Message From
VP – Outreach
Dear Members,
Our initiative showcases how professional project management principles — planning, stakeholder coordination, risk management, and execution — can drive meaningful, sustainable change. From book collection logistics to plantation site selection and monitoring, PMIWBC volunteers have applied structured PM practices to create lasting value in one of India’s most sensitive ecosystems. Together, we are not just building a library or planting trees — we are creating a more resilient, educated, and sustainable future for the Sundarbans.
Project Overview
In the fragile ecosystem of the Sundarbans — one of the world’s largest mangrove forests and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — the Project Management Institute West Bengal Chapter (PMIWBC) is creating lasting change through two interconnected initiatives: the Rural Library Project and Mangrove Plantation. Working in partnership with the Sandeshkhali Maa Saroda Women and Rural Welfare Society, PMIWBC is addressing both human development and environmental resilience in this climate-vulnerable region.
- Rural Library Project (Launched November 2022) A dedicated community library that serves as a centre of learning and hope for children in remote villages. Through regular book donation drives and structured project management, the library provides books, a safe study space, and educational resources where they are needed most.
- Mangrove Plantation Initiative Complementing the library, PMIWBC and the partner NGO have undertaken mangrove plantation drives to restore and strengthen the natural coastal defence system of the Sundarbans. These plantations help combat erosion, protect villages from cyclones and storm surges, improve biodiversity, and support sustainable livelihoods for local communities. Together, these initiatives create a powerful synergy: education builds human resilience, while mangroves build ecological resilience.
-
Established and stocked a fully
functional community library in
Sandeshkhali -
Conducted multiple book donation
drives involving PMI members and
volunteers -
Planted thousands of mangrove
saplings across vulnerable
coastal stretches -
Created green buffers that
protect local villages from
tidal surges and erosion -
Supported women-led conservation
efforts and sustainable
livelihood programs through the
partner NGO
Children now have access to books
and a dedicated learning space in an
area where educational
infrastructure is limited. The
library nurtures curiosity,
literacy, and long-term community
development.
Impact The mangrove plantations act
as a natural shield against climate
change effects. Mangroves:
- Reduce the impact of cyclones
and storm surges - Prevent coastal erosion and
saline intrusion - Enhance biodiversity and support
marine life - Contribute to carbon
sequestration (blue carbon)
We continue to welcome support through:
- Book donations (new or gently used
children’s and educational books) - Mangrove sapling sponsorship and plantation
volunteering -
Corporate CSR partnerships for library
maintenance and mangrove restoration -
Skill-based volunteering (project
management, monitoring, awareness campaigns)
PMI Global Recognition
Featured in PMI's Global Blog
Explore how PMIWBC focuses on community partnership to drive social impact through project management.
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