Watershed Development, based on Natural Resource Managment (NRM) and Community participation has bee acknowledged the world over as the most effective approach for attaining the goals of sustainable rural development. ARSHABHARATH has been always an advocate of the watershed development approach. The organization has completed 12 watershed development projects in partnership with Western Ghat Development Cell, State Planing Board, govt. of Kerala and NABARD. A number of measures, strategies and tools have been employed in this.

Renovation of Water Sources

The dried up springs were revived, the ruined streams were protected, the neglected ponds reclaimed and new farm ponds created, thus increasing the water availability in the area. This has resulted in the extension of farming, particularly paddy cultivation.

Soil & Water Conservation

Conserving soil and water is the most important component of Watershed Development. Soil & water conservation in the treated watersheds amounting to 7000 ha was achieved through treatment measures including contour bunding, rain pit digging, mulching, stream embankment strengthening etc. As a result, fertility of the soils and crop productivity have considerably improved. ​

Horticulture Development

With the aim of improving farm productivity and family income, horticulture development was facilitated on a large scale. All the participating families were provided saplings/seedlings of various fruit trees, including mango, sapota, orange, goose berry, soursop, mangostine and jack fruit for planting in their farm lands. Nearly 20000 seedlings were planted, some of which have started yielding. ​

Livelihood support

Another important activity component under watershed project is providing livelihood support to needy families. The identified families were helped with income generation activities, including dairying, goatery, poultry and kitchen gardening. ​

​​Other Activities

​A number of other supplementary activities were also under taken, including Production System Management ( Bio-gas, Vermi Compost, Dung pit and cattle shed etc), Community Development, Group Building and Women Empowerment.

Roof Water Harvesting (RWH)

With a view to increasing the volume of drinking water, Roof Water Harvesting technology was used. Needy households were provided roof water harvesting tanks with average capacity of 5000 liters. Bigger tanks with capacity ranging from 10000 to 25000 liters were constructed for groups and institutions, like schools.