in the sector.

iv. To promote open dissemination of knowledge through face-to face as well

as IT enabled services for institutions and individuals.

v. To ensure quality Management and organizational learning to highlight best

practices in the sector.

Vision: Being a Key Resource Centre and a leading knowledge hub, ESF envisions

to be a significant contributor towards the sustainable development goals in the

WASH sector.

The primary goals include :-

i. Providing a vital mix of tailor-made software and hardware solutions for

sustainable sanitation and water management.

ii. Open dissemination of knowledge through face-to face as well as IT

enabled services for institutions and individuals

iii. Strengthening and enabling the exchange of ideas and knowledge with our

networking platform of national and international experts in the WASH

sector.
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iv. Initiation of capacity building programs via training, workshops, awareness

raising programs, piloting and demonstration, R & D and coaching in the

new enterprises.

Area’s of Work: There are various in which this Organization has worked, which

are:-

i. Capacity Building:
EXPERTISE DEVELOPMENT We impart trainings to individuals in order to
improve their understanding and knowledge as well as provide them with
access to information enabling them to perform efficiently.
INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK DEVELOPMENT By suggesting legal and
regulatory changes within institutions, we enable them to enhance their
capacities, at all levels and in all sectors.
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Through the expansion of management
structures, processes and procedures, we envisage growth not only within
organizations but also encourage multi-organizational and multi-sectoral
relationships .
One of the key elements of our capacity building programs are our
specialized trainings in the WASH sector.
ii. Research & Development (R & D):
ESF through its extensive network in the Water and Sanitation Sector,
partners up with different organizations to conceptualise ‘Ecological
Sanitation’ projects. ‘Ecological Sanitation’ is an approach to safely CLOSE
THE LOOP between sanitation and agriculture. With our range of expertise,
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we approach this concept in a technical manner, keeping in mind the social

and institutional constraints and strive hard to make our solutions tailor-
made as well as economically friendly.
Our projects are a mixture of Research and development, installation of
demonstration units, planning and an integrated management approach.
So far, our R&D projects have been funded by the European Commission,
Department of Science and Technology (Government of India), GIZ (German
Institute for international cooperation), GTO (German toilet organization),
to name a few.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the impactful endeavours of NGOs championing water

conservation and awareness signify a beacon of hope for global
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sustainability. Their multifaceted approaches, campaigns, and collaborative

efforts underscore the urgency and potential for positive change in
preserving our planet's invaluable water resources. As these organizations
empower communities, advocate for policy reforms, and cultivate a culture
of conservation, they pave the way for a future where water is revered,
protected, and made accessible to all, fostering a more sustainable world for
generations to come.

I would also like to thank my teacher for giving this wonderful opportunity
for giving this Topic, which would help us in the future time and not just
academically but would help us in Entrepreneurship way’s to analysis the
whole situation and times we would face.

THANK YOU