Society of Sisters of St. Ann, Luzern in Vijayawada are working for upliftment of unmarried mothers, women, youth, landless and small farmers of marginalized communities since last 7 decades and have observed the catastrophe in the region. Sister Suguna Francis realized an urgent requirement of self sustainability programs, awareness, education and sustainable agriculture practices are required on a massive scale for these population to withstand impacts of climate change.

Climate change has emerged as the most pressing global challenge of the 21st century. Being a developing country India is both a major greenhouse gas emitter and one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to projected climate change. A decline in monsoon rainfall since the 1950s has already been observed. The country is experiencing changes in climate and the impacts of climate change such as water stress, heat waves and drought, severe storms and flash floods, and associated negative consequences on agriculture, food security, water scarcity, deforestation, health and livelihood. With a 1.2 billion but growing population and dependence on agriculture, India is severely impacted by continuing climate change. Uncertainties in monsoon is affecting farmers’ choices about which crops to plant and the timing of planting impacting reducing productivities.

In a country so prone to natural hazards, the welfare of those who are affected and who have limited means to recover will loom large under climate change. About a quarter of the population lives on less than Rs 50 a day; at least one-third face poverty, lack of educational opportunities and 60 percent are dependent upon agriculture for their livelihoods. Those who lack financial resources and adequate education and who depend on agriculture for sustenance and livelihood will be disadvantaged under climate change because they have few choices but continued dependence on shrinking or uncertain resources. An urgent demand of relief programs, awareness, education and skill development is required on a massive scale for these population to enable withstand impacts of climate change.

A pro women multi-sectorial, risk informed and shock responsive approach is designed to strengthen marginalized community and villages. An integrated program for food security, land management, water management and sanitation for better health through rural advisory services and farmer field education to equip women and youth with capabilities to tackle climate change. Foundation with 200 saplings have been laid on 3 acre land to develop it as bio-reserve.

Women of marginalized community were trained and involved in various integrated interactive sustainable practices and activities to enhance their knowledge and leadership qualities. These women, youth are to be promoted and supported to take leading role in enhancing lives of vulnerable communities members.

On December 10 2019 one day Eco exposure camp was organised for students from St Xavier School, Khambhat at GJEM 10 acre premises at Sevasi. Fr Saju Bastian from Hazaribag Province, GJEM teams and Films director Mr. Allwyn Rabella engaged students in various ecological activities and encourages them to write some stories for next project.

Fr Saju Bastian helped students explore eco-spirituality in our daily life and our symbiotic relation to nature and other fellow beings. Trupti and Nikunj coordinated students in kitchen garden, discussed issue of weed and pesticides in conventional farming. Students suggested a scientific solution to control weed “block sunlight to control germination on unwanted areas”. They collected all dried leaves and mulched the fields. Lately some students were also found making ecobricks with wrappers of eatable the brought with them.

One day ecological program was conducted by GJEM’s Green The Blue Trust members I joined them from Tarumitra as collaborative

50 selected students from grade 8 & 9 are part of LEAF group (Leaders in Environmental Action Force) being equipped to tackle ecological problems emerged in 21st century. GJEM conducts on an average 8 full day programs annually

Day started with Tarumitra orientation and beat plastic pollution campaign by S Darshan from Tarumitra and After lunch Break Trupti conducted news paper bag making activity and developed circular nutrition kitchen garden also called GANGA-CHAKRA under guidance of Mrs. Archana Xavier in school campus.

Energy level and enthusiasm to undertake ecological solutions to curb human footprint among the LEAF members is exceptionally high. In lunch break two of the LEAF member Kalpit and Shubham of grade 9 & 8 respectively were found collecting plastic scattered in school campus and imprisoning in pet bottles. Students of St Xavier School, Kalol are using there leisure periods in school to make

Students enjoyed the News Paper bag, an alternative to plastic carry bags making activity presented by Trupti,. They promised to make at least 5 bags every day to be distributed at shops near by.

Lately all LEAF members gathered to develop a GANGA-CHAKRA. GANGA-CHAKRA is a circular garden with 3 meter of diameter divided in 9 parts for nine verities of vegetable. The circle is divided wit 8 reduces of 45 degrees each and inner circle with 1 meter radius is drawn from the center for the ninth part. Students were divided in 9 groups. Every group prepared their own area in the GANGA-CHAKRA brought water to irrigate it and sowed vegetable seeds of their own choice brought by LEAF Team.

Students sounded enthusiastic with their own initiatives in the school campus and are determined to propagate ecological solutions in locality. Few students expressed their desire to replicate GANGA-CHAKRA at there home.