Disaster Response India Project #71096

Protect 900 Villages from Climate Disasters

by Karuna Trust

Protect 900 Villages from Climate Disasters

Project Report | Aug 10, 2026
Wind and sun power a Sundarbans school

By Soph Stephens | Digital Manager

Sitarampur G Plot Milan Vidyamandir is located in G Plot, the southernmost inhabited island of West Bengal in the Sundarbans delta — a remote, climate-vulnerable region that serves nearly 1,500 students at this school alone. Being so geographically isolated, the school has long faced frequent power cuts and low voltage, disruptions that only worsen during the cyclones common to the area.

During a field survey, our local partner PRAGYA visited the school and spoke with its principal, Mr Bikash Biswas, who explained how unreliable electricity was affecting daily operations — from administrative work to the school's security systems and public announcements. A reliable alternative power source, he noted, would make a real difference.

Under the CET (Clean Energy Technology) initiative within the PRAN programme, PRAGYA installed a 1.5kW solar–wind hybrid power system on the school's rooftop: a 1kW solar photovoltaic array paired with a 0.5kW wind energy system. The region's strong solar insolation for much of the year, combined with consistently moderate wind speeds, makes the two technologies a natural complement — while solar power is relatively familiar in the area, the addition of wind energy was something new. Together, the hybrid system keeps generating electricity even in cloudy, low-light or monsoon conditions, when solar power alone would fall short.

The system now supplies electricity to the teachers' room, the office, the school's sound system, and its CCTV surveillance — meaning security coverage now runs uninterrupted, day and night.

The impact has been immediate and practical. Morning prayers and announcements no longer face power disruptions, and continuous electricity for CCTV has strengthened school security. The school has also seen its electricity bill fall by around 1,000 a month, easing some of its financial pressure. The installation itself sparked real curiosity among teachers, students and local residents, particularly around the unfamiliar wind turbine — giving students a first-hand introduction to clean energy technology and its role in tackling climate change.

For a school in a disaster-prone, energy-deficient region like the Sundarbans, this hybrid system has brought more than just reliable power: greater security, lower running costs, and a new sense of what's possible when renewable technologies work together.

Thank you for helping make progress like this possible.

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Apr 13, 2026
'The climate action clinic has helped me to understand my soil so much better'

By Soph Stephens | Digital Manager

Launched under the PRAN project in Nepal, the Climate Action Clinic began with careful optimism. Today, it has grown into a trusted and active space where farmers regularly seek guidance, share experiences, and take informed steps toward regenerative agriculture.

Through simple outreach materials in local languages, farmers began learning about the importance of soil health. Each month, around 25 to 30 farmers now contact the Climate Action Clinic helpline, while about 20 visit the clinic directly to test soil pH, phosphorus, and nitrogen levels. What was once viewed as a technical process has gradually become a regular practice. Farmers are learning to understand their soil before planting, allowing them to make better decisions from the start of the growing season.

This shift in approach is encouraging farmers to reduce dependence on chemical inputs and explore organic alternatives. As a result, there is growing attention to longterm soil health, environmental balance, and farm resilience. These changes contribute to healthier fields, improved biodiversity, cleaner water sources, and stronger adaptation to climate variability.
Beyond testing, the Climate Action Clinic has become a space for dialogue and learning. Farmers, youth extension workers, and local stakeholders came together at a research and demonstration plot to identify crop choices that align with market demand and regenerative practices. Based on local conditions and shared knowledge, trials were designed to test tomato, potato, and sponge gourd using different methods — including treated and untreated soils, monocropping, and intercropping. Crop combinations were selected carefully to minimise nutrient competition and reduce disease risk.

Today, the Climate Action Clinic functions as more than a service point. It is a place where farmers exchange knowledge, adapt practices, and build confidence in climateresponsive farming.

As one farmer shared,
“The Climate Action Clinic has helped me to understand my soil much better. Now, I test my soil before planting and know exactly what it needs to grow healthy crops.”

This growing engagement reflects how accessible knowledge and practical support can lead to sustained, communitydriven climate action.

Thank you for your support.

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Feb 16, 2026
Growing Resilience: How Farmers Are Adapting to Climate Change.

By Soph Stephens | Digital Manager

For farmers like Anik and Farzana, life on the land has long been a struggle. Poor soil, unpredictable weather, and low crop yields—made worse by the growing impacts of climate change—made it difficult to provide for their families. Every season felt uncertain, and the fight to make ends meet often overshadowed hope for the future.

Through our project, implemented by a local partner with community support, Anik and Farzana learned climate-smart and regenerative farming practices. Through Farmer Field Schools and the Climate Action Clinic run by our project, they gained practical skills: selecting high-quality seeds, improving soil health, managing pests naturally, and using weather-based advisories to protect their crops. These sessions were not just technical—they were spaces where their experience, questions, and challenges were heard and valued.

For Farzana, adopting strategies like mulching, protective fencing, and planting flood-tolerant varieties of Indian and Malabar spinach has transformed her harvest. She has already earned 1,420 BDT (~$13 USD) this season, with an anticipated total of 3,200 BDT (~$30 USD)—well above last season’s 2,300 BDT (~$22 USD). Anik focused on eggplant cultivation, using vermicompost, mulching, and natural pest control. His harvest has increased from 50 kg to 80 kg, and his sales have grown from 7,000 BDT (~$65 USD) to 9,000 BDT (~$84 USD). Small, practical steps—like raised beds and improved drainage—have helped both reduce the impact of occasional waterlogging and protect their families’ food and income.

These improvements are about more than numbers. They have brought renewed confidence and hope to people most affected by climate change. Anik now dreams of expanding his farm to create more opportunities for his family, while Farzana feels confident that her farming can reliably sustain her household.

For farmers facing the added pressures of climate change, the project is more than a programme—it is a lifeline. By combining knowledge, support, and consistent guidance, it strengthens resilience, ensures food security, and restores confidence in the future.

Thank you for your essential support.

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