In 1995, the Indian NGO Watershed Organization Trust (WOTR) worked with the villagers of Darewadi to develop and implement a watershed restoration scheme. Five years of regeneration activities followed, including tree and grassland planting and sustainable crop cultivation. Soil and water conservation measures to nurture the regenerating land included the construction of simple water harvesting and irrigation systems such as hillside contour trenches and rainwater-harvesting dams.

The work was carried out by villagers themselves, following training by WOTR field staff in simple conservation-based agricultural practices and management techniques such as land measurement and record-keeping. Wherever possible, the NGO worked with landowning couples, to boost local women’s confidence and involvement in decision-making (D’Souza and Lobo 2004:5). Darewadi landowners were also mentored by farmers who had already successfully implemented watershed conservation measures in neighboring villages. Villagers donated 17 percent of total labor costs and earned wages for additional project-related work over and above their shramdan (WOTR 2002:2).

The Darewadi project’s costs were substantial, totaling 8.7 million rupees when the value of voluntary labor is factored in (WOTR 2002:2). By 2001 the results were apparent. Barren hills and common lands covering 395 hectares had been planted with trees and grasses, with a 65 percent survival rate (D’Souza and Lobo 2004:6). Land under irrigation increased from 197 to 342 hectares, with maize, wheat, and vegetables among successful new crops. Grass fodder for livestock increased 170 percent as a result of the soil and water conservation measures (WOTR 2005). (See "Figure 1: Annual rainfall and aquifer levels, Darewadi watershed, 1995-2000", "Table 1: More water in Darewadi" and "Table 2: Darewadi watershed restoration benefits".)

In response to the grazing bans, many poorer households had sold their sheep and goats. Since the restrictions were lifted in 2001, however, livestock numbers have rebounded. More plentiful fodder has also enabled villagers to raise more valuable hybrid cows with high milk production. Higher-yield crops, milk sales, increased wages, and more days of available work have resulted in a fivefold hike in the village’s agricultural income (See "Figure 2: Agricultural income, Darewadi Village".). Signs of increased household wealth and well-being include the arrival of kitchen gardens and individual latrines, as well as televisions, bicycles, and motorcycles.

“Our village has changed totally,” says Ramaji B. Phad, a Darewadi sheep owner. “The hills are now covered with trees which we planted at the beginning. The water in wells and the ground water level have increased. The average income of the farmer has increased. People are now able to eat good food like wheat, rice, and dhal” (WOTR 2002:5).

Despite three years of drought since IGWDP funding ended in 2001, the project’s benefits are continuing, testifying to the effectiveness of the regeneration and the Village Watershed Committee. The local water table has continued to rise, as have supplies of livestock fodder and the volume of land under irrigation. The availability of agricultural work and wage levels have held steady. In early 2005, 11 villagers acquired telephones (Lobo 2005c).

The transition to self-sufficiency in 2001 was eased by the IGWDP returning to the community the cash equivalent of 50 percent of the value of the village’s voluntary labor. The community deposited the money in a maintenance fund for watershed management activities. Contributions from villagers and penalties charged for rule-breaking are also used to top up the fund, and WOTR continues to provide village businesses with microfinance support (Lobo 2005b).

Perhaps most important for the long term are the links that villagers have built up with local government officials. With a new sense of confidence based on their record of achievement, they can now leverage these contacts to seek more development funding. “Before we would not talk in front of outsiders,” explains Chimaji Kondaji, deputy chairman of Darewadi’s Village Watershed Committee. “[Since the project] we get good cooperation from government departments, who we now approach with ease” (Lobo 2005b).