Leaders in Action: Transforming Habitats in India
At HelpYourNGO, we believe in the power of resilient communities and sustainable solutions. That’s why we’re proud to feature the impactful work of the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) India, an organization dedicated to building community resilience against climate change and natural hazards. In an exclusive interview, Ms. Prerana Langa, CEO of AKAH India, shares how they combine community-led action with innovative solutions to address pressing environmental challenges, creating a lasting impact nationwide.
Tushar (HYNGO): What was the founding vision behind the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) India, and how has its mission evolved over time?
Prerana (AKAHI): Our founding vision was to build community resilience against natural hazards and climate change. We began with rural housing and infrastructure, helping communities strengthen their homes against disasters. Between 2006 and 2010, we expanded into peri-urban areas, addressing WASH challenges and supporting key government missions like Swachh Bharat and Jal Jeevan. Since 2021, we have increased our focus on urban areas, recognizing that cities are at the forefront of climate and disaster risks. Today, our work encompasses disaster risk reduction, managing urban heat stress, WASH, and biodiversity conservation. Our mission is to enable community resilience through technical expertise in climate action, risk reduction, and habitat improvement. Our vision is to create habitats that enable communities to withstand disasters, adapt to climate change, and thrive.
Tushar (HYNGO): What core challenges does AKAH India aim to solve in India’s current climate and development landscape?
Prerana (AKAHI): One of the most pressing challenges we are addressing is urban heat stress affecting millions in metros and Tier-II cities. In 2024 alone, over 1.05 billion people faced extreme heat, with heat stroke cases rising tenfold since 2022, impacting health, livelihoods, and the environment. Addressing the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect is critical as peak heat days continue to rise. At AKAH India, we are implementing immediate, effective relief measures for vulnerable groups – women, children, the elderly, and residents of informal settlements. In Mira-Bhayandar, we piloted four passive cooling solutions – wood wool, alufoil, ventilation bands, and SRI paints – across informal settlements, reducing indoor temperatures by 3-4°C and surface temperatures by up to 19°C. We aim to scale these community-led, practical interventions to provide immediate relief while shaping urban policies for a climate-resilient future.
Tushar (HYNGO): How does AKAHI distinguish itself from other NGOs working on climate change and disaster risk management? What is your unique value proposition?
Prerana (AKAHI): We are among the few NGOs working deeply in climate adaptation and mitigation across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Telangana. What sets us apart is our ground-level work with vulnerable communities, combined with collaborations with research institutes to co-create practical, context-specific solutions. For instance, in Mira-Bhayandar, we piloted passive cooling interventions in informal settlements, identified with Bharati Vidyapeeth and enriched by C-Balance’s expertise. These interventions reduced indoor temperatures by 3-4°C and surface temperatures by up to 19°C, directly improving living conditions. Our focus is also on climate mitigation. The City Climate Action Plan revealed that 40.5% of Mira-Bhayandar’s emissions came from the residential sector. In response, we piloted energy-efficient solutions at the Nav Yuwan society, helping communities actively reduce emissions. Our unique value lies in combining technical expertise, community-led action, and evidence-based implementation, ensuring scalable impacts in both adaptation and mitigation.
Tushar (HYNGO): How does AKAHI ensure that its interventions remain sustainable, scalable, and led by the community over the long term?
Prerana (AKAHI): We ensure our interventions remain sustainable, scalable, and community-led by working closely with communities and government systems. We implement practical, affordable solutions while providing ongoing training, enabling communities to identify risks and manage resources over the long term. Our initiatives are aligned with government schemes such as AMRUT 2.0, Jal Jeevan Mission, and city climate action plans so they strengthen and complement existing systems, ensuring institutional sustainability and potential for scale. We have pilot models that are replicable and cost-effective, ensuring they can be adapted across different contexts. Through these interventions, communities are not passive recipients but active leaders in advancing climate resilience in their habitats.
Tushar (HYNGO): What is the most profound transformation you have witnessed in a community that has created broader ripple effects?
Prerana (AKAHI): One of the most inspiring transformations we have witnessed is the energy efficiency initiative at the Nav Yuwan Housing Society in Mira Bhayandar. As part of the City Climate Action Plan for the city, we discovered that 40.5% of greenhouse gas emissions in Mira Bhayandar came from the residential sector. We saw this as an opportunity to demonstrate how housing societies themselves can be active agents of climate action. At Nav Yuwan, we implemented energy-efficient solutions – replacing traditional fans and bulbs with BLDC fans and motion sensor dimmable lights, and installing a rooftop solar system at the society level. These low-carbon, practical interventions help reduce energy consumption and emissions while also lowering electricity bills for residents. This initiative received EDGE certification from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) – World Bank Group, making Nav Yuwan Asia’s first green-retrofitted housing society. What makes this transformation profound is its scalability and relevance, not just in India but globally.
Tushar (HYNGO): How does AKAHI leverage AKDN’s global resources and collaborate with other AKDN agencies in India? Are there any flagship cross-agency initiatives that demonstrate this partnership?
Prerana (AKAHI): AKAH receives funding as seed money for innovative initiatives, for example, urban risk resilience and coastal climate risk reduction. Cross-agency coordination is primarily for knowledge sharing and leveraging expertise.
Tushar (HYNGO): What innovative tools or practices have significantly enhanced the disaster preparedness and climate resilience efforts in India?
Prerana (AKAHI): At AKAH India, we have seen how ecosystem-based approaches, community ownership, and technology can transform disaster preparedness and climate resilience, especially in vulnerable regions. In Gujarat, we piloted an IoT-enabled mangrove monitoring system to track plant health and soil conditions in real time, enhancing coastal resilience while empowering communities to protect these ecosystems. We also introduced solar-powered fish dryers, reducing emissions and boosting women’s incomes in coastal areas. Under our Disaster Risk Reduction efforts, we expanded Early Warning Systems by training 30 volunteers to operate Ham Radio, ensuring communication during disasters when other systems fail. We prioritize community preparedness, using interactive workshops and locally tailored IEC materials to help communities prepare for heatwaves, floods, and earthquakes.
Tushar (HYNGO): Has the funding support from HelpYourNGO helped AKAH India expand its reach on the ground (e.g., in terms of families benefited, new geographies covered, or improved quality of life)?
Prerana (AKAHI): Yes, funding from Quantum Advisory Private Limited, anchored by HelpYourNGO, has made a significant contribution to improving the quality of life in the tribal communities of Poman and Nagle Gram panchayat in the Vasai Block of Palghar district. With this support, we have achieved open defecation-free (ODF) status across all 2 villages and 11 hamlets. The installation of rooftop rainwater harvesting systems in social institutions and at the community level has enhanced water security in the project area. Additionally, gender-segregated sanitation units and improved water infrastructure have strengthened school facilities. The project has also advanced clean energy access and community safety through the installation of solar streetlights in the villages.
Tushar (HYNGO): Could you highlight a key initiative or success story directly enabled by the support received through HelpYourNGO?
Prerana (AKAHI): Key Initiatives include the Poman gram panchayat now having 100% sanitation coverage. Three government schools in project villages now have access to sanitation facilities. Solar streetlights in Divekar Pada have improved safety for villagers, including women and children, and provided access to roads at night. Solarization of the Divekar Pada government school has improved infrastructure, enhancing the learning environment for students.
Tushar (HYNGO): What strategic role do you see the partnership of AKAHI with HelpYourNGO playing in future growth and impact?
Prerana (AKAHI): Our partnership with HelpYourNGO is a strategic enabler that will help us amplify our impact, deepen donor engagement, and drive data-backed transparency in our operations. By leveraging HelpYourNGO’s platform and analytical capabilities, we aim to reach a wider ecosystem of conscious philanthropists and institutional donors who share our mission of building climate-resilient and disaster-prepared communities. This collaboration will also support us in third-party validation, transparent reporting, and accessing donor analytics, which are crucial for building trust and accountability with our supporters. We see this partnership as a catalyst for scaling our work while upholding transparency and evidence-based impact, enabling us to channel resources more effectively to the communities that need them most.
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