Non-Formal School for Lodha tribe kids of Rudranager GP area of Sagar Is...

Munda Tribes- Challenges and Problems and Support by SEED

The tribes of India, who are considered to be the progenies of primitive inhabitants, constitute a huge section of the total population of the country. As per the 1991 census, the tribal population was 67.76 million, which was not less than the total population of the United Kingdom. With this huge record, India stands at the second position only next to Africa when it comes to tribal population. As per the Constitution of India, they are called Scheduled Tribes (STs), who are spread over across the country. However, their strength varies from a few hundred to lakhs in different states of India.

Munda Tribe women of West Bengal

In West Bengal, the tribes comprise more than 5% of the total population of the state. There are total 38 notified STs in the state, many of whom have been pushed into the periphery in the course of history. Thus, most of them stay isolated from the mainstream society and culture. From 1991 to 2001, West Bengal has registered 15.7 per cent decadal growth of ST population. Among the total tribal population of West Bengal, the primitive Munda tribe constitutes 7.8% of the total population. Originally, this tribal community people were wandering huntsman and collectors. In recent times, few of them have taken up the profession of shifting cultivation following the path of most other tribes of Indian subcontinent. 

A good number of the Munda tribes can be found in a small mouza named Kumar Pukuria, located in Sonarpur block of South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. Located at a distance of 25 km from the district head quarter, it has the scenario of a remotest and backward village suffering from the need of basic amenities of life. There are three villages in this mouza – Jhinukpara, Kumarpukuria and Nimtala. 

As per census 2001, about 91.4% of the population of Kumarpukuria village belongs to the Scheduled Tribe community and 8.6% is belonging to the Schedule Caste community. Maximum people are either marginal farmers or landless agricultural labour without having any employment in most of the days. It is a poor and one of the most backward class dominating villages of the district. There is no school in this village and the nearest Primary Health Centre is located at a distance of approximately 10 km. 

According to 2011 census, the population of Kumarpukuria is 3,121 with 1,592 males and 1,529 females and there are 739 households. There are 2,530 literates of which males are 1,372 and Females are 1,158 whereas 591 are illiterates. In this mouza, the children below 6 years of age are 285 of which 138 are males and 147 are females. But, most of the adults are agricultural labours which is seasonal in nature. Due to poverty, they are forced to employ their children as daily wage earner. The children are also getting victimized due to the existing situation wasting their valuable youth time required for mental growth through education and play. There is hardly any alternate source of income for the poor tribal villagers. They have no “Bastu” land (land for homestead) of their own. They are living on the vested land for more than 50 years, but till date no official right in the form of patta was awarded to them and thus without any social status. 

As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) of India, about 60% of tribal children under five years are underweight and 59% are stunted and 21% children are wasted. The scenario is not different in case of the children of the Munda tribe of Kumarpukuria who also suffer from malnutrition and anemia in different age groups. The level of underweight ((low weight-for-age), stunting (low height-for-age) and wasting (low weight-for-height) is high among the age group from 0 to 5 years. This adds to the increased rate of morbidity as well as mortality of the tribal children. 

Children of Munda tribe in Sonarpur Block

How could we support?

Education is the key to literacy and the basis of progress for all individuals. It unlocks the potential of children and allows them to maximise their capabilities. But in Kumarpukuria, the poverty-stricken tribal parents cannot afford to send their children to schools for higher education. They are not enough educated themselves to understand the importance of education. For them, the basic livelihood is more important than educating the children. So, it is important to secure their livelihood first to improve their overall situation. 

Hence, we started with this motto of betterment of their socio-economic situation by improving their income generation resources. Initially, we formed JLGs (Joint Liability Groups) among the Munda community with individuals who are interested to get engaged in similar type of economic activity. In this way, the members can support each other to carry out occupational and social activities.  The locality is rich in water bodies like sewage fed canals and ponds.  So, we planned to utilize these water bodies to create livelihood option for them. We taught them the technique of indigenous fish cultivation through ‘induced breeding’ and bamboo PEN culture. The sewage fed canals are rich in nutrients, so the fishes could grow fast naturally. The ‘desi magur’, scientifically known as Clarias batrachus, has a great demand in the Bengal market. So, it is commercially viable to cultivate this species. So it was decided to adopt this technique for several JLGs so that they could earn a better livelihood by fish cultivation. We provided capacity building trainings to train them properly in this technique. At present, they are doing it on their own. 

Women of Munda Community are being trained by fishery experts

Apart from this, we provided capacity building trainings on ‘Animal husbandry’ and distributed ducks, goats, sheep and pigs to the agricultural labours of Kumarpukuria. They were trained how to prepare proper shelter, food and how to take  protection against diseases to the animals along with systematic disposal of animal wastes to maintain healthy environment. In addition to monetary benefits, the animal husbandry can also provide various nutritious food products like eggs, milk and meat. 

Fishery experts offering hand hold training of induced breeding

 

As we have mentioned earlier, many of the Munda tribal children are suffering from nutritional stress leading to increased morbidity and mortality rate. Here, lack of education of mothers play a considerable damaging role. The overall health status of a population depends a lot on the nutritional inputs of a child during the growing period. Stunting in these tribal children is mostly due to maternal under nutrition during pregnancy. An integrated approach was required to address these issues which included health, nutrition, family planning, care for women during and before pregnancy, proper sanitation etc. Hence, we started with educating mothers about the importance of taking care of themselves. We encouraged them for kitchen gardening. The tribal women were informed about the benefits of growing fresh and clean vegetables which would add nutritional value to their daily diet. We tried to make them understand how kitchen gardening would contribute to their food security and they can grow it even in old utensils, empty tins and clay flower pots. The whole family could contribute to this environment friendly practice.

Kitchen Garden by the Munda women

Following this, we continued home counseling visits to motivate them in sending their children to schools, provide them regular nutritious foods through kitchen gardening and taught mothers to cook healthy recipes. We encouraged the Munda tribe women to go for regular health check-ups prior to and after conception and take proper care of their nutritional habits. The tribal communities have mostly relied on traditional remedies and healers even in life threatening health conditions. Our aim was to make them realize that all health conditions cannot be treated traditionally and so they should go to doctors in such situations. 

Tribal beliefs and customs are very rigid and it is not easy to bring them out of their traditional beliefs. So, while trying to influence their behaviors, we took help of folk-based mediums which are more acceptable to them than the usual communicative dialogues. It is a small step towards the upliftment of a tribal community in a Bengal’s small mouza, which we plan to take ahead to other tribal areas of the state too. 

Climate Justice Network in West Bengal initiated by SEED

We all always crave for social, political as well as for economic justice at some point of our lives, if not always. This is quite natural, since these issues are the burning issues in our lives. But, we hardly think that a day will come when we all, irrespective of caste, religion, nation and even economic status will have to raise our voice for Climate justice. Unfortunately, those who are least responsible for the changing climate across the world are falling prey and also the most sufferers of the changing climate.

As popularly described, Climate Justice is a vision to dissolve and alleviate the unequal burdens on the people as a consequence of climate change. It is a movement that emphasizes non-violent direct action and public education to mobilize for effective and just solutions to the burning climate crisis. It aims to offer fair treatment to all people without any kind of discrimination while creating and supporting policies and projects addressing the ill effects of climate change and the systems that create climate change.

Global Climate Change mainly affects the poor indigenous communities, immensely affecting their financial as well as health condition. All human beings have equal right to live and work in a healthy environment. The delicate balance between sea, air and land is greatly threatened by various human induced climate changes and so we need to fight against this menace together.

Sundarban, the largest delta in the world, is one of the worst affected areas by global climate changes. The negative impacts of climate change like extreme natural disasters, heat related illness and death, spreading of infectious diseases, increasing energy costs are fast affecting the coastal communities living here. So, it has also become an ethical issue as these worst affected people are least responsible for the changes in climatic conditions. It is their right and our duty to provide them environmental justice along with social justice. 

The problem of Indian Sundarban will not only affect the coastal community per se, but it will have its effect on the people living in nearby metro cities including Kolkata. As a direct effect of Global warming and consequent sea level rise, mangrove islands of Sundarban are under considerable erosion. Added to this, consistent and continuous people’s interference has already destroyed a large number of deltaic mangroves. As a result, the mangrove forest of Sundarban has become sparse and that way weaker to protect against the cyclones and storms. If this trend of destruction of mangroves continues, the city of Kolkata lying near the Bay of Bengal, will soon face the wrath of huge storms as it will intensify potentially and millions will be affected considerably. Rising sea level will lead to higher tides along the adjoining Hooghly River and thus welcoming a dreaded danger of frequent flooding within the city. So, time has now come when we have to decide and take appropriate actions and steps to keep the ecologically rich Sundarbans in the map and save the people of Kolkata and as also those living in Sundarbans.

Climate change and the rising sea level has already taken toll on two islands of Sundarbans - Supari Bhanga and Lohachara Islands, which have been submerged into the sea. More than 60% of another island, namely Ghoramara, has been eroded out due to stronger waves and river current, also an effect of sea level rise. The homeless inhabitants of these islands have migrated to Sagar Island and they are the environmental refugees now working as landless labourers.

Flood affected Sundarban in the mid of 2014

Flood affected Sundarban in the mid of 2014

According to a recent report of the School of Oceanographic Studies, Jadavpur University with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), approximately one million people would turn climate change refugees by the year 2050 if the present condition persists. This is an alarming indication for all of us to be prepared for the upcoming worst situation in near future.

Climate Change is now affecting our environment, social routines as well as our daily lives directly or indirectly. Considering all these issues, SEED (Society for Socio Economic and Ecological Development) has joined hands with people of different strata to make it a bigger joint mission through a forum titled “People’s Alliance for Climate Justice Network in Sundarban’’ to create awareness about climate change and its effects and how can we adapt in a changed scenario to save our life and livelihood through adaptation and at the same time to take part in mitigation measures also.

On 6th October, 2014, SEED invited some environment scientists, social workers, artists, doctors, students from various districts of West Bengal and several CBOs (Community Based Organizations), Sundarban coastal community members, who are the greatest sufferer of the coastal climate change effects. The aim of bringing people of all strata together under this forum was to create a Climate Justice Network in West Bengal, with main focus on Sundarban coastal region. Dr. Kalyan Acharya, Vice President of SEED, who is also a renowned physician and social activist, addressed the gathering and explained the importance of creating a Climate Justice network in the state. The cultural performance of the students which included many songs and poems on environment and Sundarban was well appreciated by the audience. It is a matter of great pride that the songs and poems were all composed by Dr. Acharya himself. The students also shared their thought about environment and their understanding about climate change. Nevertheless to mention that It is absolutely necessary to involve the student community to this Network as they are the future generation who will take care of the environment and will also motivate their families in doing the same.

Children are performing at the event

The aim of this Network will be to strengthen and promote the environmental rights of the indigenous as well as the affected coastal people and to fight the climate crisis together. A regional movement will be started which will later join and culminate into a national as well as international movement for climate justice. It aims to encourage people at all level to take urgent action so as to work together for mitigating the disastrous climate change.

Sundarban, which has been declared as the World Heritage site by United Nations, is extremely rich in flora and fauna and is an ecological hotspot. It is extremely popular in international level for wildlife biodiversity. Unfortunately, the changing climate is taking its toll on the mesmerizing biodiversity of the 104 islands of Sundarban too. The Climate Justice Network will highlight these issues and will make aware local people about the same and motivate them to protect their surrounding biodiversity.

For a complete and systematic transformation of the society, the core socio economic, political as well as ecological issues will be addressed to improve our understanding of the climate crisis. Without any specific political inclination and bias, the Network will work peacefully towards these goals.

It was indeed a pleasure to have renowned professional painter and installation artist Mr. Rupchand Kundu at the event. One of the themes of his works, namely ‘In search of Nature’, took him to the coastal Sundarban. Mr. Kundu has been creating awareness among the general masses through his artistic works with ecofriendly materials. He aims to take back people closer to the nature again who are knowingly or unknowingly constantly destroying the richness of the Mother Nature. He gave a clear message to the admirers of his work that we should avoid using non-degradable items while preparing our art works and most importantly nature is the most beautiful thing which we should protect with all efforts.

Mr. Rupchand Kundu with other participants at the event

With everyone’s support and insistence, Mr. Rupchand Kundu was declared as the Convenor of this forum “People’s Alliance for Climate Justice Network in Sundarban’’.

Mr. Bhabananda Chatterjee, Director of SEED, discussed on the adverse effects of climate change in Sundarban and how we can fight it together in organized manner. He requested everyone to be a part of different awareness programmes which the organization is going to start very soon. The social activists and environment scientists present on the occasion pledged to contribute on their part to aware people about the dreaded effects of climate change and their bleak future in the backdrop of climate change. The general masses will also be motivated to participate in various programmes for effective adaptation and mitigation of the climate change, which is going to affect their locality, life and also livelihood very dearly in near future. 

Mr. Bhabananda Chatterjee addressing at the event

It was proposed and resolved that SEED with the help of the local social activists and environmentalists will organize school level awareness campaigns at various parts of Sundarban. Later, this will be taken to other districts of West Bengal and more people will be associated with this Climate Action Network in West Bengal. This will be open to people of all strata starting from students to professionals who have keen interest and zeal to work for the Climate Justice in their localities.

Professor Jyotiranjan Naskar, President of SEED as also former Head, Department of Zoology, Sreerampur College, who has been working in the field of biodiversity conservation since last two decades, presided over the programme. He shared his valuable experiences of working in the field of biodiversity conservation with the audience. He remarked that the biodiversity conservation and fighting against climate change are interrelated since both the issues affect each other. He also pointed out that the Climate change is already forcing biodiversity to adapt either through shifting habitat, changing life cycles, or the development of new physical traits and in extreme case, get extinct. Mr. Naskar added that biodiversity can support efforts to reduce the negative effects of climate change also. So, if we conserve surrounding biodiversity, it will automatically add to our efforts for reduction of climate change effects.

It is an initiative to provide a platform to all environmentally conscious people to work for its protection. We hope this will motivate others to protect and act for saving their surrounding environment which as a result will help in the mitigation of global climate change in the coming years. We welcome people of all sections to join hands with us in this mission to save our climate and our people. Recently, Indian government has also reconstituted its Climate Change Panel and started active involvement at the global level. So, we can hope for a better policy in the coming days to fight against the climatic menace.

Climate Change Adaptive Measure Efforts by SEED in Agriculture Sector in Sundarbans

The coastal states of India are most affected due to Global Climate change and consequent sea level rise as these states are subjected to various environmental as well as socio-economic pressures due to this factor. Coastal rural community are the major victims of climate change since the natural resources of these states are getting affected and deteriorated due to climate change and the livelihood and daily lives of the coastal community are greatly dependent on these resources. Moreover, these coastal rural communities are regularly facing the threat of climate change at low lying areas adjacent to coast due to their proximity to sea. They usually lack the modern infrastructure, knowledge and resources to fight the climate related challenges. The objective situation clearly points to the fact that the coastal community have a very limited adaptive capacity to these sudden changes. Thus, a substantial adaptation effort is required on consistent basis to lessen the problems of these coastal communities in Sundarban arising from climate change. A sustainable development plan is also required in order to get them involved in the community based adaptation processes.

Now-a-days, the issue of climate change adaptation and sustainable development are inseparable in nature. Development in coastal areas especially in Sundarban comes at a huge cost. Development of any strategy in Sundarban areas depends on the careful consideration of the present and possible future climate change impacts in this region. A long term planning based on a detailed study on vulnerabilities of the local people due to climate change is also required considering livelihood and infrastructure facilities.

The deadly effects of global climate change have been affecting Sundarban Islands in a noticeable manner through the erratic fluctuation of temperature, unseasonal rains, droughts, floods, heat waves, extreme weather patterns, and high amplitude waves etc., which were unprecedented in Sundarban region a few years back. This results into accelerated coastal erosion and consequent loss of land and property due to flooding, saltwater intrusion, change in distribution pattern and abundance of valuable marine species, loss of habitat and biodiversity. 

Flood affected agricultural lands in Sundarban

Most importantly, the farmers are suffering from low crop yields and in some cases their livelihood is at stake. Apart from supporting them in various adaptation plans in respect of appropriate agriculture, SEED (Society for Socio Economic and Ecological Development), uses to train them to face the worst scenario as a capacity building exercise and how to fight during such natural disaster condition as a result of climate change.

In the year 2009, the coastal areas of Sundarban were among the worst hit areas due to a huge cyclonic disturbance called Aila, causing loss of considerable life and livestock. Property, land and livelihood of thousands of local people were lost due to such cyclone. Intrusion of salt water into agricultural lands over a vast stretch of areas made them uncultivable. At this time, SEED along with agriculture specialists started working towards finding solutions of this problem of the farmers.

In 2011, training cum workshop was organised by SEED on sustainable agriculture at Bharatgar G.P (one of the worst hit blocks due to Aila in Sundarban) of Basanti Block in Sundarban with support from the Food & Agriculture Engineering Department, IIT Kharagpur.  The training was provided to the farmers especially whose lands were inundated by salt water. Since then, SEED was planning to introduce salt tolerant paddy seed varieties to these farmers in a commercial scale.

Training on Sustainable agriculture at Bharatgar GP

In the Year 2012, SEED organised one training cum workshop at Kultali Block of Sundarbans (also a worst hit blocks of Sundarban) with the technical support of Agriculture Department of Calcutta University. Community farming, use of bio-fertilisers and use of bio-pesticides as adaptive measures for climate change were discussed in detail in that workshop. Eminent agriculture scientist, Prof. Ashim Choudhuri was present in this workshop as a resource person. The enthusiasm amongst the local farmers was noticeable.

In the year 2012, SEED organised a training camp on Precision Farming at Shankarpur Gram Panchayat of Baruipur Block of South 24-Parganas. Baruipur block is famous for orchards and the major source of earning of the local farmers is the fruits grown in such orchards and gardens. But, in recent time due to the effects of climate change, the local farmers are greatly affected due to dwindling production. A group of agricultural scientists from Food & Agriculture Engineering Department, IIT Kharagpur  including the eminent scientist Dr. A. K. Karan were present there as resource person. The theme discussion was cantered around various methods of combating the problem of reduced production of fruits due to the effect of climate change as an adaptive measure.

  

Agriculture is the major livelihood of the Indian Sundarban communities and the rest are dependent on fishing and aquaculture. Again, paddy is the major crop grown here. The main livelihood option of the coastal Sundarban is under high threat due to the effects of climate change.

Further, the rising sea level makes the situation even worse especially after monsoon. The recent dreaded flood in Sundarbans particularly affecting Mousuni and Sagar Island is an eye opener. Sudden breach of river embankments along vast stretch caused flooding of agricultural lands over extensive areas wherein salt water entered the agricultural fields making them uncultivable for the current year as well as next few years to come. Definitely, such threat will keep increasing as the experts have warned about rise of sea level at a higher level and more severe storms in the coming years. This will be certainly a great challenge for the coastal communities as they will lose their livelihood and livestock in such a situation. As a consequence, it seems that they will be forced to live in a lesser condition of life by way of opting for either fishing or migrating to unskilled labour in nearby cities.

Keeping in view of such a massive threat emanating from climate change effects, the organization planned to offer some basic adaptation techniques to combat this challenge. SEED, which was trying to come up with a solution of growing crops in salt affected land, finally became able to distribute some salt tolerant varieties of paddy seeds in four islands of Sundarban with the support of Rice Research Station, Government of West Bengal. 

Agriculture Scientists and President of SEED with local farmers

Each farmer was given 4 kilograms of the paddy seeds for an initial adaptive trial. This will enable the farmers to grow paddy even in lands affected by salt water. Just a week after this, high tidal surge caused the breach of river embankments in Mousuni and Sagar Island, as described above, flooding extensive areas, destroying houses and inundating vast stretches of agricultural lands with saline water in several villages. As the water is receding now, in these coastal villages of the two islands, the farmers can at least grow paddy with this salt tolerant varieties in their fields which was inundated with salt water and hopefully their livelihood will be maintained with such an endeavour.

Agriculture Scientists (Dr. Kamal Sen and Mr. Soumen Basu) from SEED visited 4 blocks (Tridibnagar village in Jharkhali Island of Basanti Block), (Mousuni Island in Namkhana Block), (G-Plot in Pathar Pratima Block), (Muriganga 1 GP in Sagar Island) of Sundarbans and provided on farm support to the farmers. The seeds were distributed to about 100 farmers of the four islands, who had experienced salt water inundation in their agricultural fields earlier during cyclonic season. The salt tolerant paddy seed varieties like Jarva, Bina 8, Bina 10, GS5, GS9, RP Bio4919-50-13, Luna Barial, Luna Subarna, Amalman etc. were distributed to the farmers. Apart from these, some scented varieties of paddy seeds like Dadshal, Govinda Bhog, Shitabhog, Radhuni Pagol, Badsha Bhog and China Kamini were distributed amongst few farmers so that they can do good business by selling these costly varieties of rice.

Salt Tolerant Paddy seeds being packed 

36 villagers of Mousuni Island were handed over these salt tolerant varieties of seeds. Among them, Farida Baig was the only female farmer whose agricultural land was badly affected by saline water. She is the head of the family and has to work in the field to earn two meal for her family.

Mohammad Illias, the Gram Pradhan of Mousuni Island thanked SEED for taking this initiative to support the farmers of his village. He said that some of the farmers were left with no other option but to migrate to nearby areas so as to work as daily labourer as their lands have turned saline. But with the availability of such salt tolerant variety, they can now again go back to the farming work.

Sukumar Pattnaik is one of the beneficiaries of Pathar Pratima Block, who lost his all hopes of farming again after Cyclone Aila. Now, he is happy to get this salt tolerant variety of paddy seeds and hopes to get a good yield of crop this year.

Paddy seeds being measured before distribution

Sujan Mondal of Jharkhali Island said that he will 
distribute the seeds to his fellow farmers in next farming season if he gets good result this year.

In Sagar Island,  some of the farmers are in possession of considerable amount of agricultural lands but more than half of it has now turned saline after cyclone Aila and due to annual breach of river embankments. 56 year old farmer Biman Mondal is one such farmer whose 3 bighas of land has turned uncultivable as it got inundated by salt water. He is now cultivating only in the rest 2 bighas of land he owns. Now, he hopes to cultivate in the other 3 bighas too after getting the salt tolerant paddy seeds. He said that his financial condition has deteriorated due to sudden shrinkage of farming land, but he is looking forward to bring his good days back once again.

Unlike others, 55 year old farmer Sukhdeb Patra sounded very low as his son had to leave his studies midway because of this climate change effects since considerable amount of his agricultural land got flooded with salt water thus leaving him penniless for two years.

Farmers after receiving the paddy seeds and one female farmer in her paddy field in Mousuni Island

We cannot assure to bring back their good days all on a sudden in a single go. But we sincerely believe that this small effort will provide them a little support to their livelihood. 

Agriculture Scientists monitoring the paddy farms

The change in climatic condition is not fully in our control but we can at least try our level best to adapt with such changes and look forward to a better life for these coastal communities. However, it will not be limited to paddies only. We will definitely try to provide them salt tolerant seeds of other crops too in near future.

FLOOD DISASTER IN SUNDARBAN

FLOOD SCENARIO IN SAGAR ISLAND, SUNDARBAN

The road from Kachuberia to Gangasagar in Sagar Island, Sundarban

Flood water entering a career coaching centre in Kachuberia village, Muriganga 1 GP, Sagar Island, Sundarban

A villagers house in Shilpara in Muriganga- 1 GP of Sagar Island, Sundarban, has been in inundated with flood water

Flood victims taking shelter in Kachuberia village, Sagar Island, Sundarban

Muriganga Gram Panchayat Office in Sagar Island, Sundarban

Emergency Flood Relief Appeal for Sundarbans

Dear Friends,

Please spare a few minutes of your valuable time to read the below mentioned issue as it is a matter concerning lives of lakhs of peoples living in Sundarbans.

It is a matter of great concern that due to the breach of the river embankment in Sundarbans during high tide on 13.07.2014, both Sagar Island and Mousuni Island have been badly hit by tidal surge. The tidal waves are now freely moving within the affected parts of the islands. Global climate change effect is taking its toll in this coastal region. Sea level rise has become utmost concern of this part of the world as many of the islands are in higher risk of getting submerged under water.

Heavy rainfall has made the situation worse for the coastal inhabitants. Huge parts of the islands have been inundated with flood water destroying human abodes and agricultural lands. Many houses have gone under water due to sudden flood out tidal surge during full moon period and around 50,000 islanders in Mousuni Island and about 1, 00,000 people in Sagar Island and Pathar Pratima have been vastly affected by this dreaded flood.

Apart from losing their homes, these poor people of both the islands have lost their agricultural lands, food grains, livestocks and livelihood all on a sudden due to such flood. With the advent of the monsoon, incessant rain has disrupted communications and routine life of the coastal communities. A large portion of the agricultural land has gone under saline water, which will ultimately become uncultivable. Even if the water gets receded away, the soil will turn saline. It would be difficult for making any agriculture over such land.Apart from crop destruction, the aquaculture, which is one of the major livelihoods here, will also get badly hit as the tidal water which entered the ponds, had taken away all the fishes and the rest will be damaged.

Most of the devastated sufferers have taken shelters in the comparatively high areas within the islands but they are in a precarious situation due to lack of foods and particularly drinking water. The situation is extremely bad particularly for the aged, children and women folks. Each day is passing in a very critical condition where health and sanitation are completely in a precarious situation.  

SEED is trying level best to support them in this critical situation with every possible ways. But, more external support is required to provide them a healthy life with basic amenities and medical support so that they can live in a humanly environment.

Considering this emergency, it would be highly appreciated if you can provide any sorts of help and support for these needy people in crisis. Please come forward to help with your capacity whatever you can by donating for them. SEED is registered under 80G. Any donation to SEED is exempted from Income Tax under section 80G.

SEED TEAM

Climate Change Adaptation- An initiative towards sustainable livelihood

When the whole world is talking about climate change and adaptation strategies, how can we leave behind Sundarban Islands, which are among the most affected areas of climate change in India! But, we cannot expect the poor coastal people to understand the technical meaning of the word ‘climate change adaptation’. However, they understand in simple words that the climate of their area has changed since last few years and they can feel the increasing heat during the summer. They also know about the increasing sea level and the submergence of their neighbour islands under sea water.

Fishermen community of Sagar Island

Climate change impacts the overall productivity of coastal ecosystems as it has direct or indirect effect on health and welfare of coastal communities and thousands of people that depend on the natural resources. Even though Sagar Island is the biggest of the others islands of Sundarban, the option of livelihood for the poor coastal communities is yet limited.

Women are not left behind when it comes to fishing

The adaptive capacity of any community depends on its economic and ecological well-being, infrastructure, mediation measures as well as information and communication systems. All these are at a stake when we talk about Sagar Island. The economic condition of the island is nothing to be proud of. Whereas, the ecological balance is disturbed with constant destruction of biodiversity by the communities itself as most of them are ignorant about its importance for their survival. Fishing is one of the important livelihood options in this coastal area but the amount of fish caught in a day and the quality of fishes have also deteriorated. So, it is no longer a lucrative career here. Since the literacy level is very low, the coastal people cannot also have option to search for a good job. Since, we can hardly do anything to stop the climate change, it is better to teach them about adaptation processes. 

Mr. Choudhury explaining the SHG women about the craft

SEED (Society for Socio Economic and Ecological Development) has been trying to make these venerable coastal people aware of the climate change affects and the adaptation processes. For, this it has also organised various programmes like disaster preparedness, campaign against biodiversity destruction etc. On the occasion of World Environment Day, the organisation planned to offer a small alternate livelihood option to the coastal women of Sagar Island. The salinity of the agricultural land is increasing day by day and most of the people do not have their own land. At this juncture, they were left puzzled for their regular livelihood opportunity. Mr. Prashanta Choudhury, who has been associated with SEED for a long time, brought his nature craft to these poor coastal women.  He has been preparing varieties of nature craft items with his team since last few years and has been able to market them to international clients in USA. The uniqueness of these craft items is it is prepared by natural resources so it will not cost much to get the raw materials. 

Mr. Choudhury showing them the processed water hyacinth

On 5^th June, few SHG women of Rudranagar GP of Sagar Island were brought under a single roof to train them in nature craft making. Along with Mr. Choudhury, two of his team members started the training very enthusiastically. Initially, the women were little hesitant but as time passed and they explained methodically about the craft items, their interest grew and they engrossed in the training process.

The training continues

The team with one of the prepared craft item

Anima Bera, one of the SHG members, had always her heart and soul in craft making but was not getting a direction to take it forward. So, when SEED showed her the path, she grabbed it quickly. Within a couple of hours, she was confident of preparing a photo frame with the help of water hyacinth. On this day, the basic nature resource was the much ignored weed water hyacinth. Yes, you heard it right; water hyacinth was used to prepare base of the items like hand bags, lamp shed, photo frame, coaster etc. The best part of this profession is it can be easily done from home and with easily available low cost materials. 

Initially, SEED has trained only a handful number of women with the support of Mr. Choudhury. But, it has planned to take it forward as a sustainable livelihood option for these coastal women. So, many such training sessions will be organised in the coming days so that they become highly skilled in preparing nature craft items. Once, they are confident to prepare the items on their own, the products can be taken for various exhibition and also to trade fairs to increase its visibility so that they can expect a good return of money. It is a small step towards climate change adaption for the vulnerable coastal women. If this becomes successful, the women can earn good money for their family as well as contribute their part in adapting to the climate change affects.