Extensive geographical coverage
As of 2017–18, interventions spanned 570 watersheds across 14 districts of Tamil Nadu — including Karur, Tirunelveli, Pudukkottai, Virudhunagar, Krishnagiri, Sivagangai, Tiruvallur, Dharmapuri and Salem.
Integrated Watershed Management Programme
Flagship initiative of the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development — delivered by Coodu Trust with the District Watershed Development Agency across 14 districts of Tamil Nadu.
570
Watersheds covered
33,500
Hectares treated
1,70,000
Households covered (approx.)
8,50,000+
Population covered
The project
Restoring degraded landscapes, watershed by watershed
Project mission
Restore the ecological balance of degraded landscapes by treating watersheds in a holistic and integrated manner — harnessing, conserving and developing soil, water and vegetative cover to prevent soil erosion, regenerate vegetation, harvest rainwater and recharge the groundwater table.
The Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) is a flagship initiative of the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. Coodu Trust serves as a key implementing partner, working in close coordination with the District Watershed Development Agency (DWDA). As of 2017–18, interventions spanned 570 watersheds across 14 districts of Tamil Nadu — treating 33,500 hectares and reaching approximately 1,70,000 households, a population of over 8,50,000 people.
The strategy is centred on effective community participation, ensuring development plans are based on local needs and land capabilities. In the 2022–2024 focus districts — Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Perambalur, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Thoothukudi — Coodu Trust acts as coordinating agency for training and exposure visits to agricultural institutions such as TNAU and KVK Gandhigram.
- Community participation
- Sustainable agriculture
- Institution building
- Livelihood enhancement
Why this work matters
The challenge on the ground — and our answer
The challenge
Degraded land losing its soil and water
On degraded landscapes, rain runs off instead of soaking in — eroding topsoil, stripping vegetative cover and leaving the groundwater table unreplenished.
Our response
Holistic watershed treatment at scale
570 watersheds treated across 14 districts — 33,500 hectares under soil and water conservation, rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge that regenerates vegetation across the landscape.
The challenge
Livelihoods tied to a single fragile harvest
When households depend on one crop from degraded land, incomes stay low and every failed season pushes families deeper into hardship.
Our response
Diversified, sustainable livelihoods
Livelihood promotion enabled multi-cropping and diverse agro-based activities, backed by extensive training and exposure visits to institutions like TNAU and KVK Gandhigram.
At a glance
The essentials
- Scheme
- IWMPFlagship initiative of the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India
- Period
- 2011–2023Focus districts 2022–2024: Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Perambalur, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri & Thoothukudi
- Coverage
- 570 watersheds, 14 districtsAs of 2017–18, including Karur, Tirunelveli, Pudukkottai, Virudhunagar, Krishnagiri, Sivagangai, Tiruvallur, Dharmapuri & Salem
- Beneficiaries
- Approx. 1,70,000 householdsA population of over 8,50,000 people, with 33,500 hectares treated
- Partners
- District Watershed Development AgencyLead: Coodu Trust; training & exposure visits with TNAU and KVK Gandhigram
- Part of
- Watershed portfolioOne of 6 government watershed programmes delivered since 2001
Outcomes
What the project changed
Significant community impact
The programme reached approximately 1,70,000 households — a population of over 8,50,000 people — and treated a total area of 33,500 hectares across Tamil Nadu.
Resilience building
By strengthening community-based institutions and promoting sustainable agro-based activities, IWMP enhances household incomes and builds long-term environmental and economic resilience.
Get involved
Help restore degraded landscapes
Support watershed work that conserves soil and water, recharges groundwater and builds sustainable livelihoods for rural communities across Tamil Nadu.