Sundarbans, world’s largest contiguous mangrove forest and one of the richest ecosystems is residence for more than 4.5 million of India’s poorest and most vulnerable people. Nearly 80% of the households pursue livelihood options involving inefficient production methods of agriculture and aquaculture. Frequent cyclones and erratic showers recurrently give serious threat to livelihoods of poor people resulting unsafe migration to bigger cities. Often these are disguised human trafficking majorly of women and children.

In such context Sabuj Sangha in collaboration with HDFC Bank Ltd. implementing Holistic Rural Development Project covering 4 Gram Panchayats (i.e., Rudranagar, Dhaspara Sumantinagar-2, Dhablat and Gangasagar) in Sagar block, the isolated southernmost island block in Sunderbans. Based on the essential needs of target marginalised Communities range of activities is initiated in the Project Geography by establishing Climate Resilience and appropriate Livelihood Options. The project thus targets holistic development for target populations utilising available Natural and Human resources in an integrated manner through 4 Focus areas viz.

(1) Natural Resource Management,

(2) Skill Training & Livelihood Enhancement,

(3) Promotion of Education and

(4) Healthcare & Hygiene.

Combining all these focus areas in partnership between, community, government and Sabuj Sangha the project intends to establish a model in the target project area that can be replicated further in wider geography.

The most unique feature of the project is various activities under the focus areas that support the target marginalized rural populace for a period of time till the target people become able to enhance their lives and livelihoods and a strong climate-resilient community is established. To realize this objective the Project ensures linkage and convergence with government departments and schemes, institutions, and markets. 

Activities in ‘Natural Resource Management’ are Solar Light Installation for establishing the practice of renewable energy, Installation of Hand Pump with high-raised platforms and soak-pits for safe drinking water and groundwater conservation, and Community Pond Restoration for ensuring livelihoods as well as rejuvenating the balance of ecology by utilization of available Natural Resources through multiple activities e. g. Fisheries and Agriculture at Pond Embankment, etc. 

Activities in ‘Skill Training & Livelihood Enhancement’ are Pond Based Integrated Farming (PBIF) ensuring livelihoods by the highest utilization of Natural Resources through multiple activities e.g. Fisheries, Poultry, and Agriculture at Embankment, etc. Establishment of Agriculture Resource Centre (ARC) that work as a resource bank, training, and demonstration center for skill building of various farm and non-farm based activities; support to Farmers for Vegetable, Rice, and Betelvine cultivations through safe organic practices, Group Based Poultry Farming, Animal Health Camp, etc.

Major activities in ‘Promotion of Education’ are establishing Smart School Infrastructure and supporting schools with Sports Equipment in Govt. Schools to establish amicable education.