Title of the Project: Establishment of Responsive Civil Society through Animation and Empowerment

Background and context of the Project
Indian Sundarban region is located between 21o32 AND – 22o40’ N and 88o00’ E – 89o00’ E. It has the boundary of Hooghly River in the west; Ichamati, Kalindi, Gosaba rivers in the east; Dampier -Hodges line in the north and Bay of Bengal in the south. The whole tract reaches inland for 100-130 km. It encloses marshy islands covered with dense forests. Many rare or endangered species live here, including tigers, aquatic mammals, birds and reptiles. The region has 102 islands out of which 54 are inhabited.

The project area under Sundarbans is situated in two more economically vulnerable Gram Panchayets under Gosaba block in the district of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. It is worthy of mention here that the targeted 15 villages in the proposed intervention lies six feet below sea level. Major distributaries of River Ganges like Matla, Bidyadhari, Gosaba, Saptamukhi, and Durgadoani criss-cross the area and these rivers frequently overflow its banks. Also, the average depth of the rivers is below 5 metres.

Main livelihood scope of this area is agriculture and fishing in the rivers & during the monsoon period. But after the “Aila” cyclone, the soil salinity has highly increased in this area, therefore the agriculture productivity has been drastically decreased and maximum agricultural land has turned barren. After the paddy harvesting and vegetable cultivation they have no scope for other livelihood, also the Panchayet activities and Government schemes is not enough to fulfill the basic amenities of the community. Therefore in order to have sufficient income to meet family daily needs the community people are going outside (Andaman & Nichobar, Mumbai, Gujrat, Kerala, Krishnagar, Burdwan and etc.) for hunting their jobs. Hence, the rate of migration is gradually increasing day by day.

Description of the programme areas
Proposed 15 villages under two most economically vulnerable gram Panchayets viz. Pathankhali and Bipradaspur under Gosaba block in the Sundarbans (Largest Mangrove Forest in the World)  are more vulnerable In-terms of natural calamity & livelihoods etc.  Major distributaries of River Ganges like Matla, Bidyadhari, Gosaba, Karatal and Hogol. Main livelihood of these areas is agriculture. Fishing, Minn collecting (Seedling of prawn) from the river, honey and wax collection from the forests are the supporting livelihood of the people. After the cyclone “Aila” whole agricultural land of Sundarbans was flooded by the saline water of the Bay of Bengal. Measures are taken to increase the fertility of the soil by promoting organic manure.

Issues and challenges in the proposed Districts
The inhabitants in these areas are economically backward with fishing and agriculture as the main occupation. The ‘Aila’ Cyclone has aggravated economic conditions. The land has turned unsuitable for cultivation due to salinity of the soil. People have migrated to other regions for livelihood. Scope of alternative livelihood has been restricted.

Goal:
305 (70% of 450 HH) Marginalized households of 15 villages in Gosaba block of South 24 Parganas District in West Bengal have ensured sustainable livelihood opportunities through organic farming and by attaining their legitimate rights and entitlements.

Objectives:

• Basic Rights & Entitlements:  305 (70% of 450 HH) marginalized families of 15 villages under Pathankhali & Bipradaspur G.Ps in Gosaba block of South 24 parganas District in West Bengal will have 50 % increase in accessing  various Government schemes by the end of March 2017.
• Livelihood: 360 (80% of 450) Marginalized households of 15 villages under Pathankhali & Bipradaspur G.Ps in Gosaba block of South 24 parganas District in West Bengal will have increased income up to 50% through sustainable agriculture and other livelihood options by the end of March 2017.
• Institutional Development: PUS Baruipur in West Bengal will have operational systems and procedures related to institutional development (HR/Gender/Finance/PME) and have enhanced their performance in facilitating linkages, leveraging resources by community by the end of March 2017.