Coastal Sustainability and Resilience Foundation
Region
Asia
Country
India
Flyway
Central Asia
Initiative
WLI Asia-Oceania
About
Name of organisation
COASTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILEINCE FOUNDATION
Funding support
Indeendent intially we start the programme its now begining,
Number of staff
5
Number of visitors per year
2024: 30
2025: 15
2026: 26
Overall aims of the centre
1. Strengthen the capacity of local communities to respond to social, economic and environmental challenges.
2.Promote conservation of wetlands, natural resources and ecosystems, with special focus on Kolleru Wetland.
3. Support sustainable livelihood opportunities and improve the socio-economic well-being of vulnerable communities.
4. Document community issues, environmental changes, traditional knowledge and local experiences through field research and evidence-based studies.
5. Create awareness among communities and facilitate collaboration between civil society, academic institutions, researchers and government agencies for sustainable development
Description of the centre
Region: Asia
Country/territory: India
Type of wetland: Urban
Area sqm: 245
Habitats and species:
Kolleru Wetland supports freshwater, marsh, shallow-water and seasonally inundated habitats.
It provides vital habitat for migratory and resident waterbirds, including pelicans and painted storks.
The wetland supports diverse fish, prawn and aquatic species, sustaining local biodiversity.
It also supports fishing, agriculture and other livelihoods of surrounding communities.
Featured programmes:
Community field camps on Kolleru conservation and resilience.
Wetland documentation of encroachment, fishponds and habitat changes.
Youth and student programmes on biodiversity and environmental reporting.
Community biodiversity monitoring of birds, fish and water quality.
Sustainable livelihood programmes for farmers and fishing communities.
University–community knowledge exchange with TRU BC and partner institutions
Work Areas
Main CEPA work area
Community Engagement: Mobilising local communities in Kolleru villages through meetings, consultations and field camps.
Education & Awareness: Conducting awareness programmes on wetland conservation, biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods.
Participation: Involving farmers, fishers, women and youth in environmental decision-making.
Advocacy: Raising community concerns on wetland encroachment, fishponds, land-use changes and livelihood issues.
Documentation: Recording community stories, biodiversity, environmental changes and traditional knowledge.
Partnerships: Building collaboration with universities, researchers, civil-society organisations and government agencies.
Top three successes
- Built strong connections with Kolleru farmers, fishers, youth and local communities through field visits and consultations.
- Brought Kolleru wetland encroachment, fishponding, biodiversity and livelihood concerns into public discussion through media and awareness activities.
- Developed community-based collaboration and field-learning connections with TRU BC, Canada, V2V and university partners.
Top three challenges
- Increasing conversion of wetland areas into fishponds and changing land-use patterns.
- Balancing environmental protection with the economic needs of farmers and fishing communities.
- Need for greater funding, technical expertise and long-term community-based monitoring.
Expertise
Interpretation techniques
Creating signage / site information, Producing written materials, Using audio-visual tools, Developing nature trails
Visitor centres
Setting up a new visitor center, Running a visitor center, Building / maintaining structures
Participation
Engaging hard-to-reach groups, Engaging young people, Engaging the local community, Working with volunteers
Education and communication
Early years education, Working with secondary schools, Developing resources / materials
General
Auditing / assessing effectiveness, Health and safety, Project planning
Contact
20B-4-83
NARNIVEERESALIMGAM STREET ELURU
ELURU, ANDHRA PRADESH 534002
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