Sundarbans Development and Research Institute (SRDI) works towards sustainable development and the well-being of communities living in and around the Sundarbans. We support vulnerable families, strengthen livelihoods, promote education, empower women and youth, and protect the unique mangrove ecosystem.
Supporting Sundarbans families facing social and economic challenges.
Skills, education, livelihoods and opportunities for young people.
Educational assistance and scholarship opportunities.
Supporting honey collectors, fishers and forest-dependent families.
Building stronger, resilient and sustainable Sundarbans communities through people, livelihoods, education and nature.
We envision resilient Sundarbans communities where families have sustainable livelihoods, children have opportunities to learn and grow, women and youth are empowered, and the natural environment is protected for future generations.
A stronger and more resilient Sundarbans where vulnerable families can build secure livelihoods while communities live in harmony with the surrounding ecosystem.
To support communities through sustainable livelihoods, education, women and youth empowerment, conservation, research and community-led development.
Guiding our vision with experience, dedication and a strong commitment to the people and communities of the Sundarbans.
Ms Pinku Mondal has been engaged in social welfare activities in the Sundarbans and other places since 1991. She has a strong interest in rural employment, rural resources and sustainable livelihood.
Ms Pinku Mondal, born in 1971, is an MBA in Hospital Management and has been engaged in many social welfare activities in Sundarbans and other places since 1991.
She loves to grow rural employment and rural resources for sustainable livelihood.
She is a Bachelor of Arts (BA), majors in Education, History & Music from the University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, India in 1993.
She has special interests in child psychology and behavioral sciences. She completed her MBA at a later stage while being involved in social services.
She studied French language from Alliance Française, Chandigarh, India in 2005–06 and practiced in the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark, Kolkata.
Initially she taught History in the Nauru Secondary School for three years from June 2008 to December 2011 in the Republic of Nauru, Central Pacific.
She taught English for Taiwan-Chinese staff and officers in 2010–11.
She attended an Educational Workshop of UNESCO for educational excellence of the under-privileged society.
She has travelling and working experiences in many countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Dubai, USA, China and Japan.
She is an expert in educational consultancy.
Bivash Ranjan Mondal has extensive experience in public administration, audit, sustainable development and humanitarian activities associated with the Sundarbans.
Bivash Ranjan Mondal, born on 6th May, 1965 at Korakati under Sandeshkhali PS, West Bengal, graduated from Calcutta University with History Honours in 1986.
He later completed MSc in Sustainable Development and MBA in Finance.
He succeeded in the Civil Service Examination 1993 and joined the Indian Audit and Accounts Service in 1994.
He is an alumnus of Indian School of Business (ISB, Hyderabad) and Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) Institute of Public Policy, National University of Singapore (NUS).
He started his career in Accountant General, Odisha in 1996 and was posted as Deputy Accountant General (Works/Projects) in Puri in 1998.
He subsequently served in Tripura, Haryana and New Delhi in various senior audit and accounts positions.
In 2008, Mr. Mondal went to Nauru, a country in the Central Pacific, as Auditor General to re-build the National Auditing System in Nauru.
He represented Nauru in international forums including the UNCAC, Macau.
He came back to India in 2011 and joined as Principal Director of Audit, Eastern Railway, Kolkata.
In 2015 he was posted as Principal Director, Railway Board, New Delhi.
In 2020 he was posted to Tripura as Principal Accountant General.
In 2022, he joined C&AG Headquarters as Director General (Parliamentary Committees) and dealt with PAC, COPU and COPLOT etc.
He also finalised C&AG's Audit Reports of several complex states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Goa.
He is a regular Yoga Practitioner and an avid reader of Sanskrit texts including the Gita, Upanishads, Ramayana and Mahabharata.
He primarily writes in Bengali. His published books include “Kalpana A Poetic Journey”, “The Srimadbhagbad Gita”, “Amar Desher Kobita”, “Amar Ghar Sundarbone aar Dokkhiner Kotha” and “Bhangadwip”.
He is associated with Rama Krishna Mission, Satyananda Mahapeeth in India and many other NGOs in the Sundarbans for humanitarian activities.
Building stronger communities through knowledge, opportunity and sustainable development.
SUNDARBANS DEVELOPMENT & RESEARCH INSTITUTEThe Sundarbans is not only a unique natural landscape; it is home to communities whose lives and livelihoods are closely connected with its land, rivers, forests and biodiversity.
Through the Sundarbans Development and Research Institute (SRDI), we seek to understand the challenges faced by the communities of the Sundarbans and encourage meaningful, sustainable solutions through research, development, environmental awareness and community participation.
We believe that protecting the Sundarbans and supporting its people must go hand in hand. Together, through knowledge, cooperation and responsible action, we can work towards a more resilient and sustainable future for the region.
Leadership, professional service, institutional development and international experience forming an important part of the SDRI leadership vision.
SDRI brings together professional experience, knowledge and community-oriented development.
Bivash Ranjan Mondal, IA&AS (Retd.), brings professional experience that forms part of the leadership and institutional development story associated with SDRI.
His professional journey includes experience connected with public institutions, governance, accountability and international service.
SDRI aims to create a platform where research, knowledge, environmental understanding and community development can work together.
The leadership vision places importance on meaningful participation, learning and long-term development.
Leadership, collaboration and community-focused development form the foundation of SDRI.
Professional leadership and international service experience contributing to the institutional vision and development perspective of SDRI.
Supporting the broader vision of SDRI and its community-oriented development initiatives.
Key areas that support the institute's development and long-term vision.
Building stronger organisational systems, practices and institutional capacity.
Encouraging responsibility, accountability and professional standards.
Supporting training, learning and professional development.
Connecting institutional experience with community needs and development.
Encouraging research, documentation, learning and knowledge sharing.
Bringing wider professional experience into development-oriented thinking.
Bivash Ranjan Mondal's international professional experience forms an important part of the leadership story presented by SDRI.
It reflects exposure to institutional systems, professional responsibilities, capacity building and public accountability in an international setting.
International experience can contribute to a broader understanding of institutional development, professional practices and community-oriented initiatives.
Selected documentary material associated with the leadership and professional journey.
SDRI brings together professional experience, knowledge, research and community participation for meaningful development in the Sundarbans.
Connect With SDRI →A visionary space designed to bring together research, education, skill development, community support, culture and sustainable development for the Sundarban region.
SDRI envisions a dedicated future campus that can serve as a centre for research, learning, community development, documentation and cultural activities connected with the Sundarban.
The proposed campus would bring together people, researchers, students, volunteers, community members and cultural contributors in one environment focused on knowledge, opportunity and sustainable development.
A dedicated environment for documenting the environment, communities, knowledge, challenges and development experiences of Sundarban.
A future space for training, workshops, learning opportunities and practical skill development for students and community members.
A platform where community concerns, local needs, development ideas and opportunities can be discussed and documented.
A space to document and celebrate the stories, literature, music, traditions, creativity and cultural heritage of Sundarban.
The future campus is envisioned around an environmentally responsible approach that respects the natural character of the Sundarban.
A future repository for books, research material, photographs, documents, stories and knowledge related to Sundarban.
The proposed vision combines modern facilities with sensitivity towards the surrounding natural environment.
Architecture inspired by the surrounding landscape.
Future-oriented energy solutions and responsible design.
Planning that respects the region's waterways and climate.
Green spaces and natural surroundings remain central.
The proposed SDRI campus represents a long-term vision for creating a place where knowledge, research, education, community participation and cultural heritage can come together for the benefit of the Sundarban and its people.
Future Project: The building shown above represents the envisioned future campus of Sundarbans Development and Research Institute (SDRI). The design is a visual representation of the institute's future vision and should not be understood as a completed or currently operational facility.
A community-first development initiative designed to transform vulnerable populations into climate-resilient and economically self-reliant communities across the Indian Sundarbans.
A three-year community-first development model focused on green livelihoods, inclusive infrastructure and direct market access.
Sundarbans Development and Research Institute (SDRI)
3 Years — Phase 1
Vulnerable blocks of the Indian Sundarbans
Green livelihoods, infrastructure & direct market access
The Sundarbans delta houses over 7 million people facing extreme poverty, climate displacement and a lack of basic infrastructure. Traditional livelihoods such as fishing and forest foraging are increasingly hazardous due to wildlife conflict and rising sea levels. SSEERI proposes a community-first model that transforms vulnerable populations into climate-resilient, economically self-reliant communities through green livelihoods, inclusive infrastructure and direct market access.
Transition 5,000 households to climate-resilient alternative livelihoods within 36 months.
Increase average household income by 40% through direct market integration and value-chain development.
Establish 50 women-led Self-Help Groups and cooperative hubs for localized financial independence.
Improve climate security for 20 villages through decentralized clean energy and safe-water infrastructure.
Individuals fully certified by project end
Sustainable household income increase
Operational solar-RO plants
Active self-sustaining women-led groups
Built infrastructure such as RO plants and solar grids will be handed over to village-level committees. Nominal user fees will support long-term maintenance, while SDRI may transition from direct management into an advisory role, leaving behind a network of self-sustaining cooperative enterprises.
Supporting vulnerable families, empowering communities, promoting education and livelihoods, and protecting the unique Sundarbans ecosystem.
Help UsWe work with communities across the Sundarbans to create sustainable livelihoods, support children and families, empower women and youth, and protect the region's unique mangrove environment.
Supporting vulnerable Sundarbans families with essential assistance, community programmes and emergency support.
Creating opportunities through skills, education, livelihoods and greater participation for women and youth.
Helping children access learning opportunities, educational resources and scholarships for a brighter future.
Supporting responsible livelihoods for honey collectors, fishers and families dependent on forest resources.
Protecting mangrove ecosystems while encouraging communities to take part in conservation and restoration.
Standing beside families affected by human–tiger conflict and helping communities respond to difficult circumstances.
Connecting vulnerable communities with awareness, basic support and programmes focused on healthier lives.
Helping Sundarbans communities prepare for environmental challenges and build more resilient livelihoods.
Every community has a story. Discover the voices of people connected with the Sundarbans and inspired by efforts toward stronger communities, sustainable livelihoods and conservation.
SRDI's community programmes show how local people can become stronger when development and nature conservation move together.
Supporting education for deserving students can create opportunities that reach far beyond one family and benefit an entire community.
Women in the Sundarbans deserve opportunities to strengthen their skills, livelihoods and role in community development.
Sustainable livelihood support is important for families who depend on the forests, rivers and natural resources of the Sundarbans.
Helping vulnerable families after difficult events can give people confidence to rebuild their lives and prepare for future challenges.
Protecting the Sundarbans means protecting both its wildlife and the people whose lives and livelihoods are closely connected with this unique ecosystem.
Empowering young people with education and useful skills can help build a more confident and sustainable future for Sundarbans villages.
Forest-dependent families need sustainable alternatives that protect their income while also protecting the natural resources around them.
Community development becomes meaningful when local people are included, listened to and given the opportunity to participate.
A stronger Sundarbans needs people and nature to grow together. Community support and conservation should always go hand in hand.
SRDI's community programmes show how local people can become stronger when development and nature conservation move together.
Supporting education for deserving students can create opportunities that reach far beyond one family and benefit an entire community.
Women in the Sundarbans deserve opportunities to strengthen their skills, livelihoods and role in community development.
Sustainable livelihood support is important for families who depend on the forests, rivers and natural resources of the Sundarbans.
Helping vulnerable families after difficult events can give people confidence to rebuild their lives and prepare for future challenges.
Protecting the Sundarbans means protecting both its wildlife and the people whose lives and livelihoods are closely connected with this unique ecosystem.
Empowering young people with education and useful skills can help build a more confident and sustainable future for Sundarbans villages.
Forest-dependent families need sustainable alternatives that protect their income while also protecting the natural resources around them.
Community development becomes meaningful when local people are included, listened to and given the opportunity to participate.
A stronger Sundarbans needs people and nature to grow together. Community support and conservation should always go hand in hand.
