A 3-day workshop on “Climate adaptive approaches and practices” was organized at Shreyas, Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad district from 8th to 10th June 2022 for NGOs who are taking active steps in creating replicable models of green initiatives. A total of 44 NGO representatives working on green initiatives and climate-resilient practices from the Thrissur, Malappuram, and Wayanad districts of Kerala participated in this workshop. The workshop was supported by US Embassy in India as part of US Alumni Micro Grant project in partnership with SWECHHA. The training program is a collaborative venture of Caritas India, ICSW and CEVA to enlighten the NGOs to adapt and lead climate-resilient approaches and practices to make sure to conserve the environment for the coming generations too. The purpose of the workshop was to deliberate on the issues of climate change and global warming, practices, and approaches to mitigate the effect of climate change and to chart out a new map as a way forward to follow green initiatives. This workshop included sessions and discussions on the impact of climate change on the livelihoods of the community, reasons for ozone layer depletion, climate-resilient measures such as natural farming, soil and water conservation, renewable energy sources, green audit, green protocol, preparation of growth promoters, pest repellents, organic manure, etc. The training methodology was interactive as the resource persons ensured that knowledge was not only disseminated but accurately perceived and understood by the participants and to ensure this, resource persons engaged participants in discussions and kept the forum open for feedback, queries, and suggestions.

Dr. Mary Venus Joseph – US alumni micro-grants holder presided over the inauguration ceremony. She gave an outline of this workshop, mentioned the significance of the grant awarded, and explained the implementation efforts in bringing together all the NGOs to make this workshop happen. Mrs. Radha Ravindran – Councilor, Sultan Bathery Municipality delivered the inaugural address.  Dr. Haridas, Thematic Lead, Climate Justice, Caritas India was the main resource person in the workshop. He shared the impact of Climate Change on Livelihoods, thinning of ozone layer/ carbon emission, and absorption and depletion of natural resources. In these sessions, participants were introduced to the core concept of Global warming and climate change and how it affects human beings and their livelihood. He also pointed out the possible solutions to tackle these impending impacts. Global warming, climate change, ozone layer, greenhouse gasses, carbon sequestration, carbon credit, and ultraviolet radiation and the process of promoting Natural Farming were also shared. He urged participants to become self-conscious about electricity usage, waste generation, and disposal, water utilization, food consumption, and try to curb the emission of greenhouse gases.

The Session on Natural farming techniques and preparation of growth promoters/pest repellent was taken by Mrs. Prameela. This session focused on the techniques required by the participants to promote and disseminate the concept of Natural Farming, a detailed briefing on the preparation of growth promoters, pest repellents, organic manures, and FAITH garden (food always in the house) concept.  3 role plays were developed and presented by the participants on the issue of natural resource degradation, the excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides and health issues etc.

The details of conducting green audit, green protocol were shared by Dr. Haridas. Such audits are crucial to understanding the use and misuse of resources and implementing green protocol by adopting appropriate measures and mechanisms. In the end, it was an open forum for participants to discuss the existing and innovative best practice models which support natural farming, sustainable development, resource utilization, renewable sources, etc. A plan of action for the future as a follow-up to the workshop was taken by the participants, which includes online sessions on green audits to train NGO representatives to conduct green audits, monthly orientation to the participants on different environmental topics etc. Each representative of the NGOs was requested to conduct two green audits (one at home and any one institution) from July 1st-31st and implement green protocol from August 2022

A valedictory function was organized at the closing of the 3 days training programme. The ceremony was graced by the honourable presence of Bishop of Bathery, Dr. Joseph Mar Thomas.  Bishop addressed the participants and congratulated them on the successful completion of this workshop and hoped that the knowledge gained would help in the effective and efficient implementation of the follow-up activities. Following the Chief guest speech Fr. George – Assistant director, Shreyas Bathery delivered his closing remarks. Dr. Mary Venus Joseph to convey an official closing speech. She expressed her sincere gratitude to all for making this workshop a successful event. Following the vote of thanks, all participants were awarded workshop certificates distributed by Bishop Joseph Mar Thomas.