<p>The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/bmc-election-2026-congress-alleges-money-power-and-pressure-tactics-in-mumbai-polls-party-records-lowest-seat-count-ever-23612677" target="_blank" rel="none noopener"><strong>Maharashtra</strong></a> government on Monday launched gender-responsive climate planning initiative in Raigad district, an official statement said.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h2>Launched during TISS navati celebrations</h2>
<p>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 &ldquo;Pathways to Gender-Responsive Local Climate Action and Justice: Localising SDGs, Decolonising Governance, Indigenising Knowledge.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The seminar brought together <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/maharashtra-local-body-elections-155-government-employees-booked-for-failing-to-report-for-poll-duty-in-marathwada-region-23612191" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><strong>government</strong></a> officials, academics, civil society organisations and grassroots leaders to discuss community-centred approaches to climate action.</p>
<h2>Strong institutional collaboration</h2>
<p>The 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 Foundation.</p>
<p>The partners stressed the importance of integrating policy, research, community knowledge systems and cultural practices into climate planning.</p>
<h2>Inclusive climate planning</h2>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Abhijit Ghorpade said Maharashtra&rsquo;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 <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/western-railway-sixth-line-work-mumbai-local-train-network-expands-as-western-railway-completes-work-on-kandivali-borivali-route-to-be-operational-from-monday-23612563" target="_blank" rel="none noopener"><strong>project</strong></a> would lead to a truly inclusive district climate action plan.</p>
<h2>At the grassroot levels</h2>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Project Director Prof. Manjula Bharathy said the initiative aims to bring marginalised voices to the centre of climate governance. She explained the project&rsquo;s focus on the &ldquo;5 As&rdquo; - Advocates, Academicians, Administrators, Artists and Amplifiers - to ensure climate action reflects justice, lived experiences and indigenous knowledge.</p>
<h2>Key highlights</h2>
<p><strong>Major sessions during the two-day event included -</strong></p>
<p>Launch of the Raigad Climate Action Planning project, focusing on training Village Development Committees and integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into Panchayat plans.</p>
<p>A &ldquo;Conference of Panchayats - COP of the Global South&rdquo;, where Gram Sevaks and local leaders discussed decentralised <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/new-development-roadmap-being-implemented-in-mumbai-says-maharashtra-cm-devendra-fadnavis-as-he-reaches-zurich-to-attend-wef-23612561" target="_blank" rel="none noopener"><strong>governance</strong></a> as an alternative to global climate forums.</p>
<p>Screening of the documentary &ldquo;Climate Resilience: Life as Told by Women&rdquo;, which showcases how women in Kerala&rsquo;s coastal villages respond to climate-related flooding.</p>
<h2>Roadmap towards Mumbai Climate Week 2026</h2>
<p>The seminar also served as a curtain-raiser for <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-crime-news/article/mumbai-bullets-found-in-oshiwara-building-suspected-firing-marks-on-wall-and-wooden-case-being-probed-say-cops-23612553" target="_blank" rel="none noopener"><strong>Mumbai</strong></a> 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.</p>

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and Maharashtra government on Monday launched gender-responsive climate planning initiative in Raigad district

TISS, Maharashtra government launch gender-responsive climate planning initiative in Raigad

Mumbai mayor selection process begins, lottery to decide reservation for post on January 22

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

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

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