A Report by Debabrata Rajkumar
Founder and Director
Nature’s Orbit Collective Foundation
Introduction
In April 2021, Nature’s Orbit Collective Foundation launched the initiative Water Literacy under Climate Action Literacy, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Government of India’s Mission LiFE. The initiative addresses critical Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) challenges, focusing on awareness, behavioral change, and sustainable practices across schools, universities, and communities.
Challenges in Assam
Assam faces pressing challenges in water and sanitation. Seasonal floods and soil erosion frequently disrupt drinking water supply, while poor drainage systems heighten the risk of waterborne diseases. In rural and peri-urban areas, lack of sanitation infrastructure contributes to open defecation, poor menstrual hygiene, and ineffective waste management. Rapid urbanization adds stress on limited water resources, while climate change compounds these vulnerabilities, making WASH a priority concern.
Roadmap with UNICEF Collaboration
To address these challenges, Nature’s Orbit partnered with UNICEF to develop the WASH–Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability (CCES) roadmap for Assam. The strategy integrates climate resilience into water and sanitation planning, promotes sustainable hygiene practices, and establishes youth-led action platforms. With participatory methods, the roadmap connects grassroots needs with policy strategies, creating pathways for long-term impact.
Awareness and Capacity Building
Awareness programs form the foundation of this initiative. Interactive sessions have sensitized students to the links between WASH, climate change, and sustainable development. Programs in schools and universities promoted practical actions—handwashing, safe drinking water use, and sanitation—while connecting them to sustainability goals.
Workshops on Waste-to-Resource and Solid & Liquid Waste Management encouraged segregation, composting, and recycling. These hands-on activities empowered students, staff, and communities to adopt eco-friendly practices, reinforcing the role of individuals as change agents.
Linking Water Literacy with Climate Action
This initiative uniquely integrates WASH with climate action. Through programs at institutions such as TISS Guwahati and various schools, participants explored how water conservation and hygiene support climate resilience. Many schools adopted practices like rainwater harvesting, safe sanitation, and waste management, fostering water-sensitive leadership among youth.
Youth Engagement
Youth are central to this movement. Platforms such as the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) in Guwahati under the UNFCCC framework and UNICEF Yuva have empowered young leaders to deliberate on WASH, climate change, and sustainable living. These engagements foster collaborative innovation, building a youth-led climate action movement that motivates future leaders to design and implement solutions for water and sanitation challenges.
Outcomes and Impact
The initiative has created impact in four key areas:
- Awareness: Improved understanding of water, sanitation, and hygiene as essential to health, environment, and climate resilience.
- Behavioral Change: Greater adoption of handwashing, safe water storage, sanitation facility use, and water conservation.
- Community Engagement: Students acting as ambassadors, extending awareness to families and peers.
- Sustainable Practices: Integration of rainwater harvesting, waste segregation, and recycling within educational institutions.
Vision: Expanding PAN India
Building on success in Assam, Nature’s Orbit aims to expand WASH–CCES initiatives across India. The strategy includes interactive learning models, student-led WASH clubs, and youth-driven campaigns. The vision is to create water-conscious campuses and communities nationwide that safeguard health and strengthen resilience against climate change.
Conclusion
Water Literacy under Climate Action Literacy is a journey from knowledge to action, where water, sanitation, and hygiene are recognized as foundations of climate resilience. Through collaboration with UNICEF, youth-led platforms like LCOY, and participatory engagement, Nature’s Orbit Collective Foundation demonstrates that every drop counts and every youth voice is vital in shaping a water-secure and climate-resilient future.
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