Community-based Adaptation for Resilient Empowerment of Adivasi in Barind Region of Naogaon (CARE) Project
Community-based Adaptation for Resilient Empowerment of Adivasi in Barind Region of Naogaon (CARE) Project
Target Beneficiaries: 400 climate-vulnerable Adivasi women-headed households
Working Area: Badalgachi Union and Mathura Union, Naogaon District
Duration: February 2025 – ongoing
Donors: UNDP with Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP)
Background
Bangladesh, ranked seventh in the 2021 World Climate Risk Index, faces profound challenges from climate change due to its high population density and heavy dependence on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture. Shifting temperature and rainfall patterns are intensifying heat stress, reducing groundwater levels, and degrading soil fertility—particularly in rural productive areas. These changes threaten biodiversity, water resources, agriculture, and human settlements, creating a pressing need for data-driven, context-specific adaptation strategies.
The Barind Tract, covering 21,512 sq. km in the northwestern region with about 3.85 million people, is highly susceptible to drought, erratic rainfall, and land degradation. Badalgachi upazila, home to several Adivasi communities such as the Pahan and Oraon groups, is especially vulnerable. Most households rely on agricultural day labor, but climate change, poverty, and marginalization from land ownership severely limit livelihood opportunities. Seasonal migration is common, with Adivasi women often carrying the heaviest economic burden. This disruption not only undermines income security but also impacts the health and nutrition of women and children in these communities.
Through the CARE Project, Ghashful is working with local communities to strengthen adaptive capacity and reduce climate vulnerability. The project adopts participatory, community-led strategies to improve livelihoods, promote climate-smart agriculture, enhance water management, and empower women as active leaders in resilience-building.
Objectives
- Enhance climate resilience of Adivasi communities through sustainable natural resource management.
- Strengthen community capacity for climate adaptation and disaster preparedness.
- Improve livelihoods through climate-smart agriculture and alternative income-generating activities.
- Promote inclusive participation and leadership of women and marginalized groups in local decision-making.
Key Outputs and Activities
Output 1: Comprehensive development strategy for Adivasi communities to guide climate-adaptive actions and facilitate sustainable replication.
- Conduct vulnerability reduction assessments.
- Organize workshops with local experts and representatives.
- Prepare strategic reports with tools and approaches for vulnerability reduction.
Output 2: Enhanced knowledge and skills on climate-adaptive, community-led agriculture and livestock practices.
- Demonstrate homestead farming (vegetable cultivation and poultry rearing) with drought-tolerant technologies for 300 households to improve income, employment, and nutrition.
- Demonstrate water-efficient cultivation practices for 100 households.
- Establish two vermicompost plants for commercial production and soil fertility improvement.
Output 3: Improved physical adaptive measures for water availability and community resilience.
- Support re-excavation of two community ponds to increase rainwater storage capacity.
- Install one Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) system for groundwater replenishment.
- Promote improved cooking stoves (50 units distributed) to reduce fuel use, minimize indoor air pollution, and protect women’s health.