The three-year 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 state
the initiative was officially launched during the 90th-year Navati celebrations of TISS. Representational Pic/File
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and Maharashtra government on Monday launched gender-responsive climate planning initiative in Raigad district, an official statement said.
It said that the Raigad district will pilot a first-of-its-kind community-led and gender-responsive district climate action planning initiative in Maharashtra.
The three-year 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 state.
The 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 said.
Launched during TISS navati celebrations
According to the statement, the initiative was officially launched during the 90th-year Navati celebrations of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). It took place at a two-day national seminar titled “Pathways to Gender-Responsive Local Climate Action and Justice: Localising SDGs, Decolonising Governance, Indigenising Knowledge.”
The seminar brought together government officials, academics, civil society organisations and grassroots leaders to discuss community-centred approaches to climate action.
Strong institutional collaboration
The project is a collaborative effort between TISS, the Maharashtra State Climate Action Cell, Asar Social Impact Advisors, Waatavaran Foundation and the Policy & Development Advisory Group, with support from the University of Toronto India Foundation.
The partners stressed the importance of integrating policy, research, community knowledge systems and cultural practices into climate planning.
Inclusive climate planning
The 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 Week.
Prof. 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 inequalities.
Abhijit Ghorpade said Maharashtra’s updated State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC 2.0) focuses on the inclusion of women and youth. He expressed confidence that the Raigad project would lead to a truly inclusive district climate action plan.
At the grassroot levels
The 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 affected.
Project Director Prof. Manjula Bharathy said the initiative aims to bring marginalised voices to the centre of climate governance. She explained the project’s focus on the “5 As” - Advocates, Academicians, Administrators, Artists and Amplifiers - to ensure climate action reflects justice, lived experiences and indigenous knowledge.
Key highlights
Major sessions during the two-day event included -
Launch of the Raigad Climate Action Planning project, focusing on training Village Development Committees and integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into Panchayat plans.
A “Conference of Panchayats - COP of the Global South”, where Gram Sevaks and local leaders discussed decentralised governance as an alternative to global climate forums.
Screening of the documentary “Climate Resilience: Life as Told by Women”, which showcases how women in Kerala’s coastal villages respond to climate-related flooding.
Roadmap towards Mumbai Climate Week 2026
The seminar also served as a curtain-raiser for Mumbai Climate Week, scheduled for February 17-19, 2026. It highlighted how local cultures and community knowledge can strengthen scientific and people-focused climate action plans.
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