Bidar district is in the north eastern part of Karnataka. This district is one of the most backward regions of the state. The BIRD project initiated in 1981 by the Government of Karnataka ran into difficulties due to its top-down approach. The Mahila Mandals formed were also monopolised by higher caste women and therefore failed to reach the deprived sections. On the advice of UNICEF, the Karnataka Government in 1988 invited WWF to take up the project. By conducting a feasibility study, the WWF's spearhead team took stock of the prevailing conditions. It revamped the Mahila Mandals into group systems and integrated women of all communities. Access to financial services led to initiation of non-farm employment options and women in poverty from all communities united in solidarity. Today this branch has 6370 members in 197 villages.