Restoring natural water and land resources through women’s participation, Odisha, FY22-23
In Gajapati, Odisha, 78% of land is unirrigated due to lack of infrastructure and irregular rainfall patterns which causes crop failure during the Kharif season. PwCIF supported NGO partner Gram Vikas to work with three gram panchayats in the region to restore natural water and land resources, and develop relevant infrastructure to address this challenge. Women from the local communities spearheaded the intervention. The intervention aimed to strengthen women’s participation in household and community development through institutional, technical and financial capabilities.
Revitalising coastal ecosystems, Mumbai, FY22 -23
Over 25% of Mumbai’s sewage flows untreated into the sea, threatening both the ocean and human habitats. This marine pollution and littering by humans endangers the life of marine animals. PwCIF supported NGO partner Afroz Shah Foundation in cleaning 9 km of beach coastline (creek/intertidal zone) by boat, from the northern end of Versova Beach to Malad (West). The project facilitated the cleaning of creeks and inaccessible mangrove patches submerged under water.
Natural Resource Management through mini watershed development, Nandurbar, Maharashtra, FY22-23 Beneficiaries reached: 81
PwCIF supported NGO partner Rural Foundation in developing watershed and water conservation structures to promote overall groundwater recharge. Watershed construction also looks to restore the ecology of the area through increased vegetative cover for drought resilience and create sustainable livelihoods for the inhabitants of the land. As vegetative cover grows in the area and earnings increase, fewer residents move out of villages in search of work and a better life.
Thus, the project seeks to elevate the earning capacity of communities and prevent migration from villages. Emphasising year-round employment opportunities, especially for women and labour, the programme addresses the improvement, stabilisation and conservation of natural resources – particularly soil. By minimising the effect of climate change on availability of water and agriculture productivity, the initiative benefits small-scale farmers.
Improving waste management and increasing the sustainability of tourism operations in Wandoor, South Andaman, FY22-23 Beneficiaries reached: 366
PwCIF supported NGO partner Dakshin in sensitising different stakeholder groups on the need to improve current waste management systems, while improving waste management systems on the beaches of Wandoor, Andamans. Cycles, cut-resistant safety gloves, raincoats were distributed among sanitary workers to enable safe and efficient garbage collection. A capacity-building workshop was organised for the technicians and electricians in Wandoor Panchayat to enable them to deal with technical challenges arising in operating the e-cart meant for garbage collection.
The intervention aims at reducing the environmental impact of human activity and tourism-dependent businesses in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and improving women’s livelihoods.
Initiating green livelihoods and ecological restoration in Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, FY22-23 Beneficiaries reached: 800
PwCIF partnered with the Corbett Foundation in Madhya Pradesh to support residents of the Kanha Tiger Reserve in order to restore the ecology and landscape of the reserve while supporting it in initiating green livelihoods. These initiatives included sustainable ways of procuring honey and non-timber forest products (NTFPs), distribution of energy-efficient cookstoves, construction of pond, borewell and check dams, creation of saplings, removal of invasive Lantana, and capacity building of forest guards on firefighting techniques.
Conserving forests under community custodianship, Arunachal Pradesh, FY22-23
PwCIF supported NGO partner World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature India in forest-conservation efforts for ecological and livelihood security in the western landscape of Arunachal Pradesh. The project involved forming community-conserved areas (CCAs) — namely, Chug, Lish and Nyukmadung — introducing alternative livelihood opportunities, safeguarding habitats of near-extinct wildlife and preserving agricultural produce by reducing human-animal conflict. The project covered 332 sq. km of forest area spread over Chug, Lish and Nyukmadung. For each CCA, a management committee was formed, registered and strengthened. CCA management plans were developed. This was followed by livelihood augmentation, including promotion of organic vegetable cultivation (i.e.legume and mushroom cultivation), seed distribution, development of local agro-enterprise, setting up of agro storage facilities at project villages, setting up of solar power fences, and training of women in handicrafts. During the intervention, Mon Harvest was created and used as a platform for women farmers to market their produce.
Creating an ecologically sustainable future, Karnataka, FY22-23 Beneficiaries reached: 800
PwCIF supported its NGO partner Eco-Watch in building a rainwater harvesting system which benefited school students in Yadgiri, Karnataka. Through this intervention, we aimed to raise awareness about environmental conservation and equip the community with the necessary tools to conserve water. Moreover, we educated the school students about the impact of environmental degradation and taking micro steps to address these problems and issues. The intervention aims to sensitise, influence and support communities to protect their natural heritage, and ensure that natural resources are judiciously utilised for an ecologically sustainable future.
Building ice stupas and encouraging afforestation – the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), FY21-22
PwCIF is working in the arid mountains of Ladakh to prevent soil erosion and mitigate flash floods using an extensive, two-pronged approach. We have started a large-scale sapling plantation project in the valley and are working with our local partner to provide water to households through ice stupas. Communities connected to the source of these artificial glaciers will have access to uninterrupted water supply when they start melting in the warmer months.
Promoting the use of smokeless chulhas to tackle carbon emissions – Madhya Pradesh
PwCIF has provided smokeless chulhas to more than 850 households and 30 schools in areas predominated by the Baiga and Gond tribes in Madhya Pradesh. This initiative will significantly reduce the consumption of firewood, bring down carbon emissions and prevent the worsening of respiratory diseases already prevalent amongst the tribal women. Further, 11,000 saplings of fruit-bearing native trees have been planted to protect the ecological equilibrium of the area.
Rainwater harvesting and solid waste management in Yadgir, Karnataka
PwCIF partnered with its NGO partner Eco Watch in Yadgir, Karnataka to empower the community to conserve our environment through rainwater harvesting and solid waste management. Nearly 2.0 lac liters water could be harvested through the rainwater harvesting system built to aid groundwater recharge in Adarsha Vidyalaya- Government High School where 386 school children along with 800 people and 250 households in the neighborhood are benefitting from the intervention. About 500 kgs of plastic waste could also be collected through solid waste management at the school.
Securing biodiversity in western Arunachal Pradesh
PwCIF partnered with WWF in western Arunachal Pradesh to establish 3 Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) for conserving forests and creating sustainable economic opportunities for the local communities. In year 2 of our intervention, we provided technical training on cultivation to the farmers, installed 2 storage units, solar fences, distributed Rajma and soyabean seeds and created ‘Mon Harvest’, a platform composed of local SHGs for packaging and distribution of local produce.
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