By Bl Pune Bureau

Copyright thehindubusinessline

The Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) and its research arm, the WOTR Centre for Resilience Studies (W-CReS), to embed Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) into the state’s climate policies and programmes.

The partnership—backed by WOTR’s three decades of work in climate-resilient rural development—is also reflected in the Maharashtra State Action Plan on Climate Change (MH SAPCC): Pathways for 2030. It seeks to integrate ecosystem services into development planning, involve communities in co-creating local solutions, and build the capacities of farmers and rural institutions to withstand climate risks.

Maharashtra, with over 112 million people, relies heavily on agriculture, which employs nearly half the workforce and contributes around 11 per cent to the state’s GDP.

Yet, recurring droughts, erratic rainfall and mounting water scarcity continue to threaten rural livelihoods. Officials say embedding EbA into the state’s frameworks will not only strengthen farm resilience but also conserve biodiversity and reduce disaster risks.

Anchored on 3 pillars

The MoU is anchored on three pillars: regenerating ecosystems and conserving biodiversity; enabling communities to manage natural resources sustainably and equitably; and enhancing the adaptive capacities of rural institutions and households to secure resilient incomes and livelihoods.

While WOTR will provide field-tested expertise in watershed development, water management and climate-smart agriculture, W-CReS will deliver research-based insights to shape evidence-driven interventions.

The initiative also aligns with India’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering an “all-of-society” approach—bringing together state institutions, corporates, civil society and rural communities to tackle the climate challenge.

“Ecosystem-based Adaptation must become the backbone of Maharashtra’s development journey. Only by undertaking adaptive and risk-mitigating action and weaving nature into policy and practice, can we build climate resilience and secure both incomes and biodiversity for the future,” said Marcella D’Souza, Director, W-CReS.

Abhijit Ghorpade, Director, State Climate Action Cell, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra, said “EbA should become the bedrock of public policy. Sustainability is the lens through which all our developmental projects, schemes and programmes should be viewed and analysed. By working with WOTR and W-CReS, we aim to embed resilience into every layer of Maharashtra’s development agenda and action. This collaboration will ensure that vulnerable communities are better prepared for droughts, floods, and other climate shocks.”

Published on September 15, 2025