Sign of Hope Project

Adaptation to climate change and resilience building on the Sundarban Islands through afforestation and promotion of sustainable livelihoods

Overall Objective

Contribution to the protection of endangered ecosystems and to improving the adaptive capacity of marginalised population groups to climate change on the Sundarban Islands.

Working Area

The project region consists of four islands (Ramganga, G-Plot, Rakshas Khali, Fraserganji) and comprises 24 villages in the Partharpratima Development Block in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district. With the exception of Rakshas Khali, which is in the Brajaballavpur Panchayat (local government level designation), Ramganga, G-Plot and Fraserganji each form independent panchayats.

Target Beneficiaries

Target Groups

The direct target group of the project are 15,000 people from 3,000 households (a household consists of 5 persons on average) in 24 village communities in the panchayats of Ramganga (11 villages), G-Plot (7), Brajaballavpur (Rakshas Khali Island) (1) and Fraserganji (5). There are 70,040 people living in the project region.

Project Goal (Outcome)

The livelihood of the target group is secured and resilience against the impacts of climate change is established; the reduced pressure on the ecosystem, together with afforestation, leads to an increase in forest area and biodiversity.

Measures

The measures training in sustainable agriculture and aquaculture, input (seeds, organic manure etc.), establishment of seed banks, installation of wells for drinking water, promotion of alternative livelihoods and energies, reforestration, environmental awareness activities etc...

Project Purposes

The project purpose is to regenerate and protect the endangered flora and fauna of the Sundarbans through the empowerment of local population, thus contributing to the improved resilience of the target group in the event of natural disaster as well as to improved living conditions of the target group.