Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award (IPVM) - a prestigious National Award presented by the President o India for successful in forestation of wasteland areas by Irula women in 1994.
Award for Women’s Creativity in Rural Life, an International Award for action for alternatives from the Women's World Summit Foundation, Geneva in 1998.
District Government Award for the effective formation and functioning of self-help groups of Irula women in 2000.
Development of 103 Irula women self-help groups has helped provide basic livelihood support, infrastructural needs, including community certificates (mandatory for school admissions), electricity, drinking water, roads, pattas, housing and revival of indigenous knowledge.
Enabling economic empowerment is reducing poverty among the Irula women through use of medicinal plant knowledge for herbal preparations and marketing supports.
ITWWS promoted the Adivasi networking which is a network of 40 development organizations across 4 southern states of India. This allows for the interlinking of Tribal and other women's organizations to address issues of poverty, discrimination, violence, gender justice, equality, fundamental rights and opportunities for political participation
ITWWS has regular membership of 3500 Irula families (Irula population of 10000).
Launched certified Irula Herbal Medicinal Products in New Delhi in March 2005 with active support from Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Rural Development, with participation of 50 Irula women from ITWWS. (Outcome of Irulas’ corporation).
Recording and Public Release of Irula Folk Songs, a 30-minute Documentary Film by ITWWS and books related to developmental issues.
Publication of a six-monthly newsletter on Irula women and environment which has a circulation amongst NGOs, Government, Activists, Community Leaders.
Over 400 acres of wasteland development in Chengalpet district, which has contributed to the recharge of the ground water-table, protected endangered medicinal plants, increased consciousness of bio-diversity conservation amongst general public and students in the area.
Increase of literacy rate from 4% to 70% among 2450 Irula children (from 1st standard to Graduation level) in the ITWWS coverage area. These children are first generation learners in the Irula community.
As part of livelihoods development, on an annual average more than 800 Irulas get employment opportunities directly through ITWWS’ activities.
Promoted civil rights and over 550 irula families has got permanent cement roofing housing support along with land rights.
Success areas of ITWWS
Social - increasing awareness of women's and adivasi issues; participation in decision-making through regional and national networks;
Political - awareness of constitutional and human rights; linking with other groups;
Environmental - use of Irula knowledge for widespread conservation initiatives e.g. water conservation, agro-forestry, land usage, and local resource protection;
Economic - livelihood opportunities including nursery, seed bank, herbal products and micro credit; organic farming, and accessing welfare schemes from government;
Cultural - revival and validation of Irula culture, including gender values, traditional unity, tribal festivals, and common resource ownership and indigenous wisdom.
Disaster management- immediate response on tsunami relief & rehabilitation work that interlinked adivasis of coastal line along with plains and hill tribes and influenced development organisations and government to take up the issues of coastal adivasis which includes livelihoods, shelter, education and health support.
Community participation-community involvement in various steps starting from planning, designing, implementing, benefiting and evaluating. The majority of ITWWS staff are from the Irula community, the board members are from Irula community (95% women) and our president, secretary and treasurer are Irulas.
