Patharpratima block is located in Sunderbans. The Sunderban, Gangetic delta characterised by very rich bio diversity, comprises 102 islands, in which 54 islands are inhabitant and rests are still barren, in Indian part; rest on the rivers belt as well as at the mercy of Bay of Bengal. The Patharpratima block is spread over 469.05 km2 area. The climate of this region is sub-tropical. The Bay of Bengal and network of creeks and rivers control the extreme climate. This area is very much vulnerable to climate change and prone to extreme weather events.

Patharpratima block had a population of 288,259, out of which 147,518 were males and 140,741 were females (2011 census). 25.11% and 1.27% of the total population are schedule caste and schedule tribe respectively. Most of the households depend on agriculture and fishing. Small, marginal, landless farmers and agricultural labourers are accounted for a large percentage of the total population. On an average, the standard of living for common people is very low.

Indraprastha Srijan Welfare Society is working to enhance the quality of life of the small, marginal, poor and landless farmers through the proper management of natural resources and to help them to cope up with the natural disasters through the alternative livelihood measures. ISWS is working as a non-profit, non-Govt. developmental organization in Patharpratima Block.

As ISWS is working with marginalized farmer and gardeners in order to increase their income through agricultural production primarily. Therefore, conservation and multiplication of indigenous seed is an imperative programme for the organization. The organization is working with 33 numbers of self-help groups covering more than 15 villages in the Patharpratima block.

They are able to organized a forum called Area Resource Training Centre or ARTC, represented by the selected members or the SHG leaders of all 33 groups. In this forum, the community people got a chance to share their experience of organic farming, indigenous knowledge, seeds etc. From that sharing, they felt that most of the farmers of their village are depending on market for seed. It is not only the commercial farmer those who are purchasing seed from the market but also the homestead growers depending on market for a numbers of variety. Thus, the ARTC initiate to set up a seed centre in the Indraprastha village with the help of DRCSC.

ISWS sets its mission to enhance the quality of life of the small, marginal, poor and landless farmers through the proper management of natural resources and to help them to cope up with the natural disasters through the alternative livelihood measures. In addition, to create ecologically and economically sustainable models of agriculture, help farmers to organize themselves to improve their livelihoods and realize their rights.

Our organisation was floated in 2001 and since then we are working with DRCSC. We have got the Government recognition in 2008-09 (West Bengal Regi. Of Societies, WB act XXVI, 1961). Our Regi No. S/IL/51627.