Indigenous and ecosystem-based solutions in SEPLS management amid
overlapping predicaments in the Sundarbans, Bangladesh

Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Bayezid Khan and Md. Shah ParanSEPLS of the Bangladesh Sundarbans• The Sundarbans mangrove forest in Bangladesh is the largest
contiguous mangrove forest in the world.

• Indigenous people and local communities (IPLCs) in theSundarbans

haveadopted

variousinnovativeandparticipatory local approaches and actions to manage thesocio-ecological production.

SEPLS of the Bangladesh Sundarbans
Bangladesh Sundarbans is full of Biodiversity• 334 species of vegetation• 49 species of mammals (Including FamousRoyal Bengal Tiger)• 53 species of reptile• 120 species of bird
• 8 species of amphibians• 300 species of fish

SEPLS of the Bangladesh Sundarbans
Traditional Resource User Groups• 3.5 million people directly or indirectly
depend for livelihood• Bawali (Wood Cutter and Nypa Palmcollector)• Mouwali (Honey Collector)• Jele (Fisher man)
• Chunari (Snail and Oyster Collector)• Prawn fry collector/ Crab farmer

Problems• The mangrove forests are losing biodiversity resources due toanthropogenic pressures including climate change.
• Overlapping crises of covid-19, biodiversity loss, climate change,
and increased cost of living.

Project aim• Theproject

aimed

toidentify

feasibleindigenousand

ecosystem-based solutions in (SEPLS) management, applying themultiple-evidence-based (meb) participatory approach.

Methodology (Activities)• Systematic consultations to identify: vulnerability, regenerative
capacity, status of income and standard of living, low-impact
lifestyles, and sustainable production and consumption practices(e.g. ILK-based best practices)• Involved 30 indigenous communities.
• Consultative workshops were conducted in two forest peoples’
cooperatives:• Conducted a situation analysis, and analysed causes ofvulnerability and community action and capacity

Study Area

State of Biodiversity and Ecosystem: Major barriers or constraints to achieve thenature-positive society by 2030
The availability of fish in the water bodies has become significantly reduced. Trees have declined. Sea level rise is evident than before.
Salinity rate has increased and all those created a huge anthropogenic pressure on biodiversity.

Figure 8. Decreasing trend of fish available in rivers than before.

Figure 9. Decreasing trend of various trees available in forest.

Figure 11. Increased salinity in rivers and ponds.

Figure 10. Change in Sea Levels.

Constraints: Change in lives and livelihoods
Indicators ofvulnerability

COVID -19

Climate change

Biodiversity loss

Cost of living

Sub-indicators

Added extra
burden in basicneeds

Sea level rise

Decreasing Trends Strain in Food expensesof Crop &harvestingSub-indicators

Lost means oflivelihood

Change in rainfallDecreasing Trends Strain Clothingof Fish Availability

Sub-indicators

No alternativework

Victim ofDisplacement

Decreasing Trends Strain Health costof Trees
Availability

Sub-indicators

Restriction toaccess to forest

Temperature Rising Decreasing Trends Spend out savingsof Forest Land
Area

Sub-indicators

CompromisedHigh Salinity

Decreasing Trends Unaffordability ofof Vegetation Area Educational expenseResult 1- Strategy of Mangrove restoration as a means of multiple risk reduction strategy of livelihood
insecurity, biodiversity loss and climate change•Mangrove as buffer against tidal
surges, sea level rise and coastalerosion•Mangroves as natural carbon
sequestration agent•Unique physiological, ecological, andadaptive characteristics•Sundarbans thus act as safeguarding ofcommunity people

Result 2 -Approach and means: Effective Integrated, inclusive and localised actions: Promotionof Traditional Knowledge and practices• Developing the culture of cultivation in each inch land
• Potential of integrated farming (Crab and Duck)• Community-Based Mangrove Agro Aqua Silvi (CMAAS) Culture• Strengthening the cooperatives by increased activities
Community based innovationsCommunity based
Innovation

Livelihood insecurity
reduction

Regenerative capacity of Sundarbans Bio-diverse adaptation Wellbeing of nature andand wellbeing
to climate change
human being

Innovation in agriculture: ricecultivation in high place toPlantation next to house
keep away from salinity

Sediment deposition

Cultivation ofMangrove Trees

Freedom of choice and action

Integrated farming crab andduck

Prolific plant Life

Maintenance ofMangrove Trees

Security

Community-Based Mangrove Working and assisting withAgro Aqua Silvi (CMAAS)
the forest department against Land restorationillegal poachingCulture

Restoration ofmangroves

Good social relations

Strengthening thecooperatives by increased
activities

Working to stop illegal andstop logging

Steer clear of fishing inGood healthdelicate places.

Utilizing each inch land for
cultivation

Working to stop illegal fishing
Diverse species interactions
with nets

Riverside plantation

Erosion minimizing

Maintain theMulticultural Tapestry
ecosystem's food web

Result 3 (A)- Suggested Actions for biodiversity restoration required for the
Nature-Positive Society
Actions taken

Means ofverification

Loss of biodiversity Gain ofbiodiversity
Cost of living

Climate change

Biodiversity loss- Communities- Honeybee-provide alternative
reliant on
Farming
income sources andnon-sustainable- Ecotourism
empower
methods fish
communities
breeding sites.
-rising temperature -increase species - Preservation and-decrease waterthat can withstand Rehabilitation oflevel
salt
Mangroves-increase
opportunistic
predators-decrease trees-Coastal Protection -Mangrove-decrease biotic life -Sanctuary for
Reforestation-decrease Flora & Biodiversity- Management of
fauna
Sedimentation

Link to wellbeing of nature andhuman beings
GBF(Target)SDG

Traditional
Knowledge

15,16

12

Traditional
Knowledge

3,4,12,18,20

Indirect

Both Traditional
Knowledge andNon-traditional
Knowledge

2,4,10,1115

Result 3 (B)-Suggested Actions for the adaptation to climate change required for the Nature-PositiveSociety

Climate changevulnerability

Cost of living

Climate change

Biodiversity loss

Actions taken-Become homeless for-Agri and/or social forestry (in somenatural disasterareas)- Conversion of wetlands to crop land
-food shortage-Raising house above normal flood-heath problem-problems in transportationleveland irrigation-sea level rise-salinity intrusion-uneven rainfall-loss of mangrove plant-loss fish species-extinct number of species-Participatory strategy- Increasing species breeding sites.
- biodiversity monitoring network
among cooperative members-Assisting forest department tomonitor vegetation management

Means ofreduction ofvulnerability

Link to wellbeing of natureand human beings
GBF
SDG

Traditional
Approaches

2,4,10,1115

Traditional
Approaches

13,21,22

Indirect

Traditional
Approaches

3,4,12,18,20

IndirectConclusions• The Sundarbans act as a natural wall against climatechange, protecting against storms, cyclones, and othernatural hazards.
• Protectingandrestoringmangrovebiodiversity

canmaximize their capacity for carbon storage and enhancetheir ability to mitigate climate change.
• The elimination of livelihood insecurity is achieved byworking with targets 12, 18, and 20, and indirectly following
the SDGs which also leads to achieving the targets
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework tolead a better life in the Sundarbans.
• By implementing above strategies, the Sundarbans canenhance resilience to climate change, protect its biodiversity,and improve the livelihoods of the communities dependent

Thank You!