TISS, state launch gender-responsive climate planning initiative in Maharashtra's Raigad

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences TISS and Maharashtra government on Monday launched genderresponsive climate planning initiative in Raigad district an official statement saidIt said that the Raigad district will pilot a firstofitskind communityled and genderresponsive district climate action planning initiative in MaharashtraThe threeyear project aims to place local communities women and indigenous knowledge at the centre of climate planning creating a model that can be replicated across the stateThe project was launched by Abhijit Ghorpade Director of the Maharashtra State Climate Action Cell SCAC marking a significant shift towards participatory and inclusive climate governance officials saidLaunched during TISS navati celebrationsAccording to the statement the initiative was officially launched during the 90thyear Navati celebrations of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences TISS It took place at a twoday national seminar titled ldquoPathways to GenderResponsive Local Climate Action and Justice Localising SDGs Decolonising Governance Indigenising KnowledgerdquoThe seminar brought together government officials academics civil society organisations and grassroots leaders to discuss communitycentred approaches to climate actionStrong institutional collaborationThe project is a collaborative effort between TISS the Maharashtra State Climate Action Cell Asar Social Impact Advisors Waatavaran Foundation and the Policy amp Development Advisory Group with support from the University of Toronto India FoundationThe partners stressed the importance of integrating policy research community knowledge systems and cultural practices into climate planningInclusive climate planningThe seminar was presided over by Prof M Mariappan Officiating Vice Chancellor of TISS and Prof Geetanjoy Sahu Dean of the School of Habitat Studies It was inaugurated by Shishir Joshi Founder of Mumbai Climate WeekProf Mariappan said women play a vital role in building climate resilience through local knowledge and care practices He added that climate action must focus on community voices while addressing structural inequalitiesAbhijit Ghorpade said Maharashtrarsquos updated State Action Plan on Climate Change SAPCC 20 focuses on the inclusion of women and youth He expressed confidence that the Raigad project would lead to a truly inclusive district climate action planAt the grassroot levelsThe seminar highlighted that climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a social and economic challenge Women tribal communities and marginalised caste groups are often the most affectedProject Director Prof Manjula Bharathy said the initiative aims to bring marginalised voices to the centre of climate governance She explained the projectrsquos focus on the ldquo5 Asrdquo Advocates Academicians Administrators Artists and Amplifiers to ensure climate action reflects justice lived experiences and indigenous knowledgeKey highlightsMajor sessions during the twoday event included Launch of the Raigad Climate Action Planning project focusing on training Village Development Committees and integrating Sustainable Development Goals SDGs into Panchayat plansA ldquoConference of Panchayats COP of the Global Southrdquo where Gram Sevaks and local leaders discussed decentralised governance as an alternative to global climate forumsScreening of the documentary ldquoClimate Resilience Life as Told by Womenrdquo which showcases how women in Keralarsquos coastal villages respond to climaterelated floodingRoadmap towards Mumbai Climate Week 2026The seminar also served as a curtainraiser for Mumbai Climate Week scheduled for February 1719 2026 It highlighted how local cultures and community knowledge can strengthen scientific and peoplefocused climate action plans