WOTR creates a toolkit to combat water crisis

New Delhi: To encourage people’s participation in water conservation, a non-profit organization, WOTR, has developed a Water Governance Standard and Certification Toolkit. In turn, the villages and communities will be incentivised on the basis of their certification score with investment and more resources for development work in their area.

According to the press statement, the toolkit consists of 76 indicators distributed across four modules: governance, supply-side water management, demand-side water management, and equity and sustainability in water management.

“A village gets certified in one of the categories as per the points earned across the indicators,” it said.

Crispino Lobo, Managing Trustee, Water Organisation Trust (WOTR), said the objective of developing this toolkit is dual.

“The WGSCT provides decision support for investors by inspiring confidence in their decision to invest in a village. At the same time, it incentivizes and guides the village communities in evaluating their water governance performance and provides them with clear analysis and a roadmap for improvements, “he said.

“The WGSCT is in line with the composite water management index developed by NITI Aayog for states, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but applicable at the village/community level. The tool also addresses the concern of climate change by promoting the resilience building of communities, “he added.

The certification system appreciates and incentivises villages that score well.

They can use these certificates to attract more resources and investments as they represent a high likelihood of success for the investor, “said the statement.

At the same time, the analysis and recommendations are also a vital opportunity for villages that scored less or were not applicable for certification to know their weak areas (indicators) in water resource management and take necessary action.

“The WGSC Toolkit has enormous potential for the government, donors, and CSR and it is the responsibility of foundations and financial institutions to make informed investment choices, conduct impact assessments, and provide a massive opportunity for village communities to improve their level of water governance” it said.

India’s water resources, with the highest groundwater usage in the world, with 2.5% of the global geographical area and 4% of the water resources, with a burden of 20% of the worldwide population, are also speedily being depleted.

Many governments, non-governmental organizations, and local governments have responded to the crisis.

Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), CSR foundations, CSOs, and business units are playing a vital role by promoting supply and demand-side interventions, including improving the overall water governance in India.

Many village communities have also woken up to concerns about water management and are making efforts to promote better water management practices.