News

Dated:25th June 2026

SIGMA Foundation recently conducted a study with support from Landesa, an organization which works on land rights across the world. To examine the land rights of tribal women and land related conflicts that adversely affect the tribal women. The study was for tribal women living in Jharkhand. The study included analysis of secondary data, including media on land disputes, and collection of primary data from Lohardaga and Gumla districts. The study sought to understand the current status of land rights for tribal women in the region, how customary practices affect their land rights, to what extent witch hunting is associated with land issues and how administration of land protects the rights of tribal women.

The study aimed to understand the legal framework, map different types of land issues and associated violence, and examine key land regulatory frameworks — including the Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act, Santhal Parganas Tenancy (SPT) Act, Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), and the Forest Rights Act (FRA) — with the goal of developing a policy brief to support programmatic and policy engagement.

SIGMA’s research team began with an intensive secondary literature review, systematically examining over 400 Hindi newspaper articles on land related violence across seven regional newspapers published between 2023 and 2025, all related to land violence. The patterns that emerged were corroborated through an extensive review of secondary literature on land rights, forest rights, land governance systems, and their implications in Jharkhand. Together, these two streams of evidence provided a clearer picture of the present status of land rights in the CNT region.

The research team subsequently conducted field validation in Lohardaga and Gumla, engaging with a range of stakeholders — from key government officials, police to women survivors of land rights violations and facing allegations like witchcraft and documented case stories. The findings have been compiled into a report which also include key recommendation to be acted upon in the short, medium and the long-term.

SIGMA Foundation is glad to have worked in partnership with Landesa on this important stud and to bring out new evidence on a subject which is under-researched and less understood.

Dated: 30th May 2026

The ADDCWES centre of IIEST Shibpur, which is dedicated for advancement in water and environment studies is implementing a pilot project on rainwater harvesting in Jhalda I block of Purulia district in partnership with SIGMA Foundation. The progress of the project was reviewed on the 29th May at IIEST, Shibpur.

The meeting was attended by key dignitaries including Prof. Arun Deb, Governing Body Member, ADDCWES, IIEST Shibpur; Prof. Anirban Gupta, Centre Director, ADDCWES and Dean – International Relations & Alumni Affairs, IIEST Shibpur; Er. Shyamaprasad Dutta, Governing Body Member and Dr. M. N. Roy, Founder-President, SIGMA Foundation, Dr. Debasri Mukherjee, Assistant Director – WASH and other members of SIGMA Foundation and IIEST.

The project is being designed as a pilot initiative promoting use of locally available materials, which is to evolve into a scalable and replicable model for water-stressed regions for which the Gram Panchayat will also be capacitated. The design is going to be finalized after site validation within a month.
The project places a strong emphasis on applied, field-based research to understand various factors that can provide long-term sustainability of the project and to measure the impact on local people. A critical component will be groundwater monitoring, where local Gram Panchayat representatives will be trained to record and manage rainfall and groundwater table data over time, enabling evidence-based water conservation initiatives. Community engagement will be central, with awareness campaigns and training on climate-smart agriculture and natural farming practices. Together, these research efforts aim to generate actionable insights, strengthen community resilience, and create a replicable model for climate-adaptive water resource management.

Dated 21st May 2026

The Juvenile Justice Committee (JJC) of the Odisha High Court had observed that the number of children coming into conflict with law was increasing. They wanted to know the reason behind the same and felt that it needed a detailed study. UNICEF Odisha State Office and the Department of Women & Children (WCD) of the Government of Odisha supported the study and engaged SIGMA Foundation through an open selection process.

No similar study had previously been undertaken in the country, and conducting such a study was a major learning experience for SIGMA Foundation. An exploratory phenomenological methodology was adopted and both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from a sample of 64 CCLs representing different types of alleged offences from among around 300 CCLs who were in different homes (Observation Homes, Safe Homes and Places of Safety) across the entire state during the time of the visits and documents (Social Investigation Reports) of around 150 CCLs available at the homes were examined to understand their social background. Criminal Propensity Scores of 64 sampled children were estimated using a structured tool validated through a pilot survey. Qualitative data were collected from around 150 stakeholders such as the Parents of the CCLs, their Siblings and Peers, Probation Officers, Counsellors, Superintendents of the Homes, Security personnel, Principal Magistrates and Members of the Juvenile Justice Board, Police officials, Lawyers, District Child Protection Officers, Member Secretary State and District Legal Service Authorities etc.

The data were analysed and the key findings on the socio-economic background of the CCLs, demographic features, nature of offences allegedly committed, progress of disposal of the cases, status of rehabilitation and reintegration of the children etc. were presented before the Juvenile Justice Committee. Members of the study team namely Dr Satarupa Dutta, Ms Sayantani Banerjee and Ms Srishti Saha led by the President Dr M. N. Roy presented the findings before the three Hon’ble Judges constituting the JJC of the Odisha High Court. Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Women & Child Development Department, Director of the Department, ADG Police looking after juvenile offences, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Odisha and Child Protection Specialist of Odisha UNICEF Mr Manna Biswas, who has been coordinating the study, were present. The formal report will be submitted by early June 2026.

Dated: 4th May 2026

SIGMA Foundation took up evaluation of two livelihood and climate change related projects funded by Sign of Hope Germany. Based on analysis of secondary data and those collected during the evaluation, a paper “Hoping to return? Migration and ecological balance in the Sundarbans” has been authored by Dr Sanjukta Das and Dr M.N.Roy of SIGMA Foundation and Mr Dirk Baldenhofer of Sign of Hope. The paper has been published online (https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2025.2610696) in the journal CLIMATE AND DEVELOPMENT by Taylor & Francis, a highly reputed journal based in the United Kingdom. This paper studies whether permanent evacuation is the optimal coping strategy, from the point of view of both the inhabitants as well as the environment, in the Sundarbans, to inform the broader debate on climate induced migration worldwide. Results show that while migration leads to a deterioration of the ecological balance by 1% in the region, it also has a positive impact on the level of hopefulness experienced by low-income migrants. However, the majority of migrants express a desire to return to their native place, regardless of income groups. The results speak to the importance of making scientific advances in effective coping strategies in the face of the growing scale of climatic disasters, such that migration is a voluntary choice rather than a compulsion.

Dated: 20th April 2026

A two-days’ workshop for brainstorming on Water and Sanitation issues on 16th and 17th April 2026. It was organized by the Rural WASH Partners Forum (RWPF) in collaboration with SPM-NIWAS (National Institute of Water and Sanitation), Kolkata and Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt. of India. Day 1 of the workshop focused on the water sector, while Day 2 centred on sanitation, bringing together a wide range of partner organizations including SIGMA Foundation, Tata Trusts, Evidence Action, UNICEF, Water For People, WaterAid, Piramal Foundation, WHEELS Global Foundation, ECHO India, The WASH Institute, Indian Institute for Human Settlements, and National Health Systems Resource Centre, among others. The workshop served as a critical platform to deliberate on sectoral challenges, innovations, and pathways for strengthening sustainable and resilient water and sanitation service delivery systems.

Dr. Debasri Mukherjee, Assistant Director (WASH), and Ms. Sohini Tarafdar, Program Manager, actively contributed to the Day 1 proceedings focused on the water sector, bringing in valuable field-based perspectives and technical insights. Their participation added depth to discussions on governance, sustainability, climate resilience and social & behaviour change. Ms. Sonia Nandi, Senior Technical Officer, “participated in the Day 2 sessions on sanitation, contributing to deliberations on improving sanitation systems and service delivery. The workshop facilitated rich exchanges among stakeholders, fostering collaboration and identifying actionable strategies to enhance the effectiveness, inclusivity, and long-term sustainability of WASH interventions across the country.

The days concluded with group presentations, an open house discussion on key issues, including functionality, sustainability and future directions under JJM 2.0 and SBM, followed by concluding remarks, felicitation and networking dinner, fostering collaboration among stakeholders.

Dated 10th April 2026

A state-level workshop titled Sanlaap-e Sundarban – Amplifying Tribal Wisdom for a Climate-Adaptive Future in the Sundarbans was held on Thursday, 9th April 2026, at the Stadel, Kolkata. Organized by Development Research Communication and Services Centre and Lokamata Rani Rashmoni Mission, the event brought together experts, practitioners, and community representatives to deliberate on climate resilience and sustainable development in the Sundarbans. Supported by Sign of Hope, the workshop served as a vibrant platform for sharing indigenous knowledge, discussing grassroots innovations, and strengthening collaborative approaches for climate adaptation. Several members of the tribal community living in the Sundarbans including elected Panchayat members.

Mr. Pratik Majumdar, Project Officer and Dr. Sabir Hossain, Research Officer of SIGMA Foundation participated in the meeting. Their contributions significantly enriched the discussions. Drawing from their experiences, they highlighted the critical role of community engagement and the integration of traditional knowledge systems in addressing climate vulnerabilities. Their insights underscored the importance of scalable, inclusive, and locally grounded solutions, reinforcing the commitment of the organizers, donors, and stakeholders toward building a resilient and adaptive future for the Sundarbans with people at the centre.

Dated 2nd March 2026

SIGMA Foundation was invited to participate in a One-Day Consultative Workshop for Finalization of the Training Calendar (FY 2026–27) organized by SPM NIWAS (National Institute of Water and Sanitation) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti Government of India.

The consultation brought together selected organizations from 10 states across the country and UNICEF, providing a platform for experts and practitioners to contribute to the development of the upcoming national training framework in the water and sanitation sector.

SIGMA Foundation’s participation reflects its growing role in contributing to sectoral knowledge and capacity-building initiatives at the national level.

Dated 27th February 2026

A discussion programme titled “Poison-Free Farming and the Next Generation” was broadcast on Doordarshan on 25th February, bringing national attention to the urgent need for sustainable and chemical-free agricultural practices.

Mr. Pratik Majumdar, agricultural expert at SIGMA Foundation and member of the Rural Development Forum, was invited as a key speaker on the programme.

During the discussion, Mr. Majumdar emphasized that the excessive use of chemical inputs in modern agriculture is not only degrading soil health but also posing serious long-term risks to human health and the well-being of future generations. The programme highlighted the growing importance of adopting poison-free and natural farming practices as a sustainable pathway for agriculture.

The conversation underscored the broader vision of agricultural sustainability—one that prioritizes:
🌾 Safe and nutritious food
🌾 Healthy and living soil
🌾 Informed and conscious farmers
🌾 A secure future for the next generation

The programme also reinforced the critical connection between agriculture and public health, stressing that sustainable farming practices are essential for protecting both ecosystems and communities.

Such dialogues and initiatives are expected to inspire farmers, policymakers, and citizens alike to move toward more responsible and sustainable agricultural systems.

Dated 26th February 2026

A research article co-authored by Dr. Debasri Mukherjee, Dr. M. N. Roy, and Ms. Sohini Tarafdar has been published in the January 2026 issue of the prestigious water sector magazine Everything About Water.

Titled “Cultivating Hope in Bundelkhand: Farmer-Led Technological Resilience in a Drought-Stressed Region with High Farmer-Suicide Vulnerability,” the article highlights innovative community-driven solutions addressing water scarcity, agricultural vulnerability, and climate stress in the drought-prone Bundelkhand region.

The publication presents a soul- stirring case study on how farmer-led technological and institutional innovations can enhance resilience in regions facing chronic water stress and socio-economic vulnerability. It highlights grassroots adaptation strategies, sustainable agricultural practices, and locally driven technological interventions that strengthen rural livelihoods while addressing water challenges.

The article features work carried out by SIGMA Foundation, marking a significant recognition for the organisation. This is the third time SIGMA Foundation’s work has been featured in Everything About Water, one of the most widely circulated magazines in the water sector in India.

Dated 23rd February 2026

Dr. Debasri Mukherjee, Assistant Director – WASH at SIGMA Foundation, presented her research work on 16th February 2026 at the National WASH Conference 2026, organised by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (Ministry of Jal Shakti) under the Government of India at the National Institute of Water and Sanitation (SPM NIWAS), Joka, Kolkata.
Her paper, developed through her collaboration with California State University, was selected for oral presentation among only 16 papers out of more than 200 submissions, making it a significant recognition at one of the most prestigious national platforms in the water and sanitation sector.

Her participation brought pride to SIGMA Foundation and highlighted the organisation’s growing engagement with global research and knowledge exchange in the WASH sector.