- INR 30
crore will be deployed in the first phase rollout covering 50 villages
- The
initiative targets a 10–20% reduction in village-level carbon emissions in
the first year, with a goal of achieving full carbon neutrality within
three years.
Hyderabad: As
the world marks Earth Day, EBG Foundation has launched ‘Sambhav
Hai’, a nationwide initiative spearheaded by EBG Group Founder and
Chairman Dr Irfan Khan to drive
climate action at the grassroots and build stronger, more sustainable rural
communities. The programme begins with the adoption of Charla Thanda in
Telangana’s Nalgonda district, laying the groundwork for a scalable,
community-led transformation.
Positioned
as a key pillar within the Foundation’s broader nation-building agenda, Sambhav
Hai moves beyond fragmented development efforts through a unified, data-driven
framework, with a long-term vision of developing carbon-neutral villages across
India. The initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions by 10–20 percent in the
first year, progressing towards full carbon neutrality within three years.
The
initiative will roll out in phases beginning with 50 villages in Year 1 with an
allocation of ₹30 crore, expanding to 150 villages in Year 2 and scaling up to
750 villages along with the support of government institutions. This phased
roadmap establishes Sambhav Hai as one of the most ambitious rural
sustainability programmes in the country.
At
Charla Thanda, the Foundation has initiated on-ground interventions beginning
with household-level data mapping to establish a comprehensive climate and
resource baseline. The programme will focus on improving access to safe
drinking water, strengthening groundwater recharge systems, and implementing
structured waste segregation and composting solutions. Afforestation drives and
regenerative land practices will further enhance green cover, while local
volunteers are being trained to sustain these efforts. The village will serve
as a live demonstration of the ‘Minus One Village’ model, creating a blueprint
for replication across regions.
Speaking
on the launch, Dr Irfan Khan said,
“Real change cannot come from isolated interventions. With Sambhav Hai, we
are building a model where environmental sustainability, economic progress, and
community ownership go hand in hand. Our aim is to empower villages with the
tools, data, and accountability systems they need to lead their own
transformation and contribute meaningfully to India’s climate goals.”
In
parallel with the phased roadmap, the Foundation will initiate work across
multiple states as part of its broader national rollout, expanding the
programme’s footprint beyond Telangana and strengthening its vision of a
pan-India rural sustainability movement.
Suresh
Goyal, Additional Director, EBG Foundation, said, “Sambhav Hai’s success will be tracked through
a robust framework that integrates water, energy, waste, food and land systems,
along with carbon footprint metrics under the ‘Minus One Village’ model. This
ensures that the impact is measurable, accountable, and scalable across
geographies.”
Commenting
on the idea behind the initiative, Ranjitha M, Additional Director, said, “What began as a simple
idea has evolved into a powerful movement for large-scale transformation. By
placing villages at the centre of climate action and bridging the gap between
policy and on-ground implementation, Sambhav Hai creates a pathway for communities
to actively lead India’s journey towards environmental resilience.”
With
its first on-ground implementation underway, Sambhav Hai reflects EBG
Foundation’s long-term commitment to creating measurable, scalable impact by
placing rural communities at the centre of India’s climate action journey.
The
launch was attended by Chief Guests Prof. RK Kotnala, Chairman of the New
Science Creators Institute (NSCI); Sachin Sengar, youngest Indian delegate at
the World Economic Forum and ESG & Net Zero Strategist; Pattnaik Ompriya
Mohanty, entrepreneur, environmentalist and social activist; Smt. Sarada
Narella, Women’s Commission activist from Telangana; and Ajai Arora, orator,
author, and expert in carbon accounting and energy management. The event was
also graced by Hari Kiran, Co-founder of EBG Group.