Seeds Technical Services

Clean air begins with people, not policies. When citizens transform into citizen scientists- measuring air quality in their own streets, questioning local sources of pollution, and driving small but collective shifts- the ownership of clean air truly comes alive. Hyperlocal is the key to action. Air quality varies from one neighbourhood to another. A busy traffic junction, a waste-burning hotspot, or a construction-heavy street each contributes differently. Tackling these micro-level challenges is what builds resilience at the city scale. At STS Global, we are happy to be assisting UNDP in India and State pollution control boards to design a hyperlocal, AI-powered dashboard that predicts air quality at the neighbourhood level. This predictive intelligence is a game-changeralerting communities in advance, enabling targeted municipal action, and strengthening health preparedness. By blending community stewardship with AI foresight, we can move from reacting to air pollution towards proactively preventing it. Ashish Chaturvedi | Manish Mohandas | Shubham Tandon | Jonas Nothnagel | Parvathy Krishnan | Lacuna Fund #CleanAir #Righttobreathe #NeighbourhoodResilience #ClimateAction #AI4Good #CommUnityAI

When a disaster strikes a village or city, its impact is rarely the same for everyone. Women walking long distances for resources, taking responsibility of children, elderly and the belongings while evacuating, women and girls struggling with their menstrual hygiene, children missing schools that double up as shelters, elderly residents struggling to evacuate, persons with disabilities cut off from accessible care, people from LGBTQIA+ facing the social discrimination and stigma, thus not included or informal workers losing their only livelihood overnight, the risks may be shared, but the burden is unequal. And yet, most disaster management plans do not have any provisions to make them inclusive. In developing the District Departmental Disaster Management Plans (DDDMPs) for Pune and Raigad, we set out to change that. Together with UNDP in India and the district administrations, we embedded inclusion at the core of departmental planning, not as an afterthought. This meant moving beyond role allocation to ask deeper questions:  - How can shelters ensure privacy for women, spaces for breastfeeding, safe washrooms and shelters for trans or non-binary people?  - How do evacuation routes work for the elderly and persons with disabilities?  - What provisions safeguard informal workers whose income stops during a disaster?  - How can schools double up as safe havens without compromising children’s education? To address these, we incorporated concrete inclusion measures into every department’s SOPs and budgets:  ▪️ Gender-sensitive relief protocols ensuring equitable access to food, water, and healthcare.  ▪️ Accessible evacuation plans with ramps, mobility support, and sign-language enabled warnings.  ▪️School continuity plans so all children get back to school post disaster and do not drop out to help their families to raise money.  ▪️Department prompts to routinely check: Who might be excluded, and how do we bring them in? When tested through simulation exercise, these plans changed how officers responded and thought. They didn’t just coordinate resources faster, they instinctively checked whether shelters had privacy, whether warnings reached everyone, and whether relief distributions were equitable. That is the true strength of these DDDMPs: they make inclusion a lived practice, not just a line in a report. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)INDIA | State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Maharashtra | Kerala State Disaster Management Authority | Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority | Odisha State Disaster Management Authority | UTTAR PRADESH STATE DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY | Anshu Sharma | Ashish rao Ghorpade | Jagriti Shankar | Zoya Kidwai | Aishwarya Jayan

The tragedy in #Dharali was not an isolated event; it was a preview. The flash flood that struck Uttarkashi district of #Uttarakhand in India on August 5, 2025, was an event for which the specific risks were well-documented through our prior Hazard, Vulnerability, and Risk Assessment (HVRA) across 15 Gram Panchayats in the Bhatwari and Mori blocks. The findings from this intensive field study were starkly predictive, identifying Dharali and Harshil in Bhatwari, along with Osla and Fitari in Mori, as the most vulnerable locations due to a convergence of multi-hazard exposure. Our assessment, which combined geomorphic mapping with settlement exposure profiling and community risk analysis. However, the most critical lesson from Dharali extends far beyond one valley. The conditions that made this community vulnerable—limited climate-informed local planning, developing valley-specific early warning systems in low-connectivity zones, establishing robust last-mile communication networks, and building comprehensive community preparedness—are challenges shared by countless other regions and remote settlements. These communities face similar, if not identical, threats from glacial events, debris flows, and intense rainfall, each requiring tailored protection strategies suited to their unique geographic and social contexts.   This work was undertaken in collaboration with UNDP in India and the India Meteorological Department (IMD), demonstrating how localised risk intelligence can be effectively combined with national forecasting capabilities. The findings from Dharali serve as a stark blueprint of a region-wide challenge. For every valley assessed, there are hundreds more that remain unmapped and unprepared, their communities living under a constant, poorly understood threat. The true challenge lies not in analysing a single event after it occurs, but in proactively reaching the numerous other at-risk communities before they suffer the same fate. The focus must shift from post-disaster response to a systematic, scaled-up framework, ensuring that evidence-based risk knowledge is translated into tangible protection for all vulnerable villages across the region. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)INDIA | United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) | Ministry of Earth Sciences | #Dharali #Uttarkashi #GLOF #Disasterpreparedness #HimalayanRisk #Climateinduceddisasters #DisasterRiskReduction #USDMA #EarlyWarningSystems #Climateinformationservices #RiskGovernance 

While disaster plans exist for districts, states, and cities, where are the departments that ultimately go on the ground  to mitigate, prepare, respond, and recover? That was the fundamental gap we set out to address by creating District Departmental Disaster Management Plans (DDDMPs) for Pune and Raigad districts in #Maharashtra. Led by STS, in collaboration with UNDP in India and the respective district administrations, this initiative moved beyond generic planning formats. Instead, it built department-owned, hazard-specific, and action-ready plans easy to read and refer plans that are aligned with the seasonality and intensity of disasters. Over several months, we collaborated closely with more than 15 departments in each district, not just to assign responsibilities, but to deeply understand their capacities, constraints, lived experiences, and operational gaps. From frontline workers to senior officials, this process was built on trust, listening, and real genuine insight. One of the most powerful tools that emerged from this was hazard seasonality mapping, a calendar that tracks which disasters are most likely to occur, and when. This simple but transformative insight helped departments pre-position resources, activate SOPs in advance, and plan trainings, alerts, and communication efforts based on seasonal triggers. When you know what’s coming and when, you can prepare, not just react.  We also developed department-disaster matrices, outlining each department’s role at every phase: early warning, evacuation, relief, and recovery. Through customised HVRA (Hazard, Vulnerability, Risk & Capacity Assessments), we identified each department’s own gaps and needs, laying the foundation for clear, actionable, and role-specific SOPs. Every plan was designed to be:  - Simplified and practical, for the departments to consult quickly in emergencies  - Department-specific, not generic  - Equipped with clear escalation paths and interdepartmental linkages  - Reflective of seasonality, resource realities, and inclusion goals  - Modular and updatable, not static or dependent on individual officers And then we tested it through multi-scenario simulation exercises, officers experienced the stress and complexity of real-time response, navigating cyclones, landslides and floods all at once, the result is a new culture of shared ownership and readiness. Throughout, inclusion wasn’t a side note, it was central. The needs of women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ communities, children, migrants, and elderly populations were embedded into every department’s protocol, not tucked into a “vulnerable group” section.  The strength of this process lies in its structure. Disaster planning is no longer a single document gathering dust on a shelf, but a shared, internalised framework integrated into every department’s daily operation. Government of Maharashtra (GoM) | National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)INDIA

Disasters don’t recognise departmental boundaries: and effective preparedness requires that every department knows its role before a crisis unfolds. India’s disaster management framework, guided by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)INDIA, mandates the development of disaster management plans at national, state, district, and city levels. These plans provide a crucial foundation for risk assessment, preparedness, and coordinated response. But resilience cannot be achieved through macro-level planning alone. An often underestimated yet essential element is the development of Departmental District Disaster Management Plans (DDDMP). These DDDMPs ensure that every key department at the district truly understands its own disaster risks, resources, and response pathways. These plans anchor disaster preparedness directly into day-to-day operations. Why is this important? DDDMPs bridge the critical gap between high-level district plans and day-to-day departmental operations. They clarify roles and SOP’s, streamline interdepartmental communication, helps build department level repository, and anchor preparedness measures where service delivery actually happens. In the event of a disaster, this means:  - Faster, more effective action by each department.  - Targeted training, resource allocation, and continuity of essential public services.  - No gaps or confusion when coordination across departments is most needed. Our recent experience supporting Government of Maharashtra (GoM) and UNDP in India in the development of these plans in districts of Pune and Raigad, Maharashtra, has shown that DDDMPs turn guidelines into practical action. When departments plan together, risks are addressed proactively, institutional knowledge is strengthened, and communities are better protected. In the long run, it’s these department-level plans that transform disaster response from a reactive exercise to a culture of resilience, making sure that support reaches where it’s needed most, without delay or disruption.  Let’s not just meet compliance. Let’s build coordinated, connected, and prepared districts for a safer tomorrow. Manisha Verma | Ashish rao Ghorpade | Shashikant Chopde | Ashish Verma | Jagriti Shankar | Anshu Sharma | Zoya Kidwai | Aishwarya Jayan Bihar State Disaster Management Authority | Chief Minister Office, Uttar Pradesh | Chief Minister Office, Government of NCT of Delhi | Chief Minister's Office, Odisha |

How does real climate adaptation begin? Not always in global summits, but in the heart of communities. It starts with leaders like the Climate Sakhis of Delhi. These are women who support their families through waste collection. Many never had formal schooling, yet today they are leading conversations on climate change, heatwave risks, and sustainability. They are the frontline experts in community resilience. Their journey is a powerful example of community-led action, facilitated by a partnership between STS and Chintan (Environmental Research and Action Group). Our role was not to lead, but to support—helping these women from Bhalswa, Vivekanand, and Nizamuddin build on their own experiences to become trainers for their peers. In a workshop, they explored practical solutions born from their own lived realities: using planters to cool homes, changing cooking times to avoid peak heat, and ensuring water safety. These aren't just tips; they are life-saving adaptations. They connected these small, vital actions to the larger climate crisis, turning everyday challenges into lessons in resilience. The "Climate Sakhis" left with more than just knowledge; they left with a reinforced purpose and the confidence to create positive change for the people they care about. We are so proud to be a part of their journey. This is grassroots resilience in action. It prompts a critical question: What is the single most important factor needed to scale hyper-local, women-led initiatives? Do share in comments. UN Women | UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre | NITI Aayog Official | Anshu Sharma | Bharati Chaturvedi | Ruchika Drall | Sukhreet Bajwa | Evita Rodrigues | Shambhavi Vishwakarma | Kh Samuel Poumai | Nadhi-SheForClimate | CII Centre for Women Leadership | SHE Changes Climate | Fondation L'Oréal | India Climate Collaborative |

During the peak of Delhi’s relentless summer, imagine returning home after hours under the unforgiving sun—only to find that inside your house, it’s even hotter. For thousands living in low-income neighborhoods, this is a daily ordeal. Their homes, often made with metal sheets and asbestos, trap heat, offering no respite. The result: days and nights of sweltering discomfort, little rest, and compromised wellbeing. Our journey began at Vivekanand Camp, where waste picker families faced indoor temperatures soaring to 48°C. Their homes felt like ovens, and options for cooling—mechanical or natural—were out of reach. Together with Chintan (Environmental Research and Action Group) and the community, we set out to make a difference. We listened, we learned about their routines, constraints, and hopes. Residents rolled up their sleeves alongside us. Using jute for insulation, bamboo for strength, tin and cardboard for layering, thermocol and tarpaulin for thermal barriers, and aluminium bubble sheets for efficient insulation, we retrofitted rooftops—choosing every material for effectiveness, affordability, and local availability. Change didn’t just happen—it was felt. Post-intervention, temperatures inside dropped by up to 12°C. Families who once struggled for comfort could finally sleep, rest, and find peace indoors, even as the city outside baked. The smiles and relief were the clearest sign: life here had changed for the better. This success was not just about materials or methods—it was grounded in community leadership, collaboration, and trust. The residents of Vivekanand Camp were not recipients; they were co-creators, ensuring every step made sense for their lives. At STS, we believe real resilience grows from the ground up. Every insulated roof was a partnership—proof that practical, affordable solutions can transform lives and turn hardship into hope. Have you witnessed similar transformations, or do you know a community facing heat stress? Share your stories or ideas below—and let’s continue building resilience, one home at a time. Anshu Sharma | Bharati Chaturvedi | Lakshman Srikanth | Kh Samuel Poumai | Shambhavi Vishwakarma | Bishu Choudhary | Kathy Baughman McLeod | Group on Earth Observations (GEO) | The Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance |Trevor Noah Foundation | Resilient Cities Network | Dutch Fund for Climate and Development | #ThermalComfort #CoolerIndoors #ClimateServices #ClimateSensitive #ClimateResilience #heat

Early Warning Systems Against Heatwaves for Eco-Warriors: The Waste-Pickers How many times have we seen men, women and even small children with a rugged gunny bag on their shoulder which they are filling with garbage from a roadside? We can pause for a moment and think of the hardships of these waste-pickers that are not evident in just a glance. These ‘eco-warriors’ spend the entire day outdoors be it any weather, but summer is the most challenging because of the heatwaves which have become increasingly frequent due to climate change. Waste-pickers in #Delhi are scorched by temperatures up to 45-47°C, which can cause heat exhaustion, dehydration, heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses. The heatwave conditions in Delhi are often aggravated by factors such as high humidity, air pollution, and lack of access to clean water and cooling facilities for them. At STS, together with Chintan (Environmental Research and Action Group), efforts have been focused on empowering this crucial community to operate their own Community Early Warning System against deadly heatwaves. Here’s how we did it:  - Automatic Weather Stations: Installed with sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, heat index, wind speed, and rainfall in real time.  - Training Programs: Teaching community members how to read Heat Stress Charts—understanding the dangerous link between heat and humidity.  - Early Warning Implementation: Helping the community identify critical heat thresholds by correlating live weather data with the training.  - Action Plans: Clear, easy-to-understand Dos and Don’ts for each heat danger level, ensuring protection and safety. The Results?  👥 Community Ownership—waste-pickers lead and manage their own heat warning system.  💡 Incorporating Local Knowledge—blending scientific data with lived experience.  🔄 Adaptation and Feedback—continuous improvements based on community input.  🌱 Long-Term Sustainability—building resilience, step by step.    Building climate-resilient communities is a long and difficult road. But by equipping waste-pickers with the tools and knowledge to stay safe during extreme heat, lives are being protected where it matters most.   If real solutions and lasting change matter to you, this is a call to join forces and make it happen. #ClimateAction #ClimateServices #EarlyWarningSystem #StrongerCommunities #WastePickers #ClimateSensitive #InformalSector #HeatWaveSafety National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)INDIA | MoEF&CC | NITI Aayog Official | Delhi Government | Swachh Bharat Mission | UNDP in India | The World Bank | Anshu Sharma | Bharati Chaturvedi | Kh Samuel Poumai | Shambhavi Vishwakarma | Bishu Choudhary |

While planes fly out every day, some choose to stay!   Remittances make up around 20-25% of Nepal’s GDP. Nearly every hillside has a story of a loved one working abroad, sending hopes and savings back home.    But this is a story about the ones who didn’t leave. 🏞️ In the mountains around river Melamchi, life hums in quieter registers.  A woman crouches by her fire, distilling aila (millet), not just to sell, but to share warmth during cold evenings, to hold onto something that feels like home. Houses once stood by the river, until the river changed its mind.  So they moved uphill, stone by stone, memory by memory.  No plans. No qualms. Just the will to begin again. Trout farms still shimmer, carved higher up the slope, clean water, clean effort, and a quiet reinvention. Shops have reopened, not where they once stood, but a little farther from the river’s reach. Their shelves are modestly restocked, but they’re open, steadily. We asked a shopkeeper if she’d return to her old spot. She smiled, offered no clear answer, just the comfort of routine. As afternoon falls, bundles of firewood are stacked neatly by each doorway, ready to light the evening meal. This is not just survival.  This is a quiet economy.  A cultural pulse.  An unspoken contribution. While the remittance economy builds Nepal’s skyline from afar,  the ones who stay behind rebuild what was lost, over and over again. These stories may not make the headlines, but they keep Nepal moving. The mountains keep calling! #Nepal #MountainResilience #Melamchi #DisasterRecovery #RuralEconomy #ClimateResilience #EverydayCourage #ResilienceEconomy International Development Research Centre (IDRC) | Kundan Mishra | Kasmita Basing | UNSW | David Sanderson | Anshu Sharma | Natalie Diane | Shreyasi Neogi | Kh Samuel Poumai | The World Bank |

Few realise that Chennai’s most effective climate infrastructure isn’t made of concrete — it’s the Pallikaranai Wetland. Amidst Chennai’s fast-growing metropolis lies one of South India’s last remaining freshwater marsh ecosystems. For decades, this resilient ecosystem has quietly buffered the city against flood and drought—absorbing monsoon rain, cooling rising urban heat, recharging groundwater, and supporting extraordinary biodiversity. Its grasslands, water channels, and seasonal ponds form a thriving habitat for over 5,000 resident and 40,000 migratory birds. More than just green space, Pallikaranai is living ecological infrastructure that protects homes, safeguards water, and sustains species. In a city when floodwaters rise overnight and displace thousands, Pallikaranai silently holds the line—protecting not just nature, but people and their homes. Pallikaranai is not empty land. Pallikaranai is ecological intelligence. And it’s still working for us. It’s a reminder that climate resilience isn’t always built — sometimes, it’s protected. 🌱 Powerful solutions already exist in nature. What they need is recognition, restoration, and long-term protection. 🗺️ If your work intersects with urban sustainability, biodiversity—we’d love to connect. International Development Research Centre (IDRC) | Kundan Mishra | Kasmita Basing | UNSW | David Sanderson | Anshu Sharma | Natalie Diane | Shreyasi Neogi | Kh Samuel Poumai | CAbC- MSSRF Anna University Chennai National Biodiversity Authority India Tamil Nadu Forest Department MoEF&CC | Care Earth Trust | Jayshree Vencatesan | Harini Nagendra | #Pallikaranai #Chennai #ClimateResilience #UrbanEcology #NatureBasedSolutions #WetlandConservation #EcoInfrastructure #UrbanPlanning #SustainableCities #BiodiversityMatters #SouthAsiaClimate #EnvironmentalGovernance