South Asian Forum for Environment (SAFE)

South Asian Forum for Environment (SAFE) is a Kolkata-based non-profit civil society organisation working at the science-society interface on sustainable environment development and poverty alleviation across the Indian eco-region of South Asia. Founded in 2004 by Dr. Dipayan Dey, SAFE operates with a core belief that environmental challenges must be addressed beyond political boundaries. It is registered under the Indian Trust Act, holds FCRA status, is accredited by NGO Darpan of Niti Aayog, and is recognised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Internationally, SAFE holds consultative status with UNFCCC, UNDP, the World Bank, and ECOSOC, and acts as an implementing partner under India's National Water Mission and National Livelihood Mission.

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SAFE works across rural and urban contexts with a multi-pronged approach spanning climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, water and sanitation, and community health.

Key programmes include:

Conservation of Wetlands: SAFE works on the protection and restoration of lakes, floodplains, and wetland ecosystems, with documented work in ecologically sensitive areas such as Deepor Beel in Assam.

Climate Smart Agriculture: SAFE promotes climate-adaptive farming practices including float farming, a traditional and resilient technique practised in flood-prone areas, and the conservation of indigenous rice varieties to support food security and agrobiodiversity.

Clean Drinking Water (WASH): SAFE delivers clean water access to marginalised communities in rural, semi-urban, and urban areas using renewable energy-based water technologies under its WASH programme.

Solid Waste Management: SAFE implements integrated solid waste management in urban areas, addressing both emission reduction and resource conservation through a circular economy approach.

Forest Community and Climate Change: SAFE works with forest-dependent communities on biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, and climate adaptation in rainforests, high-altitude terrains, and other tender ecosystems.

Agroforestry and Mangrove Plantation: SAFE leads plantation drives and ecosystem restoration in coastal and rural landscapes, supporting both habitat recovery and community livelihoods.

Biorights of Commons: SAFE advances the concept of Biorights and Payment for Environmental Services (PES) as an economic conservation model, work that has been featured in the UNEP TEEB report and the Government of India's 12th Plan document.

SAFE is a strong fit for professionals who want to work at the intersection of environment, community, and policy, contributing to field-level conservation work backed by strong national and international credentials.