The Foundation for Rural Recovery and Development (FORRAD) was established in January 1980 as a Public Charitable Trust. Since its inception, our objective has been to promote, support, and coordinate projects that relate to the development of human and natural resources. Over the last 36 years, we have worked with more than 450 grassroots organizations in rural areas spread over Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

As a public charitable trust working in the field of natural resource management and sustainable development, FORRAD pays attention to details that are often overlooked in development work. Equal opportunities between genders, castes and communities; and equal pay for equal work.

The organisation aims to ensure that control over natural resources and technologies associated with their conservation, treatment and supply or availability is vested with rural communities.

Over the last 5 years FORRAD has broadened its profile, encompassing not just technical aspects, but lending its views and help towards empowered social change. The organisation believes and recognises that rural women, more than men, feel the burden of depleting natural resources and environmental degradation. While prevailing norms and values dictate the rules, FORRAD like many other Non-Governmental Organisations is determined to find alternative methods that incorporate inclusiveness of all peoples and their Human Rights. FORRAD ensures women’s opinions are prioritised; and that women and other vulnerable sections are a part of the decision making process.

Although centred on natural resources, FORRAD’s work intersects with issues of social justice, empowerment, public health and employment generation.

Currently FORRAD is actively involved in three states in India- Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. We are currently working on Watershed Development around Sambhar Salt Lake (Rajasthan), Watershed Development in Mahoba district (Uttar Pradesh), Ethical industrialisation- water and agricultural projects, community facilitation and community health in Tiruvallur district (Tamil Nadu) and lastly on Direct Aid- to the most disadvantaged families in Ajmer district in Rajasthan and Jai Hind camp in Delhi. This year we intend to begin working with sharecroppers in Nalanda district, Bihar.