The goal of Venu Madhuri Trust (VMT) is to provide drinking and irrigation water through watershed development. At Ramanwadi village in Kolhapur, it meant family security or forced migration in search of livelihoods to 360 villagers. The village, located in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 2625 feet, is spread over an area of 2,748 acres, including 2,132 acres of medium forest. The villagers showed their resilience and unity, when they constructed their first watershed plant in November, with support from AID Dallas, VMT and engineer, Mr. Khatkhale. Beating challenges posed by terrain, rainstorms and cold winter nights, they built a 9000-foot pipeline to transport water from a height difference of 15 feet, over hilltops and forest beds to their village below.

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Rahul Deshpande, VMT Kolhapur