Creating abundance in the Western Ghats through water, farms and forests – in our lifetimes
Raah Foundation is a community-rooted, on-ground implementation organisation delivering integrated solutions for water security, livelihoods, and ecosystem recovery across the Northern Western Ghats.
Your Impact Isn’t Charity.
Every second, forests are vanishing, species are disappearing, and livelihoods are being pushed to the brink. Yet here, in the ancient Sahyadris, lies a chance to rewrite that story. It is a living experiment in climate action where biodiversity, human prosperity, and resilience converge. Scroll further, and witness how grassroots stewardship is shaping a future that belongs not only to the mountains, but to all of us.
Empowering Tribal India Through Water, Land & Climate Justice.
We are a movement born from the belief that humanity and nature are not adversaries but allies. We are proving that the health of the planet and the dignity of its people are inseparable. The Sahyadris are our stage, but the blueprint we create is meant for the world.
About Us
Raah works to restore the biodiversity and ecological systems that make landscapes healthy—strengthening soil and water systems, improving land productivity, and enabling communities to sustain their water and livelihoods.
What >
We work where water, farms, forests and livelihoods meet. Healthy landscapes are interconnected—healthy forests and soil help retain water, water supports productive farms, and resilient landscapes sustain livelihoods. Raah works across three interconnected areas: Water Security Designing solutions around local hydrogeology and community needs, from water harvesting and recharge to water governance. Agroecology Building diverse, climate-resilient farming systems that restore soil health, improve productivity and strengthen livelihoods. Ecological Restoration Restoring degraded landscapes through native biodiversity, soil and moisture conservation, and sustained ecological care.
< Why
Because the problems are connected – so the solutions must be too. In the Western Ghats, water scarcity, declining soil health, fragile farm incomes and ecological degradation do not exist in isolation. Each can deepen the other. Our approach is therefore built around a reinforcing cycle: Healthy landscapes retain water → reliable water enables resilient farming → stronger livelihoods reduce pressure on forests → thriving ecosystems strengthen community resilience. We work to make this cycle possible – with communities at the centre. For Raah, resilience is not a one-time outcome. It is a system that communities and landscapes continuously build together.
Where >
The Northern Western Ghats – one of India’s richest and most fragile landscapes. Raah works across Palghar, Nashik, Raigad, Ahilyanagar, Pune and Thane, partnering with indigenous communities and small and marginal farmers, many of whom are doing subsistence farming. This is a landscape of extraordinary ecological importance – home to exceptional biodiversity, forests, rivers and watersheds that sustain communities far beyond the Ghats. Yet the same communities and ecosystems face increasing pressure from climate change, water insecurity, land degradation and livelihood vulnerability. We work at this intersection: where the health of the landscape and the wellbeing of its people are inseparable.
< What's Next
As we move towards Mission 2030, we will work towards conserving 10 billion litres of water, enabling 15,000 farmers to adopt sustainable agroecology, and restoring 60,000 acres of degraded land. This phase focuses on accelerating impact through strong community and government partnerships, translating mapped targets into on-ground action, deeper livelihoods, and resilient landscapes at scale.
About Us
What
implement integrated development models that secure water access, regenerate degraded land, and catalyse year-round livelihoods for marginalised and indigenous communities. Our systems approach links hydrogeology, regenerative agriculture, and community-led governance to build self-sustaining rural ecosystems.
Where
implement integrated development models that secure water access, regenerate degraded land, and catalyse year-round livelihoods for marginalised and indigenous communities. Our systems approach links hydrogeology, regenerative agriculture, and community-led governance to build self-sustaining rural ecosystems.
Why
implement integrated development models that secure water access, regenerate degraded land, and catalyse year-round livelihoods for marginalised and indigenous communities. Our systems approach links hydrogeology, regenerative agriculture, and community-led governance to build self-sustaining rural ecosystems.
What's next
implement integrated development models that secure water access, regenerate degraded land, and catalyse year-round livelihoods for marginalised and indigenous communities. Our systems approach links hydrogeology, regenerative agriculture, and community-led governance to build self-sustaining rural ecosystems.
Our Vision
To restore land, life and livelihood in Western Ghats
Our Mission
Helping Western Ghats communities prevail over climate change through science and regenerative innovation.
Our Programs
Raah Foundation’s programs are designed around time, income, health, and security. Our focus is on creating an impact beyond numbers, and ones that incrementally improve the quality of life.
Flagships of Change
Our goal is to serve both the planet and its people. We achieve this by fast‑tracking soil‑water restoration, surface water accessibility, agricultural sovereignty, and green enterprises. All through a gender lens.
Our Goal
5
Billion Litres
A long-term water-conservation milestone: ensuring ground water beyond monsoons.
10,000
Farmers
A near-term livelihoods goal: helping farmers shift to climate-resilient practices for year round earnings.
50,000
Acres
A shared goal: reviving forests and commons to restore biodiversity over time.
Our Footprint
1.57
Billion Litres
Water storage capacity created through 450+ structures
4500
Farmers
Currently suported through flagship and pilot projects to reduce frequency of migration.
3100+
Acres
Cultivation brought under improved practices of native species restoration.
Operating across 150+ villages in the tribal belts of the Northern Western Ghats, Raah Foundation has restored over 2,000+ acres of degraded land, secured perennial water for 1,30,000+ people, and built sustainable livelihoods for thousands of smallholder farmers and rural women. Our goal is to dismantle systemic poverty by regenerating ecosystems and restoring autonomy to India’s most marginalised tribal communities. We work at the intersection of climate justice, indigenous rights, and gender equity—engineering development models that are scalable, self-sustaining, and rooted in ecological intelligence.
What’s New!
GRT Fellowship
Western Ghat Knowledge Institute
Shared Vision, Shared Action
Watch our field stories!
From struggle to strength, every story is a seed of resilience, restoration, and hope!