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 TelangEBFEana, 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.
