X
Bandhan
Menu Icon

About BCAP

Bandhan Climate Action Program (BCAP), an ambitious initiative by Bandhan-Konnagar, stands as a beacon of hope in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change. Firmly rooted in the principles of sustainability and community empowerment, BCAP goes beyond mitigating climate impacts. It envisions a harmonious coexistence of people and nature, fostering resilience and long-term well-being for all. BCAP takes a holistic and inclusive approach, recognizing the diverse ecological and socio-economic contexts of West Bengal. It focuses on introducing cutting-edge, sustainable agricultural practices and reducing environmental degradation, ensuring a higher quality of life for affected communities. The program integrates scientific innovation with grassroots engagement, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship and delivering practical solutions to local challenges.

Central to BCAP’s mission are two critical areas of intervention:

  • Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) in the dryland regions.
  • Sustainable Practices in Coastal Belts, addressing the unique vulnerabilities of these fragile ecosystems.

Through its innovative and adaptive strategies, BCAP is paving the way for a resilient future, where communities not only withstand the effects of climate change but also thrive in harmony with their environment.

Objectives of BCAP

BCAP is structured around comprehensive objectives that aim to enhance community resilience and environmental sustainability:

  • Mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on vulnerable regions and communities.
  • Promote sustainable agriculture and ecological practices.
  • Contribute towards achieving SDG 13, 14 and 15.
  • Build capacity among stakeholders to adopt and sustain climate-smart strategies.
  • Empower local communities, especially women and youth, in environmental conservation.
  • Restore and expand mangrove forests to protect coastal ecosystems and enhance biodiversity.

Area of Work

  • Dry Land Region of West Bengal (Purulia)
  • Mangrove Restoration and Livelihood Generation in Sundarbans (South 24 Parganas and North 24 Pargana

BCAP’s Interventions and Initiatives

Recognizing the evolving challenges posed by climate change, BCAP has introduced several new interventions to enhance environmental sustainability, improve agricultural resilience, and support community-driven conservation efforts. These initiatives focus on innovative and sustainable techniques that promote climate-smart agriculture while ensuring ecological balance.

  • Rainwater Harvesting: Water scarcity is a major issue in the dryland regions of West Bengal, where erratic monsoons and prolonged droughts severely impact agricultural productivity. BCAP has introduced rainwater harvesting systems to address this challenge. By constructing farm ponds, rejuvenation of dug wells as well as small ponds BCAP ensures that farmers can store and utilize rainwater efficiently. This intervention not only helps in groundwater recharge but also provides a reliable water source for irrigation during dry spells, reducing dependence on unpredictable rainfall.
  • Solar Lift Irrigation System: Conventional irrigation methods often rely on non-renewable energy sources, which contribute to environmental degradation and increased farming costs. To counter this, BCAP is promoting the adoption of solar lift irrigation systems. These systems utilize solar energy to pump water from underground sources, farm ponds, or nearby water bodies, providing farmers with a sustainable and cost-effective irrigation solution. The introduction of solar-powered irrigation enhances agricultural productivity while reducing carbon footprints and dependency on fossil fuels.
  • Vermicompost Production: Soil fertility degradation due to excessive chemical fertilizer use has led to declining crop yields and environmental concerns. BCAP encourages farmers to shift towards organic farming by promoting vermicomposting. Vermicompost, produced using earthworms to break down organic waste, enriches soil health, enhances microbial activity, and improves crop productivity. Farmers are provided with training and support to set up vermicompost pits, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality organic manure that enhances soil structure and fertility.
  • Azolla Pit for Sustainable Livestock Feeding: Azolla, a fast-growing aquatic fern, is an excellent source of protein-rich fodder for livestock. BCAP has introduced the concept of Azolla pits to improve livestock nutrition and reduce dependency on commercial feed. Azolla cultivation requires minimal resources and grows rapidly, making it an ideal supplement for cattle, poultry, and fish farming. By incorporating Azolla into their feeding practices, farmers can enhance animal health, improve milk production, and lower feeding costs.
  • Social Forestry and Community Afforestation: Deforestation and land degradation have significantly impacted rural communities, exacerbating climate-related vulnerabilities. BCAP has taken proactive steps to address this issue through social forestry initiatives. By involving local communities in afforestation and reforestation projects, BCAP promotes the restoration of degraded lands, improves biodiversity, and enhances carbon sequestration. Community-led nurseries are established to grow indigenous tree species, ensuring sustainable afforestation efforts that benefit both the environment and livelihoods. Additionally, agroforestry models integrating fruit-bearing and timber trees are introduced, providing long-term economic benefits for farmers while maintaining ecological stability.
  • Promoting Dryland Crops and Crop Diversification: Given the harsh climatic conditions in dryland regions, BCAP is advocating for the cultivation of climate-resilient dryland crops such as legumes, pulses, and oilseeds. These crops require less water, are highly nutritious, and provide stable yields even under adverse weather conditions. By promoting crop diversification, BCAP helps farmers reduce risks associated with monoculture farming and improve soil fertility while ensuring better economic returns.
  • Promotion of Green Manure like Dhancha: Soil fertility restoration is a key focus of BCAP’s agricultural interventions. To enhance soil organic matter and improve nutrient cycling, BCAP encourages farmers to grow green manure crops like Dhancha (Sesbania bispinosa). These plants fix atmospheric nitrogen, reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers, and enrich soil health, making the land more productive and sustainable for future agricultural cycles.
  • Mangrove Restoration for Climate Resilience: In parallel, BCAP has recognized the critical role of coastal ecosystems, particularly mangrove forests, in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Coastal areas, especially those located in ecologically sensitive regions, face the dual threat of rising sea levels and severe weather events such as cyclones and storm surges. Over the years, the mangrove ecosystems in these regions have been degraded due to overexploitation, land reclamation, and the adverse effects of climate change. Mangroves play an essential role in protecting coastal communities by acting as natural barriers to erosion, storm surges, and tidal waves. They also provide important habitats for biodiversity and sequester large amounts of carbon, making them invaluable in the fight against climate change.
    BCAP’s vision for mangrove restoration is ambitious yet achievable, aiming to restore and expand mangrove cover along vulnerable coastal zones. Through a community-driven approach, BCAP actively involves local communities, especially women and youth, in the restoration process. Presently, BCAP has planted 200,000 mangrove saplings, established 9 Climate Action Groups (CAGs), and provided income-generating activities such as poultry (hens and ducks) and homestead kitchen garden seeds to support sustainable livelihoods.