Centre for Improved Rural Health and Environmental Protection (CIRHEP)
Empowering Rural Communities Through Climate Resilience, Sustainable Livelihoods & Holistic Well-being Since 1994
For over 30 years, CIRHEP has been working closely with rural communities in Tamil Nadu to create lasting change. We focus on sustainable farming, environmental conservation, and social equity, ensuring that farmers, women, youth, and Indigenous communities have the support they need to build a secure and resilient future.
Our work combines scientific knowledge with local wisdom, helping communities adapt to climate challenges, improve their livelihoods, and protect natural resources. By working together, we’re creating a future where people and nature thrive side by side.
Mission
To create a sustainable human-ecology relationship and improve the quality of rural life by striving to alleviate poverty, provide education and conserve the environment with active participation of the rural community.
Vision
Building the capacities of rural communities in conserving the Vaigai-Kaveri watersheds in Dindigul, Theni & Madurai Districts of Tamil Nadu and making the area sustainable for better livelihood.
Our Core Values
At CIRHEP, our work is built on a strong foundation of values that guide everything we do:
Grassroots Action – We believe real change starts from the ground up. By working closely with communities, we ensure solutions are locally led and sustainable.
Collaboration – Partnerships are at the heart of our work. We engage with stakeholders at all levels to create inclusive, long-lasting impact.
Empowerment – Our goal is to equip communities with the knowledge and skills they need to drive their own development and build resilience.
Innovation – We combine scientific research with nature-based solutions to create sustainable and effective approaches to rural development.
Excellence – We are committed to delivering high-quality programs that make a real difference in people’s lives.
Integrity & Accountability – Transparency and ethical governance are central to our work. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in everything we do.
These values shape our commitment to building climate resilience, advancing social justice, and promoting sustainable development for all.
Our Focus Areas
Climate-Resilient Watershed Management – Helping communities restore their ecosystems, recharge groundwater, and build resilience against drought.
Sustainable Agriculture & Agroecology – Supporting farmers in adopting eco-friendly practices, organic farming, and protecting biodiversity.
Women’s Empowerment & Rights – Strengthening self-help groups, advocating for land rights, and ensuring women have a voice in local governance.
Tribal Development & Indigenous Rights – Working with Adivasi communities to secure land rights, improve healthcare and education, and create sustainable livelihoods.
Adolescent Girls’ Leadership & Rights – Helping girls build confidence, understand their rights, and become leaders in their communities.
Health, Nutrition & Adolescent Well-being – Ensuring better healthcare, proper nutrition, and disease prevention for women and young people in vulnerable communities.
Climate Justice & Youth Leadership – Equipping young people with the skills and opportunities to take the lead in climate action and sustainability.
Children & Youth Environmental Education – Inspiring the next generation to understand and protect the environment through hands-on learning and leadership programs.
Our Impact
Over the years, we’ve worked hand in hand with communities to create meaningful change:
Restored more than 15,000 hectares of degraded land, bringing life back to ecosystems through watershed projects.
Supported over 150 women-led self-help groups, helping women gain financial independence and start their own businesses.
Strengthened climate resilience in more than 100 villages by improving water and land management.
Secured land and livelihood rights for tribal and Indigenous communities, ensuring a more secure future for them.
Trained over 2,000 adolescent girls in leadership, rights awareness, and gender equality, empowering them to become changemakers.
Improved adolescent health and nutrition while working to prevent diseases in vulnerable communities.
Engaged and inspired more than 5,000 children and young people to take action for the environment and lead sustainability efforts.
At CIRHEP, we believe in a future that is climate-secure, just, and full of opportunities for all.
Join us in making a lasting impact!
Programmes
CIRHEP has been working closely with farmers, women, adolescent girls, and children to create lasting change at the grassroots level. We believe in the power of strong communities, which is why we help bring people together through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Clubs (FCs), Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), and youth groups. Through these community-driven efforts, we provide practical training and support, ensuring that each group has the skills and knowledge they need to grow and thrive.
Watershed development
Our Integrated Watershed Development Programs are designed to improve the lives of farmers, women, and landless laborers by restoring natural resources and creating sustainable livelihoods. By working closely with local communities, we focus on conserving water and soil, boosting agricultural productivity, and ensuring long-term economic and environmental well-being. These efforts not only protect the land but also help people build a more secure and sustainable future.
Promotion of Organic Agriculture
We promote sustainable agriculture by equipping farmers with practical knowledge and hands-on training in organic and bio-dynamic farming. Our programs include workshops on making bio-manures and eco-friendly pesticides, along with exposure visits to successful organic farms. By learning from real-world examples and gaining the skills to implement sustainable techniques, farmers can improve soil health, increase productivity, and create a more resilient future for their communities.
Health camps and field studies
A health camp was organized for tribal and rural communities to provide free medical check-ups, basic treatment, and health awareness. During the camp, detailed data on participants’ health conditions, age, gender, and socio-economic background was collected. This information will help identify key health issues and support planning of targeted healthcare programs in the future.
Empowering Adolescent Girls
By equipping adolescent girls with essential knowledge on gender equality, education, and reproductive health, we foster confidence and self-reliance. Training in kitchen gardening and vegetable cultivation enhances their nutritional awareness and practical skills, ensuring a more sustainable and self-sufficient future.
Environmental Education for Young Minds
Through interactive, hands-on learning, we bring environmental education to life for school children and dropouts. Programs like our Nature School spark curiosity, build a sense of responsibility, and strengthen their connection with nature. By making learning engaging and relevant, we empower young minds to care for the environment and champion a sustainable future
Women Empowerment
We support women through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), providing training, financial linkages, and entrepreneurial guidance. By facilitating access to credit and market opportunities, we enable women to start and sustain businesses, achieve financial independence, and elevate their socio-economic status.economic status.
Formed Farmer Clubs
By forming Farmer Clubs (FCs), Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), we help farmers build collective strength. Through capacity-building programs, they gain technical knowledge, improve productivity, and access better markets and financial services, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Capacity Building and Knowledge Dissemination
At our Natural Resource Management Training Centre, we provide in-depth training on watershed development and sustainable agriculture. By equipping farmers and women with the skills they need, we foster lasting change, ensuring communities can sustain their livelihoods and protect their natural resources.
Expanding Environmental Education: Nurturing Future Stewards
We strengthen environmental education by engaging students in interactive learning, hands-on activities, and field experiences. By connecting classroom knowledge with real-world applications, we cultivate ecological awareness and encourage future generations to adopt sustainable practices