About South Asian Forum for Environment [SAFE]

SAFE is a registered non-profit civil society organization working at the science-society interface towards sustainable environment development and poverty alleviation in the Indian eco-region of South Asia since the year 2004. SAFE has a focal directive on Sustainable Development Goals, and proactive partnerships are extremely valuable to SAFE which remains an integral part of the organization’s work approach. SAFE believes that it is important to highlight the collective action across various sectors towards climate initiatives in the Indian eco region as this will enrich our collective delivery and ascertain our nation’s climate commitments in the global arena. SAFE is recognized by M/O Environment Forest & Climate Change, accredited by “NGO Darpan” of Niti Aayog of India, and acts as an implementing partner in National Water Mission, and National Livelihood Mission as well as a stakeholder in UN Environment and also enjoys consultative status with UNFCCC, UNDP, World bank and ECOSOC.

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Mission of SAFE

SAFE works to achieve environmental conservation objectives and poverty alleviation through participation, partnership, equity, and reciprocity.

Vision of SAFE

SAFE envisages global reciprocal partnership and participatory policy frame for commons to promote sustainable environment development and wise use of natural resources.

Genesis of SAFE

During the year 1998, while working on issues of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood and acute water scarcity problems in areas of Himalayan terrains in North Eastern parts of Bhutan and India, the necessity of a civic forum to discourse ecological issues in India and the whole eco-region of South Asia, was envisioned by Dr.Dipayan Dey, who founded SAFE, with a support network of eco-conscious people from different sectors. The fundamental thought behind the institutionalization of SAFE remained, “Environmental challenges need to be addressed beyond political boundaries”. On 9^th June 2004, SAFE was established under the Indian Trust Act. Hereafter, the organization is actively working towards sustainable development in India and countries of South Asia.

Objectives of SAFE

To address environmental problems and conservation issues with special reference to lakes and wetlands, floodplains, mangroves, and tropical rainforests.
To combat climate change implications through adaptation, disaster mitigation, adaptive management, community preparedness, and resilience.
To conduct research at science-society interface for sustainable development of the indigenous community in the agro-environmental sector
To inculcate environmental awareness and impart basic environmental education among local inhabitants and stakeholders.
To impart training for encouraging environmental stewardship through professional workshops and courses for local stakeholders
To incorporate a strategic environment communication framework through new media technologies, including alternative media as means of facilitating sustainable environment development and change.

Our Initiatives

Climate Change research and resilience in climate-vulnerable coastal areas, floodplains, and drought-prone landscapes.
Sustainable development & food security through climate-smart agriculture and community-based interventions in rural agrarian South Asia.
Alternative livelihood & Community preparedness through technology cooperation towards adaptive mitigation.
Biodiversity conservation & ecological restoration in tender ecosystems, wetlands, rainforests, and high-altitude terrains with special emphasis on urban biodiversity.
Biorights and Payment of Environmental Services (PES) towards financial inclusion and social mainstreaming of commons.
Environmental awareness and community governance towards reciprocal, equal, and participatory conservation for policy implications.
Circular economy and Integrated Waste Management for emission reduction and resource conservation.
Water, and sanitation under WASH program, using renewable energy technology to provide clean water to marginalized communities in rural, semi-urban, and urban areas.
Enhance healthcare systems at grassroots levels, COVID-19 pandemic has created new poverty and inequality in society, and SAFE promotes a community-cohesion approach for improved human health and well-being.
Building capacities with skill development training programs for increased income, and improved living conditions with composite efforts fostering transformative change.

Organizational Status

SAFE is a Not-for-profit, Community based civil society organization registered under the Trust Act of India 1861 & u/s 12A & 80G of IT Act of India, FCRA u/s 11(1) and accredited by M/O Planning and Central Social Welfare Board, Govt. of India.