Street School for Tribal Children (Panagar, Madhya Pradesh)

  • Combats rampant substance abuse (cannabis, cough syrup) and child labour in the Kol tribal community
  • Initiated by Anurag Mishra as open-air “Street School”
  • Network of 114 volunteer-teachers (engineering and law students)
  • Rehabilitates vulnerable children through art, channels them into formal schooling
  • UPSC use: Ethics paper — civil society intervention, tribal welfare, youth rehabilitation

Water Lily Tourism Adaptation (Malarikkal, Kerala)

  • Following 2018 Kuttanad floods, delayed Thanneermukkam barrage operation led to massive Omarana water lily infestation
  • Community adapted: launched eco-tourism with boat rides through water lily fields
  • Farmers now earn additional ₹1.5-2 lakh monthly during off-season
  • Village turnover: ₹1.5-2 crore
  • UPSC use: Socio-economic resilience, grassroots adaptation to ecological crises, invasive species management