Rehabilitation for Cyclone Affected Communities

Sunderbans, the largest delta of the world at the southern most part of West Bengal, famous for Mangrove and Royal Bengal Tigers, struggles everyday to sustain in fighting with the vulnerability of nature as well as human interface. People here, see a new morning every day with a sceptical mind and prepared to fight back the odds on their way to sustenance. Following the Fani Cyclone that devastated some of the coastal districts of Sundarbans, the importance of generating awareness in the community about climate literacy and marine litter management has become increasingly essential. As a Civil Society Organisation, we understand the need of appropriate interventions in these coastal regions to reduce the vulnerability of the climate and inhabitants of the island. We would like to continue implementing such initiatives and climate literacy programmes, including clean beach drives, to preserve the island’s ecosystem.

Since the last 10 years, Sabuj Sangha has been implementing several development programmes in Sagar Island. In the past, we have implemented the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Programme (ICZMP) with support of World Bank, with a focus on livelihoods programmes for the communities. In the recent years, we have implemented Climate Literacy and Marine Litter Management Programmes in Sagar, with a focus on effects of climate change and generating awareness within the communities. We have implemented several other projects on water, sanitation and hygiene and education programmes with local schools.

Our efforts have remained in sensitisation of the community in these areas since many years in prior. Furthering the commitment to create and sustain awareness on changing climatic conditions, Sabuj Sangha embarked into a journey of developing a climate resilient coastal community this year. The initiative aimed at extending education on climate change risks and to enhance the resilience of the affected and contributing community through Climate Literacy, Marine Litter Management and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) infrastructure development, with Sabuj Sangha pioneering the activities in the state of West Bengal.

Some of the achievements of the campaign are given below:
30,000 people from the coastal communities were reached through the campaign in Sagar Island 
Beach cleaning drive was conducted across 20 km length 
25,000 eco-friendly paper bags were distributed as a step to promote usage of paper bags instead of plastic bags 
50 volunteers working in the community to spread the knowledge of waste management, waste segregation, effects of climate change, and other environmental issues

Sabuj Sangha intends to continue and expand its reach from the above achievements last year to adjoining communities. Bringing in sustainable change in the community can only be brought through awareness and sensitisation about climate change and environmental sustainability. 

Many thanks to our supporters on Global Giving for believing in our cause!