YMWS projects are located in the district of South 24 Parganas - the southernmost district in West Bengal which includes a sizeable portion of the largest mangrove forests in the world, the Sunderbans, and is home to the famous Royal Bengal Tiger. The project area is approximately 70-80 kms from the city of Kolkata, and on the other hand, about an hour’s drive from the Bay of Bengal. South 24 Parganas is a densely populated district having an international border with Bangladesh.

The soil in the region has high salinity which renders it less fertile than the soil found in the other districts. Land holdings in West Bengal are also traditionally much smaller than in the other parts of the country. The relatively lower productivity of the region gives rise to the problem of seasonal unemployment. This contributes to a steady crime rate. Added to this is the issue of infiltration of economic refugees from across the border.

The region is home to poor and marginalised communities. Poor healthcare, education and employment have led to relatively low standards of living. The lack of proper drinking water and sanitation is a problem. Infrastructure development needs much attention. Crimes such as domestic abuse, robbery, child marriage and human trafficking are common. The region is also particularly vulnerable to the perils of climate change.