Proceedings ofInternational Symposium on the Conservationof the Coastal Areas of the Bay of Bengal,
7 March 2019 Dhaka, Bangladesh

The Bay of Bengal as a Wetland: Challenges & Opportunities

Ramsar Center Japan 2019Acknowledgements
This is the proceedings of International Symposium on the Conservation of the Coastal Areasof the Bay of Bengal, 7 March 2019, Dhaka, Bangladesh, which was co-organized by Bangladesh
POUSH and Ramsar Center Japan. We, the editors would like to express our heartfelt gratitude
to organizers, supporters, presenters, chairpersons, rapporteurs, time-keepers and other participants for their valuable assistance and cooperation in making this symposium a grand success.
We also like to offer our thanks to them for their kindly giving us the permission to use theirpapers in the report. Any error and omission in the interpretation of the materials is our own.
Any written comments and suggestions are most welcome.

22 March 2019
The Editors

Proceedings of International Symposium on the Conservationof the Coastal Areas of the Bay of Bengal, 7 March 2019, Dhaka, Bangladesh
The Bay of Bengal as a Wetland: Challenges & Opportunities
Edited by Bishnu B. Bhandari, Reiko Nakamura and Sanowar Hossain
Published by Ramsar Center Japan
Copyright: Ramsar Center Japan 2019Ramsar Center Japan (RCJ)
c/o Maple Tours Travel Agency
Room 101 of Dear Place Meguro,
2-3-1 Meguro, Meguro-ku,
Tokyo 153-0063
Tel/Fax: +81 3 3792 5513
E-mail: ramsarcj.nakamura@nifty.com
http://rcj.o.oo7.jp
Citation: Bhandari, Bishnu B.; Reiko Nakamura and Sanowar Hossain (2019). The Bay of
Bengal as a Wetland: Challenges & Opportunities. Proceedings of International Symposium on the Conservation of the Coastal Wetlands of the Bay of Bengal
The views expressed in the proceedings do not necessary represent those of organizers.
This publication was supported by Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund (KNCF).
2

Table of Contents

Editorial Note ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������4

Inaugural Session
Opening Remarks �������������������������������������������������������������������������6
Keynote: The Bay of Bengal Wetlands Partnership: A New
Initiative for the Conservation of a Transboundary Wetland
Bishnu Bhandari (Nepal), Reiko Nakamura (Japan)& Sanowar Hossain (Bangladesh) ����������������������������������������������7

Part I: Efforts at the Regional Level
International Cooperation on the Environment of the Bay of
Bengal in the BOBP-IGO Perspective
Yugraj Singh Yadava (BOBP-IGO, India) ������������������������������������12
Ramsar Regional Center-East Asia: The Areas of Works andPlans for the Bay of Bengal
Norman Emmanuel C. Ramirez (RRC-EA) ��������������������������������15
Community-Based Coastal Wetlands Management under the
Mangroves for the Future Initiative
Raquibul Amin &Shahad Mahbub Chowdhury (IUCN Bangladesh) ��������������������18
Geo-morphological Evolution and Coastal Dynamics along theCoastal Shoreline of the Bay of Bengal in Relation to Climateinduced Disaster: Fifty Years of Human-Nature Interaction
Muhammad Abdur Rahaman, Arifur Rahman Ovi,A S M Imrul Kayes & Md. Nazimuzzaman (Bangladesh) ����������21

Part II: Wetlands & Disaster Risk Reduction
Wetlands and Disaster Risk Reduction in Bangladesh
Sanowar Hossain (Bangladesh POUSH) ����������������������������������24

Community-Based Sea Turtle Conservation along the Coast of
the Bay of Bengal, India
Wardi Kasinath (KISSAN, India) ������������������������������������������������42
People’s Efforts for the Conservation of Dudong in Trang
Province, Thailand
Maneewan Sanlee(Save Andaman Network Foundation, Thailand) �����������������������45

Part IV: Livelihood, Biodiversity, Education & Fisheries
Management of Koggala Lagoon for Sustainable Livelihood
Development – A Case Study in Sri Lanka
Indika Rohan Palihakkara (Rufuna University, Sri Lanka) ����������48
Achievements and Challenges of the World Bank-aided
Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project in Odisha
Ajit Pattnaik (WISA) ������������������������������������������������������������������50
Biodiversity Value and Challenges of Myanmar‘s Ramsar Sites
Maung Win (Forest Department, Myanmar) ����������������������������53
Education for Sustainable Development Activities for Rehabilitating Mangrove Forests in Cooperation with Local Communities at Merbok Mangrove Reserve, Kedah, Malaysia
Takuji Arai (Japan-Malaysia Association, Japan) �����������������������55
Responsible Fisheries in the Bay of Bengal
Tapas Ranjan Chakraborty(Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh) �����������������������������������57
Recycling of Fish Waste for Sustainable Conservation of
Coastal Eco-system
Binod Bihari Sahu (ICAR, India) ������������������������������������������������59

Results of the Group Discussion

Role of Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction
Naoya Furuta (Taisho University, Japan) �����������������������������������26

Group 1: Major Issues Affecting the Wise Use �������������������������62

Urban Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction in Japan
Yukihiro Shimatani (Kyushu University, Japan) �������������������������28

Group 3: Means & Ways for Management
and Conservation ��������������������������������������������������������63

Ecosystem Management & Disaster Risk Reduction: Lessons
from the Mahanadi Delta
Ritesh Sikka (WISA) �����������������������������������������������������������������30

Closing session

Part III: Good Examples of Community-based Conservation
Sustainable Forest Conservation and Livelihood Support
through Community-based Activities at U Tu Village, Rakhine
Coast, Myanmar
Myo Lwin (MFA, Myanmar) �����������������������������������������������������33

Group 2: Policy, Institution and Governance ����������������������������62

Rapporteur’s report ���������������������������������������������������������������������65
Closing remarks ��������������������������������������������������������������������������65
Vote to thanks �����������������������������������������������������������������������������65
Annex 1: Program of the Symposium �������������������������������������������������66
Annex 2: List of Participants��������������������������������������������������������������70
Annex 3: Powerpoint presentations���������������������������������������������������71

Community Participation in the Gulf of Mottama Ramsar Site
Min Thiha Zaw (BANCA, Myanmar) �����������������������������������������35
Community-Based Management of Wetland Resources for
Ecotourism
Sansanee Choowaew (Mahidol University, Thailand) ���������������36
Building Resilience Capacity of the Local Communities along
the Bahuda Estuary Area in India
Durga Prasad Dash (Pallishree, India) ��������������������������������������393

Editorial Note

The International Symposium on the Conservation of the
Coastal Areas of the Bay of Bengal held in Dhaka on the 7th
March of 2019 was a unique event in the history of Ramsar
Center Japan, where 20 presenters representing various disciplines, countries and regions were able to articulate theirthoughts and ideas within the stipulated time of 12 minutes,
followed by a short live floor interaction. The symposium wasattended by some 50 international participants coming from
8 countries. The papers submitted to the organizers were thetestimony of the diversity of the disciplines in wetland conservation. After each presentation, there was a short question &answer session. Following the technical presentations in the
4th session, all the participants were systematically divided
into 3 break outs, each under a group leader. Each group discussed the issue and made a short presentation in the plenary
with floor discussion.
This is the report of the compilations of the proceedingsof the inaugural and closing sessions and technical papers
presented in the symposium. The technical papers have been
divided into 4 parts. The final summary of each group discussion is also presented in this report.
Some of the exemplary works that have caught the eyes ofthe editors are presented below along with the reference of
the author's name.
1. The mole crab is a good indicator of clean sea water.
This crab is found only in the sea where there is cleanwater. There is no record of their being sighted in theturbid water (see Sansanee Choowaew).
2. Fisher communities of the Odisha coasts consider
the turtles their best friend as the turtles feed on jellyfish, which is a nuisance to fishermen's net whilefishing (see Wardi Kasinath).
3. The successful ecotourism activities adopted in thevillage of Laem Nao in Thailand is the result of thecompliance of an informal rule of "No Change and
No Harm to Nature" by the community. Everybody
complies with this rule. As a result, none encroach
the forest. People just respect the forest and makesure that they are not harmed by any means. (SeeSansanee Choowaew).
4. The best example of community-based conservation
is found in the village of U To in the Rakhine coast of
Myanmar. The villagers were successful to designate
an area of 200 ha (500 acres) of mangrove forest as
a conservation area and establish a nursery of about
one acre along with a shade and boardwalks. Thiswas possible with the strong partnership between
local communities and the Village Tract Authority(VTA). This partnership was reinforced by professional organizations: Myanmar Forest Associationand Mangrove Service Network. The success was
possible due to the synergy between people's needs
and interests, VTA's support and technical expertisefrom the professional organizations (See Myo Lwin).
5. 
The solar-tent technology developed and appliedby the scientist of Odisha is an excellent exampleof drying the fishes hygienically. This technology issimple and produces dry fishes of high quality. The
fishes smell good and color is white. Therefore, thedemand of these fishes is high in the market. The
technology is cost effective and uses local resources.
The technology is disseminated though the SelfHelp Group of fisher women in the coastal village of

4

6.

7.

8.

9.

Odisha (See Durga Prasad Dash).
A longitudinal study (1993-2019) of Landstate Sat
telite images of the Hatiya and Saint Martin islandsof Bangladesh concludes that “… in the last 20 years,(the annual) net sea level rise observed in the Charchenga Point of the Hatiya Island is 2.94 mm whichcauses regular tidal flooding in the Hatiya alongwith the river bank erosion at an increasing rate. As
a result, human displacement is at alarming rate in
the Island”. The sea level rising trend of Charcheng
Point of the Hatiya is 11.8mm for the last 20 years (seeMuhammad Abdur Rahaman et al.).
Likewise the data on land use change in the SaintMartin island show that the vegetation cover in 1994
was 230 ha and that in 2019 is 125 ha. The numberof water bodies was 85 in 1994 but those in 2019are only 30 and the number of sandy beach has
decreased from 560 in 1994 to 256 in 2019. On thecontrary, the number of settlement has increased
from 22 in 1994 to 190 in 2019. “If the island loses thevegetation cover by this rate, the Saint Martin Island
will be a barren island in 2050 or 30 years from now”
(see Mujammad Abdur Rahaman et al.).
The Youth Model adopted by the RRC-East Asia is
mention-worthy here as the model targets only youth
in wetlands. The model provides a kind of mock exercise for the students to develop leadership and otherattributes in wetlands. The youths perform different
roles such as Secretary-General, delegates, journalists, and volunteers and others. The participants aretaught negotiation skills, team works, formulating
the COP resolution, etcetera. This is a good example
of instilling in students and youth a sense of love forwetlands and wetland conservation (see Norman
Emmanuel C. Ramirez).
Post harvests fish processing waste constitute
around 50% in fishery. These wastes can be recycled into organic fertilizers. The refinery operation
is easy & low cost in terms of production and theuse of energy. The organic fertilizers can be used
in increasing the food production. Fish-bio extracts
can be used as liquid fertilizers for plants and crops
and can be powdered for soil and aquaculture pond
recharge. Their uses enhances resistance against
disease, drought, flood and cyclone (See B. B.Sahu)

The editors hope that this report would be useful to discover new and pragmatic ideas in the Bay of Bengal so that theideas of resilient livelihood, community-based conservationand judicious use of resources can be effectively promotedin the area. With these we would like to close our note here.
Happy Reading	The Editors
22 March 2019

Inaugural Session

Welcome Remarks: Dr. Sanowar Hossain
Dr Sanowar Hossain, the President of Bangladesh POUSH, extended his warmest welcome to the participants of the
Symposium and said that he was so happy to be the part of the organizing this very symposium on the Bay of Bengal
today in Dhaka. Bangladesh’s lion share of economy comes from blue economy and economy is based on the sea.
Therefore, without the resources of the Bay, it would be extremely difficult for Bangladesh to move forward to thedirection of progression. Once again welcoming all the participants, both native and international, from 8 countries heexpressed the hope that the Symposium would come up with some concrete checklists of works to be done to manage
and conserve the Bay wisely and judiciously.

Remarks: Ms. Reiko Nakamura
Ms. Reiko Nakamura, the Secretary General expressed her happiness over the ability of the Ramsar Center Japan
in partnership with Bangladesh POUSH to organize today’s International Symposium here in Dhaka. Today’s event is a
special event for her as well as for the entire RCJ family. The idea of the Bay of Bengal as a wetland was impregnatedin our minds about 5-6 years ago. Since then RCJ has been doing regularly very many small meetings, discussions,mini-symposia and informal roundtables on the idea. The concept led us to believe that the BoB is economically, politically and socio-culturally very important for the people of the region. Therefore, the conservation of its mega-biodiversity is the key concern of our thinking. She hoped that the deliberation, even though of one day duration, would be able
to set the agenda that is needed to move ahead with the Herculean path of a resilient conservation, judicious utilizationand effective management of resources in and around the Bay of Bengal. In this regard, she wished to receive the participant’s active support and cooperation.

Remarks: Prof. Yukihiro Shimatani
On behalf of Japan Wetland Society, Prof. Yukihiro Shimatani congratulated the organizers for convening this very
symposium on the wise use of the resources of the Bay of Bengal, which is, not only the source of livelihood for thepeople of the region but also is the protective shield against the disasters. As all know, the Bay is the power houseof various types of water-induced disasters. Since wetlands and DRR are very closely related to each other, the BoB
program has, in my opinion, two-pronged objectives. One is to protect its valuable wetland resources and the other isto reduce the risks to disasters. He wished a grand success to the Symposium and looked forward to receiving goodsuggestions from the deliberations.

Chief Guest’s Remark: Dr. S.M. Munjurul Hannan Khan
The Chief Guest, Dr. S.M. Munjurul Hannan Khan, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest andClimate Change, Government of Bangladesh offered his thanks to the organizer for inviting him as the Chief Guest of
the Symposium. He said that Bangladesh has been working on the issues of wetlands since a long time and said thatnature conservation is the obligation of every Bangladeshi citizen, which has been well-stipulated in the Constitution.
Various agencies and organizations are dedicating their resources, energy and time to the cause of wetland conservation in Bangladesh. The designation of two Ramsar sites is the testimony of Bangladesh’s commitment to the cause of
wetland conservation.
Bangladesh is not an exception to many problems and challenges faced by the world communities. Some of these
problems are the bulging population, heavy dependence of over 400 million people for their livelihood, impact ofclimate change, etcetera. Because of the impact of climate change the globally threatened Royal Bengal Tiger may go
to extinct. So it is urgently required that we begin to study the impact of climate change, sea level rise and temperature rise on tiger and other endangered fauna. The pollution is also equally an important issue for all of us. The goodthing is that Bangladesh has now the support of the Supreme Court which has given a verdict on the rivers that therivers should be treated as living beings. These beings have rights to exist as they are. So it is our duty to protect thesenatural resources. He wished every success to the symposium and hoped the Symposium would provide a set of practical guidelines to the government of Bangladesh and other partners concerned.

6Keynote:
Bay of Bengal Wetland Partnership: A New Initiative for the Conservation of aTransboundary Wetland1Bishnu B. Bhandari2, Reiko Nakamura3 & Sanowar Hossain4

The paper is written here with two things in mind. One is toprovide a brief overview of the jewels of the Bay of Bengal andthe other is to give a highlight of the proposed program, the
BoB Wetland Partnership, initiated by the Ramsar Center Japan(RCJ). The overview of the BoB is in the first part whereas thesecond part explains the BoB Wetland Partnership Program in
a nutshell.
In ancient times, the Bay of Bengal area was known by different names -- Mahodadhi (Great River Receptacle), Purba Payodhi (Eastern Ocean), Vangop Sagar, Vanga Sagar in ancient
Sanskrit literature, Golfo de Bengala in Portugese, Nanyang(Southern Sea) in Chinese. The BoB was also called Chola Sea(or Lake). By the 10th century, the Bay has been called by thename of the Bay of Bengal. It is called Bengal ki Khadi in Hindi,
Bengalko Khadi in Nepali and Bangosagar in Bengali.
The Bay touches the boundaries of 7 countries (Bangladesh,
India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka & Thailand) inSouth East Asia. Therefore, it is the fitting example of a transboundary wetland. Outstanding characteristics such as historical, geographical and biological features are discussed in Part I.
Part I: Unique Features of the Bay of Bengal

Geographically, the Bay of Bengal is the world’s largest triangular basin. According to a FAO Study it is one of the 64 large
marine ecosystems in the world (Sivasubramaniam, 1985). Its
actual area is 2.2 million km2. Its costal area from the southern point of Sri Lanka to the northern part of Indonesia’s Acehis estimated about 6,300 km long. It is an enclosed sea – anarc stretching from the southern end of Sri Lanka to southeast-

ern edge of India (Kanya Kumari), up and along the Mouth ofGanges of Bangladesh and the western coast of Myanmar anddown to the western coast of Thailand (the Isthmus of Kra including Phuket) or the Andaman Sea, the Penang Island of Malaysia and the northern edge of Aceh of Indonesia (Bhandari,
2016a).
The Bay of Bengal houses several gulfs, straits and islands
such as the Gulf of Manar, Palk Strait, Mouth of Ganges, Gulf
of Mottama, Mergui Archipelago, Andaman & Nicobar Islands,
Andaman Sea, beach, estuary, tidal mudflat, coral reef, backwa
ter mangrove forest etcetera.
Historical evidence shows that the region was colonized only
after the 15th century. In the second half of the 19th century,
the British Empire envisioned a grand design of developing
rubber plantation in Malaysia, rice in Burma (present Myanmar) and coffee & tea in Ceylon (present Sri Lanka). This plan
was supported by imperial capital and South-Asian labor. In
the implementation of the plan, the British authority mobilized
the emigration of almost 30 million workers between 1840 and1940 that crossed the Bay from India to Malaysia, Myanmar,and Sri Lanka. Only about 2 million of them travelled back andforth. There was always a circular migration around the Bay. It
is important to note that about 140,000 refuges embarked on
the long march from Rangoon to India in the late 1930’s. On
the way, many died of exposure, exhaustion, starvation, heart
failure and amputation. Indeed, the Bay was the home of theworld’s biggest emigration (Amrith, 2013).
This vast political and economic connection fell apart when
World War II took place in the early 1940’s. World War II was theturning point for political, economic and cultural connection in
Asia. After the collapse of the British Empire, new nation-states
emerged in the South East region, where the issue of citizenship and belongingness were prominent. These nation-states
began to exploit internal resources and internal labor. The sea
was of no concern for them. Thus the Bay was simply a “Forgotten Sea” in the 1960’s (Amrith, 2013).
Besides, the historical and geographical features, the Bay of
Bengal have other important features as well, which are briefly
mentioned below.
1. The Bay of Bengal is a vast concourse of flora, fauna & ecosystems: The ecologist calls it as a large marine ecosystem,
whereas the student of wetlands views it as a huge wetland,
housing a exceptionally rich aquatic diversity, meeting the livelihoods of millions of people and serving as the habitat of globally threatened fauna. The common key species of the areas
include the Royal Bengal Tiger, Leatherback Sea Turtle, Malayan
Box Turtle, Irrawaddy Dolphin (rare & endangered), Saltwater
Crocodile (the Nicobar Islands), the nesting of the Olive Ridley
Sea Turtle, White-Bellied Sea Gull, Hilsa, sea cow, Horse-Shoecrab, and other marine life such as whale, hogfish, school ofdolphins, Tuna etcetera (Wildlife Conservation Society). Plus
the area has so many coral reefs, fish spawning & nursery areas and mangrove forests.

1 Paper presented at the “International Symposium on the Conservation of the Coastal Area of the Bay of Bengal” 7 March 2019, Dhaka, Bangladesh (Organizer: Bangladesh
POUSH in association with Ramsar Center Japan). The authors are grateful to Mr. Iwasaki Shimpei, Mr. Durga P. Dash, Ajit Pattnaik and Prof. India Palihakkra for their valuablesuggestions.
2 President, Nepal Wetland Society, Correspondence Address: bishnunws@gmail.com
3 Secretary-General, Ramsar Center Japan
4 President, Bangladesh POUSH

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2. The Bay of Bengal is the melting pot of numerous ecosystems such as coastal ecosystems, forests, mangroves, aquatic
system, intertidal zone, estuarine system etcetera and the habitat of those species mentioned above. The above and other fauna depend, not only on a particular ecosystem but also manyother ecosystems for meeting their daily as well as seasonalneeds. All these ecosystems occur in the Bay of Bengal area.
3. The Bay of Bengal is home to sea-based peoples. The area
houses four distinct tribal groups. These groups are sea-based
tribes. And they are the Sentinelese tribe (indigenous, zerocontact and untouched with outsiders, hostile, violent and killoutsiders), the Jarawa tribe (darkest of the dark, oldest, AgroAsian tribe), the Onge tribe (semi-nomadic, least fertile but
most sterile people with their own language) and the Moken
tribe (called Sea-Gypsies found in Southern Burma & Thailand).
The Sea is their home. They are stateless and their culture issea-based. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentinelese_people, Bhandari, 2016b).
4. The Bay of Bengal is the source of the livelihoods for millions. According to a FAO study, some 400 million people fromthe eight countries (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka & Thailand) heavily depend oncoastal and marine resources of the Bay of Bengal. The fishery crafts alone stand at about 325,000 in these countries. This
heavy dependence has a heavy impact on the quality of life andthe prospects for economic growth in these countries. Major
livelihood activities are oil & gas refineries, fisheries, rice growing, ship building and ship-breaking, coconut and cashew cultivation, salt production, tourism, shrimp farming, herbs, spices
etcetera. (Hossain, 2016).

provement of pollution, restoration of degraded critical habitats, resilience of the coastal wetlands and people-centered
livelihood programs on the ground.
3. Regional Initiative
Several organizations are in operation at the regional level.
Some are inter-governmental and while others are multilateral.
Major ones are mentioned below.
1. SAARC (The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated for thepromotion of the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and providing all individual opportunity to live in dignity and realize
their full potentials. Eight member countries – Afghanistan,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan and
Sri Lanka. Excepting Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Maldivesare in the association.
2. IORA: The Indian Ocean Rim Association is an international organization of coastal states bordering the Indian Ocean.
Headquartered Ebene, Mauritius, it is a regional forum bringing
together representatives of governments, business and academia for promoting cooperation and closer integration among
them. It has 21 countries as members and 7 of them are dialogue partners. Fisheries management is one of their priority
areas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian-Ocean -Rim-Association).
3. BBIN Initiative: This is a sub-regional initiative in East Asiaand consists of four countries namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal. The Initiative focuses on water resources, connectivity of power, transport and infrastructure.

5. The Bay of Bengal is highly prone to disasters. Water-induced
hazards such as cyclone, Tsunami, flood and storm are regularfeatures of the area. Besides, the area is the house of diversities
such as different political systems, laws, languages, cultures,customs, norms & values. It is said that coastal wetland sequester carbon, which is called blue carbon.

4. BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical& Cooperation) comprises some 7 countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand). Among its
various sectoral reviews, agriculture, climate change, fisheries,
mountain economy and blue economy are the ones related tothis partnership program.

2. Environmental Problems
The Bay receives pollutants (sediments, runoff and nutrients)that spill into the area coming from 7 rivers and important cities
that ring the littoral area. In fact, the area is a sink of organic andinorganic wastes of the area. Storm and flood surges fan out
these pollutants as well as a huge quantity of plastics to the sea(Dash, 2016). Similarly, the critical habitat such as mangroves,coral reef and estuaries are declining and deteriorating due tooverfishing, loss of sea turtle and so forth. The impact is on bothterrestrial and aquatic species due to the shifting of coastal line,
shrinking of river deltas etcetera.
The Bay also receives the discarded hulks of the world’s unwanted ships. Chittagong of Bangladesh alone handles about afifth of the world’s total unwanted ships. This industry has created a huge employment in Chittagong but it is one of the mostdangerous occupations in the world. People have to work andwade into toxic and oily sludge to take the parts of the ships.
Every day the workers inhale dangerous chemicals including
lead and asbestos.
Global warming is a singular ecological issue that concerns
all of us. The first victim of warming is ice and snow as they
are very sensitive to the rise in temperature. Their melt pours
into the ocean and causes the sea to raise its level. It should be
noted that a meter rise of sea level can inundate a half of Bangladesh and a large area of coast in the littoral zone. The world’s
oceans are likely to rise due to global warming, the causes being both global and cumulative. The IPCC estimates that globally the sea level will rise between 19 and 59 cm by 2100.
All these problems have a severe impact on the quality of lifeof the people and their livelihoods and even economic growthof these countries. The priority action should address all these
problems. Some urgency is required in the management & im-

5. ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations): Ten countries of Southeast Asian countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia
and Vietnam) have formed this very regional organization basically to promote economic growth and regional stability.

8

6. Other Organizations: include many UN Regional Offices,
IUCN, SACEP (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation), BOBP-IGO, Asia Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC),
South East Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, Regional Fisheries Organization,
Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem,
7. Ramsar sites along coastal rim: Many countries have designated coastal wetlands as Ramsar sites, the sites of international importance. Their total number is 23. These coastal
Ramsar sites are: (1) Vankalai Sanctuary, (2) Wilpattu Ramsar
Cluster, (3) Annaiwilundawa Tank Sanctuary, (4) Kuman Wetland Cluster, (5) Bundala and (6) Madhuganga in Sri Lanka. Fivesites (1) Point Calimere Wildlife & Bird Sanctuary, (2) Kolleru
Lake, (3) Chillika Lake, 4) Bhitarkanika Mangroves, and (5) East
Calcutta Wetlands are in India. Bangladesh has only two sites:(1) Sundarbans Reserved Forest and (2) Tanguar Haor whereas
Myanmar has 5 sites – (1) Indawgyi Wildlife Sanctuary, (2) Gulf
of Mottama, (3) Moeyungyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary, (4) Inlay
Lake Ramsar Site and (5) Meinmahal Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary.
Thailand has 5 sites in the coastal region. They are: (1) Kaper
Estuary-Laemson Marine NP-Kraburi Estuary, (2) Ko Ra-ko PhraThong Archipelago, (3) Pang Nga Bay Marine National Park, (4)Krabi Estuary, and (5) Had Chao Mai Marine NP- Ta Libong Island Non-hunting Area – Trang River Estuary.

Part II: BoB Wetlands PartnershipThis part attempts to provide the conceptual framework of
the BoB Wetland Pertnership, followed by its chronological development. It also talks about current activities of Partnershipand its future plan of actions.
The Bay of Bengal Wetland Partnership is a macro concept
guided by following principles.
The Partnership views the entire Bay of Bengal as a single
organic whole. The term Organic Whole means all the parts andactivities should be considered as part of the activities of universe as a whole. In other words, the total is more than thesum of its parts. This concept is opposed to reductionism or
atomism. The whole is the result of the reciprocal play of allparts. Our concept is based on the organicism philosophy. It is
opposed to reductionism.
The Partnership begins with where people have problems.
Problem is the point of entry to the activities.
The Partnership incorporates ethical concerns such as deep
ecology. The concept of deep ecology is based on the principlethat humanity is the part of nature, rather than apart from orseparate to it.
The Partnership seeks the active, informed and meaningful
participation of the partners.
The Partnership provides a forum for the active sharing of
mutual benefits, potential hazards, marketing information etcetera.

The Partnership is a loose network of those willing and able
partners, bringing together public and private sectors, non-governmental and professional organizations, academia, research
institutions, media, scientists, and practitioners involved in theconservation of the coastal areas. Its overall objective is to create an environment for mutual sharing of benefits and raising
voices in order to inform decision making process. The Partnership was initiated by RCJ in conjunction with partners in 2016
with funding support from KNCF.
The idea of the Bay of Bengal Wetland Partnership came into
an open discussion in Yangon on the 4th February 2016 when theparticipants from 9 countries gathered in a mini-symposium heldin Yoma Hotel, Yangon. A total of 8 papers were presented covering different aspects. Its proceeding was digitally published by
the RCJ under the name of “The Bay of Bengal: A Forgotten Sea”
and posted in its website (http://rcj.o.oo7.jp/), Since then several
workshops and field works have taken places, their chronological development is briefly presented in Box A.
Box A: Chronological Development of the Bay of Bengal Wetland
Partnership2016 = Mini-Symposium on the Bay of Bengal, Yangon, Myanmar
2016 = International Workshop on the Conservation and Wise Use of
Wetlands along the Bay of Bengal, Mahidol University
2017 = Publication of the report “Rapid Assessment of the Gulf of Mottama”
2017 = Intensive study of the U To Village in Myanmar
2018 = Holding of a Community Sharing Field Workshop for the Fishermen
from three Countries- India, Myanmar and Bangladesh
2018 = Field study on Crab Raising in Thailand
2018 = E xploratory Study of Coastal Wetland-based Livelihood Activities in
the Coastal Area facing the Bay of Bengal in Sri Lanka
2018 = Training on “Crab Banking and Eco-Tourism” in Thailand
2019 = Community Sharing Workshop for Fishermen in Cox’s Bazaar

Commyunity Sharing Workshop for Fisherman, Cox’s Bazar, March 2019

In the course of our mini-symposium and field studies, we
discovered many successful practices in the region. Some of
the noteworthy examples are the fishermen’ cooperatives in
Odisha, responsible fisheries in Bangladesh, ecotourism andcrab farming in Thailand, wetland-related livelihoods in Sri
Lanka, face-to-face dialogue among fishermen of India, Bangladesh and Myanmar, training on crab farming etcetera.
In 2018, the first Community Sharing Workshop was organized in Odisha for the fishermen of Bangladesh, Myanmar andIndia. The second Community Sharing Workshop was organizedin the first week of March from 4 -5 in Cox’s Bazaar for fishers
from Bangladesh and India. This workshop is intended to provide the hands-on activities on fisheries, turtle conservation,
beach nourishment, responsible fisheries and fish preservation. On the occasion, a new RCJ-TOYOTA project “Achieving
the SDG No. 14 through Community-based Resource Management & Conservation of Coastal and Marine Biodiversity of the
Bay of Bengal in the Teknaf Peninsula, Bangladesh” was also
kicked off.
Now let me share something about this very International
Symposium. Its major objectives are to assess the current status, challenges and successes in wetland conservation, develop
a consensus on agenda and modality, identify willing and able
partners and encourage them to join the partnership and highlight the importance of ecosystem services.
At the moment, organizations representing 7 coastal countries - (1) Bangladesh, (2) India, (3) Malaysia, (4) Myanmar, (5)Thailand, and (6) Sri Lanka have joined the partnership. Other
countries are (1) Japan and (2) Nepal. Japan is a leading country for the Partnership Activities. At the moment, Indonesia, andtwo more highland countries Bhutan and China do not haverepresentatives in the symposium.
7. Our Roadmap
The vision of the Partnership is the environmentally excellent,
economically prosperous and socially equitable & peaceful Bay
of Bengal as a whole. It is a lofty goal and will take our resources, time and patience for which we are very much determined.
No doubt, we will be able to reach our goal, if we all combine
our strength, wisdom and environmental intelligence together
in a synergistic way. With these things together in mind, wewould continue our collaboration with grassroots people withwhole-hearted support from our local partners and we hope tobring our dream true. The specific plan of action for the next
few years is proposed as follows.
Strengthen the current network of partners and sensitize
them as much as possible
Continue series of community sharing workshops for thefishermen, coastal land-dependant people, community-basedorganizations and local practitioners
Develop innovative project based on the success of the network partners
Mount the demonstration project on the ground in collaboration with local organizations and governments
We are hopeful that the Symposium would enable us to set
the agenda for the judicious management, conservation of re9

sources, sustainable development and resilient livelihoods ofthe people of the Bay of Bengal area.
References
Amrith, Sunil S. (2013). Crossing the Bay of Bengal: The Furies
of Nature and Fortunes of Migrants. Cambridge: Harward
University Press.
Bhandari, Bishnu B. (2016a). The Bay of Bengal: A Forgotten
Sea. In the Bay of Bengal: A Forgotten Sea. The Proceedingof the Symposium on the Bay of Bengal (Edited by Bishnu B.
Bhandar & Reiko Nakamura), Yangon, Myanmar 4 February
2016.
Bhandari, Bishnu B. (2016b). The Jewels of the Bay of Bengal:
A paper presented at the International Workshop on theConservation and Wise Use of Wetlands along the Bay of
Bengal, Mahidol University, Thailand, June 6-7 2016.
Dash, Durga P. (2016). Coastal Pollution Along the Bay of Bengal,
India. The Proceeding of the Symposium on the Bay of Bengal(Edited by Bishnu B. Bhandar & Reiko Nakamura), Yangon,
Myanmar 4 February 2016.
Hossain, Sanowar (2016). Problems and Opportunities in the
Bay of Bengal: An Example from Bengladesh. The Proceedingof the Symposium on the Bay of Bengal (Edited by Bishnu B.
Bhandar & Reiko Nakamura), Yangon, Myanmar 4 February
2016.
Sivasubramaniam, R (1985). Maritime Fishery Resources of the
Bay of Bengal. Rome: FAO.
Wildlife Conservation Society. South Asia & Bay of Bengal.
Available at https://www.wcs.org/our-work/regions/southasia-and-bay-of-bengal. Accessed on 25 February 2019,10

Part I: Efforts at the Regional Level

International Cooperation on the Environment of the Bay of Bengal
in the BOBP-IGO Perspective

Yugraj Singh Yadava5[Note: This summary is based on the PPT presentation madeby the author in the Symposium. — Editors]
1. Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation(BOBP-IGO)
The BOBP-IGO, established in 2003, is an outgrowth of theerstwhile Bay of Bengal Programme of FAO which started
in 1979. It is a regional fisheries advisory body consisting offour-member countries (Bangladesh, India, the Maldives & SriLanka) with the cooperating countries: Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia & Malaysia.
What is regional cooperation in the context of the seas?
Cooperation is an act of working together for a common purpose. In this case the common purpose is sustaining the gainfrom economic uses (e.g. food, livelihoods, healthy stocks, foreign exchange) and obtaining benefit such as complementarypolicies, knowledge base and better governance.
3. The primary objective of the paper is to share cross-sectoral learning on regional cooperation (marine fisheries & environment) although wetlands are highly important for marine
ecosystem. However, they are not covered here as they arecovered in other presentations. Here the presentation has been
divided into the following 4 sections.

The future of the Bay as our common heritage is increasingly
vulnerable because of:• Fishing down the food chain• Of the 46 commercially important species, 11 species are
fully exploited and 4 are fully or over-exploited• Over capacity of fleet• Use of highly efficient and harmful gear
Section 2: Institutional & Governance Framework for Regional
Cooperation
In the region, there are 5 institutional and governance frameworks
1. Regional Geopolitical Organizations
1) South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC): SAARC Environment Ministers meet periodically to take stock of and further regional cooperation on
environmental issues. In October 1997, during Third Meeting of the SAARC Ministers, SAARC Environmental Action
Plan was adopted. Climate change and sea level rise were
flagged as areas of concern. SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre (hosted by Maldives) was created. However, SAARC Environmental Ministers have not met since
2011.
2) Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
2. Regional Economic Organizations
1) Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral and Economic
Cooperation is a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia. In 2005, during 8th BIMSTEC Meeting in Dhaka,environment and disaster management were identified aspriority areas. Fishery is another focal point of BIMSTEC(led by Thailand). Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management in the Bay of Bengal was proposed in the first meeting of the BIMSTEC Fisheries Committee in 2001.

1: State of Fisheries and Environment in Bay of Bengal
2: Institutional and Governance Framework for Regional Cooperation
3: Example of Regional Cooperation and Achievements
4: Lessons Learned and Way Forward
Section 1: State of Fisheries and Environment in the Bay of
BengalSome facts & figures, according to BOBLME (2015) are as follows.
• Number of countries-8• Combined coastal population-185 million• Tropical coral reefs –3.65% of the world• Number of fishers -3.7 million• Number of boats-415 000• Annual catch-6 million tons/US$ 4 billion• Value of marine and coastal ecosystem service: > US$ 72
billion a year
• Aquaculture US$ 9.4 billion• Fisheries US$ 32.4 billion• Tourism US$ 18.7 billion

5 Director, BOBP-IGO

12

3. Regional Sectoral Organizations (mainly environment & fisheries)
1) South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SACEP): Part of Regional Seas Programme of the UN Environmental Programme2) IUCN’s Mangroves for the Future3) Regional Fisheries Organizations4) Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC): Umbrella organization for policy advocacy
5) BOBP-IGO: Bottom-up capacity building, policy advocacy
and regional synergy & technology diffusion
6) South-East Asian Fisheries Development Centre (SEAFDEC): Capacity building, policy support & technology development
7) Indian Ocean Tuna Commission for stock management
8) Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Project
4. International Instrument for Regional Cooperation“It is one of the advances in maritime international law, resulting from the intensification of fishing, that the former laissez faire treatment of the living resources of the sea in the highseas has been replaced by a recognition of a duty to have due
regard to the rights of other States and the needs of conservation for the benefit of all.” (ICJ, Fisheries Jurisdiction Case, 1974)
1) United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea: according
to Article 64: Highly migratory species “The coastal Stateand other States whose nationals fish in the region forthe highly migratory species…shall cooperate directly or
through appropriate international organizations…to ensuring conservation and promoting the objective of optimum utilization…”
2) United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea
a. Article 118: Cooperation of States in the conservationand management of living resourcesb. Article 119: Conservation of the living resources of thehigh seasc. Article 123: Cooperation of States bordering enclosed
or semi-enclosed seas3) Convention on Biological Diversity
a. Article 5. Cooperation: Each Contracting Party shall…
cooperate…, in respect of areas beyond national jurisdiction and on other matters of mutual interest.
b. Article 17. Exchange of Information: The Contracting
Parties shall facilitate the exchange of information…
c. Article 18. Technical and Scientific Cooperation: The
Contracting Parties shall promote international technical and scientific cooperation…
4) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheriesa. Article 6: …In recognizing the transboundary nature ofmany aquatic ecosystems, States should encouragebilateral and multilateral cooperation in research, as
appropriate.
b. Article 7: …States in the case of straddling and highly
migratory stocks should cooperate to ensure effective
conservation and management of the resources (ontransboundary stocks).
c. Article 10: States with neighboring coastal areas should
cooperate …to facilitate the sustainable use…
5) The UN Fish Stocks Agreement: Focuses on conservationand management of straddling and highly migratory fishstocks; introduces precautionary approach to fisheries
management; specifies obligation of flag states–innovative enforcement provisions; promotes special needs ofdeveloping countries; paves the way for regional fisheries
management organizations.
6) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Speciesof Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): To ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does notthreaten their survival. Provisions for penalizing non-complying parties.
7) Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species ofWild Animals (1979): Aims to conserve terrestrial, marine
and avian migratory species throughout their range.
8) The 1992 Earth summit
a. The Rio Declaration puts ‘human’ at the centre of concern for sustainable development and acknowledged
the sovereign right and responsibility of states to ensure controlling of damage to the environment.
b. Agenda 21 calls for international co-operation needed
for sustainable development, conservation and management of resources, strengthening of stakeholders
and governance issues.
9) Sustainable Development Goals
a. Goal 14: Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably
use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable developmentb. Goal 15: Life on Land: Protect, restore and promotesustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably
manage forests, combat desertification, and halt andreverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
c. Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals: Strengthen themeans of implementation and revitalize the global
partnership for sustainable development.
10)International Organizations
a. Food & Agriculture Organization of United Nations
b. Other UN Organizations: Umbrella bodies, larger policy direction, national level capacity building, technology and knowledge transfer. Recently, there is a concernthat UN bodies are moving toward policy direction
only while their field presence is reduced.
Section 3: Examples of Regional Cooperation
1. BOBP-IGO: Strategic Action Plan: The plan has identified thefollowing six activities based on felt-needs.
a. Adapting to climate change
b. Improving MCS
c. Livelihood
d. Safety to sea
e. Sea fish
f. Adopting CCRF & promulgating EAFM. The detailed activities are presented below.
Adopting CCRF
1. A
 regular training programme
instituted in 2008
2. Targets: junior and middle-level
officials
3. C overed: Bangladesh, India,
Maldives, Sri Lanka, Myanmar,
Indonesia
4. 6 programmes; 120+ trained

Promulgating EAFM
5. Started in collaboration with
BOBLME. Carried forward by
BOBP-IGO
6. Regional Programmes; several
national programmes; 70+ trained
7. S trategy: To develop bothin-country trainers and practitioners

2. Capacity building in data collecting, collation and analysis
During regional and subsequent national MCS meeting, datacollection and reporting was identified as a major short-comings
a. Lack of fund, wherewithal and trained manpower.
b. Lack of private-public partnershipc. Lack of involvement of general academia
d. This need was again reflected during CCRF and EAFM
training programmes.
e. There is also a lack of demand for data and a national
level plan on utilization of data.
f. Data and analytical reports are often not timely available
g. A administration + R&D, Institution dialogue is often
missing on developing an effective data collection andreporting mechanism.
3. Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) Project:
Funded by GEF, implemented by FAO from 2009-2015. The
extension phase under progress & is likely to start by 2020,
adopted transboundary diagnostic approach. Major threats are(1) over-exploitation of fish stocks, (2) habitat degradation, (3)pollution
4. BOBLME Phase 1 was a foundational Projecta. Based on the need to lay the foundations for change
including demonstrations of transboundary cooperation, before implementing a second phase action programme that will lead to the long-term goal relating to
an improvement in the health of the Bay of Bengal andits fisheries.
b. Focused on increasing capacity in natural resourcesmanagement, increasing knowledge about the ecosystem, developing indicators for tracking changes andstarting to improve ecosystem health through transboundary demonstration activities.
c. Has two major outputs
i. Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis – TDA: Review
and analysis of the major transboundary issues
and their causes
ii. Strategic Action Programme –SAP: A strategic action plan for addressing the major transboundary
issues and their causes
Section 4: Lessons Learned and Way Forward
1) Countries are more forthcoming in recognizing and discussing transboundary issues. However, actual and effec13

tive on-field examples of regional cooperation are scant.
2) Challenge in moving towards a regional cooperative arrangement.
a. Political relations
b. Compatibility of national objectivesc. Lack of regional leadershipd. Undermining importance of environment & fisheries
in policye. Bureaucratic inertia
3) Regional cooperation is costly…
a. Countries need to adjust their priorities and policies.
b. The nature of commitment of the Government alsochanges under a regional framework –became morebinding!
c. From data to research to policy and action–more transparency becomes necessary (owing to sharing information and knowledge).
4) Moving towards cooperationa. Primary level: Cooperation in research and information
sharingb. Informal and non-binding5) Secondary level: Cooperation in primary level + implementation & enforcement.
a. Formal & binding.

14

Ramsar Regional Center–East Asia
The Area of Works and Plans for the Bay of Bengal


1. Introduction
The Ramsar Regional Center–East Asia (RRC-EA, herein referred to as the Center) is one of the regional initiatives formallyrecognized by the Ramsar Convention. As a Ramsar Regional
Initiative, the RRC-EA was established through the initiative of
the Ministry of Environment (MOE) of the Republic of Korea toserve as a regional platform for capacity building, informationexchange, and cooperation among governments, internationaland national non-government organizations, local communities, technical experts and business organizations.
In 2009, the RRC-EA officially started operations in Changwon
City with support from the MOE and the Gyeongnam Provincial
Government. In January 2016, the RRC-EA office relocated toSuncheon City, after the signing of a five-year Memorandum ofUnderstanding between the MOE, Suncheon City and the RRCEA.
The RRC-EA works with the 17 countries in East, Southeast
and South Asia that are Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia,
Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and VietNam) and collaborates also with non-Contracting Parties in theregion for further implementation of the Ramsar Convention.
2. Governance and Institutional Arrangements
The RRC-EA Steering Committee provides guidance in thedevelopment of policies and programs for the Center. It comprises the Heads of the Ramsar Administrative Authorities ortheir appointed representatives from the 17 countries. The Executive Director leads the day-to-day operations of the Centerwith support from technical and administrative officers.
The Center maintains close coordination with the Ramsar
Convention Secretariat and the Ramsar Administrative Authorities to ensure complementarity of its activities with national
initiatives and the Ramsar Strategic Plan.
3. Areas of WorkThe RRC-EA’s work mainly focuses on four areas: (1) promoting, capacity building, communication, education, participation
and awareness (CEPA); (2) maintaining networks of wetland
managers and wetland education centers; (3) managing the
Wetland Fund; and (4) supporting the implementation of theRamsar Convention.
3.1 CEPA
Regional training
Since 2009, the RRC-EA has organized regional level trainings for wetland managers annually. It is a five-day training
basically consisting of four sessions: (1) information and experience sharing, (2) seeking solutions on common and site-specific problems, (3) lectures of wetland experts, and (4) field visit. More than 300 wetland managers have benefitted from thetraining and improved their knowledge and capacity on wetland management. The training also provided opportunities forcooperation between wetland managers. The selection of participants is not based on current job or affiliation. The training is
open to all interested individuals who work closely on wetland
conservation and management. As of now, the Center has already organized 10 regional trainings.
National Training
While organizing the regional level trainings, the Center real-

Norman Emmanuel C. Ramirez6

ized that only limited numbers of wetland managers were able
to participate in the trainings because of language issues. To
provide equal opportunities for education and capacity building to wetland managers who are not very adept in English,
the Center developed a new training module called “National
level training” or “Local language training” for wetland managers. This approach allows for the use of national languageas the medium of communication during trainings. To date, thetraining has been effective in delivering messages to the participants and in encouraging communication among themselves
to understand issues better and to reach agreements. The
Center has completed trainings in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam.
Subregional training
In recent years, the Center observed that there is a gap interms of the scale of its capacity building interventions. Thus,
the it introduced subregional trainings for wetland managers
as capacity building support in between the regional and national levels. These subregional trainings targets transboundary wetlands and help strengthen cooperation among stakeholders in the Yellow/West Sea (Republic of Korea, China and
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea), Lower Mekong River(Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam), andthe Bay of Bengal (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar and
Sri Lanka). The Center organized a subregional training for wetland managers in the Yellow/West Sea in 2018.
Training Module Development
The RRC-EA develops training modules to institutionalize capacity building support for wetland managers and stakeholders. Video lectures on the Ramsar Site Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (R-METT) and Rapid Assessment of Wetland
Ecosystem Services (RAWES) have been developed as products of the Center. These videos are accessible through YouTube
and the website.
3.2 Youth Model Ramsar Convention
The Youth Model Ramsar Convention (YMRC) aims to raise
the awareness of the youth and future generations about wetlands. The Model is designed to simulate the basic proceedingsof a Ramsar COP and targets high school students from acrossthe Republic of Korea. The YMRC is a Ramsar COP for students.
Students attending the YMRC play different roles such as Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General, delegates, journalists
and volunteers, among others. Participants learn negotiation
skills and practice teamwork. Applying the basic rules of procedure for Ramsar COPs and formulating COP resolutions aresome features of the YMRC. Around 200 students participate in
the YMRC every year.
World Wetlands Day
The Center supports the World Wetlands Day (WWD) celebrations by producing posters, pins, brochures, hand fans andeco-bags that promote the WWD and the Ramsar Convention.
The Center collaborates with the Kia Tigers professional baseball team to promote the global event by hosting a nationally
televised ceremonial pitch and hit, and by providing a venue for
distributing WWD materials to spectators of baseball games.
The Center and Kia Tigers organized two events, one each in2017 and 2018.

6 Program Officer, Ramsar Regional Center – East Asia

15

Translation of Ramsar Guidebook
In 2017, the RRC-EA published the Ramsar Guidebook “Designation and Management of Ramsar Sites” as part of the RRCEA guidebook series. This publication provides simplified information on the process to designate Ramsar Sites in orderto highlight the various linkages between the designation andmanagement stages. It is written for wetland managers andsite-level stakeholders in a simple non-technical language. In
2018, the Center supported the translation of this guidebook
from English into nine languages of the countries: Cambodia,
China, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal and Viet Nam.
Website and Web Magazine
The RRC-EA website is continuously being maintained which
uploads new developments on its own and partner’s activities.
Such information is also published in the quarterly web magazine. The web magazine features articles related to the World
Wetlands Day theme, updates on its activities, Wetland Fundprojects, and introduction to wetland experts.
3.2 Network of Wetland Managers and Wetland Education
Centers
The establishment and maintenance of a regional communication platform and network of wetland managers and wetland education centers is expected to facilitate the effective
exchange and dissemination of information related to wetland
conservation, management and restoration. The Center hosts
an online communication platform where innovations andgood practices can be shared by wetland managers.
By virtue of a Memorandum of Understanding between the
RRC-EA and Wetland Link International, the Center assumed therole as focal point for Wetland Link International (WLI) in Asia.
Wetland Link International (WLI) is a global network for wetland
education centers with 350 members over 6 continents that undertakes various activities on site.
As “WLI-Asia”, the RRC-EA will directly connect with WLI-Asia
members to reinvigorate the network and to provide further
assistance in the development of wetland education centers.
At the moment, the RRC-EA has prioritized East and Southeast
Asian countries in its initiatives as WLI-Asia. It organized the
6th WLI-Asia Conference in November 2017 and plans to holdthe 7th WLI-Asia Conference in December 2019. The RRC-EA has
also recently published the first edition of the “Wetland Centers
in Asia”– a book that introduces 43 wetland centers in East,
Southeast and South Asia.
3.3, Wetland Fund
The RRC-EA supports the implementation of wetland conservation projects through its Wetland Fund. The Fund is a grant
program that provides complementary support to ongoing andplanned national wetland initiatives as a contribution of participating Contracting Parties to the implementation of the Ramsar
Convention.
The grant program generally finances projects aligned with
two thematic areas: (1) wetland conservation and wise use,and (2) celebration of WWD, including research studies that
can influence policy development and national and site levelmeasures related to wetland management, conservation andrestoration.
The Wetland Fund helps grantees gain the track record andexperience in developing and implementing short term andsmall-scale projects to prepare them for access to larger grants
from donor organizations in the future. As of 2018, a total of 46
projects from 14 countries in East, Southeast and South Asia
have been implemented.

16

3.4 Support to the Implementation of the Ramsar Convention
Being a recognized Ramsar Regional Initiative, the Center
maintains cooperation and linkages with the Ramsar Secretariat and with Ramsar National Focal Points to ensure that theinitiatives of the Center are in synchronization with global andnational commitments and developments. It is the goal of theCenter to provide the highest quality of services to countries
with the use of up-to-date information as a contribution to theeffective implementation of the Ramsar Convention.
The Center mobilizes CEPA National Focal Points as well as
STRP National Focal Points by way of online or face-to-faceworkshops to facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiencesin the wise use and conservation of wetlands in East, Southeast
and South Asia. The Ramsar Convention tools and guidelines
are also being promoted and developed by the Center for theuse of wetland managers.
The Center participates in Meetings of the Conference of theContracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention (Ramsar COP) to
promote its accomplishments and contributions. It also assists
Contracting Parties in the development of relevant COP resolutions. During the recent Ramsar COP13, the Center organized
two (2) side events: (1) Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar
Convention: Strengthening Sub-National Government Support
for Wetland Conservation and Wise Use, and (2) Promoting theValues of Wetlands through the Rapid Assessment of Wetland
Ecosystem Services and Good Practices on Sustainable Urban
Wetlands in Asia.
Ramsar Site Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool
The Ramsar Convention encourages the Contracting Parties
to adopt approaches for the wise use of wetlands, to designate suitable wetlands for inclusion in the List of Wetlands ofInternational Importance and to ensure that these wetlands
are effectively managed. In order to achieve these, periodic assessment of the effectiveness of wetland management is encouraged. Such assessments look into the past and the current
management practices and systems to determine areas for improvement as well as identify good lessons.
A number of assessment tools and methodologies havealready been developed and used for protected areas. The
Ramsar Site Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (R-METT)
developed by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and theWorld Bank is one of the most widely used management effectiveness assessment tools.
The Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention recognized
the need to develop a customized METT for Ramsar Sites. In
June 2014, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmentof Thailand, the Ministry of Environment and the Gyeongnam
Province of the Republic of Korea, and the RRC-EA jointly organized a workshop in Thailand to adapt the METT for the specific Ramsar Sites.
Through Resolution XII.15, Ramsar COP12 formally adopted the Ramsar Site Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool
(R-METT) and encouraged the Contracting Parties to use the
R-METT in evaluating the management effectiveness of Ramsar
Sites. The Center is regularly promoting the use of the R-METT
through its CEPA program.
Rapid Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Services
Wetlands are ecosystems that include inland waters, andcoastal and marine areas. They offer a broad range of benefits
to society and the economy. But similar to other ecosystems,
wetlands are also facing threats that lead to the loss of wetland functions. Wetland degradation does not only negatively
impact on biodiversity, but also on the livelihoods of communities residing within and adjacent to wetlands. Consequently,
these impacts are experienced as well by the general populace
who enjoys the benefits derived from wetlands.
Considering the multitude of development needs of the society, national and local governments are responsible for prioritizing sectors for the corresponding policy support and financial

resources. Wetlands often receive less recognition due to the
low awareness of policy and decision-makers on the value of
wetlands and wetland ecosystem services. Thus, it is necessary
to work towards improving the understanding and appreciationof policy and decision-makers with regard to wetland benefits.
In Ramsar COP11, the Contracting Parties adopted Resolution
XI.8 and agreed to revise the recording of information for the
Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) by elaborating
and describing fully the elements of the ecological characterand the ecosystems provided by the wetland.
In this context, the Center, together with the Ramsar Convention Secretariat and technical experts, has developed a simple
yet reliable Rapid Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Services(RAWES). By using the RAWES, wetland managers can:• facilitate the integration of ecosystem services in wetland
management plans• help improve the effectiveness of wetland managementwith more comprehensive information at hand
• update and provide more detailed information on wetland
ecosystem services in the RIS• clearly define and disseminate the benefits of wetlands to
key wetland stakeholders, especially to policy and decision-makers, and• have an alternative option to carry out an ecosystem services assessment that is not time-consuming and costly
4. Plans for the Bay of Bengal Region
Following the Yellow/West Sea and Lower Mekong River, theCenter intends to hold its next sub-regional training in 2020 thatwill focus on priority issues of the Bay of Bengal. The Center
partners will be involved and mobilized in organizing this event.
The subregional training will highlight case studies of othertransboundary wetlands, which the Bay of Bengal stakeholders
may learn from.

17

Community-based Coastal Wetlands Management under the Mangroves for
the Future Initiative

1. Introduction
The Mangroves for the Future (MFF) initiative was initiatedin response to the devastation of the 2004 Asia Tsunami, witha focus on ecosystem restoration and livelihood diversificationin six countries. Over the years the program has evolved into a
unique strategic partnership working to promote sound coastal resource management policies and practice, strengthening
the resilience of coastal resource-dependent communities in
11 countries throughout the Asia region. The programme is cochaired by IUCN and UNDP and has more than 300 institutional
and implementing partners. Strategic guidance is given to the
MFF program by a Regional Steering Committee (RSC) and ineach partner country implementation is overseen by National
Coordinating Body (NCB) with representatives from government, civil society organizations and private sectors. MFF supports a grant facility to encourage the local community to takeactions on the ground and develop replicable models for building coastal resilience.
The MFF has been in operation in Bangladesh since early
2013. The MFF Bangladesh’s focus is on building coastal community resilience and promoting an ecosystem-based approach
to climate change adaptation. Future scope of the country program, as identified by the NCB is the conservation of the Bay of
Bengal and adjacent coastal areas in Bangladesh and promotesustainable development and partnerships. The Conservationof coastal wetlands has been one of the focuses of the MFF
in Bangladesh within the larger context of coastal governance.
Two successful cases of coastal management from Shyamnagar Upazilla (sub-district) are elaborated in this brief paper.
2. Social-Ecological System and Stakeholder Engagement
The MFF adopted a social-ecological system approach andactively tried to influence changes in norms and practices thatcause detrimental environmental impacts, and encouraged
actions for win-win outcomes for both social and ecologicalsystems. The MFF’s Social-Ecological System (SES) approach
focuses on the dynamic linkages between the social, which
includes the economic aspects, and ecological/environmental
attributes. All MFF grant projects were planned to have multiple and linked to social and environmental results. All 16 grant
projects implemented in Shyamnagar, a sub-district near the
Sundarban mangrove forest and facing the full brunt of climatechange impacts, resulted in positive social and ecological outcomes. In the heart of the social-ecological system approach isthe proper stakeholder engagement. Stakeholder engagement
was carried out at multiple levels. At the national level, policymakers were engaged through the National Coordinating Body
(NCB) headed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change. The NCB decided the geographic area where the MFF grant projects would be implemented.
Field project selection is guided by findings of a comprehensive
participatory site assessment in accordance with the MFF Resilience Protocol which allows extensive dialogues with the men,
women, youth, professionals, local leaders, NGOs, CBOs, andgovernment officials and promoted a shared understanding of
the site-specific context, issues, and problems and a sharedvision for a resilient community. Based on a call for concept
notes, the grant projects were subsequently awarded to local
NGOs/CBOs addressing the identified problems and contributing to achieving the shared vision.
7 IUCN Bangladesh

18

Raquibul Amin
Shahad Mahbub Chowdhury7

The shared vision is supported by a Citizen’s Action Plan that
captures the aspirations of a large number of people for sustainable development and ecosystem protection. It includes simple actions that can be taken by local actors like Union Parisad(smallest administrative unit), Upazilla (sub-district) Parishad,local NGOs and community people themselves. Consequently,
it influenced three local Union Parishads of Shyamanagr to include activities like mangrove rehabilitation and integrated water and farm management in their annual development plans.
The shared vision for a resilient Shyamnagar helped the MFF
to implement the grant projects more strategically. One of thebest results that emanated from the shared vision and citizen’s
action plan was the rehabilitation of mangroves in fallow lands
under a co-management system involving the local community, Union Parishad and Forest Department. Another example is
the retrieval of a derelict canal from “elite capture” and excavating it to render it as a common pool resource.
2013

2017

Figure 1&2: Transformation facilitated by MFF (2013-2017).

3. Community based Mangroves Rehabilitation
The MFF supported a GIS mapping study to find out suitable areas for mangrove rehabilitation and the tenure system
to support the people’s vision of a resilient Shyamnagar. Sora
village under the Gabura union was identified to pilot the mangrove rehabilitation activity. The MFF grantee CNRS facilitateddialogues among village communities, local Union Parisad(UP) and Forest Department who agreed on a shared governance structure and benefit sharing mechanism. A 35 member’s
Village Conservation Forum (VCF) was established, and it wasagreed that community would receive 40% of benefits (fromfruits, honey, fuel woods, and mangroves nursery), UP would
get 40% and the rest 20% would be used to maintain the forest.
The model was first piloted in 25 ha. The MFF has further upscaled the model through allocating medium grant to Sushilan.
The village conservation forums are now under the supervisionof Sundarban Co-management Committee, which is a formal
body recognized under the Protect Area Rule.
The idea of planting mangroves in coastal area is not new,
but the governance mechanism is an invention from the MFF.
It has become a replicable model of mangrove rehabilitation in
Shyamnagar and beyond. The MFF supported rehabilitation of
100 ha through its small and medium grant projects. Climate
Resilient Ecosystems and Livelihoods (CREL) - a project of theForest Department funded by USAID came forward to leverage
their investment and rehabilitated more than 300 ha. The mangroves now look like a natural forest and provides shelter for
fishes and birds. The village Gabura has now become less vulnerable to erosion and tidal surges. Gabura has transformed
from a vulnerable island to a resilient island with mangroves allaround protecting its fragile embankment. The MFF-VCF earned
BDT 0.25 million by selling mangrove saplings to CREL project in 2014. Villagers reported that illegal entry to Sundarban
has decreased. An average person (usually women) catches
post-larvae of fish, crabs and shrimp worth about BDT 200/day- this income is well comparable with what they use to get fromthe Sundarbans.
The institutional arrangement for a shared governance mechanism is a new lesson learned from the MFF intervention. The
involvement of local communities along with Union Parishad
was the key to develop local ownership and ensure the sustainability of the initiative. On the technical side, the Assisted
Natural Regeneration (ANR) of mangroves was found cheaperand more efficient method compared to seedling raising andplanting. The land tenure map provided an excellent insight onland use and avoids future conflict. The MFF mangrove rehabilitation model should be adopted as a best practice of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) and disaster risk reduction strategy in char land. However, more advocacy with the government
agencies and political leadership is needed to mainstream themodel.
4. Equitable water governance brings prosperity to Sabkhali,
Shyamnagar

Figure 3: Status of canal in 2012

Figure 4: The canal in 2014 during the re-excavation.

Figure 5: The canal in 2016: These chicken coops, as well as the saplings further up thebank, are part of the new integrated farming methods introduced through the MFF

Sabkhali is an agricultural village highly vulnerable to climatechange and tidal surges, salt water intrusion, and water logging. Two consecutive cyclones in 2007 and 2009 worsened thesituation. There is severe shortage of freshwater. A handful offarmers could grow only rain-fed rice with the little water that
could be stored in the only remaining natural canal that flows
through the village. Most part of the canal was silted up andillegally occupied by local elites. For the rest of the year, life
was very hard for the marginal farmers from Munda indigenous people and local community.
In 2014, the MFF teamed up with Caritas, a global confederation of Catholic relief, development and social service organization, to support community-based water and farmland management projects, with the ambition that this would help Sabkhali
farmers improve their resilience and food security. Through the
project, a group of villagers re-excavated the 2 km-long canal,
improving its capacity to store rain water. Women were trained
to start small business to earn a living.
The Sabkhali community established a democratically elected executive committee that would equally distribute irrigationwater and land for the 360 farming households to use water inthe winter. This way, everyone gets an equal share of water as
a common pool resource, access to land for cultivation, and an
opportunity to earn a living. Women in Sabkhali hold one of thelargest stakes in effective water governance, and the gendercomposition of the executive committee was designed to reflect this. By the end of the project in 2017, they made up 50%of the cooperative.
To ensure that siltation in the canal continues to be kept under control, the community also created a fund which farmers
contribute to equally. Crop production has also doubled in last
three years. Fish farms were set up; wheat, vegetables and watermelon were introduced as less water-intensive crops; and attempts were made to introduce sheep and poultry. Around 800
kg of fish were produced in 2017. Due to increased availabilityof fresh water, the varieties of fish and birds in the canal andthe farmland have increased in the last three years. The farmers
have also planted more than 2,000 salt-tolerant fruit saplings
19

along the dykes of the canal, creating a greener landscape. Due
to increased salinity levels after cyclone Aila, grasses disappeared from the croplands in the area adjacent to the canal.
Since 2015, the grasses have started to reappear, indicating
reduced soil salinity as a result of better irrigation. Re-excavating the canal has proved particularly beneficial to women, whowere previously forced to walk miles to collect water for household use, and now only need to walk a short distance to the canal. With more free time, women have been able to participate
in decision-making processes regarding their vital resources.
With the MFF’s support, the small enterprise groups havealso linked with the government’s poverty eradication program,the Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar Project, run by the Palli Sanchay Bank
(PSB). This is a microfinance scheme in which the bank provides
a loan, equal to a community organization’s deposit, at 1% interest. All six community enterprises registered with the PSB,
allowing them to continue scaling up their activities even after
the project had officially closed.
The MFF initiative has demonstrated how coordinated action
at the community level can be successful and sustainable. The
Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has recognized
this model as a disaster risk reduction strategy and requested
that two Union Disaster Management Committees in Shyamnagar scale up their interventions. The MFF Bangladesh National Coordinating Body (NCB) and the Ministry of Environment
and Forests have discussed the reclamation of canals and othercommon pool resources in other coastal areas, and have advocated for community-based management of these resources.
Conclusion
Resilience analysis processes that the MFF adopted provided
the community, local leaders and duty bearers space for dialogue to analyze the problems, develop a shared vision and detail the strategies to achieve the vision. The visioning exercise
was found to be a powerful tool to encourage actions among
the community members and establish ownership of the MFF
supported interventions. The context-specific strategies thatpeople developed and later implemented by the MFF throughlocal partners were simple but innovative, and they provided
tangible benefits, such as access to safe drinking water, andprotection of embankments with mangroves. In summary, understanding the complex web of problems and their root causes, allowing the community to develop local solutions and innovations, constructing a shared vision for a positive future,linking local people with duty bearers and national policymakers were a few factors that facilitated the positive outcomes in
Shyamnagar. The model is available for any interested actor to
replicate and scale up in other coastal areas of Bangladesh andbeyond.

20

Geo-Morphological Evolution and Coastal Dynamics along the Coastal
Shoreline of the Bay of Bengal in Relation to Climate-induced Disaster Fifty
Years of Human-Nature InteractionAbstract: This paper draws upon the application of Remote
Sensing (RS) and GIS techniques to investigate the dynamic
nature of coastal geomorphological features along the coastal belt of Bangladesh. The paper also investigates changes ofland uses (vegetation, settlement pattern, agricultural land,
water bodies) in course of time using RS and GIS for the last
fifty years. It also made efforts to find out scenario of land erosion and land accretion along the coastal shoreline of the Bayof Bengal which demark the changes of shoreline as well as
nature of the Bay. The study is intended to draw a scenario of
human-nature interaction aligned with geomorphological dynamics and sea level changes caused by climate-induced extremities. The geomorphological characteristic of the coastal
areas of Bangladesh is highly dynamic where geological subsidence and rising sea level is experienced in the last fifty years
along with land erosion and accretion with different rates remain a constant phenomenon. This study focuses on the whole
coastal zone including western, central and eastern which comprise the 720 km coastal area of the country. This study uses
the past 25year Landsat satellite images and sea level data.
This research shows that the rate of accretion and erosion
are changing coastal geomorphological features in the whole
coastal shoreline and also reshaping shore characteristics especially in the central coastal area. It also reveals that river trajectory is changing with notable characteristics in the coastal
districts especially in the western and central coastal districts
which is is reshaping the human settlement pattern, vegetation
coverage especially the unique mangrove forest Sundarbans
and agricultural lands in the whole coastal areas. Overlaying
geological subsidy and sea level rising data, the study showsthat western coastal region is going to be dried up in the next
25 years. That is why saline characteristics will reduce suitability for mangrove in the Sundarbans areas which is major threat
for existence of the unique mangrove forest Sundarbans. On
the other hand, overlaying geological subsidy and sea level rising data, the study illustrates that the eastern coastal region
will submerge due to increasing tidal inundation and will go topermanently under the water logging condition in the next 25
years for which the climate-induced factors will be placed in theforefront for the whole eastern coastal districts. The existenceof the Saint Martin, the only coral reef island of Bangladesh isunder threat for this climate- induced sea level rise and geological subsidy experience.
1. Introduction
The coastal regions of Bangladesh are disaster prone due
to its geographical location. Climate induced natural disasters
like severe cyclone, shocking tidal surges, severe floods, underhanded river erosion, excessive rainfall, overwhelming salinity
intrusion, sea level rise etc. are occurring more frequently ingreater intensities along with prominent human activities. On
the other hand, coastal shoreline is geologically dynamic interms of subsidence and uplifting characteristics. Sea level rise,bank erosion overlaying with subsidence and uplifting, coastal
shoreline along the Bay of Bengal is changing continuously andforming diverse new land forms, changing land use patterns,changing vegetation coverage, changing river morphology as
well as river trajectory which tends to change human settlement.

Muhammad Abdur Rahaman
Arifur Rahman Ovi
A. S. M. Imrul Kayes
Md. Nazimuzzaman

2. Methodology for Land Use Mapping
The study was conducted along the coastal belt of Bangladesh containing 16 coastal district adjacent to the shoreline of
the Bay of Bengal including Bagerhat, Barguna, Barisal, Bhola,
Chandpur, Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Feni, Jhalakathi, Khulna,
Laxmipur, Noakhali, Pirojpur, Patuakhali, Satkhira and Shariatpur (map 1) through analyzing Landsat Satellite images forthe period of 1994 to 2019 for land cover mapping in terms ofagricultural land use changes, changes of human settlement
pattern, dynamics of vegetation coverage and changing characteristics of water bodies. The Landsat data (1994 and 2019) havebeen acquired from the U.S. Geological Survey Earth explorer
interface. The table below shows the details of the Landsat Satellite images used for analysis:

Map 1: Study area

Satellite/Sensor

Date of
Acquisition

Landsat-7, ETM+

January 1994

830

Landsat-8, ETM+

January 2019830

No. of Bands

Resolution(m)The supervised pixel-based classification was conducted in
the Erdas Imagine platform for which ‘training sites’ (the areas
defined for each land cover type within the image) are required.
We used Google Earth, which is free (even if proprietary), easy
to use, and includes very high-resolution imagery for the historical time period for assisting to identify appropriate training
sites. A unique identifier is assigned to each known land covertype. Four land cover types have been identified for this study:

Land Cover Type

Description

Agriculture

Areas covering lands used for agricultural production
i.e. paddy and seasonal crops.

Vegetation

Areas covering home and village-based vegetation.

Human Settlement

Areas indicating built up area.

Water bodies

River and relevant water areas.

21

Sea level data for the same period was analyzed for the Hiron Point, Charchenga and Bakkhali river point extracting from
University of Hawai Sea Level Center. The project as made overlaying seal kevel rising data with geological subsidence and uplifting information of coastal area of Bangladesh for the three
coastal regions namely western coastal region, central coastal
region and eastern coastal region.
3. Sea Level Rise and Geological Dynamics of Coastal Regionof Bangladesh
The physical geography of Bangladesh’s coastal area is morediverse and dynamic than is generally recognized. Failure torecognize this has led to serious misconceptions about the potential impacts of a rising sea-level on Bangladesh with global
warming. This situation has been aggravated by accounts giving incorrect information on current rates of coastal erosion
and land subsidence. It is found through analyzing sea level
data for the period of 1983 to 1999 that the average sea level
rising trend of Charchenga point of Hatiya is 11.8 mm for 20
years (Figure 1). At the same time, according to Bramar, 2017geological uplifting was observed in this point is .018 mm foreach year which account of 8.36 mm for this same period. As
a result, in the last 20 years, net sea level rise observed in thispoint is 2.94 mm which causes regular tidal flooding in Hatiya
along with the river bank erosion at the increasing rate. As aresult, human displacement is at larming rate in Hatiya Island.

Map 2: Land cover in Saint Martin Island (1994)

Figure 1: Sea level rising in Charchenga point (1983-1999)

SLR has the potential to interact with the coastal zone in a
number of ways including inundation, erosion and salt water
intrusion. Inundation and intrusion will clearly be affected by
the relatively slow increases in mean sea level over the next
century and beyond. The characteristics of extreme sea level
rise events are dependent on the atmospheric storm intensity
and movement of coastal geometry.
4. Changing land CoverIn the study area of Saint Martin Island, the only coral reefisland of Bangladesh under Cox’s Bazaar district; changing
trends of vegetation coverage, water bodies, sandy beach andsettlement pattern changing characteristics were measured forthe period of 1994 to 2019 (Map 2 and Map 3) and it is foundthat vegetation coverage are decreasing at an alarming rate.
The study reveals that in 1994 there was 230 ha of vegetation
but it stands at only 125 ha in 2019 as well as in each year theSaint Martin Island is losing vegetation coverage at a rate of
4.2 ha. If the island loses by this rate then within 30 years aswell as at 2050, the Saint Martin Island will be a barren Island.
Though the island is covered by the Bay of Bengal but in 1994
it was found that there was 85 ha water bodies inside the island
which stands at 30 ha in 2019. At the same time, sandy beachreduced 15.2 ha for each year on an average in the last 20 years
but settlement is increasing at the rate of 8.4 ha in each year in
the last 20 years and it may be concluded that within 50 years
the island would be full of human settlement if the settlement
increasing rate continues at this rate (Table 1).
22

Map 3: Land cover in Saint Martin Island (2019)Land Use
Vegetation

1994(Ha)

2019(Ha)

230

125

Water bodies

8530

Sandy Beach

560

256

Settlement

22

190

Table 1: Land use change in Saint Martin Island

Part II: Wetlands & Disaster Risk Reduction

Wetlands and Disaster Risk Reduction in Bangladesh

1. Introduction
Bangladesh possesses enormous area of wetlands including
rivers and streams, freshwater lakes and marshes, haors, baors,beels, water storage reservoirs, fish ponds, flooded cultivatedfields and estuarine systems with extensive mangrove swamps.
The haors, baors, beels and jheels are of fluvial origin and arecommonly identified as freshwater wetlands. These freshwater
wetlands occupy four landscape units - floodplains, freshwater
marshes, lakes and swamp forests. Bangladesh is estimated topossess seven to eight million hectares of wetlands in the formof permanent rivers and streams (480,000 ha), estuarine andmangrove swamps (610,000 ha), shallow lakes and marshes(120 000-290 000 ha), large reservoirs (90,000 ha), small ponds
and tanks (150 000-180 000 ha), shrimp ponds (90000-115000
ha) and seasonally flooded flood plains (5,770,000 ha).
Haors, which are bowl-shaped depressions between the natural levees of a river subject to monsoon flooding every year,
are mostly found in the eastern region of the country, known
collectively as Haor basin covering an area of approximately
24,500 km2. There are altogether 411 haors comprising an areaof about 8000 km2 dispersed in the districts of Sunamgonj, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Hobigonj, Netrokona & Kishoreganj.
Beels are large surface waterbodies that accumulate surface
runoff water through internal drainage channels; these depressions are mostly topographic lows produced by erosions
and are seen all over Bangladesh. Beels are small saucer-like
depressions of a marshy character. Many of the beels dry up
in the winter but during the rains expand into broad and shallow sheets of water, which may be described as fresh waterlagoons. In the active floodplains of the Surma-Meghna, theBrahmaputra-Jamuna, and the Ganges-Padma river systems,
there are several large and small beels. In Bangladesh, there
are thousands of beels of different sizes. Some of the mostcommon names are Chalan Beel, Chand Beel and Arial Beel.
Most of these large beels have shrunk quite considerably in recent decades. Beels are mainly fed by surface runoff water. A
few larger ones are fed by floodwater during the wet seasonfrom the parent river channel. Normally, beels remain deeply
flooded for most of the wet season.
Baors are oxbow lakes, formed by dead arms of rivers andare situated in the moribund delta of the Ganges in western partof the country. In Bangladesh, oxbow lakes are quite visible in
the older floodplains. Locally, the feature is also known as beel,baor, and jheel. Usually, oxbow lakes are deeply flooded during
the monsoon, either through local rainfall and runoff water orby river flood. During the monsoon season oxbow lakes act as
local water reservoirs, and help control the local flood level. In
some areas, these lakes serve as valuable sources of irrigation
during the dry season.
The Haor, Baors and Beels play an important role in the ecology, economy and livelihood of the country. Those wetlands
have been highly explored for a long time; during the 1990s
the nation realized the needs of resource management seriously and from then the management and conservation of thosewater bodies got priority. Though the status of wetland management initiatives is not in satisfactory level but in some cases
the success is appreciable and can be followed for the management of different lake basins considering the socio-economicand ecological contest and with adaptation if necessary.
Wetland resources: The life and livelihood on Bangladesh isdependent on the wetlands. The lakes are the source of fisheries, aquatic vegetation and other biodiversity, irrigation, navigation, flood control, etcetera. About fisheries resources, some
8 President, Bangladesh POUSH

24

Sanowar Hossain8

260 species of freshwater fishes are found in the inland water
bodies of Bangladesh. Inland fisheries alone cover an area of
4.3 million hectares of which 94% comprise open water capture
fisheries, and only 6% closed water system. The haors, beels
and baors offer tremendous scope and potential to augment
fish production by adoption of culture-based fishery enhancement technique. Sixty three species of fishes were recorded
from the water bodies of Chanda Beel. The haors, beels andbaors are the main source and reserves of the brood stock offish. Tangua is one of the famous breeding ground for native
crabs and flat fishes (Chital) of the country.

2. Threats to the Lakes of Bangladesh
Almost every lake of Bangladesh is under threat. There ishuge population pressure, climate change impact and development interactions. The following are the major threats to thelakes of Bangladesh: 1. disappearance, 2. pollution, 3. over-harvesting of the natural resources, 4. land use conflict, 5. lack of
upstream water flow in winter, 6. over-flow of water in monsoon, 7. increase risk of flood, 8. entrance of saline water due tolack of water flow in winter.
Degradation of Lakes• Degradation of wetlands has caused several problems
including• extinction and reduction of wildlife• extinction of many indigenous wild and domesticatedrice varieties• loss of many indigenous aquatic plants, herbs, shrubs
and weeds• loss of natural soil nutrients• loss of natural water reservoirs and of their resultant
benefits• increase in the occurrence of flooding and degenerationof wetland-based ecosystems, occupations, socio-economic institutions and cultures3. Climate Change and Disaster Impact in Wetlands
Extreme Weather: Climatic haphazard and weather calamities
play a severe damage of wetland ecosystem and biodiversity.
Small beels are being drained annually to increase catches,
and this has been increasing the rate of sedimentation. Severe
soil erosion in the water catchment areas of all the great rivers
has resulted in greatly increased rates of siltation, and this has
now become a serious problem at many of the wetlands. At thesame time, flash floods have become a common phenomenon
and these now cause considerable damage to rice paddies atthe beginning of every monsoon season. Reed beds severely
disappeared or become very rare, probably due to a combination of over-utilization (of useful species) and changes in water
quality (leading to poorer light penetration). Run-off during exceptionally heavy rainfall occurring in neighboring upland areas is responsible for flash floods. Such floods occur as watersfrom the hilly upstream rush to the plains with high velocity,mauling standing crops and destroying physical infrastructure.
Flash floods cause extensive damages to crops and property,
particularly in the haor areas. Around 4000 km2 area of southeast and 1400 km2 area of north-east Bangladesh are subject
to flash flood. For crops, it is their timing which is usually mostimportant. Early floods (in April-May) generally cause severe
damages. Hydrologic alterations due to frequent natural calamities cause deposition of fill material for development, drainage
for development, farming, and mosquito control, dredging andstream channelization for navigation, development, and flood
control, diking and damming to form ponds and lakes, diversion of flow to or from wetlands.
Amphibians, reptiles and mammals have all reportedly decreased significantly in numbers, mainly due to habitat destruction, but also due to storm surges, cyclones (Sidr, Aila, Nargis
and others), Crop loss was found to be rather high during themonths of Choitra (March-April), Baishakh (April-May) and Jaistha (May-June) due to lack of adequate rainfall, drought conditions, or because of hailstorms. Major crop damage is expectedin Bhadra (August-September) and Aashwin (September-October) due to excessive rainfall and cyclonic storms. A lower levelof crop loss in Srabon (July-August) could be expected due torainfall induced water logging, since transplanting Aman paddy becomes difficult in inundated low lying lands, which has
a great potential to reduce yield for late transplanting of theseedlings. The frequent cyclone is causing loss of vegetationand erosion in Sundarbans which are the coastal mangrovesthat straddle the coasts of western Bangladesh and neighboring India.
Drought: In terms of magnitude drought exhibits a pronounced spatial distribution in Bangladesh. The western partsof the country receive less rainfall averaging some 1400 mm
as against the national average of about 2150 mm. As a consequence, susceptibility and severity of drought in the western districts are much higher than elsewhere. Characteristics
of moisture retention capacity and infiltration are damaged
due to high prevalence of droughts which was observed in thewestern districts of Rajshahi, Bogra, Pabna, Dinajpur, Rangpur
and Kustia. Drought occurred during the late rainy season andcaused a net reduction of rice production. The recorded dryness
in the winter for many of the eastern wetlands of Bangladesh ismuch higher than the previous record and also caused lack of
upstream water flow in winter.
Salinity Intrusion: Ingress of salinity is a major problem incoastal Bangladesh. Diminished flow in the dry season allows
salinity to penetrate far inland through this estuarine river system. Salinity limits opportunities for supplemental irrigation ofrice crops in freshwater areas and damages the same crops byflooding during very high tides. The upland progression of saline water during the dry season eliminated surface water potentials for significant land areas in the southwest, south-central and southeast regions. The increased salinity has affected
the natural regeneration of mangroves, and in some areas
there is now no regeneration at all. The density of Spotted Deerin Sundarban appears to be lower in western areas, where sa-

linity is highest, than in the east where it is lowest. Salinity wasreported from many of the closed water wetlands of southern
Bangladesh, including the beel basin of Gopalganj and Masura
districts.

25

Role of Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction


IUCN started to work on the issue of Disaster Risk Reduction since 2004 when the Western Indian Ocean earthquake
and Tsunami occurred. After this tragic event, it was reported
that impacts of the Tsunami were significantly reduced in areas
where natural defense such as mangrove forests or sand dunes
existed. For example, one of the coastal resorts in Sri Lanka
that was built behind the coastal dunes and vegetation was notaffected by the Tsunami and only 5 cm high wave reached to
the resort.
On the other hand, in the close area to that, the whole coastal
resort was destroyed by the Tsunami and 27 people lost theirlives. The reason for this tragedy was that this resort destroyed
sand dunes and vegetation and was built in front of the sea tohave a good ocean view for the visitors. And Tsunami hit directly to the resort. Based on these observations at the IndianWestern Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004, IUCN experts in CEM(Commission on Ecosystem Management) started to discuss
the important role of ecosystem management for Disaster Risk
Reduction and coined the new term Ecosystem-based Disaster
Risk Reduction or Eco-DRR in short [1].
The number of disaster events have increased significantly
since 1980s, mainly those events due to either meteorological& hydrological or climatic reasons. Of course we would immediately assume that this rise is due to climate change impacts
but the answer is also that there are more people living in areas that are impacted by such hazard events, such as coastal areas and river beds. And those areas are also important
for wetlands. Here we can see the very close linkage between
wetlands conservation and disaster risk reduction. At the sametime, in terms of distributions of the disasters around the world
Asia has been consistently the most affected region, followedby the Americas and Africa from the view point of number ofdisaster events, disaster mortality and economic loss causedby disasters.
We tend to use the term “natural disaster”. However it is questioned by many experts recently as disaster is not a natural phenomenon. According to the UNISDR, a disaster is defined as “aserious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of theaffected community or society to cope using its own resources”[2]. This means disaster is not a natural phenomenon by itself
but rather the ability of human society to cope with matters.
Disaster risk refers to the potential disaster losses – in lives,
assets, livelihoods, etc – which could occur to a particular community or society over some specified future time period [2].
We often express risk in terms of three factors: hazard (cyclone,
Tsunami); vulnerability and exposure. It is important to distinguish between these three elements as they require different
sets of policies and remedies in order to reduce disaster risk.
Thus it is important to stress that disaster risk cannot only attribute to the hazard that is a natural phenomenon but more
depends on vulnerability and exposure that is related to humanactivities.
There is a growing recognition on Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) in the past few years. Eco-DRR
is defined as “the sustainable management, conservation, andrestoration to reduce disaster risk, with the aim of achieving
sustainable and resilient development” [3]. In 2008, a global
partnership of organizations called PEDRR (Partnership for Ecosystems and Disaster Risk Reduction) was organized and has
been jointly promoting Eco-DRR, collecting relevant information and providing capacity development since then [4]. Because of this joint effort, in the past few years Eco-DRR was
9 Taisho University/ IUCN Japan Liaison Office26

Naoya Furuta9

successfully integrated into both conservation policy and DRR,
Climate Change and Sustainable Development frameworks.
For example, The 3rd World Conference on DRR took placein Sendai in 2015 and adopted Sendai Framework for Disaster
Risk Reduction 2015-2030. Ecosystem-based approaches (EbA)
were also strongly embedded into this strategy. At the Ramsar
COP12 in 2015, a decision on Wetlands and Disaster Risk Reduction was adopted. CBD also recognizes the importance of
ecosystem-based approaches for Disaster Risk Reduction andClimate Change Adaptation and recently adopted a Voluntary
Guidelines for Eco-DRR and EbA at its COP14 in 2018. There
are also various guidelines and practices on the ground [5][6][7][8][9].
With these active implementations on the ground based on
the similar concepts and terminology, IUCN coined the concept
called Nature-based Solutions to incorporate all these similar
ecosystem-based approaches to address various challenges inour society [10]. Nature-based Solutions are defined as “actions
to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified
ecosystems, that address societal challenges effectively andadaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being andbiodiversity benefits”. IUCN is now developing NbS standard.
In the academic world, there has been also a growing evidence to support the role of Eco-DRR in major scientific journals in the past few years. And interestingly many of them
are focusing on coastal ecosystems that are closely linked to
the wetlands [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Those studies argued
the ability of coral reefs to reduce wave energy, oyster reefs
to grow in height for the rise, etc. Sutton-Grier et al. reviewed
various types of Eco-DRR approaches in the coastal areas andcompared pros and cons of different approaches – natural, built
and hybrid approaches and concluded that there is a huge research potential for the hybrid approaches [18].
In Japan, there is also a growing interest on Eco-DRR since
the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. The Ministry of the Environment of Japan developed a guideline for Eco-DRR for local
governments. Recently, there are also several research projects
started in the field of Eco-DRR. One of such examples that I am
involved in is a research project titled “Research and Social
Implementation of Eco-DRR as Climate Change Adaptation in
Shrinking Society” managed by Research Institute of Humanity
and Nature (RHIN) Kyoto. This 2.5 million USD project attracted
more than 100 scientists in Japan and is now trying to develop a methodology to evaluate multi-functionality of Eco-DRR
as well as supporting to implement Eco-DRR activities throughtrans-disciplinary approach [19].
References[1] Sudmeier-Rieux, Karen, Masundire, Hillary, Rizvi, Ali and
Rietbergen, Simon (eds.) (2006) Ecosystems, Livelihoods
and Disasters: An Integrated Approach to Disaster Risk
Management. Ecosystem Management Series No.004
Gland : IUCN, x, 57p. : ill.
[2] UNISDR (2009) UNISDR Terminology on Disaster Risk
Reduction[3] Estrella M, Saalismaa N (2013) Ecosystem-based disasterrisk reduction (Eco-DRR): an overview. In: Renaud, F.G.,
Sudmeier-Rieux, K., Estrella, M., Nehren, U. (Eds.), Ecosystem-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Adaptation in
Practice, Springer International Publishing Switzerland,
2016, XXII, p. 598[4] PEDRR website http://pedrr.org/ (accessed Feb 2019)[5] Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force. (2013) Hurricane
Sandy Rebuilding Strategy, Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding

Task Force[6] Rebuild by Design. (2017) Hurricane Sandy Design Competition http://www.rebuildbydesign.org/our-work/
sandy-projects (accessed Feb 2019)[7] Room for the River website https://www.ruimtevoorderivier.nl/english/ (accessed Feb 2019)[8] Building with Nature website https://www.ecoshape.org/
en/ (accessed Feb 2019)[9] Mangrove for the Future website https://www.mangrovesforthefuture.org/ (accessed Feb 2019)[10] Cohen-Shacham, E., Walters, G., Janzen, C. and Maginnis, S. (eds.) (2016). Nature-based Solutions to address
global societal challenges. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. xiii +97pp.
[11] Cheong S-M., B. Silliman, P.P. Wong, B. van Wesenbeeck,
C-K. Kim, and G. Guannel. (2013) Coastal adaptation withecological engineering. Nature Climate Change 3:787-791[12] Temmerman, S., P. Meire, T.J. Bouma, P.M.J. Herman, T.
Ysebaert and H.J. de Vriend (2013) Ecosystem-based
coastal defense in the face of global change. Nature 504:
79-83
[13] Timmerman, S. and M.L. Kirwan (2015) Building landwith a rising sea. Science 349(6248): 588-589[14] Martin, T.G. and E. M. Watson (2016) Intact ecosystems
provide best defence against climate change. Nature
Climate Change 6: 122-124[15] K.B. Gedan, M.L. Kirwan. E. Wolanski. E.B. Barbier and
B.R. Silliman (2011) The present and future role of coastal
wetland vegetation in protecting shorelines: answering
recent challenges to the paradigm. Climate Change 106:
7-29
[16] B.W.Borsje, B.K. van Wesenbeeck, F. Dekker, P. Paalvast,
T.J. Bouma, M.M. van Katwijk and M.B. de Vries (2011) How
ecological engineering can sever in coastal protection.
Ecological Engineering 37:113-122[17] F. Ferrario, M.W. Beck, C.D. Storlazzi, F. Micheli, C.C.
Shepard and L. Airoldi (2014) The effectiveness of coastal
reefs for coastal hazard risk reduction and adaptation.
Nature Communications 5:3794[18] A.E. Sutton-Grier, K. Wowk and H. Bamford (2015) Futureof our coast: the potential for natural and hybrid infrastructure to enhance the resilience of our coastal communities,
economies and ecosystems. Environmental Science andPolicy 51: 137-148[19] Research and Social Implementation of Eco-DRR as
Climate Change Adaptation in Shrinking Societyproject
website http://www.chikyu.ac.jp/rihn_e/project/2018-01.
html(accessed Feb 2019)27

Urban Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction in Japan

Introduction
In recent years, disasters have occurred around the world
due to the influence of climate change, and Eco - DRR has attracted attention. Wetlands form an important part of the ecosystem and have various Eco-DRR functions.
This paper focuses on urban areas.There are various wetlandsin the city such as coasts, rivers, irrigation canals, ohori(castle
moats), irrigation ponds, springs, gardens and etc.. Due to the
influence of urbanization, degradation of such wetlands such as
scale reduction, artificialization, deterioration of water quality
and a decrease in networks has been progressing. Meanwhile,
cities have disaster risks such as storm surges, earthquakes,
tsunamis, floods, droughts and fires, and urban wetlands havedisaster prevention functions against these disaster risks, but
deterioration of urban wetland It seems that disaster resilienceis also declining.
Here we focus on the city’s wetlands in Japan and discuss thefunctions of urban wetlands including Eco-DRR function, anddiscuss the conservation of urban wetlands from the viewpointof strengthening urban resilience.
Wetlands in the city and disaster prevention function
There are various wetlands in the city such as coasts, rivers,
irrigation canals, moats, irrigation ponds, springs and gardens.
Due to the influence of urbanization, the reduction of wetlands,
artificialization and deterioration of the environment are occurring.
The figure shows the length of the water space in the 1880s
and the present in Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima. Approximately
50% of the length of water space has disappeared instead oflandfill or changing to sewer system. Especially the decrease ofmoats, irrigation canals, canals are remarkable. Meanwhile, it ishoped that cities have disaster risks such as storm surge, earthquake, tsunami, flood, drought and fire, and urban wetlands
will fulfill the disaster prevention function.
I would like to explain cases in Japan on the relationship between each category of urban wetlands and disaster preventionfunctions.
First of all, coastal forests are explained. In the Edo era, largescale coastal forests were constructed on many coasts in Japanto prevent salt damage, blowing sand and to alleviate storm
surge damage. The tree species is mainly pine but various trees
were used. In many places the coastal forest is still preserved.
Atagohama in Fukuoka city, where I live, is a landfill site, there
is a pine forest regenerated by the citizen’s hands, and I think it
has a function of control of storm surge.
Moats are water space for battle defense made around castles in the Edo period ( about 200-300 years ago), and they areworthwhile as historical, landscape and living habitat places.
In addition, they have flood control and fire spread preventionfunction, they are also important as spaces for disaster prevention. The moat of Saga Castle is a good example. It is a wide waterside space, it is important as a habitat for many creatures ora place to provide beautiful scenery and is currently positioned
as a regulating place for flood protection. In the center of the
major cities in Japan moats of the castle are left and important
as urban wetland including the historical meaning.
Most of the urban canals were constructed in the early modern era and built to supply living water and agricultural waterat that time. Although they are still used as agricultural waterat present, they are also important environmental spaces. In
addition, they have modernly important functions as a fire
spreading prevention zone at the time of earthquake or as awater source for fire-fighting water or emergency water. The

Yukihiro Shimatani 10

photograph shows how the river water is used as the household water when an earthquake occurs. When an earthquake
occurs, the water supply facilities are damaged, the water supply cannot supply tap water for a long time, and the role as awater supply source in urban river disasters is large.
There are about 200,000 irrigation ponds in Japan, but mostof them were made before the early modern era. In the process
of expanding the urban area, they have been included as partof urban areas, making it an environmentally important spacein cities. In addition, the irrigation ponds have flood control
ability, and play an important function for flood control.
In 2003, the Mikasa River flooded, and the central part of
Fukuoka city such as Hakata Station became a major disaster
submerged. There are 121 irrigation ponds in the Mikasa Riverbasin, and according to our simulation calculation, it is clearthat if there are no ponds, the amount of flooding is about doubled. It has also been clarified that if the ponds were effectively
operated, the amount of flooding could be reduced to 1/2. The
irrigation ponds have large environmental function and flood
control function in the urban area. It is also true that there aremany tasks related to irrigation ponds such as the number ofreservoirs decreasing as conversion to residential land due tourbanization and there are dangers of bank breakage. At thenorthern Kyushu heavy rain in 2017, some irrigation ponds werecollapsed and the dead occurred. Maintaining the flood control
function of the irrigation pond and improving proper maintenance of the embankment of ponds are major issues under climate change.
Sprinkling wetlands in cities also play an important role as
emergency water sources in the event of a disaster. At the Kumamoto earthquake in 2016, the water supply facilities weredamaged by the earthquake and tap water cut-off occurred. In
Kumamoto city where spring water is abundant, spring water
is used as water for daily life and the disaster resilience of thearea was enhanced.
It is common to place a water space such as a pond in theJapanese garden, and the garden can be positioned as a urban wetland. The urban garden is an important Eco-DRR space
which has the function of suppressing outflow of flood andpreventing spreading of fire. Also in recent years attention has
been focused on suppression of flood outflow as a rain garden.
The figure of the green infrastructure that Setagaya-ku of Tokyo is showing is also a wetland city which made the whole citywet. It aimed at the comprehensive solution of urban problems
such as urban water circulation system healthy, urban flood
control, water quality purification, landscape improvement,
heat island suppression and so on.
As mentioned above, we have focused on various types of
wetlands in cities and have looked at their disaster preventionfunctions. I think that you understand that all cities’ wetlands
have some disaster prevention function. We start with having
citizens of the general public recognize that urban wetlands
have disaster prevention function, and we must strive to conserve urban wetlands and strengthen environmental functions
and disaster prevention functions of urban wetlands .

10 Professor, Kyushu University, Saga Prefecture, Japan & President, Japan Wetland Society

28

Fig.1 Change of length of water space of three cities in Japan

Fig. 2 Green infrastructure image in urban area( Setagaya local gov.)

Fig.3 Urban wetlands enforce urban resilience29

Ecosystem Management & Disaster Risk Reduction:
Lessons from the Mahanadi Delta

1. Introduction
Recent research and experience that have shaped international and national discourse on disasters have underlined thesignificance of addressing underlying causes of risk as a meansof reducing vulnerability and exposure and building community resilience. This thinking is most emphatically expressed within the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR),
adopted by UN member states on 18 March 2015 at the Third
UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. The Framework emphasizes reduction of the impacts of disaster events,
by reducing risk and managing conditions of hazard, exposureand vulnerability, while building the capacity of communities
and governments for prevention, preparedness, response andrecovery. The Partners for Resilience: Strategic Partnership (PfR
SP), a collaborative program linking civil society organizations
working in humanitarian, development, ecosystem management and climate change adaptation domains, emerged as follow up to the Sendai Framework, with an overall objective of
supporting its implementation by building civil society capacityand evidence-based engagement with policy and decision makers.
The PfR SP promotes a multi-sectoral approach for managing
disaster risks in development. The Integrated Risk Management(IRM) approach promoted by the partnership, blends Disaster
Risk Reduction (DRR), Ecosystem Management and Restoration (EMR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) to address
the multi-faceted dimensions of vulnerability reduction andbuilding community resilience. The IRM adopts these diverse
pathways as dynamics with overlapping aims and interventions to attaining resilience (SFDRR), sustaining development(SDGs) and adapting to the changing climate (COP 21). The
IRM puts people in the centre stage, builds on local and traditional knowledge, links different domains and focuses oncommunity livelihoods. The PfR SP focuses on strengthening
CSOs engagement capacity at various levels to create conducive environment for the IRM. The program recognizes the important role of CSOs in supporting realization of effective risk
reduction through innovative action at the grassroots level andconnecting experiences to policy making at various scales. The
PfR SP implementation in India is focused on water mediatedrisks which constitute a majority of disasters in the country and,
where application of the IRM can help leverage change by connecting actions across various development and conservation
sectors. The first phase of PfR was from 2011-2015. The second
phase is currently midway through implementation from 20162020. Wetlands International and its partners have been implementing the PfR since 2011 in Mahandai Delta in a total of 69
villages.
2. Risk Context in the Delta
The delta of the Mahanadi River spans 13,871 km2 (including the area of the Chilika lagoon and its direct catchment) between 19°40¢–20° 35¢ N latitude and 85°40¢–86°45¢ E longitude
around the confluence of the Mahanadi River within the Bay of
Bengal, on the east coast of India. The Mahanadi is one of the
major east flowing peninsular rivers of the country, flowing for958 km and draining a basin of139,681 km2 across the states of
Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Odisha before flowing into the sea. The central part of the delta is distinct for its extensive plain, the coastal parts contain lakes, creeks, swamps,
beaches, tidal flats and mangroves.
At the same time, the delta is the ecological and socio-eco11 WISA, India

30

Ritesh Sikka11

nomic hub of the state of Odisha. It supports more than onethird of its population, 68% of which are farmers. The delta is
the source of multiple ecosystem services critical to the ecological and economic security of the region.
Severe storms appear to be becoming more frequent in the
Bay of Bengal. During the 1960s there were only three flood
events on the Mahanadi delta; in the first decade of the new
century there were seven. But the problem is not just climatechange; it is at least as much due to changing land use.
The delta contains conservation areas, such as freshwaterand coastal wetlands, and biodiversity hotspots with a wide
range of species including rare and threatened ones. A total of
211 bird species have been identified at the Chilika lagoon, andit supports probably the world’s largest population of Irrawady
Dolphins.
3. Challenges
Since 1975, a third of the delta’s wetlands have been lostto farm drainage schemes, ports, industrial plants and prawn
farms. Wetlands once absorbed excess flow, while mangroveson the coast absorbed some of the tidal and wind force of
cyclones. But the water, whether from storm surges or riverfloods, has to go somewhere. And all too often, the water has
ended up trapped behind embankments in stagnant and waterlogged fields.
The Mahanadi River delta in Odisha is ravaged by floods eachyear. In addition to floods, the coastal districts of the Mahanadidelta are frequented by cyclones and tropical depressions.
The wetlands in the Mahanadi delta floodplains formerly
served the important function of buffering excess flood waters
and acted as water reservoirs during dry periods. Alterations innatural water flows, environmental damage and climate change
have increased the frequency and intensity of weather-related
disasters for communities living in the delta and floodplains.
Hard infrastructure that was built as a short-term solution forflood defense has disrupted the natural linkages between wetlands and water. The delta is now marked with persistent water
logging, low agricultural productivity, loss of migratory fisheries, declining incomes, social conflicts, migration and healthhazards due to limited availability of safe drinking water andsanitation. Due to climate change rainfall patterns have alteredand there is an increased frequency of extreme hydrologicalevents. This makes the life and livelihoods of communities evenmore vulnerable to flooding.
4. Cluster Planning Approach
The cluster planning approach is an intuitive, multi-scale
framework aimed at identifying ecosystem-based intervention
needs and opportunities to support disaster risk reduction planning within communities. Such an approach builds on knowledge of landscape-scale drivers of disaster risks and organizes
risk reduction interventions in ‘clusters’, or smaller landscapeunits comprising communities facing similar patterns of risks
from natural hazards. The underlying assumption is that community-level risk reduction actions need to be complemented
by multi-scale interventions to harness and benefit from ecosystem services that reduce disaster risk. Cluster planning approach enables blending of administrative scales (along which
disaster risk reduction planning is conventionally organized)with landscape scales (which is relevant for managing ecosystem services). Ecosystem services are delivered at multiple
spatial and temporal scales which vary from being short term,site level to long term and global level.
Compared with a conventional disaster risk reduction planning approach which derives information from community assessments, a cluster planning approach begins with locating
the community within its landscape, and subsequently identifying different spatial scales at which ecosystem services can be
managed to reduce disaster risk. While recognizing that landscapes can be large, the approach allows for incorporation ofintermediate planning level(s) comprising smaller landscapeentities, which due to factors related to the geomorphic setting
and land-use create a hazard context that is shared between
adjacent communities. This enables the bridging between administrative and ecological scales within an intermediate ‘cluster’ scale, at which landscape management and developmental
programming can converge to facilitate application of ecosystem-based approaches for disaster risk reduction.

5. PfR interventions
PfR interventions focused on diverting risk of inundation bystrengthening embankments, and undertaking relief and rehabilitation measures, restore wetlands as natural buffers toflood, manage embankments to release water in the controlled
quantity, introducing salt tolerant crops, vegetating coastline toprevent erosion. A cluster approach is adopted to enable linking
risk reduction plans for villages located in similar risk contexts
and having opportunities for joint actions. An elucidation of theapproach is done for the Mahanadi Delta, Orissa. The hazard
patterns of the villages within any given cluster bear a strong
commonality, for example most of the coastal villages face thehazards in the form of tidal inundation, coastal storms, saline
intrusion and coastal erosion. However, if the risk reductionplans are limited to village boundaries, the interventions takethe form of constructing structures that reduce the intrusion ofsea water or protect from cyclones and so on. Taken as a cluster, coastal villages can jointly invest in greening the coastline,
maintaining free flow of water to reduce water-logging, better
management of upstream hydraulic structures and several
other options. It is possible to then plan for climate adaptationinterventions at reasonable scale. In the revised scheme, thevillage level contingency plans would still be at the centre, but
the interventions therein would be reviewed using ecosystemmanagement and climate change adaptation criterions. Additionally, there would be interventions that would be taken up
jointly in the cluster to enhance resilience. This would not justbe limited to physical interventions, but also linking with policy processes and capacity building. Given the estuarine natureof the landscape, salinity would be a perpetual challenge, andthereby introducing salt tolerant crops would be most suited
to the conditions. However, the freshwater wedge could be increased by revitalizing and harvesting rainwater with vegetative bunds. The skills set of the households could also be broadened to reduce dependence on agriculture. Forms of enterprise
as aquarium fish, ornamental shell making could be introduced
as these are based on available resources. The structure andlocation of embankments could also be redesigned to reducewater logging. Shelterbelt plantations would assist in reducing
coastal erosion as well as reducing the impact of salt and sandthat comes in with the sea-wind.
Secondly, community preparedness to disasters would need

to be enhanced by strengthening local institutions and developing effective early warning systems. However, the fluvial regimes and coastal processes could only be addressed throughthe Integrated Water Resources and Coastal Zone Management
Planning. The communities would need to participate in theseprocesses clearly articulating the impacts of siltation and closure of river mouth and declining flows. The coastal protection
could also be strengthened if longer areas of coastline are vegetated creating natural protection barriers. As a matter of priority, the community would first of all engage in revitalizing thewater sources and greening the coastline, while simultaneously
investing into institutions to enable better disaster preparedness. The emphasis of flood control within the Mahanadi Delta
has been largely structural. The focus now is on revisiting theadequacy of the Hirakud Reservoir Rule curve – a relationshipbetween water storage and releases in a reservoir which determines allocation for water uses for various purposes as irrigation and hydropower as well as downstream releases.
After a risk assessment in Puri district with the communities,
it was identified there was a need to restore wetlands as wellwhich act as natural buffers to floods. The floodplain needs tobe reactivated, and the embankments managed to release waters in controlled quantity to ensure that in-channel sedimentdeposition is reduced. Additionally, the hydrological connectivity needs to be ensured that the water flushes out between
systems. Further, collaboration with research organizations isrequired to have a better understanding of climate change impacts.
The PfR has enabled its two partners in integrating resilience
into their strategic organizational framework. The district disaster management plan being developed by the national disastermanagement authority now includes the ecosystem management template and has been introduced in Puri in the Mahanadidelta.
6. Conclusion
The cluster planning approach provides a useful multi-scaleplanning framework for identifying ecosystem-based interventions for disaster risk reduction within a landscape. Through theuse of this approach in the Mahanadi Delta, it was possible toidentify a range of ecosystem-based interventions for disasterrisk reduction, building on the knowledge of delta-wide water and sediment dynamics related processes which underpinfunctioning of healthy ecosystems. The analysis also highlighted the limitations of structural interventions such as flood embankments. Such structural interventions, when viewed in thecontext of landscape processes, have the potential of aggravating vulnerability in the medium to long term, by impedingwater, sediment and nutrient exchange between river channels
and floodplains. The approach also enables capturing of landscape scale information, related to geo-morphological as well
as developmental programming, and the analysis of risk contexts, thereby supporting more robust disaster risk reduction
planning. By embedding administrative planning units within
ecological planning units, a more realistic integration of ecosystem services within disaster risk reduction is made possible.
Finally, the clusters form an important intermediate planningstage between district level (which does not fully encompass
ecosystem services scale) and delta level (at which heterogeneity created by geo-morphological and developmental programming processes tend to merge)31Part III: Examples of Community-based Conservation

Sustainable Forest Conservation and Livelihood Support throughCommunity-based Activities at U To Village, Rakhine Coast, Myanmar
Mr. Myo Lwin12

1. Background
Rakhine coast is situated in the Bay of Bangal with 740 kmlong endowed with mangrove forest, sea grasses and unspoiled beaches and is surrounded by tropical evergreen forest. Southern tip of the Rakhine coast line is under the administration of the Ayayarwady Region. The mangrove forests havebeen seriously affected by the large scale cutting of mangrove
trees for timber, fuel wood, charcoal and agricultural & coastal development. Previously this area was highly rich of uniquebiodiversity and habitats. There are mangrove species, freshwater and marine fish species, shrimp species and crab species
found in the Rakhine coast.
At present biodiversity of the said area is declining due tooverexploitation of mangrove resources both for forest products and fisheries, and unsustainable fishing practice. Nevertheless there are some dedicated communites who really want
their mangrove back in their area and it is an encouraging signal that promoting the community-based mangrove conservation would lead towards the restoration of mangrove ecosystem in Myanmar.
This project has been implemented by the Myanmar Forest
Association (MFA). Ramsar Center Japan (RCJ) is the executive
agency. The TOYOTA Environmental Activities Grant Programprovides the funding. The focus of the Project is the estuaryzone along the Rakhine coast in U To village and Seik Kyi village
near Chaung Tha beach, Pathein Township, Ayayarwady Region
between 170’ 30”N 9427’ 45” and 1655’ 30” N 9431” 0”E.
The people of this area are dependent on fishing, dry fish-processing, crab and mollusk harvesting and small scale agriculture. Chaung Tha beach is one of the most famous recreational
beaches crowded with local visitors and tourists
This Project covers 2 villages and at least 300 householdswith 1200 population. The project has supported the community to improve their environmental awareness and the livelihood.
The major objectives of the Project were as follow.
1) Assist local community in the conservation and plantation of the mangroves
2) Promote crab and mollusk fattening and explore softshelled crab farming
3) Promote community-based eco-tourism in the area
4) Improve small scale agriculture
2. Activities of the Project
The Project has been implemented through the involvementof local people on a community-based approach. The following
activities have been implemented in the area.
• One village meeting discussed about value of mangrove
forest and importance of the mangrove forest conservation for the future of their livelihood. Then Village Development Group (VDG) was formed and it planned thefuture activities through the active participation of thevillagers.
• Established village mangrove nursery (100’ x 100’) at theeastern side of the village and bought (5000) seedlingsof Kandelia canded, Baugulera gymnorhiza and Ceriops decandra species, collected their seeds and raised
1,6000 seedlings.
• Socio-economic survey was conducted and data collected in the villages.
• Established the mangrove conservation area and at thegaps and open areas mangrove seedling were plantedin the gap and open areas. In some places, seeds weredirectly sown with the participation of villagers.
• Some120 red sign-boards have been posted along theboundary of conservation area to improve and support
effective conservation of the mangroves.
• Crab fattening training was conducted with the technical expertise of the Mangrove Service Network (MSN).
Twelve villagers were trained.
• Mangrove sapling plantation began with Tree Planting
Ceremony on 30 July 2017. Some 1000 mangrove seedlings have been planted with the participation of village
administrators, students and villagers.
• After the Tree Planting Ceremony about (20,000) saplings of mangrove were planted until 2018.
• The wooden boardwalk -180’ in length 5’ in height and3’ in width - was constructed between mangrove nursery and the Pathein – Chaung Tha Highway to support
villagers and visitors about awareness on mangrove
conservation.
• The neighboring country study visit and on site training
was arranged by the RCJ-MFA and Mahidol University,
Thailand. Two members, one each from the MFA andvillage participated at the study tour. The tour provided
practical knowledge on crab bank Rayong Province ofThailand.
• 100 copies of the posters of the TOYOTA-RCJ and MFA
Project were distributed to the villagers and others.
• The Project provided tools, wooden boats with engine tothe villager including the transportation cost.
• Along the mangrove conservation areas 40 concrete
poles (10’ x 5” x 4”) have been erected and blue colored-iron sign boards demarcates the boundary of theconservation area.
• Community-based ecotourism training has been conducted and 20 villagers attended the training to get theknowledge and ideas of community-based ecotourism
for their additional income generation.
• At the project area of the Seik Kyi village, the agriculture-based livelihood was supported by providing 50
packs of 16 varieties of vegetable seeds for the supply in
the Chaung Tha market.
• The Minister of the MONERC, U Own Win inspected the
U To Mangrove Conservation Project site on 24 November 2018. He distributed 15 improved fuel-saving stovesto the villagers of U To village and instructed the officials
from regional forest department to cooperate at U To
mangrove conservation project.
• Continues the patrolling of the mangrove conservation
areas by the VDG members and the project personnel.
• The undergrowth cleaning, weeding and climber cutting
operation have already been done at about 40 acres ofnatural mangrove forest area.
• The Poster (8’x6’) has been installed at thePathein-Chaungtha Main Road.
• The RCJ observation team with 7 members visited the U
To village and conducted the village meeting for its exit
activities.
All the activities - mangrove tree planting ceremony, plantation works, crab fattening, soft shell crab raising, calm andmollusk breeding and the formation of the Mangrove Forest
Conservation Group – were undertaken in close collaboration
with stakeholders including village administrators, the elders,

12 Myanmar Forest Association, Myanmar

33villagers and students from village school.
At the first awareness program on conservation of mangrove
forest near U To village people were not interested in the project activities. But, within this two-year period, more and more
people have realized the values of mangrove forests and become interested to conserve the mangrove forest along the U
To stream. The canopy cover of the mangrove forest is more
dense and thicker now than before. There is no more illicit cutting of mangrove trees and encroachment to the mangrove
conservation areas because of the awareness, involvement andparticipation of local villagers.
U To village gratefully acknowledges the assistance and cooperation received from TOYOTA, RCJ and MFA.

Wooden board walk was constructed around the mangrove nursery

Awareness poster

Wooden signboard installed at the Pathein-Chaunytha main road34

Community Participation in the Gulf of Mottama Ramsar Site
Min Thiha Zaw13

There are many wetlands in Myanmar. Among of them, theGulf of Mottama is the largest turbidity zone, estuarine wetland
in South East Asia. The Gulf of Mottama (now called the Gulf)
touches the Yangon Region, Bago Region and Mon State. Intertidal mudflat area is approximately 150,000 ha. The Gulf looks
like funnel-shape where the Sittaung River is the major flow
into the Gulf and connection with the Bay of Bengal. The fluctuation of tide range is very strong when the high tide time, thewater is high about 7 to 8 meters and at the low tide time, thewater is deep about 3 meters. So, the habitats of the Gulf are
not stable that it depends on water current change and tide erosion. There are rich populations of biota including abundanceof invertebrates in the Gulf. So, the area is very important as abreeding ground and feeding area for fish and supports about
150,000 to 200,000 of migratory waterbirds in the non-breeding
season. The migratory waterbirds include Critically Endangered
species of spoon-billed sandpiper, endangered species of Great
Knot and Near-Threatened Species of Black-tailed Godwit, Bartailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Red-necked Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Asian dowitcher, River Tern, Sport-billed Pelican, Painted
Stock and Black-headed Ibis. The 50% of global population of
Spoon-billed Sandpiper are wintering in the Gulf. So, it is oneof the largest mudflat in the world for wintering Spoon-billed
Sandpiper and other migratory birds. Moreover, the Gulf also
supports a large population of people mainly in the form offishes and crabs. For these reasons, the north-east of the Gulf
was designated as the Ramsar Site on the 10th May, 2017 withthe advocacy effort of BANCA since 2010. The Gulf meets six
out of the nine Ramsar Criteria. Helvetas Myanmar, NAG, IUCN
and BANCA were working with the government to designate
extension of the Ramsar Site on either area of the Gulf and prepare a long-term coastal resources management plan with thefinancial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
The Spoon-billed Sandpiper is a long-distance migratory
bird because it is breeding in Chukota, Russia. They migrate
to the South East Asia countries in non-breeding seasons. The
Nanthar Island of the Gulf, Ayeyarwaddy Delta and the mudflat of Myeik in Tanintharyi Region Myanmar are some of thewintering grounds for the Spoon-billed Sandpiper in Myanmar.
They flew about (8000) km to winter in Myanmar. They haveproblems along the EAAFP flay-way that confronting the impact of weather and bird hunters resulting in the decline of thethe Spoon-billed Sandpiper population. The higher populationof Spoon-billed Sandpiper is found wintering in the Gulf than inother areas. The Spoon-billed Sandpiper and other shore birds
are confronting problem in the Gulf where the biodiversity
resources are decreasing due to over-fishing by using (small
mesh size illegal fishing net). Some of the villagers who are
doing birds hunting in the Gulf for the livelihooods. According
to the BANCA investigation on the socio-economic and livelihood assessment of hunters, 64 birds hunters, some 9 hunters are totally dependent on birds hunting for their livelihood,
13 hunters have other business such as fishing and 41 hunters
catch birds for their subsistence food. BANCA carried out the
emergency responses to change the hunter’s livelihoods withthe support of Birdlife International, RSPB, Arcona Consulting,Darwin Initiative and other international organization. BANCA
worked with the villagers and formed conservation groups ofvolunteers called Local Conservation Groups (LCG). The Groupassists the villagers in the conservation of the natural resourcesin the Gulf of Mottama. Former hunters were selected as theleaders of the LCGs. BANCA conducted various programs toseek the active participation of village head, fishers and wom-en. Several kinds of capacity building training for LCG wereconducted. Most of the LCG members are fisherman and former hunters. These groups provide regular patrolling in the
Gulf even while fishing.
For the community participation of conservation, BANCA carried out several kinds of awareness and educational programsin coastal villages and also advocacy to regional and local government since 2010. With the successful engagement of local
authorities and communities, they have who endorsed the Gulf
of Mottama as a Ramsar site in 2014.
BANCA also supports community development works suchas the construction of the rain-fed water pond for the community uses. There are 8 water ponds in the Gulf of Mottama. BANCA
also established a Enviromental Education And Sustainability
Center (Eesc) in TheinNgu village, Belin Township, Mon State on
30th December, 2016. The objective is to conduct the educational and awareness programs on environmental conservation of
the Gulf area. The displays of environmental information, different species & their habitats and the Key Biodiversity of Myanmar are the attraction of the center along with its nursery. This
nursery is producing over 10,000 of seedlings annually in the
Gulf. Sometime, capacity building training and meetings arealso held in Center.
The BANCA staff-members along with the Local Conservation Group (LCG) are always patrolling each township of the
Gulf area especially in the wintering season to record illegal
fishing nets and birds hunting by using SMART program. Oneof the major reasons for decline of the fishes is the use of someof the small mesh size (6 mm) fishing net by the middle man.
These nets are set up during ebb tide.
So, Helvetas Myanmar, NAG, IUCN, BANCA and Local Community are now involved in the protection and conservation,
especially of natural resources, wintering birds and their habitats focusing on education, awareness and livelihood of community people in the Gulf of Mottama.

13 Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association (BANCA)

35

Community-based Management of Wetland Resources for Ecotourism
Sansanee Choowaew14

1. Introduction
Thailand has 6 provinces locating along the coastline of the
Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, namely Ranong, PhangNga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun. According to the Statisticsof the Tourism Department (2017), the total number of domestic
and international tourists to these 6 Andaman provinces was
23,469,126 in 2016 with average growth rates of 3 – 10 % peryear (Table 1). Ranong, Trang, and Satun had more domestic
than international tourists, while Phang-Nga, Phuket, and Krabi
had more international than domestic tourists.
Table 1. Number of Tourists (both domestic and international) to 6 Andaman Provinces
along the Coast of the Bay of Bengal of Thailand, 2014 – 2016.

Province
Ranong2014
682,360

2015
742,126

2016
775,220

Phang-Nga3,446,695

3,871,700

4,156,224

Phuket11,312,037

12,520,769

12,709,415

Krabi

3,403,435

3,557,409

3,673,635

Trang

1,086,897

1,161,831

1,192,408

Satun
Total


863,167

932,911962,224

20,794,591

22,786,746

23,469,126

Source: Tourism Department, 2017.

These 6 provinces have abundant natural resources and awide variety of tourist resources and attractions. Wetlands andwetland resources including highly fertile mangrove forests,
many beautiful beaches, crystal clear and clean sea, coral reefs,
seagrass-beds as well as coastal communities’ livelihoods are
significant ecotourism attractions. Five out of fourteen Ramsar
Sites of Thailand lie in Ranong, Phang-Nga, Krabi, and Trangprovinces. Opportunities are availed to local coastal communities whose livelihoods, major occupations and income arein agricultural and fishery sectors to involve with community-based ecotourism management.
2. Objectives
This paper aims to:1) Introduce some good examples of community-based
management of wetland resources for ecotourism along
the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Thailand; and2) Compile and present some key contributing factors
leading to possibilities and positive outcomes of wise
use and community-based management of wetlands
and wetland resources for ecotourism
3. Some Examples
Three sites in 3 provinces are selected as representative examples of good practices of community-based management of
wetlands and wetland resources for ecotourism.
Case No 1
Laem Nao Village, Nakha sub-district, Suksamran District,Ranong Province
A muslim fishing community has settled here for more than
200 years. This fishing community is located in naturally beautiful landscape and fertile mangrove forest of Laem Son National
Park. Houses in this small village are simply designed and built
on stilts along the shoreline. In front of the village, there is a 100
m long cement bridge serving as a pier and fish landing site.
Villagers use boats for transportation. Their daily life is closely

dependent on the sea and mangroves. One strict rule which allvillagers respect is “no change and no harm to the nature”.With
people’s respect to the nature, the nearby forest has never been
encroached or disturbed and the sea is clean and clear. An indicator of natural fertility is the presence of Mole crab or Sand
crab under the sandy beach. This is a very rare species which
lives only in clean and clear seawater. At present, this species
can be found only at a very few sites on the coastline of the Bayof Bengal of Thailand.
Local fishermen have been practicing and maintaining thesubsistent and sustainable fisheries for generations. They are
well aware of the importance and values of coastal and marine
resources. More than 20 years, all villagers have collectively
agreed to set up common fishing rule and code of fishery conduct – not to destroy the cycle of marine life but maintain andenhance natural stock. Such inherited practices include applying appropriate fishing methods, types and sizes of gears andtools, fishing areas, fishing periods and times. Diving to huntfor giant prawns and lobsters is prohibited, but only 4 – 4.5
inches nets are allowed to be placed to avoid catching small
juvenile prawns and crabs. Only big size of mollusk, especially
Wing shell – a famously popular shell among tourists and seafood lovers, is collected. Juvenile wing shells are safely left in
muddy substrate to allow them to grow and breed. For crab
conservation, a Crab Bank has been established and operated
by a local investor in cooperation with Laem Nao community
members. When egg-bearing crabs are caught in the fishingnets, mother crabs are sold (150 THB/kg) to the crab bank. Mother crabs are kept in a floating cage (3m wide x 3m long x 2.5m
deep, with 1.5 inch mesh size). When times come, mother crabs
release eggs, baby crabs grow, thousands of juvenile crabs will
freely swim out through the cage net, grow and become natural
stock. Mother crabs, after eggs released, body weight dropped,
are sold in lower price. According to the local investor, less benefit from selling mother crabs after they released eggs leads togreater benefit from the increase of natural crab stock in thesea. In the fiscal year 2017, the Laem Nao Community received
a budget of 50,000 THB from the government to support theoperation of the village’s crab bank.
		
Laem Nao fishing community is an attractive coastal ecotourism site. Visitors can observe, learn about, experience andhands-on local livelihoods such as organic farming, making
organic fertilizer, local fishermen’s activities such as fishing,collecting crab, squid, mollusk, and jelly fish. The village chief
has initiated an approach to draw tourists’ attention and participation in coastal resource conservation activities. Visitors canbuy baby shells from the village nursery and have good fun
with muddy walk to release baby shells back to their birthplace
within the mangroves. Villagers collect and deposit the money received from tourists into the village fund to be used forincrease of baby shells and baby crabs in the village nursery
to be released back to the nature maintaining the balance ofoverall ecosystems. They do not have to wait for the release of
baby shells which may be carried out only once a year by the
Fishery Department. Visitors can also enjoy kayaking, walking
and self-learning on boardwalk through mangrove, fresh sea
foods directly obtained from the sea and home-stay.
These ecotourism activities based on eco-fisheries have been
initiated, operated, and managed by community members formore than 5 years. Community members participate in creative
thinking, planning, sharing roles and responsibilities for eco-

14 Senior Advisor, Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, Thailand. sansanee.cho@mahidol.ac.th36

tourism activities management. Women take care of accommodations and meals. Men take care of transportation, boats
driving, guiding through natural attraction sites, and natureinterpretation. There are 3 big places for home-stay which canaccommodate a total of 50 visitors at one time. A package of 2days/1 night including 3 meals, home-stay, all boat trips andlearning activities (e.g. local fishing livelihoods, collecting wingshell, observing mole crab, kayaking, walking on a boardwalk
through mangrove, grassland and beaches, etc.) costs 1,600
THB/visitor. Most visitors are Thais with an average of 15–20
visitors/month or 10 groups per month. Ecotourism activities
are providing additional jobs and good income to the villagers.
Case No 2
Koh Yao Noi Community, Koh Yao Noi Island, Koh Yao Noi
sub-district, Koh Yao Noi district, Phang-Nga province
Koh Yao Noi Island is home to local Muslim fishing communities. After facing with problems due to large-scale illegally
inappropriate fishing boats and fishing gears, a Group of Local
Traditional Fishers formed in 1994 has played a key role and actions to lessen illegal fishing activities, set up a Fund for Smallscale Fisheries Promotion, and undertaken coastal resources
conservation activities. For example, many years of effort of
the Group to conserve the Surf clam/Carpet clam/Venus Clamhas brought back the fertile population and abundance of thisbivalve species.
Koh Yao Noi Island and its community have become a wellknown tourist destination for ecotourism and cultural tourism,
receiving large number of tourists each year. Tourism attractions include natural beauty and peaceful landscape, sunrise
and sunset views, island forest, beach forest, beautiful beaches, bays, coral reefs, and local livelihoods. Tourists can enjoy
various activities such as experiencing local livelihoods on theisland including rice farming, rubber plantation, handicrafts
making (e.g. wax hand-drawn batik cloth, natural tie-dyed cloth,coconut shell products), coconut picking by monkeys, fishingtools making; experiencing local livelihoods in the sea including sea-fishing activities, fish cage culture (e.g. grouper, seabass, red snapper, cobia, starfish, puffer fish, spiny lobster/rocklobster cages); and many nature-based activities including bicycling around the island, swimming, coral reef snorkeling anddiving. At the coral reef bay which is a popular site for sunset
view, during low tide, tourists can directly see coral reefs fromthe beach. Tourists also enjoy fresh sea foods, especially a popular dish made with Surf clam.
On this island, besides primary and secondary schools, hospital, police office, municipal and district government offices,and good sanitary system, a wide range of accommodationsof various types, sizes, and prices are available. A Group of
Ecotourism by communities of Koh Yao Noi has been formed,
especially to provide and manage home-stays. Despite of rapid
growth of tourism business and number of tourism operatorson this island, local communities still play important role, involving with and participating in ecotourism management. Opportunities for additional jobs and income in tourism services
are availed to local communities. Fishermen have adapted andused their fishing boats to support tourism activities. Farmers
and gardeners (e.g. coconut growers) open their gardens towelcome tourists to buy and enjoy drinking fresh coconut juice.
Women groups produce local handicrafts for sale. Many families open local restaurants and food shops. Some community
members open shops for bicycles and motorbikes renting. Their
activities are not limited to ecotourism services and management, but also extend to conservation of coastal resources andthe whole island ecosystems, including conservation of paddy
fields and upper watershed forests, setting up and operating
Tree Bank, increase of green areas by growing perennial trees
in their gardens, land use zoning, and setting up No-resorts/
hotels zones.

Case No 3
Tha Pom Klong Song Nam, Ban Nong Jik Village, Khao Kram
Sub-District, Muang District, Krabi Province
Tha Pom Klong Song Nam, an area of around 400 rai (1 rai= 1,600 sqm), has spectacularly diverse ecosystems with very
unique ecological characteristics. Klong Song Nam is local
name for the canal of two waters. During hide tide, the canalhas 2 types of water – fresh and brackish. Despite of being rather short (5 km long), the canal is important water source fordaily life for many generations. The overall ecosystems are ecotones between freshwater and seawater systems, comprising
3 major forest types i.e. dense evergreen forest which is theorigin of short streams and canal flowing to the Andaman Sea,
swamp forest, and mangrove forest along both sides of the canal. The site is thus well known in another local name – the canal of two waters and 3 forests. The site is recorded as a habitatof at least 53 plant species, 39 bird species, 22 fish species, 7mammal species, 5 reptile species, and 3 amphibian species(Tourism Authority of Thailand, 2004; Angchung, 2013).
Freshwater in the upper part of the canal is crystal clear andcool, connected with sub-terrain small water spring, and believed by the locals that it was created by magic and a forbidden
area protected by the guardian spirits. Middle part of the canalhas 2 large ponds – one having deep water with green-like jadecolor and another having water with very blue color. Legend
said that a white crocodile lived in the ponds and guarded theforest. Local people also believe that they should not wash theircloths in the ponds on Tuesday and Saturday, as it would bringthem bad luck. Every year in May, villagers perform rituals tosend bad luck back to the canal and expect for happiness andpeace. Such beliefs in the guardian spirits of forest and canalstill remain till today. With all those beliefs, the forest, canal,and overall ecosystems remain intact, not encroached and destroyed by human development activities (Tourism Authority ofThailand, 2004).
In April 2001, Her Majesty the Queen of the late King Rama IX
and the Present King visited this site for sight-seeing, canoeing,
and provided 3 canoes to Khao Kram Sub-district Administration Organization to start-up and promote ecotourism. Since
then, villagers of Ban Nong Jik village and local administration
organization have established the whole area as Community
Forest for Ecotourism, preserved and managed for ecotourism.
The site is also part of Plants Genetic Biodiversity Conservation
under the Royal Initiatives and Plants Biodiversity Research
Projects.
Tha Pom Klong Song Nam is well known as a significant
worth visiting site. The site is managed by Khao Kram Sub-district Administration Organization with support of villagers, Department of Forestry, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), andacademic institutions. Sensitive areas are identified and protected. Rules and regulations have been set up to minimize thetourism impact.
Tha Pom Klong Song Nam Learning Center developed by
local communities, local schools, teachers and students, andresearchers of Rajabhat Phuket University, has small exhibitionarea, observation point with panoramic view of surrounding
forest, nature trail (700 m long wooden boardwalk to ensure
visitors would not step on fragile ecosystems), trail guide, walkway maps, sideway shelters and view points, wooden bridge,
lables of trees, nature interpretation and information boards,
at least 5 learning bases or hands-on activity stations, swimming points where visitors are allowed to swim, sign-boards,
boards showing community rules for conservation and codeof conduct for visitors (DOs and DON’Ts). The TAT provided thefund to support Khao Kram Sub-District Administration Office
to develop basic facilities for ecotourism and nature interpretation materials (posters, information sheets and leaflets) for
communication, knowledge dissemination, and enhancementof learning experience, understanding, awareness of visitors,
general public, children and youth, as well as the locals.
Ecotourism activities on-site include walking through thenature trail, learning about diverse and unique ecosystems,
37

swimming, canoeing, observing local livelihoods and fishingactivities. Entrance fees are 50 THB/adult and 30 THB/child forforeigners, 10 THB/adult and 5 THB/child for Thais. Parking feesare 100 THB/bus, 20 THB/car, and 10 THB/bike. Canoe rental service is available at 100 THB/hr or 600 THB/day. Tha Pom Klong
Song Nam attracts many domestic and international visitors
and tourists. Each year, this ecotourism site receives at least
100,000 visitors and tourists, generating income of around 1
million THB (not including additional income from local souvenirs and services) for Khao Kram Sub-district Administration
Organization.
4. Common Key Factors Contributing to Community-Based
Wise Use and Management of Wetland Resources for Ecotourism
All 3 examples, chosen as good practices, possess and sharemany common contributing factors. Some key factors contributing and leading to possibilities, good practices, and positive
outcomes of community-based wise use and management of
wetlands and wetland resources for ecotourism are listed asfollows.
• Diversity, uniqueness, and quality of ecotourism resources: availability of various, diverse, unique andhealthy ecosystems; high biodiversity; abundant natural
resources• Diversity of ecotourism activities: combination of activities e.g. inland-coastal-marine ecotourism, nature-culture-livelihoods ecotourism, agriculture-fisheries-farms
ecotourism, health-sports-beauty ecotourism• Ecotourism management structures and community involvement: at community level to sub-district level; from
community ecotourism groups or community enterprisegroups to sub-district committee; participation of multi-stakeholders and all relevant groups; clearly definedleaders/managers with good leadership; interest, capacity, willingness, and readiness of community members;
clearly stated management objectives, shared role, responsibilities and actions; setting up of rules and management guidelines which are practicable and mutuallyagreed; setting up code of conduct for tourists to safeguard fragile ecosystems; regular consultations among
stakeholders• Wise use of wetlands and wetland resources: wise useof wetlands and wetland resources to provide long-term
benefits; maintain natural properties, all components,
ecological interactions; maintain the high quality of ecotourism resources in the long term, knowing and using
eco-indicators or quality index; minimize potential impact from ecotourism activities; integration of ecosystems, biodiversity, and culture conservation activities
into ecotourism promotion e.g. participatory hands-on
activities for tourists in crabs and clams conservation;
promoting responsible ecotourism; reducing wastes• Ecotourism facilities: availability of information services, leaflets, posters, guiding maps, local guides, learning center, exhibitions, nature trails, boardwalk, natureinterpretation, nameplates of trees, sign-boards, information boards, sideway shelters, observation/view
points, learning bases or hands-on activity stations• Basic facilities: availability of necessary facilities e.g.
toilets, foods/drinks shops, souvenir shops, accommodations• Knowledge/experience sharing and transfer: exchange
of information, knowledge, and experience between
hosts and visitors; interactions and exchange of scientific knowledge and local wisdom; transfer of knowledge
to younger generations• Technical and funding support: availability of technicalback-up from various government agencies, academic
and research institutions; availability of funding support
from government, public and private sectors; possibilities for self-raising funds and self-generating income38• Benefits gained, benefit sharing: improved local economy in terms of jobs, income, and economic livelihoods;
long-term benefits for and shared by different groups of
local communities and ecotourism operators; benefits
are also paid back to nature/ecosystems• In-coming tourists and visitors: enhanced understanding, experience, and knowledge of tourists/visitors about
nature, different types of ecosystems, and different cultural settings and livelihoods; continuous and regular
visits; continuously increasing number of tourists andvisitors; appropriate number of tourists and visitors, notbeyond carrying capacity of the sites• Promotion and marketing channels: conventional media
e.g. newspapers, TV and radio programs; social media
online e.g. websites, facebook
5. Conclusion
At several sites of Thailand’s coastline, it has been clearly
proved that community-based management of wetlands andwetland resources for ecotourism is very possible and highly
effective. Local livelihood activities and ecotourism activities
management combined together can go a long very well andsuccessfully provide great benefits to local economy and overall ecosystems. There are many factors contributing and leading to possibilities, good practices, and positive outcomes.
6. References
Angchung, J. 2013. Tha Pom Klong Song Nam Learning Center Development by
Cooperation of Community, Khao Kram sub-district, Muang district, Krabi
province. Journal of Rajabhat Phuket University 9 (2) : July – December,2013. pp. 133 – 151.
Boripis, T. n.d. New Dimension to the Management of Local Tourism : Khao
Kram sub-district, Muang district, Krabi province. Walailak Abode of Culture
Journal. pp. 83 – 94.
Bundhuwong, C. 2014. Coastal communities of Phang-Nga Bay and changing
economy and livelihoods. Journal of Social Science and Anthropology 33(1) :January – June 2014.
Phichate Pakdee. 2018. Chief of Ban Laem Nao Village. Pers.comm. andknowledge sharing on 6 November 2018.
Tourism Authority of Thailand. 2004. Tha Pom Klong Song Nam Nature Interpretation Guide : Take Some Experience From Amazing Nature. Attraction
Promotion Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Bangkok. 32 pp.
Tourism Department. 2017. Tourism Statistics of Southern Provinces ofThailand 2014 – 2016.
http://www.tourismthailand.org
http://review.tourismthailand.org/laemnow/
https://7greens.tourismthailand.org/sg-content/...
http://www.kohyaohomestay.com/
http://iamphukettravel.com/1069/tour-packages_koh-yao-island-tours.html
http://www.thaitambon.com/shop/0182104337
https://www.naewna.com/index.php/
http://www.komchadluek.net/news/local/21402

Building Resilience Capacity of the Local Communities along
the Bahuda Estuary Area in India
Durga Parsad Dash15

Abstract: PALLISHREE is a grass root level NGO working forthe conservation and wise use of wetlands in the State of Odisha, India since the last 2 decades. With the technical supportof RCJ, Japan climate smart education and awareness projects
have been implemented for conservation and wise use of wetlands. One of the important wetland namely, Bahuda Muhan
Sagar is the estuary of River Bahuda having 80km2. water
spread area along the Bay of Bengal. The only one sea mouthof the wetland is rapidly closing due to the littoral drift accelerated by the adverse effect of climate change. Erosion, accretion, tidal influence, wave sludge and repeated cyclones havebeen occurring adversely and damaging the natural resources
and biodiversity in between Gopalpur & Vishakhapatnam along
the Bay of Bengal. The proposed project area is coming under
this zone. As such this area has been severely affected by therepeated cyclones such as Phailin & Hud hud. In order to implement the project by the local people, a participatory appraisal
in the wetland was planned and conducted. The focal point of
the project, Learning Centers for Community Resilience havebeen established in the schools which have been the learning
center for the students and the findings like water quality of
the wetland, bio-diversity, climate change and parameters havebeen displayed at the common place involving the local fishersof Fisherman Society and the women Self Help Groups including local media. Awareness level has been increased among
the stakeholders through wall paintings, street play/cultural
program, posters and education materials like booklet, leaflet
and newsletters. Observation of different important Days andnature camps, essay & painting competitions among students
are the activities implemented to enhance the knowledge level on wetland conservation. Actions like raising nursery andplantation of mangroves with other general plants and creating natural resource-based livelihood opportunities broughtsustainable environmental conservation and the wise use of
the wetland. Solid waste management in schools and energy
saving life style has been promoted in the community. Conservation-based skill training including eco-friendly livelihood
opportunities has been created for the women SHG members.
The project will be completed in March 2019.
1. Introduction
PALLISHREE is a grass root level NGO working for the conservation and wise use of wetlands in the State of Odisha, India
since last 2 decades with the technical support of RCJ, Japan.
Japan based funding agencies like Japan Fund for Global Environment, Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund and TOYOTA
Environmental Activity Grant Program, NALAPO Green Fund.
have come forward to support various projects to enhance thecapacity of the stakeholders through environmental education
as well as climate change adaptive education and awarenessfor conservation and wise use of wetlands.
Bahuda Muhan Sagar is the estuary of River Bahuda having
80 sq. kms. water spread area along the Bay of Bengal (BoB).
This unique wetland of lagoon eco-system is coming under two
States, “Odisha & Andhra Pradesh” having the longitude & latitude 190 06’ 23.47” N & 840 46’ 17.02” E. Neither of the States
has taken interest on conservation measures of this wetland.
The only one sea mouth of the wetland is rapidly closing due
to the littoral drift accelerated by the adverse effect of climatechange. The vulnerability has been increased many folds by El
Nino in Indian Ocean. So erosion, accretion, tidal influence,
wave sludge and repeated cyclones have been occurring ad-versely and damaging the natural resources, biodiversity in between Gopalpur & Vishakhapatnam along the BoB and the proposed project area is coming under this zone as such this area
has been severely affected by the repeated cyclones such as
Phailin & Hud hud in 2013 & 2014 and severe drought in 2015.
2. Major Causes of Increased Vulnerability of the Estuary
The wetland is coming under the boundary line of two States,
Odisha and Andhra and no conservation activity has been initiated by any State Governments. So there is a conflict between
the two fishermen communities of Odiya & Telgu in these two
States. No wetland policy has been enacted here in this wetland; hence the vulnerability has been increasing due to manmade detrimental interventions. The use of very small messsize net in fishing (zero-net used by the fishermen) is causing
the decrease of small juveniles in the wetland. Prawn culture isincreasing as there is no conservation act and restriction from
Government. There is no water quality management of thewetland. Open garbage dumping in this wetland is a regularphenomenon. Shrimp juvenile catching by zero net from mouth
area by the fishers caused decline in prawn production in thewetland. Rampant poaching of migratory birds is also anotherproblem. Indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizer in the catchment area causes nutrient load into the wetland ultimately polluting the habitat of various micro living beings, fish juvenile
and thus causing imbalance of biodiversity.
3. Aim & Objectives of the Intervention
PALLISHREE has started interventions in this wetland with allnecessary technical support from RCJ, Japan and financial support of JFGE, Japan. This three years’ plan project commenced
from 2016 to 2019 with the following aim and objectives.
• Building capacity of community on eco-specific adaption and mitigation measures to resist and cope withclimate change risks through community institutions in
the coastal zone of the Bahuda Muhana Sagar• Restoring the nature of the Bahuda Muhana Sagar andcontributing to improvement of biodiversity and biological productivity. Enhancing knowledge source & skill
development prioritising on indigenous climate variability knowledge through trainings, workshop, exposure
programs and model demonstration for future climatechange challenges• Developing better understanding of responsible fisheries among the fishers in the Bahuda Muhana Sagar andpromoting wise fisheries management
4. Intervention Strategy
The project aims to address the issues by enhancing the capacity of the stakeholders through their active participation in
the implementation of the project. In order to implement the
project by the local people, a participatory appraisal in the wetland have been planned and conducted. The focal point of the
project, Learning Centers for Community Resilience (LCCR)
have been established in the schools which has been thelearning center for the students and studied water quality of
the wetland, bio-diversity, climate change parameters. Awareness level has increased among the stakeholders through wall
paintings, street play/cultural program, posters and educationmaterials like booklets, leaflets and newsletters. Observationof different important Days and essay & painting competitions
among students are the activities implemented. Actions like

15 Secretary, PALLISHREE, India

39

raising nursery and plantation of mangroves with other generalplants and creating natural resource-based livelihood opportunities brought sustainable environmental conservation and thewise use of the wetland. Solid waste management in schools
and energy saving life style has been promoted in the community. Conservation-based skill training including eco-friendly
livelihood opportunities have been created for the women SHG
members. The details of the achievements are as follows.
5. Intervention Measures Undertaken
There are a number of activities undertaken in this projectsuch as an awareness raising, establishment of focal point, various training programs, workshops, conservation & wise use
activities and capacity building. The outcomes from different
activities derived in this project are described below.
a) Awareness Building of Stakeholders
Wall painting: A number of paintings on educative messages
on the conservation and wise use of Bahuda Muhana Sagar andits biodiversity through pictures have been permanently painted over the walls in the strategic places of the community in order to catch the attention of the stakeholders. Since 60% people
are illiterate, so the theme of the message has been expressed
as a learning material through pictorial method for better understanding over their present local climate change issues andtheir role and responsibility. This has been putting tremendous
effect over the minds of the people as they have come acrosseveryday to this wall painting.
Ghodanach: This is a very interesting street play which provides education and at the same time entertainment. This is acultural activity which is widely accepted in which about 7 persons participate. Among the important players, one put mythological questions and other person answers in song form andalso dances as per sequence. Another two players put special attractive dress with two large size toy horses fixed with
their body and dance with the sequence of songs. Others playdrums. In this project the questions and answers were put forward regarding the awareness over the conservation and wiseuse of Bahuda Muhana Sagar. Usually the performance takes
place in the middle and open place of community where thestakeholders watch and enjoy around the performing group.
The stakeholders used to put questions on climate change
adaptive measures for prevention and mitigation to the players
and the player answers it. This activity is one of the best tools
for raising awareness among the mass audience.
Educational Materials and Display: In order to bring awareness among the students, teachers, fishermen and women the
Self Help Groups, posters, booklets, leaflet pertaining on climate smart educative messages have been printed and circulated among the stakeholders. The poster emphasizes pictorial
messages for all categories of stakeholders and others booklet
and leaflet meant for students, teachers and other literate stakeholders.
Newsletter: A newsletter namely, BAHUDA (originally thename of river) has been planned and released two times a year.
The local stakeholders have given articles for the printing of
newsletter. The articles are based upon the climate change related issues and also the preventive and mitigative measures
for the community including the roles and responsibilities ofthe stakeholders. It is also acting as a mouth piece of the community to raise voice against the local climate-related issues.
Environmental Game: This is an exercise to play among
the groups and also individual level which is an eco-game on
Bio Diversity Conservation (BDC), Climate Change Adaptation(CCA) and Environmental Management & Restoration (EMR) –overlaps and synergies which should be introduced before thisversion to ensure the participants have the basic understanding. The participants select cards with titles related to BDC, CCA& EMR. On completing this exercise, participants have a better
understanding of how things happen. This is worth involving
participants in various planning on resilient community building. The game has found to have most vivid impact over the40participants on the themes of CCA, BDC, EMR and ICR.
Celebration of WED & WWD/AWW: Every year PALLISHREE
with the active participation of the LCCR, local schools and PFCS
celebrate WED & WWD/AWW in the schools and community inorder to bring awareness over the conservation and wise use of
wetlands in the present climate change scenario. In this activity 5000 stakeholders participate from different villages. Their
active participation brings interest and enthusiasm among thestakeholders to adapt the coping mechanism in their practice toconserve and wise use of wetlands.
After the celebration of WED & WWD/AWW in first year, thestakeholders have shown their own interest for organizing thecelebration on the 2nd and 3rd year of the project which has
been the most successful program in the community.
b) LCCR as Focal Point of Learning: Ten important schools
have been selected to establish Learning Center for Climate
Change Resilience (LCCR) in the project area. It is a participatory establishment of Learning Center in the schools around thewetland in which the students and teachers will collect various
data from the wetland, record the Climate Change Register, Bio
Diversity Register and disseminate the findings periodically inthe community with the help of resource organizations. Communities have also support for establishment of the LCCR in
the local schools. This Center has been acting as the focal pointin this project. All the activities have been linked with the LCCR
and the student and teachers have a great role played in theimplementation of the project. The students and teachers haveplayed the role of the bridge between wetland and community
for the conservation and wise use of Bahuda Muhana Sagar.
Climate Change Register & Bio Diversity Register (CCR &BDR): The LCCR has organized the record keeping, CCR &BDR each year. The daily data of weather (such as rainy, sunny,stormy, lightening etc.), ground water level, disaster, livelihood,
agriculture and seasonal diseases have been collected and recorded by the students in the CCR. Information on biodiversity, availability of seasonal fishes, migratory birds and plant
related issues and variations have been recorded in the BDR.
In order to observe the impact over the eco-system by climatechange this CCR & BDR have great role. So this recording process would be the long-term community level database which
would help wetland management in future.
Training Programs for the Community: Various capacity
building measures have been undertaken in the intervention
program so as to develop the knowledge, skill and practice ofthe community. These can be listed as below:• Skill Training on Production of Hygienic Dry Fish: Skill
training on the preparation of dry fish hygienically has
been organized for 80 fisherwomen in 2017. At the endof the project 525 fisherwomen of 10 villages are using
the solar-tent technology and practicing this technology.
This technology has reduced the labor cost and time inproduction and enhanced the quality of the product. The
market demand has also increased due to enhanced quality product. So their income also has increased.
• Training on Crab Culture: The skill training on crab culture has been organized for 50 members of the SHG. The
SHGs would practice this culture for both livelihood opportunity as well as conservation of crabs in the wetland.
During the culture the crablings would be automaticallyreleased through the outlet because of the bigger meshsize net fixed in the outlet pipe. So it is a livelihood as wellas conservation activities.
• Promotion of Community Resource Persons through theTraining of Trainers: The training of trainers (ToT) has
been organized every year for different stakeholders to
educate the community on climate change adaptive education. The trainees have been the peer educator for theother villagers of the community. So the potential participants for TOT have been selected by the LCCR.
• Training on Alternative Energy & Energy-Saving Lifestyle:
Necessary training has been imparted to make the com-munity resilient with demonstrations such as models likesolar lights, efficient energy saving cooking stove as low
carbon technology. Traning is given to them on saving water and also utilizing the waste water in agriculture andbackyard kitchen garden. It have been reflected in thecommunity and saved the energy at the individual levelin their lifestyle.
c) Engagement with Stakeholders through Workshop/ Interface/ Seminars
Workshop for Promotion of the Wise Use of Resources: The
local climate change issues and the coping mechanism are discussed in the wise use workshop at the community level. The
committee for execution of activities such as nursery raising,plantation program, selection of community land, findings of
the LCCR etcetera. are discussed and finalized in this workshop
including role and responsibility of community.
Interface Meeting between Stakeholders and Media: The local media persons have been successfully included while implementing the activities. This has been a strategy for the project to increase the visibility of the results and lesson learned
from the intervention.
d) Activities and Model Intervention Demonstrating Conservation & Wise Use Practice
Nursery, Plantation: Nursery of 104,700 plants has beenraised for plantation program. The community people select theland for raising nursery of mangrove species and at the sametime general category of plants. So PALLISHREE has alreadyestablished two nursery sites, one is for mangroves and another for fast growing different plants. Plantation program in 70
acres of land for mangroves and 75 acres for general category
species have been already undertaken.
The following species of mangroves in total have been planted in 70 acres of land
Sl. No. Name of Species

Scientific Name

No. of of plants

1

Habali

Thespisia populnea

8,500

2

Guan

Excoecaria agallocha

9,500

3

Rai

Rhizophora Apiculata

9,500

4

Sinduka

Kandelia Candel

13,5005

Kaliachua

Bruguiera parviflora

11,000Total

52.000The following species of fast growing plants in total havebeen planted in 75 acres of land
Sl. No. Name of Species

Scientific Name

No. of of plants

1

Casurina

Cusuarina equisitifolia

12,0002

Teak

Tectona grandis

6,000

3

AkasiaAcasia auriclu formis

11,5004

AlmondTerminalia catappa

6,000

5

Karanja

Pongania pinnata

8,200

6

Cashewnut

Anacardium occidentale

9,000

Total

52,700non-degradable garbage have been generated and managed
by the LCCR successfully.
e) Community Engagement, Learning and Capacity Building Activities
Competition: Essay and painting competition among the students have been proved as a capacity building of the students
in this project. So it has been organized as a campaign withcompetitive movement. This activity has been organized by the
LCCR in each school. A total of 1500 students have been taken
part in this program. The first, second and third students of eachcompetition have been awarded. The best paintings & essays
have been displayed in the LCCR.
Exploring Bahuda: The data on good practices and their identification, spawning ground of fishes, samples of different species of weeds, water sample, and biodiversity data have beencollected for three major seasons (summer, rainy, and winter)and are analyzed by the students in the LCCR. Season-wise documentation in this regards including the periodical findings of
CCR and the BDR have also been disseminated in the community by the LCCR which is helpful in identifying the seasonal
wetland status changes.
Knowledge Exchange Program: The selected students, teachers, women from the SHGs & fishermen have visited the Chilika
to observe the good practices and management. Knowledge
sharing between the stakeholders of two different wetlands
such as the Bahuda and the Chilika have been more effective.
This program have been facilitated by the LCCR and organized
by PALLISHREE.
6. Way Forward
The Project has left footprints of success and cross-learningfor us and as well as the community in the landscape of the
Bahuda Estuary. The team members of PALLISHREE and thecommunity learned while working on different models. The participatory process in the implementation has become the pillarof its success and sustainability as the local community has theownership and responsibility of the project. The community
level institutions such as Fishermen Co-operative Society, LCCR
and Women SHGs who have directly involved with the project
shall continue the process after completion of the project period. Maintaining the CCR is a continuous process. It reflects andrecords the history of the wetland in respect of the CC effects.
The community learned about this in the mentoring support of
PALLISHREE. Resilience building is a journey, it goes with time.
The participants once started this as a practice they will continue in the same lines of actions. New challenges may come in
the future, but the practitioners learned how to cope or adapt tothe situations by that time. The Project has put successfully thefoundation pillars in the community, youth group, women andchildren-who are future habitants and users of the habitation.
They will continue in the same line of actions. The involvementof media personnel has enhanced the voice and outreach of thesuccesses in other similar landscapes in the State.

Eco-friendly Livelihood Promotion Installation of Garbage-Pit:
Hygienic dry fish production and crab culture, which are theeco-friendly livelihood promotion models are being practiced
by the stakeholders. Necessary training has been imparted tothe selected women SHG members before starting of the program.
The garbage pits have been installed of two types (degradable & non-degradable) 2 pits in each schools. Hence 20 numbersof garbage pits have been installed and garbage is managed by
the students and teachers. Each year 10 tons of degradable and41

Community-based Sea Turtle Conservation along
the Coast of the Bay of Bengal in India
Wardi Kasinath16

Abstract: The Rushikulya River meets Bay of Bengal at Ganja
in Ganjam District of Odisha. The Olive Ridley Sea Turtles arearriving in millions every year at this Rushikulya river mouthbeach. Previously, there were no conservation activities taken although this is the second largest mass nesting beach in
World. PALLISHREE, formed a CBO namely KISSAN “Kruma
Iswaram Sangham” (Turtle-God Association) during 2006. It
was a part of the project supported by KNCF, Japan and technical support of RCJ, Japan. PALLISHREE enhanced the capacity of the local community in Sea Turtle conservation. The local
community is now taking all the responsibility from mating of
the turtle to release of hatchlings to the Bay of Bengal. So they
have been engaged from November to the next year June, almost 8 months in a year. Generally, they used to stop fishingin the sea from November to the next year April (6 months), tosafeguard the turtles from casualty. The catch of the fisherman
is very high during the rest of the 4 months. Because the jelly
fish in the coastal sea is eaten by the turtle and make the netting
favorable in fishing. Jellyfish always create problem in fishingfor the fishermen. Thus, the turtles are the friend of the local
fishermen.
1. Introduction
KISSAN has promoted women SHG in different hamlets of
12 coastal villages. The members of the SHG are organized totake lead roles in conservation of mangrove plants and turtles
eggs. They could understand the importance of bio-diversity
conservation in reduction of risk on their lives and livelihoods.
Besides, the participation effort has resulted in the promotionof special youth task force in the area. KISSAN in support of
PALLISHREE is to build the capacity of these youth volunteers
in the ‘watch and monitoring’ spheres.
The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is one of
the endangered and ecological important species in the world.
Each year millions of them come to the estuary areas along
the coast of Bay of Bengal, Odisha in the east coast of India formating and mass nesting, after long distance ocean travel. Overthe years, there is loss of habitat due to increased human-interferences, causing these turtles and hatchlings die, putting
them as ‘Vulnerable’ in the IUCN Red List. They have to travel
long distances in the sea for mating and nesting purpose. But at
this end they are facing challenges due to human interference
and other anthropogenic pressers in their natural breeding andgrooming habitat.
It is here noteworthy that there are 3 mass nesting sites ofthese turtle like the Rushikulya rookery in Ganjam, Gahirmatha
in Kendrapada and Devi rookery in Puri are the 3 biggest sites
in Odisha which are exclusive for mating and mass nesting ofthese turtles. Every year, from November to the end of January,
the ridley turtles mate in these coastal waters and anytime fromJanuary to early April, lakhs of mother turtles come ashore inmass to lay their eggs. After a 45-50 days incubation period,
baby hatchlings emerge from the sandy nests to crawl into theocean.
The Community based protection and conservation of ecosystem has been playing very crucial role in the protection ofthis species during mating in the nearby sea, lying if eggs on
the shore, hatching of eggs and juveniles returning back to thesea.

16 President, KISSAN

42

Photo 1: M ating of the turtles in the sea

Photo 2: Female turtles coming to beach for nesting

2. Threats to the Species
The Olive Ridley sea turtles have suffered high mortality
along the Odisha coast. Apart from fishing related mortality,
turtles face multifarious problems while they are in the coastal
waters of Odisha. The polluted beaches are not suitable for turtles, the animals and the anthropogenic activities like humanpoaching eggs have tipped the scales against the survival ofthese ancient mariners. Beach debris including plastics, discarded fishing nets, plastics, etcetera make the place unsuitable
for turtles nests. The sea turtles eat plastics, especially floating
plastics glued to jellyfish. This is another cause of premature
death of many turtles. The jellyfish is the turtle’s primary food.
The uncontrolled coastal development, vehicle movement
on beaches and other human activities have destroyed or disturbed sea turtle nesting beaches in Odisha. Climate change
has an impact on turtle nesting sites. It alters sand, which thenaffects the sex of hatchlings. It is also leading to a decline in theextent and quality of their habitat, population size and genetic
diversity. To counter the high mortality rate (to predators) andlow survival rates (one in a thousand), these gentle creatures
have pushed towards the green or extinction. If current trends
continue, the Olive Ridley sea turtles will probably go to extinct
in next one decade.
3. Response by Local Communities
The Rushikulya River meets the Bay of Bengal at Ganja in
Ganjam District of Odisha. The Olive Ridley sea turtle arrive in
millions every year at the mouth beach of the Rushikulya River.
Previously, there were no conservation activities taken althoughthis is the second largest mass nesting beach in the world. The
eggs were destroyed by predators. PALLISHREE, formed a CBO
namely KISSAN “Kruma Iswaram Sangham” (Turtle-God Association) during 2006. There are mythological stories in Hindu
that once God became a Turtle and saved the Earth. So in orderto bring emotion among the stakeholders, the local community
have kept the name of the CBO as “KISSAN”. It was a part of the
project supported by KNCF, Japan and technical support of RCJ,
Japan. PALLISHREE enhanced the capacity of the local community in sea turtle conservation and built partnership with Forest
Department. The local community is now taking all the responsibility from mating of the turtle to the release of hatchlings to
the Bay of Bengal. So they have been engaged from November to the next year June, almost 8 months in one year. Generally, they stop fishing in the sea from November to the next
year April (6 months), to safeguard the turtles from casualty.
The catch of the fisherman is very high during the rest of the
4 months. Because the jelly fish in the coastal sea is eaten by
the turtle and make the netting favorable for fishing. Jellyfish
always create problem in fishing for the fishermen. Thus, theturtles are the friend of the local fishermen.
KISSAN has promoted women SHG in different hamlets of
12 coastal villages. The members of the SHG are organized totake lead roles in conservation of mangrove plants and turtle
eggs. They could understand the importance of bio-diversity
conservation in reduction of risk on their lives and livelihoods.
Besides, the participation effort has resulted in the promotionof special youth task force in the area. KISSAN with support
of PALLISHREE helps build the capacity of these youth volunteers in the ‘watch and monitoring’ spheres. The process has
attained sustainability since it is now led and managed by thecommunity. The NGO is supporting these community groups
in the spheres of coordination with other stakeholders like theForest Department, Fishery Department and other private associations.

Photo-3: Laying of Eggs on the Beachthe local youth. From the time of its inception, it is also working
to spread awareness among the locals about the ridleys, thus
ensuring the participation of the community in conservation
efforts.
The RSTPC is today a strong 37-member organization, comprising youth belonging to the three villages of Purunabandha,
Gokharkuda & Podampeta.
KISSAN along with the RSTPC takes activities that included
keeping the beach clean, measuring the beach profile and nesting area, monitoring the arrival of turtles for nesting and keeping fishermen and predators away from the beach during thenesting and hatching season. Besides, the Forest Department
of Ganjam has been taking similar community-based initiation
nowadays.
They have protected the beach landscape, hatcheries and also
operating a control room/ office on the beach for this purpose.

Photo-5: Community Meeting on Conservation

4. Results
Gahirmatha rookery is coming under the Bhitarkanika Wild
Life Sanctuary area in the district of Kendrapada. Since it has
the largest mass nesting records, the conservation activities
are somehow organized by the Forest Division. Besides several research organization and conservationists have worked
along with the local NGOs/ CBOs and communities. The area
is protected by the Forest Act.
But the rookeries in Devi and Rushikulya are somehow unrestricted. The local fisherman uses the same beach for theirfishing and other activities.
Now the NGOs like KISSAN and the RSTPC work directlywith the communities and the stakeholders. Since the members of these CBOs belong to the same fisher community, theparticipation was easy. Thus the process has got success andbecame a community led conservation efforts.
One of the success indicators of this work is that last year (in2018), the mass nesting / Arribada activities have happened
two times in this rookery. Since the turtle felt that the nestingsite is safe, clean, the favorable conditions has attracted theturtles to come twice a year.
The school children are also encouraged to participate in
the process. This helps them to learn from the actions takenby the elders.

Photo- 4: Covering of Eggs the Turtle

Wildlife scientist Dr. Bivash Pandav initiated the Rushikulya
Sea Turtle Protection Committee (RSTPC), with the assistance of

Photo-6: School Children Seeing, Learning & Beach Cleaning

43

5. Way Forward
In wildlife we often talk about the flagship approach of conservation, which means by protecting the very species, which
is at the apex of the ecosystem population, all other species
or communities living in that particular ecosystem can beprotected. In other words if the population of a species at theapex of the ecosystem is in a healthy state it means that the
population of all other species of that particular ecosystem isin a healthy state. In aquatic environment in the coastal waters as well as in the high seas, the sea turtles and cetaceans
are at the apex of the coastal/marine ecosystems.
Therefore, by protecting the estuarine sea turtles, it can beensured that the populations of all other species in these ecosystems are well protected and it can be ensured that they arein a healthy state. The seasonal phenomenon of mass migration, mass mating, mass nesting as well as mass emergenceof hatchlings is considered as one of the greatest extravaganza of nature. The site also holds areas of exceptional natural
beauty and aesthetic importance. The Rushikulya sea beachalong the coast being world’s second largest rookery attracts
over half a million female Olive Ridley sea turtles for mass
nesting/ egg lying.
Protection of ecologically sensitive and important coastal
as well as marine areas always safeguards the long term livelihoods of local sea fishing communities on a sustainable basis
in the surrounding areas since the health of these ecosystems
bear a direct relationship to the ecosystem services they provide (such as fisheries production); mangroves and breeding
grounds for a variety of fish, prawns and crabs. The protection of ecologically sensitive and important coastal as well as
marine areas always safeguards the long-term livelihoods offishing communities on a sustainable basis in the surrounding
areas.

44

People’s Efforts for the Conservation of Dugongs In Trang Province, Thailand
Maneewan Sanlee17[Note: This summary is based on the PPT presentation made by
the author in the Symposium. — Editors]
Introduction
Trang Province is in the southern part of Thailand on the
coastline of the Andaman Sea between Krabi and Satun provinces. The Province has 119 km long coastline. It has diverse
natural marine and coastal ecosystems including the Ramsar
sites: Had Chao Mai NP – Koh Li Bong NHA –Trang River Estuary. The Province houses important ecosystems such as mangrove, seagrass, coral reef and marine species i.e. Dolphins,
Dugongs and Sea Turtles.

as follows.
• Dugongs population has decreased since 2013 due
to high mortality of 13 dugongs but their number is
continuously increasing since 2014.
• In 2018, their number is estimated to be at160-180 inTrang province.
The Department has been doing the aerial survey of the dugongs in the Trang Province for the past 12 years. And thelatest survey at Koh Libong undertaken in the first week ofMarch of this year i.e. 2019 sighted many pairs of mothers andcalves in the sea.
3. Causes of Mortality
Dugongs, dolphins and sea turtles share the same area as
fishes. This is the area for tourism as well. Therefore they are
the part of the fishing and boat-tourism. [Dolphins eat mackerels contained in fishing nets and destroy the nets as well.
Fishers allow them to eat fish. Whenever, they see them being
killed in the fishing gears, they feel sad.] Villagers are friendly
with dolphins and dugongs. The major causes of thier mortality are:• Traps, nets & illegal fishing gears• Marine transportation• Disturbance from the increase of tourist boats andspeed boats

2. A lthough the flag species of the area is dolphin, the faunal
diversity of the area is as follows.
(1) Dolphins: Its total population is 150. Its species are as
follows.
• Indo-Pacific Hump-backed Dolphins = 70
• Irrawaddy Dolphin = 40
• Bottlenose Dolphin = 30
• Finless Dolphin = 10

4. Local Participation in Dugong Conservation
Communities love dugongs and people are friendly to dugongs. Dugongs are the Indicators of abundance of marine
life. This bond is the key to the success of dugong conservation campaign in the area. The Save Andaman Network Foundation works closely with communities for seagrass-dugongconservation. Its activities are as follows.
a. Raise awareness of communities about the importanceand value of dugongs
b. Increase the area and feeding ground for dugongs &other aquatic species
c. Put restriction on the use of speed boat in seagrassbeds & inappropriate fishing tools.
d. Expand the commercial fishing zone by fixing themaritime routes for vessel movement
e. Support vocational development & community-based
eco-tourism
f. Protect seagrass beds because dugongs feed on
seagrass. The excreta of dugong serve as manure
to seagrasses.
Seagrass helps absorb carbon
monodioxide as well.

(2) Dugongs: In Thailand, the total number of dugong is about
200 and the biggest school (160-180 individuals) of dugongs
is found in Trang. Dugongs migrate along the coastline ofTrang, Krabi and Satun provinces. Seagrass is the food of thedugongs and its beds are their habitat.
(3) Sea turtle: The population of sea turtle is about 1,000.
(4) Seagrass bed: Had Chao Mai NP - Koh Libong NHA – Trang
River Estuary have high density and houses some 11 speciesof seagrass in 2,000 ha.
2. Situation of Dugong in Thailand
Dugongs are in the high risk of extinction. Every year theirmortality is about 5. According to the aerial survey of dugongs
in Trang Province by the Department of Marine and Coastal
Resources, their status from 2012 to 2018 can be summarized
17 Save Andaman Network Foundation (SANF), Thailand

45

Other activities of the Foundation undertaken in collaboration with local communities are:1. Support coastal community organization andcommunity network in Trang province facilitating
monthly meeting to discuss urgent agenda, speciallydugongs and seagrass conservation.
2. Support youth and the public for the conservation ofdugong and coastal ecosystem.
3. Has established a Marine Conservation Learning
Centre: The Center runs crab bank, mangrove
plantation, squid breeding, seagrass breeding, study
visit, hands-on practices etcetera.
4. Has set up of the Fund for Sea and Dugong Conservation
5. Has started marine and coastal resource conservation
activities
6. Started Ecotourism since December 2017. More than
2,000 tourists have visited the year. Besides they are
engaged in hill climbing, walking on the beach, wading
etcetera.
7. Support communities to set up rules and regulations
on marine and coastal conservation zoning and rare
species conservation such as:a. Zoning Aquatic Larvae Conservation Areas in 4
village (2007)
b. Legislation on Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation and Sustainable Use (2010) for the Bor
Hin Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Dugong and Seagrass Conservation (2011) for Koh Libong Subdistrict Administrative Organization anddolphin and Seagrass Conservation (2015) for Koh
Sukorn Subdistrict Administrative Organizationc. Seagrass Conservation Zoning in Boon Kong BayPru Jood, Mai Faad, Sikao district.
d. Wing Shell Conservation Zoning in Baan Koh
Mooke. Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation andSustainable Use Zoning Map in Boon Kong Bay
Zone, Sikao, Trang Province
f. Collaboration with the Federation of Thai Fisheries Association to draft Fisheries Act 2015 and Marine and Coastal Resource Managmange Act 2015
g. Support Youth and Women’s Fisherfolk Network
to participate in vocational career, marine processing, income generation activities (ecotourism, fishery & fish products) & conservation education.

Some Suggestions
1. More funding and policy support from the Government
are required for community-based marine and coastal
resources management
2. Needed specific policy to conserve seagrass beds,
ecosystems and dugongs.

46

Part IV: Livelihood, Biodiversity, Education & Fisheries

Management of Koggala Lagoon for Sustainable Livelihood Development– A Case Study in Sri Lanka
I. R. Palihakkara and A.J.M.C.M.Siriwardana18

Abstract: The livelihood framework identifies five core capitals which sometimes are called livelihood building blocks.
These are natural, social, human, physical and financial capital. On the other hand, rapid deforestation and biodiversity
losses are depriving people of valuable mangrove-based water resources, such as fuelwood, fish, shrimp, food, medicine,and ecosystem-based services such as bird watching, boat
riding. Koggala lagoon is located on the southern coast of
Sri Lanka. It consists of 14 islets with forest, mangroves andterrestrial shrubs. Livelihoods around the lagoon mainly depend on tourism and fisheries. This research was conductedfrom 2017 January to 2018 April. Fishing mostly depends onbrackish waters due to sea water intrusion into the lagoon.
Majority of the respondents mentioned that there are numberof societies, local governments involved in managing tourist
industry as well as environment. They have been restricted
harvesting of mangrove for timber and fuel wood. The landingof sea planes in the lagoon is known to affect the bird populations, and causes erosion of the lagoon banks due to thelarge waves created during landings. Respondents claims
that decreasing of biodiversity in lagoon directly has affectedon their livelihood due to large scale clearing of mangroves
for construction purposes. It was identified that boats wereoperated by unskilled people without using safety jackets.
Government involvement is necessary to prepare policies toregulate tourist industry and improve infrastructure facilities.
Regulate unauthorized construction beside the lagoon andcontrol discharge effluent from nearby free trade zone to improve lagoon biodiversity.
1. Introduction
Koggala lagoon is located between 5º 59’ - 6º 02’ N and 80º
18’ - 80º 21’ E on the southern coast of Sri Lanka with total
water spread area of 7.27 km2. Water depth of lagoon ranges
from 1.0 to 3.7 m (CEA, 1995). The lagoon is a rain fed coastallake with catchment area of 60 km2 (Amarasekara et al., 2012).
There are number of streams connected to the lagoon. The
main freshwater supplier is “Koggalaoya” (Warabokka-ela
stream). Other than “Koggalaoya” Heen-ela stream contributes a minor to the freshwater inflow. A narrow 300 m long canal named as “Pol-oya” canal is the only sea outlet of lagoon,
located at the southeast corner (Fig. 1). (Gunaratne et al.,2010). At the lagoon mouth, there was a naturally built sandbar perpendicular to the lagoon mouth which controlled theseawater intrusion into the lagoon. With the opening of thelagoon mouth during the rainy season, rapid outflow of water
begins. However, the flow of seawater into the lagoon during
the monsoon and high tides ceases the formation of sand bar
again in the dry season. In early 1990’s it has been followedby unplanned removal of sand barrier near the lagoon mouth
for some development activity. A groyne system was built tominimize coastal erosion. However, since then the mouth oflagoon has been kept open throughout the year. Therefore
strong sea water influence seems to have fed by the lagoon as
far as about 2 km from the lagoon outlet (G.P.Amarasekara etal., 2012, Gunaratne et al., 2010, Silva et al., 2013)

Fig. 1 Map of Koggala Lagoon with the Locations of Outlet and Major Freshwater Inflows(Source: Gunaratne et al., 2010)

This study was conducted to identify the socio-economic
situation of community around the Koggala Lake; to identity
environmental aspects and issues; to identify the issues related to livelihood and to make appropriate suggestions to overcome the recognized issues
2. Method
The study was conducted in Koggala lagoon in Galle districtin the Southern Province Sri Lanka (Fig 1). Peoples who livearound Koggala lagoon were interviewed to collect primarydata. Additional information was collected through systematic field observation. In addition, past research articles wereused to obtain secondary information.
Demographic information on age, education, family
size, income, nature of the occupation, experience, major cost components for the occupation, importance of
lagoon for livelihood, government and social legislation
were collected using pre-tested structured questionnaire.
3. Results
Livelihood around the lake mainly depended on the agriculture, tourism and fisheries. After removal of natural sandbarrier, salinization of paddy fields gradually changed livelihood towards tourism and fisheries. Male peoples, age ranging from 20 to 45 years mainly engages with boat riding andfishing. Some 33% from them are boat owners and more than
30 boats work for lagoon tours. Their average family size isdetermined to be 4 (range 3 - 5). The experience of boat riding people varied from 5-30 years. All boat riders and fishing community indicated that their whole family engaged insimilar occupation. Some 75% respondents claimed that overfishing, over tourism, illegal fishing and deforestation are low
under society-based regulation
4. Discussion
The lake consists of 14 islets of varying sizes with forest,
mangroves and terrestrial shrubs. The largest islet is locatedin the southeast corner of the lagoon near Gurukande Temple.
There are a number of sites/islets of historical and cultural value in the area including Madol Duwa, Thalathuduwaaranyasenasanaya. Other than above sites there are many sites thathave been developed for tourism like fish therapy, cinnamon
pealing center, bird watching and tours. There are numerous
direct and indirect benefits possess from the lake including

18 The authors belong to the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.

48

fuel wood, medicinal plants etc.
Tourists both local and foreign varies with time, approximately 50-200 local tourists visit per day (mostly on the weekends) and 50-100 foreign tourists per day (from December toApril) (IUCN Sri Lanka and The CEA, 2006). Therefore, income
is fluctuating according to the number of tourist and average
yearly income claims is about 200,000.00 LKR.
Fishermen involved in Koggala Lagoon claim that present
fishing industry mostly depend on brackish waters due toseawater intrusion into the lagoon. Important species for fisheries identified as prawn (Metapenaeusdobsoni, Penaeusindicus and Macrobrachiumrosenbergii) (IUCN Sri Lanka and The
CEA, 2006), brackish water fish species (Parati, Godaya), freshwater fish species (Malkoraly, Thilapia, Lula), (Kithsiri.M.K.U.,
2009) and crabs (water/ mud crabs).
Respondents mentioned that, there are number of societies
and local governments involved to manage tourist industry as
well as environment. They have restricted the harvesting ofmangrove for timber and fuel wood as well as deforestationby their societies.

Directory of Sri Lanka. Colombo, Sri Lanka, pp. 123-125, 2006.
[5] KITHSIRI.M.K.U. Issues of coastal erosion management practices in the
Koggale lagoon mouth and some mitigating measures to ensure inland
fishery.Proceedings of the National Symposium on Promoting Knowledge
Transfer to Strengthen Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, pp. 29-33, 2009.
[6] SANDIKA, A. L. & HIRIMUTHUGODA, N. Y. Socio-Economic and Livelihood
Related Issues of Crab Collectors in Koggala Lagoon in Galle Sri Lanka.
Tropical Agricultural Research and Extension, Vol. 14(2), pp. 19-24, 2012.
[7] SILVA, E. I. L., J. KATUPOTHA, O. AMARASINGHE, MANTHRITHILAKE, H. &ARIYARATNA, R. 2013. Lagoons of Sri Lanka: From the Origins to thePresent. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute(IWMI), pp. 37, 2013.

5. Disturbances and Threats
Removal of the natural sand barrier decreased the fish production. The landing of seaplanes in the lagoon is known toaffect the bird populations, and cause erosion of the lagoonbanks due to the large waves created during landings. Respondents claims that decreasing of biodiversity in lagoon
directly affected on their livelihood. Large scale clearing ofmangrove trees for construction purposes is another problem. IUCN Sri Lanka and The CEA (2006) showed that growthof invasive plant species within the lagoon (i.e. Salviniamolesta) has led to the decrease in other species naturally foundin the area. It was identified that boats operated by unskilled
person with less safety (i.e. without safety jackets) has had
adverse effects on the tourism industry.
6. Future Prospect around the Koggala Lake
It needs urgent government involvement to prepare policies
to regulate tourist industry. Improve infrastructure facilities
like toilets, vehicle parks, etcetera. Regulate unauthorized
construction beside the lagoon and discharge of effluent fromfree trade zone of Koggala. Sandika and Hirimuthugoda (2012)
identified those major cost items of fishing industry as boats,
nets, hand nets, snare, floaters and baits.
Conclusion
Koggala Lagoon plays an important role in livelihood development of community in the Koggala area. Brackish water fishing is the main income source followed by tourism
industry. It is important the involvement of the government
to make policy for developing eco-tourism industry. Rules
and regulations should be prepared to regulate unauthorized
construction of the lagoon boundary and despotic dischargeof effluents from the Koggala industrial zone and domestic
waste to the lagoon. Need urgent actions to overcome erosionof the lagoon banks and to increase mangrove population andbiodiversity in lagoon area.
References[1] CEA (Central Environmental Authority), Wetland site report and conservation
management plan. Koggala lagoon under wetland conservation project.Sri
Lanka Euroconsult, Sri Lanka.
[2] G.P.AMARASEKARA, PRIYADARSHANA, T., MANATUNGE, J. & TANAKA,
N. Impact on EtroplusSuratensis (Pisces: Cichlidae) Population Attributed to
Human Induced Hydrological Modifications to The Koggala Lagoon, Sri
Lanka, Proceedings of an International Symposium, Faculty of Agriculture,
University of Peradeniya,Sri Lanka, Vol. 1, pp. 1-15, 2012[3] GUNARATNE, G. L., TANAKA, N., AMARASEKARA, P., PRIYADARSHANA, T.
& MANATUNGE, J. Restoration of Koggala lagoon: Modelling approach inevaluating lagoon water budget and flow characteristics. Journal of Environmental Sciences, Vol. 22, pp. 813–819, 2010.
[4] IUCN Sri Lanka and the Central Environmental Authority. National Wetland
49

Achievements and Challenges of the World Bank- aided Integrated Coastal
Zone Management Project in Odisha
A. K. Pattnaik19

1. Introduction
Historically, the coastal zone has been a major focus for thedevelopment of human Society. The coastal and marine ecosystems being highly productive attract human settlement
and economic activities. Coastal zone ecosystem is importantfor biological and economic productivity, storm protection,
erosion control and most importantly it provides a host of ecosystem services which are crucial for human wellbeing. Despite their ecological richness and the contribution to national
economy, the coastal and marine areas have not received adequate protection, and are under stress. Rapid urban-industrialization, maritime transport, marine fishing, tourism, coastaland sea bed mining, offshore oil and natural gas production
and aquaculture have led to a significant increase in demandfor infrastructure, resulting in the over-exploitation of natural
resources. Such rapid depletion and degradation, unless arrested, will impact the livelihood, health and wellbeing of thecoastal population; affecting in turn prospects for sustained
economic growth.
Odisha is situated at the East coast of India along the Bayof Bengal. Odisha’s coast is subject to severe coastal weather
events, such as storm, cyclones and tsunami, inflicting greatloss of lives and property, especially among the rural coastal communities that always had low resilience & adoption to
extreme weather variability. In recent years, the accelerated
erosion of coastal land has affected coastal agriculture andbuilt habitats. The returns from traditional fishing are also diminishing due to depletion of stock and over-exploitation. Climate change is likely to further exuberate the risks to coastal
communities and infrastructure. Studies reveal a significant
potential risk from rise in sea level, increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, and changes inmean climate variables. Six coastal districts of Odisha account for 36% of state’s population. Economic development,
rapid population growth, urbanization and migration frominland to coastal areas are exerting increasing pressure oncoastal zones. Odisha‘s coastal zone is endowed with a wide
range of mangroves, seagrasses, salt marshes, sand dunes,
estuaries, lagoons, and a host of unique marine and coastal
flora and fauna. The abundant coastal and offshore marine
ecosystems include some 1435 sq. km of mangroves forest in
Bhitarkanika with more than 82 species, which are among themost diverse mangrove of the world. There are major stocksof fish, marine mammals, reptiles and Olive Ridley sea turtles,
seagrass meadows, and abundant sea weeds.
In this context, the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, The World Bank andGovernment of Odisha have come forward with an integrated approach to coordinate activities of various government
agencies & departments for the sustainable management andusages of coastal resources maintaining the natural environment. The Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project, on a pilot basis is being implemented in three coastal
states i.e. Gujrat, West Bengal and Odisha. The pilot projectis funded by the World Bank through the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India. The
allocation would be received as grant from the Ministry ofEnvironment, Forest & Climate Change, Government India.
The ICZM Project for Orissa was formulated based on multidisciplinary and interactive framework to promote sustainable management of coastal zones through a wide consultative
process to make it as inclusive as possible. Considering the
19 Vice President, WISA

50

dynamic nature of coastal ecosystem an adaptive approachfor formulation of the project was followed. A series of grassroot level consultation workshops were being organized to
get the inputs from the stakeholders. The Project, on a pilot
basis is being implemented in two coastal stretches i.e. (i) Paradeep to Dhamra & (ii) Gopalpur to Chilika
2. Project Component
1) Formulation of an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Plan for the State
2) Study of coastal erosion and associated oceanographic processes
3) Vulnerability to disaster4) Biodiversity conservation
5) Livelihood security of the coastal communities
6) Pollution/ environmental quality management
7) Improvement and conservation of maritime built heritage structure & promotion of heritage tourism
8) Promotion of community-based ecotourism.
The Department of Forest and Environment, Governmentof Odisha is the nodal Department to coordinate with all the
10 implementing agencies/ departments for implementationand monitoring of activities under the ICZM Project. Further,expert consultancy has been hired from Integrated Coastal &Marine Area Management (ICMAM, Chennai), Department ofMarine Sciences, Berhampur University, IIT Madras and Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar for guiding in techno-environment aspects and socio-economic and cultural aspects. For effective management and implementation of the
ICZM Project in Odisha, a separate ‘State Project Management
Unit’ (SPMU) has been created for smooth implementation of
the project and inter-sectoral co-ordination, which is the coreof the ICZM.
3. Project Executing Agencies and Project Component
1. Department of Water Resources
Based on the shoreline change assessment of Odisha coast
made by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), 39.3 km (about 8.2 percent) is identified ashigh erosion zone, 51.96 km (10.82 percent) fell under
medium erosion zone out of the 480 kilometer coast of Odisha. In order to find a long-term solution to the problem ofcoastal erosion and also to recover the beach areas that werelost in the past, erosion control measures in the form of a hybrid soft & hard engineering method such as deployment of
geo-synthetic tubes at a depth of 4 to 5 m in the sea to dampen
the wave force in one of the most erosion prone stretch nearvillage Pentha was piloted under the project. As a result of
the deployment of the geo-tubes in the sea, the wave energy
at coast is being minimized and settlement of sand is taking
place between the stretch of 4 m depth and the shore. Over theyears, the lost beach is being regained. This method has been
proved to be effective at several locations in the world. Layingof geo-synthetic tubes over a stretch of 700 m after deciding
the alignment through modeling studies, was to dampen the
wave energy on the coast and also to facilitate settlement ofsand between the tubes and the coast. This would act as a firstlayer defense to the coast against strong wave action whichis responsible for erosion. This acts as a last line of defense
against sea water intrusion into the highly productive paddy
field of more than 20,000 ha and life and property of morethan 17 villages.

2. Odisha State Disaster Management Authority
A study conducted on the Odisha coast revealed that significant impacts of storms, cyclones and associated floods areexperienced up to 10 km from the coast. The OSDMA has constructed a number of cyclone shelters as per the assessment
done by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur.
As an immediate requirement of the people living within 2 km
from coast and vulnerable to cyclone, few more shelters arefelt necessary to be established to ensure safety of the local
communities during the extreme climatic events.
Fourteen Multi Purpose Cyclone Shelters (MPSC) are established at the villages of Pentha, Manjuapalli, Petachhela
and Badatubi in Kendrapara District, Samalanasi and Madhurchuan in Ganjam District and at Jamuna, Titipo, Alanda,
Jharkota, Khirisahi, Baghamunda, Khatiakudi and Gurubai in
Puri District. As per estimate above the MPCS is providing
shelter to 14,000 people during the disasters. The shelters aredesigned to withstand wind velocity up to 300 km per hourand roof load of 500 kg per sq. m. and the entire construction
specifications are as per the prescribed standards. The shelters are connected with all weather roads and communication
system and have all basic amenities like water, electricity, toilets, kitchen, etcetera.
3. Forest Department Wildlife Wing
3.1 Conservation of Biodiversity
Activities under this component are; protection of Olive
Ridley sea turtles, cetaceans, estuarine crocodiles and other aquatic wildlife, construction of research and monitoring
center at Rushikulya river mouth, strengthening of crocodile
research and rearing center at Dangamal and plantation ofmangroves/ mangrove associates and other suitable species.
3.2 Livelihood Security
Community-based participatory eco-tourism activities arepromoted under this component to reduce the dependenceof local population on forest and fisheries resources. The activities have been renovation of Hukitola colonial building,drinking water facilities, tent accommodation, construction ofa kitchen, construction of jetty, tourist complex, provision of
mechanized boats, laying down trekking path monitoring andinterpretation centers.
4. 
Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department
Addressing the cause of securing alternate livelihood of thefisher folk in the project area (coastal stretches from Gopalpur
to Chilika and Paradeep to Dhamra) affected due to ban on fishing for conservation has been a major component of the ICZM
Project. This component is implemented through the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department (F&ARD)
and aimed at providing the best alternate livelihood options/
support to 600 Self Help Group’s (SHG) of fishing villages
comprising above 9,000 families in both the coastal stretches. The Department has initiated fisheries and non-fisheries
based alternate livelihood activities to support the local fishing communities during ban on fishing. The major thrust under this component have been providing alternate source of
livelihood for local fishing community affected by the ban on
fishing during the breeding and nesting of the Olive Ridley sea
turtle. The communities through the SHG, supported to do the
freshwater carp culture, crab fattening in abandoned shrimp
farms and other activities like value addition etcetera. under
this component. The alternative livelihood activities carriedout by the SHGs have been based on the best practices, best
technology and intense capacity development and the handholding of the beneficiaries to make the activities sustainable.
5. O disha Tourism Development Corporation
Under this component sustainable livelihood through community-based eco-tourism involving the local fisher communities is achieved. The location of the activities has been at Si-

pakuda, Satapada, Barkul and Rambha along the Chilika Lake.
Infrastructure like interpretation center, food court, publicconveniences, parking, boating, up gradation of water sports
complex development and rescue facility, amusement park,
handicraft/ handloom outlets and illumination of water sports
complex etcetera. were developed. These infrastructures
is being run and maintained by the local communities after
proper training for operation and management. Eco-tourism
is generating supplemental income for members of the local
communities. Local delicacies and handicrafts are also promoted by the communities. Seventeen villages along theouter channel of the Chilika lagoon are immensely benefitted
through these activities.
6. Odisha Coir Cooperative Corporation Ltd.
Besides fishery and tourism-based livelihood options, theProject also explored other means of alternate feasible avocations. One locally available resource along the coast is coconut. Extensive coconut plantations are carried out by the local
people in the Puri District. The coconut husk after removal ismostly utilized for firewood purposes by the fishers. Looking
at the availability of husk in plenty coir making as a meansof livelihood for the local people was introduced under the
project. For this purpose, training centers with appropriate
machinery are established at strategic locations. The capacity
building of the women from fisherman communities on coirmaking has been the major thrust of this component. They are
producing quality coir products now and are being marketedby the Odisha Coir Corporation.
7. Odisha State Pollution Control Board
Odisha State Pollution Control Board has set up a Center for
Monitoring of Coastal Ecosystem (CMCE) for environmental
monitoring (air, water & soil) to create a robust database under
the Project. This is also serving as a capacity building centerfor skill up-gradation for monitoring of the coastal water andpollution and the use of software for preparation of coastal
environmental database. The building is a LEED certified platinum green building. A monitoring vessel is also deployed at
Paradeep under the Project for monitoring the coastal water.
Software is procured to understand the behavior of pollutantsin estuarine and coastal waters and use this knowledge to predict eco-toxicological risks posed by their presence in these
eco-systems.
8. Paradeep Municipality
In Paradeep 48.00 M.T. of solid waste is being generated
per day from various sectors like industry, household, market,
commercial establishments & hospital waste. It is estimatedthat 64.00 M.T. solid wastes would be generated per day by
2021. Since the area is under the rapid state of industrialization the population growth is expected. As a pilot on abetting
the coastal pollution, Paradeep Municipality has been supported to set up a proper Solid Waste Management Systemwith larger land fill site. This includes Leachate Management
System, Landfill Gas Management System, Surface Water
Management System, Groundwater Management System
and monitoring of disposed materials.
9. Department of Culture
Based on archaeological, architectural, sculptural and historical importance, the Archaeology wing of the Culture Department has identified seven important monuments along
the coast for conservation and renovation. These monuments
are at various stages of degradation due to coastal influence.
Since these built maritime manmade monuments are situatedalong the important tourist circuit there is immense potentiality to convert them into heritage tourism sites. Preservationof the above ancient monuments have been its protection,
structural conservation, chemical conservation, environmental up gradation (landscaping) and maintenance from time totime with provision of watch and ward for the monuments.
51

The community participation by way of developing thesemonuments in heritage tourism sites has been ensuring its
sustainability.
10. Chilika Development Authority
The Chilika Lake shelters highest number of Irrawaddy
Dolphins an endangered species and is the largest wintering ground of migratory bird of Asian sub-continent. It is awetland of international importance and a Ramsar site. Morethan 0.2 million fishers depend on the lake fishery for theirlivelihood. More than 0.6 million tourist visit the lake for dolphin and bird watching which provide an excellent means ofalternate livelihood for the local communities. Therefore, it ishighly essential to maintain the ecological integrity of the lake
for conservation of the biodiversity and safeguard the ecosystem. In order to expand the present monitoring protocolof dolphin and birds, specialized components under the project, strengthening of the “Wetlands Research and Training
Center”, monitoring the water quality of the Chilika Lake areaccomplished.
4. Project Outputs
The ICZM framework is a paradigm shift from the traditional
approach of sectoral management of the coastal resources to
a comprehensive, integrated approach for better governanceand management. For effective management and implementation of all project activities and coordination with 10 PEAs of
the ICZM Project the State Project Management Unit (SPMU)
was established. The SPMU adopted the ICZM approach tocoordinate activities of various sectors & resource users forthe sustainable management and wise use of coastal resources maintaining the integrity of coastal ecosystem. During thecourse of implementation of the project, critical areas related
to conservation of the coastal environment and the conflicting
livelihood issues are being put to test the practical applicationof the ICZM framework in the project area. The project has
initiated a number of communication activities including multi-stakeholder workshops to disseminate and gradually focus
on capacity building to implement the pilot activities by PEAs
adopting the ICZM framework to make them sustainable.
The Project benefitted approximately 2.5 million coastal
population of Odisha. In addition to the direct benefit in theform of infrastructure created under the aegis of the Project,capacity building and sensitization of the coastal communities to adopt and cope up to the extreme climatic events like
cyclone, tsunami, flood, is achieved. The coastal communities
were sensitized on conservation of natural resources (flora &fauna) through the well-structured CEPA activities under eachcomponent. Nearly 4 lakh population of 235 coastal villagesof Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda and Ganjam are
directly benefitted from the Project activities. Direct employment opportunity for the coastal fisher folks was createdthrough eco-tourism activities. Demonstration investments incritical areas related to conservation of the coastal environment was put to test the practical application of the coastalzone management approach in states.
5. Challenges & Way Forward
Sustainable management of coastal and marine resources
is essential for long-term economic growth and to ensure theequilibrium between economic development and the protection of the environment. The major challenge faced during
the implementation of the Project was the lack of knowledge,
information, skill, capacity & experience to adopt the ICZM
framework for the successful co-ordination and implementation of the Project in an integrated manner. During the courseof implementation of Phase-I, some significant capacity isbuilt, credible database on coastal processes is generated
through regional coastal process studies. One of the major
outputs of the Phase-I ICZM Project has been the formulation of the ICZM Management Plan of Odisha. The Plan wasformulated with an objective to facilitate the development
and implementation of an integrated management strategy
52

for the coastal zone, by adopting a broad perspective and amulti-sectoral approach, ensuring the wise use of coastal resources, perpetual maintenance of high level of biodiversity,
conservation of critical habitats and maintaining their ecological integrity including sustainable coastal fishery, protection
from extreme weather events, nature-based tourism, and infrastructure development. The major challenge of successful
implementation of the ICZM Plan would be effective coordination of various coastal economic sectors towards long-term
optimal socio-economic outcomes, the ICZM compliant coastal infrastructures including resolution of sectoral conflicts andmediating beneficial trade-offs. The p\Project on long-term
would balance environmental, economic, social, cultural objectives, all within the limits set by natural dynamics and facilitated integration of the terrestrial and marine componentsof the target territory, in both time and space through the successful implementation of the ICZM Plan.

Biodiversity Value and Challenges of Myanmar’s Ramsar Sites
Maung Win20

Abstract: Wetlands are one of the most important parts of
the natural environment in Myanmar. They play a vital role
for the economic development and climate stability. Effective
conservation, management and wise use ensure the natural
resources and services received from wetlands for future
generation. Wetlands play a very important role in Myanmar,
which depends mainly on agriculture. Wetlands store water
for agricultural lands, improve soil, purify and recycle waste
water, buffer and protect from extreme weather events, regulate and cool the climate, and ultimately provide habitat forbirds and other species that remove agriculture pests. Climatechange is threatening wetlands and their associated species.
Climate change affects all ecosystem services including foodproduction and importantly, it disrupts the cooling effect ofwetlands, and is challenging the development of the country.
Currently, there are threats and challenges to the biodiversity of Myanmar due to climate change. The conservation andwise use of wetlands must become a national priority to mitigate climate change and increase resilience to natural disasters. To do so, the cooperation among the relevant ministries,
non-governmental organizations, local communities, and all
stakeholders is required.
1. Introduction
The conservation of natural resources has been a feature ofgovernment policy in Myanmar for nearly a century, and theprotected areas (PAs) are established to conserve ecosystems
and associated biodiversity. Myanmar has a national target of
PAs as 10% of country’s land area. In the present, 42 PAs representing 5.79% of the country’s area have been establishedacross the country. Among these 42 PAs, ten of them are wetlands including Hkakabo Razi National Park, Indawgyi Wildlife
Sanctuary, Inlay Lake Wildlife Sanctuary,
Wtethikan Bird Sanctuary, Moeyungyi Wetland Wildlife
Sanctuary, Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Meinmahla
Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary, Moscos Island Wildlife Sanctuaryand Lampi Island Marine National Park.
The 2004 Wetland Inventory for Myanmar classified six wetland regions in Myanmar. Ayeyarwady/Chindwin River Basin,
Thanlwin (Salween) River Basin, Sittaung River Basin, MekongRiver Basin, Rakhine Coastal Region and Thaninthayi Coastal
Region. These regions support a huge diversity of coastal andinland wetlands.
Myanmar became a Contracting Party to the Ramsar Convention on the 17th March 2005. Since its accession, the Forest Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources andEnvironmental Conservation has been responsible for wetland conservation, as the Administrative Authority of Myanmar for the Ramsar Convention. Five wetlands have been designated as Wetlands of International Importance, commonly
called the Ramsar Sites: Moeyungyi (2004), Indawgyi (2016),
Meinmahla Kyun (2017), Gulf of Mottama (Mon State) (2017)
and Inlay (2018).
On the 30th August 2016, the Myanmar National Wetland
Committee was formed to enhance the coordination of wetland conservation and management by notification No.
94/2016 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. This Committee is composed of fourteen
senior officials from nine governmental departments related
to wetland management, and very recently, the National andWetland Policy and Strategic Actions was formulated on January 2019.

Wetland Region

No. of Sites

Ayeyarwady/Chindwin River Basin

85

Thanlwin River Basin

6

Sittaung River Basin

5

Mekong River Basin0

Rakhine Coastal Region

3

Tanintheyi Coastal Region

0
Total

99

Figure 1.Wetland Regions and Recorded Wetlands in Myanmar

2. Threats and Issues to Wetlands in Myanmar
Though wetlands are very valuable, some have been lostand degraded and continue to deteriorate even now. The remaining wetlands are suffering from over-use, misuse, andenvironmental pollution. The quality and productivity of wetlands are decreasing due to weak or absent management,
which results in decreased living standards in the communities that depend upon resources obtained from wetlands.
The implementation of development activities withoutcomprehensive environmental impact assessments damages wetlands and their ecosystem services. For instance, theconstruction of dams for irrigation, power generation and theconversion of floodplains to paddies without environmental
impact assessments and environmental management alter
the natural hydrology of rivers and their floodplains and impacts human through declines in fish stocks and difficulties inriver navigation.
Land use changes in the proximity also result in impacts
on wetlands. All agriculture, industry, mining, and quarry activities degrade the quality of wetlands. For instance, someendemic fish species and aquatic plants have disappeared

20 Park Warden, Indawgyi Wildlife Sanctuary, Myanmar

53due to the improper use of chemicals in agriculture. Mineraland resource extraction activities in watershed areas cause
sedimentation and pollution in wetlands. The introduction ofInvasive Alien Species (IAS) is also an increasing problem atmany wetlands.
Another factor affecting wetland is waste disposal. Dumping household waste, without any treatment, directly into
streams and rivers overloads their capacity to purify waste
and damages wetland ecosystems.
1. Moeyungyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary
The Sanctuary is not only the first Ramsar site but also oneof the Flyway Network Sites in Myanmar. The Sanctuary covers an area of 104 sq km and is located around an artificial lake
constructed in 1904 at Bago and Waw Township in the Bago
Region. The lake was created by the construction of a dyke tothe north, east and south of the site. A main road is found to
the west. The surrounding area, mostly flat become flooded
during the raining season and is dry during summer, althoughsome permanent water bodies exist. The main objective is toprotect global threatened species such as resident and migratory waterbirds.
There are 17 villages around the area, 9 of which are very
close to the Sanctuary. The inhabitants of these villages mainly rely on rice cultivation for their livelihoods, although somevillages that are very close to the wetland rely on fishing andduck farming to some extent. Over 50,000 local people areresiding and relying on growing paddy and fishing. Wetland isserving as a grazing ground for their cattle and ducks.
The Sanctuary’s fauna includes 133 species of birds (Black
Headed Ibis, Oriental Darter, Spotted Eagle, Spot-billed Pelican), 44 species of fish, 29 species of amphibian and reptiles
and 33 species of butterfly and the flora includes 49 speciesof aquatic plants.
2. Indawgyi Wildlife Sanctuary
Indawgyi Wildlife Sanctuary covers a total area of 815 sq km,
including the Ramsar area proper with 479 sq km plus lakesidegrasslands. It is located in Mohnyin Township, Kachin State.
The Indawgyi lake stretches 24 km from north to south and
10 km from east to west and one of the largest natural inland
lakes in Southeast Asia. This unique wetland system is home
to rare bird and wildlife species and is also one of the mostimportant migratory bird locations in Asia. The Indawgyi wasdesignated as ASEAN Heritage Park in 2003, Flyway Site Network in 2014, Ramsar site in 2016 and Biospherd Reserve in
2017.
The area around the Indawgyi is home to 2 small towns
and 36 villages organized into 11 village tracts. The villages
have some 7,620 households mainly Shan and Kachin ethnic groups, but there are also Bamar households and small
numbers of people from other ethnic groups that have moved
more recently to the Indawgyi. The livelihood of the predominantly Shan and Kachin communities around the lake are agriculture and fisheries-based. The main objective is to conserve
biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The Sanctuary’s fauna includes 47 species of mammal, 350
species of forest birds, 109 species of waterbirds (including
Lesser Adjutant Stork, Wooly-necked Stork, four species ofvulture, Sarus Crane), 93 species of fish, 91 amphibian andreptile and 50 species of butterfly. Some 148 species of tree,
118 species of medicinal plant and 75 species of orchid arerecorded.
3. Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary
The Meinmahla Kyun (Island) is situated within the Ayeyarwady delta mudflats. At only a few feet above sea level, theisland is approximately 26 km long and 10 km wide (13,600ha) and located close to the open sea. The water is brackish innature. And the large section is inundated daily. It is almost
entirely covered with lowland mangrove forest, though mostof the natural forest is heavily degraded from storm damage54(especially due to hurricane Nargis), historical logging, ongoing timber and firewood collection. The main objective isto protect mangrove ecosystem and their fauna. The Meinmahla Kyun was designated as ASEAN Heritage Park in 2003,
Ramsar site in 2017 and Flyway Site Network in 2018.
The Sanctuary is covered with mangroves comprising over
40 species, which is dominated by the species of Kanaso, Heritiera fomes and Thinboung, Phoenix paludosa. The recorded fauna species are 18 species of mammals, 190 species ofbirds, 38 species of amphibian, 100 species of fish, 6 crab species and 14 shrimp species. Salt-water or Estuarine Crocodile,
Crocodylus porosus, Irrawaddy Dolphin Orcaella brevirostrisand Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus are
the important fauna of the Sanctuary.
4. Inle Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
Inle Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the Ramsar Sites in Myanmar, covers 557 km2 and is located in Nyaung Shwe, Pinlaung and Peh Kon Township of Shan State and the second
largest lake in Myanmar. The lake was declared as a Wildlife
Sanctuary in 1985 to protect wetland ecosystem. Due to sanctuary’s biodiversity, scenic features and the local culture theInle Lake is a prime ecotourism destination. The Inle Lake isalso an important water resource area for electricity and domestic uses. Lake dwellers also practice traditional floating
agriculture that deserves to be preserved. The Lake encompasses four cities and innumerable villages. The people living
close to the lake are called Intha. The Inle Lake was designatedas ASEAN Heritage Park in 2003, Biosphere Reserve in 2015
and Ramsar site in 2018.
The Sanctuary’s fauna comprises 191 species of forest birds,
79 species of waterbirds, 34 species of amphibians and reptiles, 43 species of fish, 94 species of butterfly and the speciesof fauna includes 86 species of trees, 527 species of medicinal
plants, 11 species of bamboos and 184 species of orchid.
3. Conclusion
Wetlands are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems. They provide essential services to all our freshwater. However, they continue to be degraded and converted toother uses. The wetlands in Myanmar are degraded and lost
due to unsustainable use by humans. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation is conserving
wetlands by establishing PAs (protected areas), promoting the
programs related to communication/capacity building, education participation an awareness programs among the communities, promoting ecotourism to provide alternative livelihood and thus increasing the income of local communities.
The collaboration among the governmental organizations,
local NGOs and INGOs helps fill up the gap and thus achieving
the goal of the wise use of wetlands in Myanmar.

Education for Sustainable Development Activities for Rehabilitating
Mangrove Forests in Cooperation with Local Communities at the Merbok
Mangrove Reserve, Kedah, Malaysia21
Takuji Arai22, Munirah Ghazali, Nurul Salmi Abdul Latip, Mohammad Zohir Ahmad@Shaari

1. Background
Japan-Malaysia Association (JMA) is a public interest corporation authorized by the Cabinet Office of Japan to contribute to strengthen and deepen lasting relationship of friendship and goodwill, and also to promote tourism, economic
and personal ties between Japan and Malaysia.
Since 1995, the JMA has been conducting rehabilitation oftropical forests and environmental education project in Sarawak, Malaysia in cooperation with the State Government andlocal communities.
The JMA has been a Regional Sejahtera Network (RSEN)
member of RCE Penang, USM since 2014. The JMA and Regional Center for Expertise (RCE) Penang had jointly coordinated Overseas Training Course organized by the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency of Japan (ERCA)
in Malaysia in August 2016.
Based on this experience, the JMA has started ESD activities for sustainable rehabilitation program of mangrove forests in cooperation with RCE Penang, USM and communities
in the area of Merbok Mangrove Forest Reserve, Kedah Malaysia since 2018.

2. Project Outline
1. Location
The Project is implemented at the Merbok Mangrove Forest
Reserve in the area of Kuala Muda District, Kedah, Malaysia.
The Merbok Mangrove Reserve is located about 1 hour
drive north from Penang Island. The Merbok Mangrove Reserve which is made up of 18 compartments with a total areaof 4,176 ha is under the jurisdiction of the Kedah Forestry Department.
The mangrove forest in Merbok consists of 32 species oftrees exclusive to the mangrove ecosystem, and has been
considered as one of the most floristically diverse mangrovesites in the world. The Reserve also harbors a wide array of fau
na, the most prominent are its bird communities where about
80 species have been recorded including migratory species.
Other inhabitants include several species of primates, reptiles
and a high number of commercially-important aquatic spe-cies, mainly the estuarine river ecosystem.
In the area, the mangroves and river ecosystems play animportant role in providing livelihood for fishermen and thesurrounding village communities. Some of the villagers andfishermen comprise low income households. However, someparts of mangrove forests have been degrading due to fellingof trees, urbanization and development in the area. This situation can leave an impact on the sustainability of ecosystemand biodiversity in the future.
In 2018, the JMA has started a joint project in collaboration
with the RCE Penang, the USM to develop ESD activities forsustainable rehabilitation program of mangrove forests at
Merbok Mangrove Forest Reserve. This project is participation with local communities, schools and other target groups
to conserve the ecosystem and its biodiversity for the peopleof the area.
2. Core Activities
Major activities include:
1) Reforestation activities at degraded sites with participation of local communities
2) Establishment of mangrove seedling nursery as a stock
for mangrove reforestation sites
3) Conducting capacity building programs for local communities in silviculture, tree care, forest management,
communication skills and other relevant skills4) Development and running educational program for
local schools, visiting schools, universities and public
to learn about mangrove ecosystem, conservation andecotourism activities
5) Establishment of a mangrove environmental/educational gallery as a centre of the ESD program for the
future6) Holding seminar and symposium to share experience
with schools, NGOs and other organization and publication of leaflet
3. The goals established for this project are:(1) Start up reforestation activities at Merbok• Making research on the present condition of the forests at the Merbok Mangrove Reserve• Meeting with stakeholders for consensus building andplanning• Establishment of nursery and raising seedlings forplantation (Target: 4,000 seedlings / year)• Reforestation activities by local communities (Target:
2ha / year)(2) Develop an ESD program in conjunction with reforestation of mangroves at Merbok• Meeting and idea sharing with stakeholders• Developing ESD program for students and communities• Conducting tree planting event with USM students andvillagers (once in a year)• Preparation for setting up educational facilities at the
Merbok Mangrove Reserve•
4. The expected duration to complete the project is 3 years(April 2018 - March 2021).

21 Organized by Japan-Malaysia Association (JMA) in collaboration with Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Penang, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) supported by Keidanren
Nature Conservation Fund (Japan)
22 Executive Director, JMA and the other authors belong RCE, USM, Malaysia.

55

3. Project Result for the 1st Year (April 2018 - March 2019)
1. First Year - 2018
April:	To organize MOA, research visit plans to various
stakeholder and agencies:
documentations, letters and permissions
May:	First project meeting at RCE Penang, USM with arepresentative of the JMA
June:	Site visit and networking with stakeholders andagencies (discuss and plan to start a nursery,
identify nursery plot and also the place to housethe seedlings)
	Establish a working group and appoint a leader
from the local village for the project.
	
Build a nursery and start seed collection andsowing in the poly bag.
July:	Nursery upgrading works, seed collection andsowing works by villagers
	Experts of RCE Penang, USM visit the project site
regularly	Organize a meeting with the Section Heads ofthe Kedah Education Department (JPNK) with regards to the reforestation project at RCE Penang,
USM. The JPNK agreed to become a partner andprovide assistance to the projectAugust:	
Nursery upgrading works, seed collection andsowing works by villagers
	Experts of RCE Penang, USM visit the project site
regularly	
RCE Fellows attended a discussion about thereforestation project with the Head of Development, Sungai Petani Municipal Council (MPSPK).
The Head welcomed the project and gave his full
support. The MPSPK has agreed to become apartner and provide assistance to the project.
September: 	Held discussion with the District Officer of Sungai Petani District
	Work in nursery postponed due to monsoon season
October:	RCE fellows prepared modules and materials on
Ecosystem Sustainability for Mangrove Campfor school children to be conducted in November.
November:	Held Mangrove Camp 1.0 – an outdoor camp forprimary and secondary schools which introduces the mangrove ecosystem and their importance. In participation were 30 primary and secondary students from the nearby villages, 6 USM
students and 5 USM researchers on 23-25 Nov.
Several related modules have been delivered by
the RCE fellows and students got to participate inoutdoor activities in the mangrove environment.
Each participant also got to replant mangrove
seedlings in the degraded area. Total seedlings
planted were 500.
December:	Work in mangrove nursery resumed with seedcollection and sowing works by villagers.
3. Fiscal Year-2019
January - FebruaryWorld Wetlands Day celebration with USM students
on 2-4 of February, with this year's theme of Wetlands
and Climate Change. Our key activity was a movie
screening on Climate Change followed by a discussion
to engage students on the role of wetlands in mitigatingclimate issues. Students conducted mangrove replanting (300 seedlings) at the site. Afterwards, we ran a riverclean-up of the Sungai Merbok using kayaks and boats.
The program finished off with a self-reflection session,
followed with a discussion on how each individual canhelp protect wetlands and mitigate climate change.
This reforestation project has been mobilized since June2018 with several villagers from Kampung Sungai Batu Besi,
56

Merbok, Kedah. It started with an initial meeting with villagers whereby discussion on the project flow and stages were
made. The first stage is to set up a mangrove nursery. At the
moment only one species of tree is prepared, Rhizophora
apiculata. More species will be added to this collection in thenear future, including endangered species such as Bruguiera
hainesii.
The project has received satisfactory cooperation fromvillagers. Villagers continue to collect seeds, prepare themfor the nursery and to care for the seedlings. The villagers
involved seemed very busy with the nursery activities, andshow optimism.
As of end of January 2019, approximately 1500 seedlings
had been raised in the nursery and 1000 seedlings planted byvillagers. Presently, most seeds are of Rhizophora apiculata
trees with some amount of Rhizophora mucronata. Other species common to the area such as Bruguiera sp, Xylocarpus sp,
Avicennia sp. and Sonneratia sp. will be added later when theseeds are available in the season.
4. P roject Planning for the 2nd & 3rd Fiscal Year (April 2019
- March 2020)
1. Second Fiscal Year (April 2019 - March 2020)
In the second phase, activities such as continuing reforestation activities, training local communities in silviculture andother skills, carrying out trial ESD program, promoting & encouraging local and visiting schools and societies to take partin the program, etcetera will be undertaken. Project planningincludes:• Refine and improve the project activities based on thetwo main objectives: reforestation & educational component.
• Increase the number of participants (stakeholders/collaborators) for this project• Production of educational materials (virtual, printed)• Project showcase at the site. Compilation of best practices of the start-up activities• Continuing reforestation activities, training for local
communities in silviculture and other relevant skills,
carrying out trial ESD program, promoting & encouraging local and visiting schools and societies to takepart in the program, etcetera.
2. Third Fiscal Year (April 2020 - March 2021)
Project planning includes:• Preparation of the final project report• Monitoring and evaluation of the project• Carrying out ESD program through the organization ofseminar at USM and other places to share the experience with the RSEN members and other related organization, publication of leaflet.
• Establish a centre in one of the schools/ community
Photos

Project team (JMA, USM, Sungai Besi
Village) Mangrove Camp 1.0 (Nov 2018)

Responsible Fisheries in the Bay of Bengal
Tapas Ranjan Chakraborty23

Bangladesh owns 118,813 km2 area of territorial sea, 200
nautical miles of Exclusive Economic Zone and all kinds of animal and non-animal resources under the continental shelf up
to 354 nm from the Chittagong coast. Bangladesh is extracted
in three tiers of marine fisheries:
1) Up to 40 m in depth from the coastline where normal
fishing boats operate;2) From 40 m to 200 m in depth where mid-water trawlers
operate; and
3) From 200 m in depth to the end of the Exclusive Economic Zone where long-liner trawlers run (Islam et al.,2017)
Currently, 32,440 km2 starting from the coastline to 40m
depth in the Bay are open to around 67,669 unlicensed fishing boats, of which about 51% are non-motorized boats. There
are only 242 trawlers that are allowed for fishing in those regions by the government (MoFA, 2014). Total fish production
in Bangladesh in 2014-2015 was reported to be 3,684,245 t,
of which 1,023,991 t (27.79%) were from inland open waters,
2,060,408 t (55.93%) from inland closed waters and 599,846 t(16.28%) from marine fisheries.
Table 1: Marine Fish Production and Area in Bangladesh

Fisheries sector
Industrial (Trawl) fishing

Water Area (ha)12,111,000

Artisanal fishing

84,846
515,000

Total


Production (ton)599,846
Source: (Dept of Fisheries, Bangladesh, 2016)

The Bay of Bengal is hosting a wide range of biodiversity, such as fishes, shrimps, mollusks, crabs, mammals, seaweeds, etcetera. Around 511 marine species are recorded
from the Bay of Bengal of Bangladesh.
Table 2: Biodiversity of Bay of Bengal of Bangladesh

Bony fish

475

Cartilaginous (soft-boned) fish

50

Shrimp

56

Crab

50

Lobster5

Mollusk (Oyster)

336

Algae/Seaweed

168

Coral

66

Starfish/Echinoderms

4

Whale/Dolphin

11

Squids (Cuttlefish)

7 (2)Marine fisheries production is only 16.28% of the national fish production (FRSS, 2016). The potential of the coastal
fisheries sector has not been rationally harvested. Rather the
resources have been over-exploited and as a result, the fishstocks declined. The main commercial fishing zones in the
Bay of Bengal are Swatch (trough-shaped marine valley) of no
Ground, Middle Ground, South Patches and South of South

Patches. Artisanal fishing is mostly on near shore coastal areas.
The danger of excessive plastic use and their dumping into
the sea is high on the agenda of several countries. The Bayof Bengal countries individually and collectively would haveto address this problem. For instance, in Bangladesh, since2013, under the Project Aware and its ‘Fighting Marine debris’
program, divers and volunteers engage in survey and removal of marine debris off the Saint Martin’s Island. In February
2016, the divers removed 1048 objects and of these, 90.31 percent were of plastic. It is useful to mention that at least four of
the 17 Sustainable Development Goals are closely associatedwith marine litter and Target 14.1 addresses prevention andreduction of marine pollution, in particular from land-based
activities, including marine debris. (Sakhja 2016).
Near-shore fisheries are overexploited. The extensive useof destructive set bagnets is believed to be responsible forthis in the estuarine and neritic waters. In the absence of anadequate (3) number of hatcheries, the collection of wild tiger shrimp post-larvae in estuaries and near-shore waters
by this fishing method leads to destruction of other shrimp
and finfish species. Estimates indicate that more than 1,600
individuals of non-target macro-zooplankton are killed whilecollecting one single tiger shrimp post-larva. (Holmgren
1994). But the fisheries of the Bay of Bengal have been underpressure for decades and are now severely depleted4. Many
once-abundant species have all but disappeared. Particularly badly affected are the species at the top of the food chain(Vivekanandan 2005).
2. C ommunity in Marine Fisheries Conservation in Teknaf,
Cox’s Bazar
Around 34% household of Teknaf are engaged in fishing.
Average earning of a fisherman here is 4,500 Taka/month. The
fishers of Teknaf were found fishing in the sea for 10 months
except the month June and July because of rough weather.
Jelly fish, fingerlings of a number of fish species, shark juveniles, fingerlings (larvae) of different crab and lobster species,etc., were undesirably trapped during different types of fishing practice. Cetaceans and marine turtles are also undesirably trapped by other types of nets.
Since 1st April 2016, Bangladesh POUSH has been implementing a project, “Community-based Harvest Management
by Conserving the Juveniles of Marine Biodiversity in the Bayof Bengal” in the Bay of Bengal coast line of Teknaf, Cox’s
Bazar in Bangladesh. With the intervention of the project 500
households releasing juveniles into the sea in living condition
has increased the harvest from 30% to 70% but resulted thedecrease of fingerlings moderately from 11 to 7 %. It is due tomainly recommended mesh size of nets.
Now 51% of households in the project area is aware of thesafe releasing of the juveniles trapped unexpectedly. Present
data reveals that significant increase (from 21% to 51%) in
releasing juveniles safely into the sea by the fishermen happened due to different activities of POUSH. In the Project area,
all fishers know about the breeding season of fish and othermarine species but moderate knowledge (33%) was recorded
while they were telling about their understanding regardingfishing rules or law of government regarding fishing and marine protected area. Nevertheless, earlier the knowledge ofthe community regarding fishing law was 2% only. This improvement is due to different awareness, knowledge, demonstration and dissemination activities of POUSH.

23Ph.D. Fellow, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh

57

This fisher community is still reluctant to shift their traditional occupation of fishing. Only 11 households have explored alternative livelihoods. The awareness raising, capacity building, group discussion, providing legal fishing net
combining with other demonstrative activities and assistancefrom the project is bringing significant change in fishing. Seven nets have been given to the community with five groups.
Community is recognizing the conservation benefit resulted
by the new type of project. The project resulted in protecting
1 km2 of sand dune of the Teknaf Peninsula. In a marine turtle
hatchery from the project, eggs of marine turtles were collected for safe incubation and 4,500 baby turtles were released
to the Bay.
The community from the intervention villages - Kocchopia,
South Shilkhali and Barodail recommended three options toconserve and manage marine biodiversity: (1) stop trawlingnet, (2) stop current net, (2) abide by fishing law. The fishers
from Borodail village also appreciated enforcement measures
adopted by government to stop all illegal nets. The awarenessraising, capacity building, group discussion, providing legal
fishing net combining with other demonstrative activities andassistance from the project is bringing significant change infishing.
3. Conclusion
The Bay of Bengal has been important for local development as well as for a global perspective. The coastal and marine fisheries have been playing considerable roles, not onlyin the social and economic development of the country but
also in the regional ecological balance. Strengthening blue
economy issues in the Bay of Bengal is an initiative for Multi
Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
4. Reference
FRSS. (2015). Fisheries resources surveysystem (FRSS), fisheries statisticalreport of Bangladesh (vol. 31, pp. 1e57). Bangladesh: Department of Fisheries.
Halmgren, S. (1994). An environmental assessment of the Bay of Bengal region.
SWEDMAR, BAY OF BENGAL PROGRAMME BOBP/REP/67
Islam, M. M., Shamsuzzaman, M. M., Mozumder, M. M. H., Xiangmin, X., Ming,
Y., &Jewel, M. A. S. (2017). Exploitation and conservation of coastal andmarine fisheries in Bangladesh: Do the fishery laws matter? Marine Policy,
76, 143e151.
Sakhuja, V. (2016). Fisheries and the Plastic Threat in Bay of Bengal. National
Maritime Foundation, New Delhi
Vivekanandan, E., Srinath, M. &Kuriakose, S.(2005) Fishing the marine food web
along the Indian coast. Fish. Res.72, 241–252

Group meeting of Community Biodiversity Group(CBG)

A marine turtle hatchery on the beach58

Recycling of Fish Waste for Sustainable Conservation of Coastal Eco-System
Binod Bihari Sahu 24

1. BackgroundIn-discriminatory usage of chemical fertilizers, pesticides,
antibiotics, agro-chemicals in agriculture and water bodies
has created many environmental and health issues. Culture
and capture fishery resource utilizes nutrients from the coastal water bodies which creates pollution in the Bay of Bengal
through river systems. Post harvests fish processing waste
constitute around 50% in fishery. These wastes are not commonly used in human feeding and are disposed off. Fishwaste recycling into organic fertilizers is well in tune with current food production concern, waste disposal, environmental
responsibility and supply chain efficiency.
“Fish waste bio-refineries” are defined as sustainable processing of fish waste biomass into a spectrum of marketableproducts and energy for crop, animal and fish farming. Fishprocessing waste are promising renewable biomass.
Fish waste bio-refineries have low cost production and easy
operation, low cost energy consumption and maintain highproductivity of value-added organic fertilizers, bio extracts,
amino acids, peptides and bio supplements for increasing primary productivity of soil and aquaculture ponds. Bio-refinery
products from fish wastes are plankton and chlorophyll enhancer as well as soil recharger.
Fish bio extracts are liquid organic fertilizers for plants andcrops and are used as a foliar spray and drenching. Solidbio-extracts are powdered organic fertilizer used for soil andaquaculture pond recharge.
Shellfish bio-extracts are immune-modulators, plant andanimal disease prevention, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial activities. All these products provide resistance to plant and animals against climate change issues such as drought, floodand cyclone.
Participatory bio-refinery projects in two coastal villagesof Odisha (India) comprising fisher women Self Help Groups(FWSHG) have been carried out and the results were documented. The FWSHG can prepare this product during theirleisure time and enhance their livelihood. This product has
been popularized as a brand “Maschhya Gandha” and appliedin more than 1000 ha. of agricultural crops like green gram,
black gram, potato, rice and various horticultural crops andfound increase in production by 25% in Balipatna and Balianta
Block of Khurdha District and Satyabadi Block of Puri District,
Odisha.
2. Salient features of fish fertilizer
1. Fish hydrolysate is highly bioactive and awesome for promoting plant, animal and fish production
2. It provides amino acids, fatty acid, hormone vitamins andimproves health and vigor of fish, plant and animals
3. It is one of the oldest and most effective fertilizers, for
centuries it has been recognized as an excellent fertilizer
source4. Convenient, easy to use and environment friendly, it adds
organic carbon to soil and water
5. Poor man’s fertilizer, non-toxic, it improves soil texture
and compost enhancer.
6. W ild and domestic animal, birds and insect, pest repellant, repellant for crop raiders
The novel organic fish fertilizer utilizing fish and prawn processing waste, trash fish, fish processing waste constitutes
around 30-40% during primary processing. Huge quantity of
waste is also generated during netting, trawling and fish harvesting. Municipality and corporation fish markets also gener-

ate huge quantity of waste.
3. Liquid Fish Fertilizers (Fish Hydrolysate)
Aquaculture ponds for plankton production• 20 liter/acre/meter water bodies 4 equally divided
doses in 15 days interval 100 times diluted with water.
Nursery Pond for Seed Production• 20 liter/acre/meter water bodies 4 equally divided
doses in 15 days interval 100 time diluted with water.
Compound Aquaculture Mass Feed
• 50:50:: rice bran: GNOC & Powder, 100kg feed mix
properly 1liter fish hydrolysate
Floating/Sinking Fish Feed
• 100 kg compounded feed materials, add 2 liter fishhydrolysate (CIFA-BIND ADD) using pelletization.
Agri-Horti-Vegi-Flori-Lawn Foliar Spray• 1 ml/liter liquid fish fertilizer (Planktofert) for foliar
spraying once in every week
Agri-Horti-Vegi-Flori-Lawn Fertigation• 20 liter per acre for fertigation/dip irrigation/green
house farming
4. Powdered Fish Fertilizer (Fish Bio-fert.)
Pond Fertilization• 20 kg/acre/meter water bodies, four equally divided
doses in 15 days interval, Mixing with 5 times vermin
compost sprinkled
Nursery Pond Fertilization• 20 kg/acre/meter water bodies, Four equally divided
doses in 15 days interval, Mixing with 5 time vermin
compost sprinkled.
Agri-Horti-Vegi-Flori-Use
Lawn and Landscape• 6 gm/sq. ft/every 15 days interval, 2 times
Floriculture flower beds
• 6 gm/sq. ft/every 15 days interval, 2 times
Rose plants/flower pots
• 6 gm/flower pot/every 30 days interval, 2 times
Vegetables/Fruits plant beds
• 6gm/sq. ft/every 30 days interval, 2 times
6. Nutritional Composition of Liquid Fish Fertilizer (LFF)
Primary Nutrients

Nitrogen

1.5%

Phosphorus

0.5%

Potash0.4%

Carbon33.7%

Secondary Nutrients

Sulphur

1.52%

Magnesium

1.75%

Calcium

2.24%

Micronutrients

Boron

10.4%

Zinc

17.9%

Halm Iron

24.5%

Manganese

5.2%

Copper

3.5%

Choline & Moybdenum

traces24 Retd. Principal Scientist, ICAR (CIFA), Bhubaneswar, India Email: binodbsahu@gmail.com

59

5. Benefits of Organic Fish Fertilizers
1. Fish fertilizer is a liquefied organic fertilizer, excellent
for fertigation and foliar spray.
2. Pond application promotes phytoplankton, zooplankton, chlorophyll, helpful microbial community development for the use of live fish food
3. Application of 0.35 ml liquid fish fertilizer per pot

60

Result of Group Discussion

Group 1: Major Issues Affecting the
WiseUseGroup 2: Policy, Institution & Governance

Problem: What are the major issues affecting the wise useof the cross-country wetland such as the Bay of Bengal andtheir possible solutions?

Problem: What are the issues relating to policy, institution
and governance mechanism in the coastal area of the Bay of
Bengal & way forward?

Group Leader: Mr. Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad (Bangladesh)

Group Leader: Dr. Indika Rohan Palihakkara (Sri Lanka)

Members
1. Abdur Rahman Rana (Mr.), Director, CAMET
2. Ashit Ranjan Paul (Dr.), Palli Sanchoy Bank
3. Mosaddeque(Mr.) Bangladesh POUSH
4. Mojibur Rahman (Mr.), Bangladesh POUSH
5. Sheikh Nadir Hossain (Mr.), Vice-President, Bangladesh POUSH
6. Tapas Ranjan Chakraborty (Mr.), Oxfam in Bangladesh
7. Uzzal Chondro Shaha (Mr.), Bangladesh POUSH
8. Binod Bihari Sahu (Dr.), Retd. Principal Scientist, ICAR
9. Rajdeep Mukherjee (Mr.), Bay of Bengal ProgrammeInter-Governmental Organization
10. Wardi Kasinath (Mr.), President, KISSAN
11. Reiko Nakamura (Ms.), Secretary General, Ramsar
Center Japan
12. Yukihiro Shimatani (Prof.), Kyushu University, President of Japan Wetland Society
13. Min Thiha Zaw (Mr.), Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association
14. Bishnu Bhandari (Dr.), President, Nepal Wetlands Society

Members:
1. A.K. M. Rafiqul Islam (Mr.), Deputy Director, Department of Environment
2. Asaduzzaman Miah (Mr.), Secretary, Bangladesh
POUSH
3. M. Fazleah Ali (Prof.), Former Pro-Vice Chancellor,
City University, Dhaka.
4. Sanowar Hossain (Dr.), President, Bangladesh POUSH
5. Tapas Ranjan Chakraborty (Mr.), Oxfam in Bangladesh
6. Taslim Uddin, Center for Sustainable Developemtn(CFSD)
7. Durga Prasad Dash (Mr.), Secretary, Pallishree
8. Ritesh Sikka (Mr.), Wetlands International South Asia
9. Emiko Nagakura (Ms.), Wetlands International Japan
10. Takayuki Musha (Mr.), Ramsar Center Japan
11. Norman Ramirez (Mr.), Ramsar Regional Center -East
Asia
12. Myo Lwin (Mr.), Joint-Secretary, Myanmar Forest Association

Burning Issues
1. Overfishing and overexploitation of aquatic resources (bottom trawler/explosion)
2. Mangrove degradation
3. Pollution (plastic disposal, oil, industrial, chemical)
4. Sedimentation/siltation from upstream
5. Sand mining
6. Sea level rising (global warming)
7. Withdrawal of upstream water (transboundary)
8. Deep sea mining
9. Salinity intrusion
10. Lack of integrated resource management policy
11. Excessive utilization of navigation route
12. Lack of biodiversity checklists (inventory)
13. Absence of cross-country cooperation and coordination
14. Lack of awareness among mass people
15. Lack of study on allowable resources
16. Land use change along the coast
Proposed Solutions
1. Appropriate legislation and its enforcement
2. Cross country integrated strategy & action plan
3. Development of biodiversity & coastal resource database
4. Demarcation of fishing zone
5. Alternate income generation for coastal resource dependent community
6. Mass awareness of stakeholders
7. Appropriate land use planning and management
8. Regional/international cooperation
9. Initiation of the regional initiative such as Ramsar Regional Initiative on the Bay of Bengal

62

Policy1. Outdated policies (national and local level)
2. Conflicting policy ( inter and intra policies)
3. Involve all the actors
a. Revise
policieswith
localcommunity
participationb. Viability/applicability of policies
c. Consideration of marginal groupd.
Institution
1. Lack of collaboration (coastal conservation department and wildlife department)
2. Delay of fund flow
3. Lack of capacity to utilize the funda. Capacity building
Governance
1. Overlapping intervention
2. List of priority
3. Lack of community involvement in formulating action.
Issues
1. Central government monitoring local government
2. Frequent meeting with various stakeholders
3. Capacity building
4. Complete within the timeframe
5. Accountability
6. Involve local community in the policy processGroup 3: Means & Ways for Management & Conservation
Problem: What are the means & ways needed to address
the issues-related to the management and conservation of thecoastal wetland area of the Bay of Bengal on the ground?
Group Leader: Prof. Sansanee Choowaew (Thailand)Members
1. A. K. M. Hasan Sayed (Mr.), Director, Forestry, Climate
Change, DRR, Proshikha
2. Raquibul Amin (Mr.), Country Representative, IUCN
Bangladesh
3. Shahad Mahabub Chowdhury (Mr.), IUCN Bangladesh
4. Tapan Kumar Ghosal (Dr.), Bangladesh POUSH
5. Toufic Ahamad Choudhury (Dr.), Former Director
General, Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management(BIBM), Mirpur, Dhaka
6. Ange Sanyasi (Mr.), Fisherman
7. Gaval Daneya (Mr.), Fisherman
8. Yugraj Singh Yadava (Dr.), Director, Bay of Bengal
Programme Inter-Governmental Organization
9. Naoya Furuta (Prof.), Taisho University
10. Takuji Arai (Mr.), Executive Director, Japan-Malaysia
Association
11. Maung Win (Mr.), Forest Department, MONREC, Myanmar
12. Thaw Phoye Shwe (Mr.), Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association
13. Maneewan Sanlee (Ms.), SaveAndaman Network
Foundationb. participatory planning processes)
2. Participatory monitoring (ecological characteristics)
by communities & schools.
3. Effective EIA process and implementation
4. Raising awareness of local government, communities
and stakeholders.
5.

Issues
1. Climate change & sea level rise (SLR)
2. Illegal fishing/ electric fishing
3. Mass tourism
4. Development such as infrastructure (road, port, industry, urbanization)
5. Deforestation (esp. mangroves, upper watershed)
6. Pollution & wastes such as plastic, industrial discharge, chemicals and agricultural runoff)
7. Extreme natural disasters (cyclones, storm surge,
Tsunami, floods)
8. Coastal erosion/floodWays & Means
A. For Climate Change, Disasters, Extremes, Coastal Erosion and Floods, nature-based solution such as DRR- EbA(eco-system based adaptation) is strongly recommended.
Other ways and means are suggested below.
(1) Appropriate land use planning/zoning(2) Appropriate
combinationofGray-Green
infrastructures (Engineering + natural)(3) Maintain healthy coastal ecosystem e.g. mangroves,sea grasses, coral reef, estuaries, sand dunes andtheir ecosystem services(4) Participatory community-based approach(5) CEPA (Communication/capacity building, education,
participation and awareness)(6) Enhanced participation of women group and young
generation.
B. For the development of infrastructure (road, port, industry, urbanization, mass tourism), the following suggestions
were put forward.
1. Appropriate coastal zone management plan such as
ICZM
a. Needed an effective implementation
63

Closing Session

Rapporteur’s Report: Dr. Tapan Kumar Ghosal
Dr. Tapan Kumar Ghoal, the rapporteur of the Symposium, said that wetlands are valuable resources but should not
be exploited at any cost. Rather, they should be used sustainably. The sea, ocean and the Bay of Bengal support humanbeings and the environment. Therefore, it is our collective duty to protect, conserve and manage them and their associated resources. As a rapporteur, an overall gist of the presentation should have been prepared by this time, but it is
not possible to do so due to the constraint of time. The participants’ suggestions and advices are welcome. The ideas,
experiences and examples that have been presented and discussed here are very valuable and will be incorporated in
the final report. He extended his gratitude to Dr. Sanowar Hossain and the Bangladesh POUSH for giving him this opportunity.

Closing Remarks: Ms. Reiko Nakamura
Ms. Reiko Nakaura thanked all the participants for their hard work and patience in the symposium. She said that she
had been very enlightened by the presentation made by 20 authors in a short period of 6 hours. She said that the symposium has given her so many insights into the inner dynamics of the BoB. Thanks to all. RCJ, an NGO based in Tokyo,
has dedicated itself to the sustainable and resilient development of wetlands in the region. The experience of 25 yearsof working in the region boils down to a single point that the macro-management of wetland resources is much more
important and effective than their micro management on the ground. Therefore, the Wetland Partnership Program views
the BOB as a single whole. In this regard, she said that the good examples would be documented from the region anddisseminated to other areas as much as possible. This is what is intended to achieve through the BOB Wetland Partnership Program. The Wetland Partnership Program is a loose network of stakeholder and partners in the region. To someextent, the BOB has been succesful and we hope to continue our journey into the future. She thanked all the concerned
for their kind support and cooperation.

Closing Remarks: Dr. Sanowar Hossain
Dr. Sanowar Hossain offered his deepest gratitude to the Chief Guest Dr. S.M. Munjurul Hannan Khan, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for his kind address to the symposium. He also put
on record the hard work, patience and active participation of the participants in the symposium. He further said thatwater-induced disasters in the region are the outcome of the impact of climate change and the interaction of various
anthropogenic factors. Therefore, the papers on disaster risk reduction presented in the symposium are very relevant tothe situation of the Bay of Bengal. He said that all need to study wetlands vis-a-vis disaster risk reduction in the regionand share the results. Once again he thanked all the participants, organizers and supporters and said so long.

Vote of Thanks – Bishnu Bhandari
The remark on the vote of thanks was made by Dr. Bishnu Bhandari saying that this International workshop was ahistoric moment for the RCJ and it attempted to cover some papers, activities and sessions in a short period of time.
Some 20 presentations were made covering a wide range of subjects, practices and issues. Without the active supportof all the partners and participants, this Symposium would not have been possible at all. Therefore, he offered his voteof thanks to all of them.
He offered his “Big Thank You” to the entire family of Bangladesh POUSH for taking all the pains in organizing this
symposium. Without their whole-hearted support, this would not have been possible at all. He offered his heart-felt
thanks to them. Also, a special thank was given to Dr. Sanowar Hossain, Mr. Asadzzaman Miah and Dr. Tapan Kumar
Ghosal for their kind hospitality, cordiality and generosity. Although challenging, they made the symposium a joyful
event.
He also gave a “big thank you” to a special person who was the roller and driver of the idea of BoB since its inception
in 2016 and its evolution at this stage. The person is none other than Ms. Reiko Nakamura, the Secretary–General of theRamsar Center Japan. She was the key person to push this very idea of the Bay of Bengal as a single wetland.
He also offered his “thanks” to all chairpersons, group leaders and authors for their professional support to the symposium. Without their full understanding, patience and punctuality, this symposium would not have been possible at all
to take off this way. They all deserve the organizer’s “big thank you”. A mention is needed at this time the valuable presence of two fishermen from India as well.
Finally 20 presentations would not have been possible at all in 6 hours without the proper attention and cooperationof two time-keepers; Ms. Emiko Nagakura and Mr. Takuji Arai. They came all the way from Japan along with their stop
watch and bell to ensure that the symposium runs according to the clock and observe the punctuality. This was madepossible by these young and energetic time-keepers, who certainly deserve our “Biggest Thank You”. Last but not least,
logistic support was provided from behind. The synchronization of uploading, displaying and coordinating with the presenters was done by Mr.Takayuki Musha. No one can skip to say “Dhanyobad” to him.
Lastly, Dr. Bhandari wished all of them a safe trip back home and promised to meet again and again somewhere,
sometime for the genuine cause of wetland conservation in the region.

65Annex 1: Program of the Symposium                                 International Symposium on the Conservation of the
Coastal Wetlands of the Bay of Bengal
7 March 2019
Venue: YWCA of Bangladesh, 2/23 Iqbal Road, Mohamadpur, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
Organizers: Bangladesh POUSH & Ramsar Center Japanin collaboration with Wetlands International Japan
Proposed Program
Objectives

1. Appraise the participants of the outcomes of the RCJ-KNCF project “Building aninternational wetland cooperation network across the countries sharing the coastof the Bay of Bengal (FY2016-2018)
2. Assess the current status and challenges of conservation of wetland biodiversity
in the Bay of Bengal region
3. Highlight the importance of ecosystem services of wetlands particularly for Eco
DRR and climate change
4. Develop a networking of NGOs/CBOs working on biodiversity conservation in
the BoB region
5. Compile the good practices (examples), success/failure stories for publications
on Wetland Biodiversity Conservation in the BOB region
6. Sum up the 3-year POUSH-JFGE Project "Community-based harvest
management by conserving the juveniles of marine biodiversity in the Bay of
Bengal" & move forward the RCJ/POUSH TOYOTA project “Achieving the SDG
No. 14 through community-based resource management & conservation ofcoastal and marine biodiversity of the Bay of Bengal in the Teknaf Peninsula,Bangladesh (2019-2020)"

Expected participants:

Officials, scholars, academia, NGOs, CBOs, local stakeholders and students from
India, Myanmar, Nepal, Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Japan and Bangladesh.

Output: Symposium Proceeding and dissemination
Supported by:
1. Japan Fund for Global Environment of Environmental Restoration andConservation Activities
2. Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund
3. Toyota Environmental Activities Grant Program


66

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Schedule of Activities
Session 1: Inaugural Session
9:20-9:25 Welcome Address – Dr. Sanowar Hossain, President, Bangladesh POUSH
9.25-9.30 Remarks -- Ms. Reiko Nakamura, Secretary General, RCJ
9.30-9.35 Remarks -- Prof. Yukihiro Shimatani, President, Japan Wetland Society
9.35-9.50 Keynote -- The Bay of Bengal Wetlands Partnership: A New Initiative for theConservation of a Transboundary Wetland Ecosystem - Dr. Bishnu Bhandari,President, Nepal Wetlands Society
9:50-10:00 Inaugural Speech -- Chief Guest Dr. S.M. Munjurul Hannan Khan,
Additional Secretary,
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of
Bangladesh
10.00-10.05 Chairperson's Remarks- Mr. Sheikh Nadir Hossain, Vice-President,
Bangladesh POUSH
10.05-10.20

Tea BreakSession 2: International Cooperation and DRR in Wetlands(12 min presentation + 2 min Q&A)

Chair: Mr. Rquibul Amin, CR IUCN Bangladesh
Rapporteur: Dr. Tapan Kumar Ghosal (Bangladesh POUSH) & Ms. Emiko Nagakura (WIJ,
Japan)
10:20-10:35 (2.1) International cooperation on environment of the Bay of Bengal in the
BOBP-IGOPerspective -- Dr. Yugraj Singh Yadava, BONP-IGO
10:35-10:50 (2.2) The work of RRC-EA and plan for the Bay of Bengal-- Mr. Norman
Ramirez, RRC-EA
10:50-1:05 (2.3) The Role of wetlands for disaster risk reduction -- Prof. Naoya Furuta,
Taisho University
11:05-11:20 (2.4) Urban wetlands for DRR in Japan -- Prof. Yukihiro Shimatani, Kyushu
University
11:20-11:35 (2.5) Ecosystem Management & DRR: Lessons from the Mahanadi Delta -- Dr.
Ritesh Sikka, WISA
11:35-11:50 (2.6) Community-based coastal wetlands management under the Mangrove for
the Future (MFF) Initiative -- Shahad Mahbub Chowdhury, Bangladesh
11:50-12:05 (2.7) Conservation of wetlands and DRR in Bangladesh -- Dr. Sanowar
Hossain, Bangladesh POUSH
12.05-12.10

Short BreakSession 3: Successes and Challenges of Wetland Conservation




67

                                 (12 min presentation + 2 min Q&A)

Chair: Chair: Mr. Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad, Bangladesh
Rapporteur: Dr. Tapan Kumar Ghosal (Bangladesh POUSH) & Ms. Emiko Nagakura (WIJ,
Japan)
12:10-12:25 (3.1) Management of Koggala lagoon for sustainable livelihood developm ent –A case study in Sri Lanka -- Prof. Indika Rohan Palihakkara, Rufuna
University
12:25-12:40 (3.2) Achievements and challenges of the World Bank aided Integrated Coastal
Zone Management (ICZM) Project in Odisha -- Dr. Ajit Pattnaik, WISA
12:40-12:55 (3.3) Community-based sustainable management of wetland resources for
ecotourism -- Dr. Sansanee Choowaew, Mahidol University
12:55- 1:10 (3.4) Biodiversity value and challenges of Myanmar‘s Ramsar Sites -- Mr.
Maung Win, Forest Department, Myanmar
1:10- 1:25 (3.5) Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) activities forrehabilitating mangrove forests in cooperation with local communiti es at
Merbok Mangrove Reserve, Kedah, Malaysia -- Mr. Takuji Arai,Japan-Malaysia Association
1:10- 1:40 (3.6) Responsible Fisheries in the Bay of Bengal -- Mr. Tapas Ranjan
Chakraborty
1:40- 2:40 Lunch BreakSession 4: Successes and Challenges ……

(Continued)

Chair: Dr. Sanowar Hossain, President, Bangladesh POUSH
Rapporteurs: Dr. Tapan Kumar Ghosal (Bangladesh POUSH) & Mr. Takuji Arai (Japan)(4.1) Sustainable forest conservation and livelihood support throughcommunity-Based activities at U Tu Village, Rakhine Coast, Myanmar--Mr.
Myo Lwin, Myanmar Forest Association
2:45-3:00 (4.2) Community participation in the Gulf of Mottama Ramsar site, Myanmar -Mr. Min Thiha Zaw, BANCA
3:00-3:15 (4.3) Building resilience capacity of the local communities along Bahuda Estuary
area in India -- D. P. Dash, Pallishree
3:15-3:30 (4.4) Community-based sea turtle conservation along the coast of the Bay of
Bengal, India – Wardi Kasinath, KISSAN
3:30-3:45 (4.5) Efforts of people for conservation of dugong, sea-turtle and seagrass bed inTrang province, Thailand -- Ms. Maneewan Saniee, SaveAndaman Network
Foundation
3:45-4:00 (4.6) Discovery of the benefits of fish waste recycling for sustainable
conservation of coastal eco-system: A participatory approach -- Dr. Binod
Bihari Sahu
4:00-4:15 (4.7) Geomorphological evolution and coastal dynamics along the coastal
shoreline of the Bay of Bengal in relation to climate induced disaster: Fifty
2:30-2:45

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68

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years of human-nature Interaction – Mr. Muhammad Abdur Rahaman
4:15- 4:30 Tea BreakSession 5: Break out Session (4:30-6:00)
Chair: Prof. Naoya Furuta (Japan)
Rapporteur: Dr. Tapan Kumar Ghosal (Bangladesh) & Ms. Emiko Nagakura (WIJ, Japan)
The participants will be divided into three groups. The list of the participants will be
prepared by the Secretariat. The Group Leader will select the rapporteur and discuss theissue. The Group Leader will make a short presentation in the plenary. Each group needs aclip board, brown sheets and sign pens.
4:45- 5:40 - Group Discussion
Group 1: What are the major issues affecting the wise use of the cross-country
wetland such as the Bay of Bengal and their possible solutions? (Group
Leader: Mr. Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad (Bangladesh)
Group 2: What are the issues relating to policy, institution and governancemechanism in the coastal area of the Bay of Bengal & way forward?
(Group Leader: Prof. Indika Rohan Palihakkara, India)
Group 3: What are the means & ways needed to address the issues-related to the
management and conservation of the coastal wetland area of the Bay of
Bengal on the ground? (Group Leader: Prof. Sansanee Choowaew,
Thailand)5:30- 6:00 Group Presentations at the plenary (5 minutes each).
Session 6: Closing Session (6:00)
6:10-6:15 Rapporteur's Report – Dr. Tapan Kumar Ghosal (Bangladesh)
6:15-6:20 Vote of thanks – Dr. Bishnu Bhandari (Nepal)
6:20-6:30 Closing Remarks
1. Ms. Reiko Nakamura, Secretary-General, RCJ
2. Dr. Sanowar Hossain, President of Bangladesh POUSH

Farewell Dinner 6:30 onward
Secretariat
Bangladesh POUSH
11/8Iqbal Road, Block-A,
Mohammadpur,Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
Phone: 88-02-8117948, 88-017115311451
e-mail: bdpoush@gmail.com

Ramsar Center Japan
c/o Maple Tours Travel Agency
Room 101, 2-3-1 Meguro, Meguro-ku,
Tokyo 153-0063 Japan
Phone :81-3-3792-5513
e-mail: ramsarcj.nakamura@nifty.com

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

69

Annex 2: List of Participants
Bangladesh
1. Abdur Rahman Rana (Mr.), Director, CAMET
2. Ashit Ranjan Paul (Dr.), Palli Sanchoy Bank.
3. Akash Alam (Mr.) Dhaka University
4.	A .K. M. Rafiqul Islam (Mr.), Deputy Director, Department of Environment
5.	A . K. M. Hasan Sayed (Mr.), Director, Forestry, Climate Change, DRR, Proshikha
6. Asaduzzaman Miah (Mr.), Secretary, Bangladesh POUSH
7.	Habibullaha Md. Mahafuzur Rahman (Mr.) Former Additional DG, Planning Academy,
Dhaka
8.	Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad (Mr.), Former CCF & CR of IUCN, Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka
9. Jebina Tanvir (Ms), Basundhara Group
10. Mosaddeque(Mr.) Bangladesh POUSH
11.	M. Fazleah Ali (Prof.), Former Pro-Vice Chancellor, City University, Dhaka.
12. Mojibur Rahman (Mr.), Bangladesh POUSH
13.	Raquibul Amin (Mr.), Country Representative, IUCN Bangladesh
14.	Sanowar Hossain (Dr.), President, Bangladesh POUSH
15.	Shahad Mahabub Chowdhury(Mr.), IUCN Bangladesh
16.	Sheikh Nadir Hossain (Mr.), Vice-President, Bangladesh POUSH
17.	S.M. Munjurul Hannan Khan (Dr.), Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest
and Climate Change, Government of Bangladesh
18.	Tapan Kumar Ghosal (Dr.), Bangladesh POUSH.
19.	Tapas Ranjan Chakraborty (Mr.), Oxfam in Bangladesh
20.	Taslim Uddin (Mr.), Center for Sustainable Development (CFSD)
21.	Toufic Ahamad Choudhury (Dr.), Former Director General, Bangladesh Institute of BankManagement (BIBM), Mirpur, Dhaka.
22.	Uzzal Chondro Shaha (Mr.), Bangladesh POUSH
India
23.	Ange Sanyasi (Mr.), Fisherman
24. Binod Bihari Sahu (Dr.), Retd. Principal Scientist, ICAR
25. Durga Prasad Dash (Mr.), Secretary, Pallishree
26. Gaval Daneya (Mr.), Fisherman
27.	Rajdeep Mukherjee (Mr.), Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organization
28. Ritesh Sikka (Mr.), Wetlands International South Asia
29.	Yugraj Singh Yadava (Dr.), Director, Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental
Organization
30. Wardi Kasinath (Mr.), President, KISSAN
Japan
31. Emiko Nagakura (Ms.), Wetlands International Japan
32. Naoya Furuta (Prof.), Taisho University
33.	Reiko Nakamura (Ms.), Secretary General, Ramsar Center Japan
34. Takayuki Musha (Mr.), Ramsar Center Japan35.	Takuji Arai (Mr.), Executive Director, Japan-Malaysia Association
36.	Yukihiro Shimatani (Prof.), Kyushu University, President of Japan Wetland Society
Korea
37.	Norman Emmanuel C. Ramirez (Mr.), Ramsar Regional Center -East Asia
Myanmar38.	Maung Win (Mr.), Forest Department, MONREC, Myanmar
39.	Min Thiha Zaw (Mr.), Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association
40.	Myo Lwin (Mr.), Joint-Secretary, Myanmar Forest Association
41.	Thaw Phoye Shwe (Mr.), Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association
Nepal
42. Bishnu Bhandari (Dr.), President, Nepal Wetlands Society
Sri Lanka
43.	Indika Rohan Palihakkara (Dr.), Rufuna University, Sri Lanka
Thailand44.	Maneewan Sanlee (Ms.), Save Andaman Network Foundation
45.	Sansanee Choowaew (Dr.), Senior Advisor, Mahidol University

70Annex 3: PowerPoint Presentations

KeyNote:Bishnu Bhandari
The Bay of Bengal Wetlands
Partnership

A New Initiative for the Conservation of a Transboundary
Wetland Ecosystem
Bishnu Bhandari
Reiko Nakamura
Sanowar Hossain

International Symposium on the Conservation of
the Coastal Area of the Bay of Bengal
Dhaka, Bangladesh
7 March 2019

The BoB is aTransboundary wetland.
• World's Largest Basin• One of the 64 Large
Marine ecosystems• 2.2 million km2• Houses islands, gulfs,
estuarine, straits,
beach & forest• Sink for rivers,
Coastal area = 6,300 km rainwater, water runoff,
discharge

The BoB was the highway
for 30 million people
A Forgotten Sea• The British Empire
envisioned a grandplan of Rice, Rubber &Tea & Coffee.
• 130,000 refugees
embark on a march• Nation-states emergedHome to Sea-based
PeopleMegha Biodiversity
Vast Concourse of
Fauna, Flora &Ecosystems

1. Sentinelese Tribe

2. Jarawa Tribe

3. Onge Tribe

4.Moken with Kabang: Stateless

Source of Livelihoods for the 400
millions of People. Over 400,000
fishery crafts.

Melting Pot

Environmental
Hazards
The Area is prone to disaster &house of diversities.

1. Water pollution
2. Decline of critical habitat
3. Hazard of ship-breaking
4. Global warming & sea level rise

2. What is BoB
Wetland Partnership
The coastal area of the BoB houses
23 Ramsar Sites.
1. Bangladesh
2. India
3. Myanmar
4. Sri Lanka
5. Thailand

=2
=5
=5
=6
=5

1. SAARC
2. IORA
3. BBIN Initiative
4. BIMSTEC
5. ASEAN
6. BOBP-IGA
7. Many UN Regional Offices

5 Basic Principles• Based on 5 principles• A loose network of partner organizations• Its overall objective is to create anenvironment for mutual sharing of benefits
and raising voices in order to inform
decision making process.

Chronological
Development

VisionEnvironmentally excellent,
economically prosperous &socially equitable Bay of Bengal

Regional Initiatives

2016
2016
2017
2017

= Mini-Symposium on the Bay of Bengal, Myanmar.
= International Workshop on the BoB, Thailand= Rapid Assessment of the Gulf of Mottama, Myanmar= Intensive study of the U To Village, Myanmar

2018
2018
2018
2018
2019

= First Community Sharing Workshop, India= Field study on Crab Raising, Thailand= Coastal Wetland-based Livelihood Study, Sri Lanka= Training on "Crab Banking and Eco-Tourism" Thailand= 2nd Information Sharing Workshop, Cox' Bazaar Bangladesh– View the entire BoB as an Organic Whole– Begin at the place, where the problem is– Incorporate ethical values– Active, informed & meaningful participation– Facilitating a forum

Community Sharing
Workshop in Odisha

71Community Sharing
Workshop in Cox's
Bazaar

2. Road Map
International Symposium
Overall Objective
Its overall objective is to share ourexperiences, knowledge & opportunities
in the Bay of Bengal

Thank you for your kindattention

72• Strengthening the current network• Continue community sharing workshop• Develop innovative project• Mount the demonstration projectPart I
Yugraj Singh Yadava

International Cooperation on theEnvironment of the Bay of Bengal in
the BOBP-IGO Perspective
International Symposium on the Conservation of
Wetland Biodiversity along the Coast of Bay of Bengal
07 March 2019, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Yugraj Singh Yadava
Yugraj.yadava@bobpigo.org

Cooperation: an act or instance of working or
acting together for a common purpose (1) or
benefit (2).

1. Purpose: Sustaining the gain from economic uses
(e.g. food, livelihoods, healthy stocks, foreignexchange)
2. Benefit: Complementary policies, knowledge base– better governanceFuture of the Bay as our common heritage isincreasingly getting questionable?

• The Bay of Bengal number ofcountries- 8• Combined coastal population- 185
million• Tropical coral reefs – 3.65% of theworld• Number of fishers - 3.7 million• Number of boats- 415 000• Annual catch- 6 million tonnes /US$
4 billion• Value of marine and coastal
ecosystem service: > US$ 72 billion
a year• Aquaculture US$ 9.4 billion• Fisheries US$ 32.4 billion• Tourism US$ 18.7 billion

Regional Geopolitical Organizations

2.5
2.0
1.5

Regional Economic Organizations

1.0
0.5

Mean trophic level

2000

1990

1980

1970

1960

1950

0.0

-0.5

FiB Index

Fleet over capacity.
Use of highly efficient andharmful gear.

Regional Economic Organizations• Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral andEconomic Cooperation• Bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia.
• In 2005, during 8th BIMSTEC Meeting in Dhaka,environment and disaster management were identified
as priority areas.
• Fisheries is another focal point of BIMSTEC (led by
Thailand).
• Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management in the Bay of
Bengal was proposed in the first meeting of BIMSTEC
Fisheries Committee in 2001.
• Regular activities and cooperation are missing.

Regional Sectoral Organizations

International Sectoral Agreements
International Organizations

Regional Sectoral Organizations
Environment• Policy advocacy• Umbrella organization• BOBP-IGO• Bottom-up capacity building,• policy advocacy and regional synergy.
• Technology diffusion• South-East Asian Fisheries Development Centre (SEAFDEC)• Capacity Building• Policy support• Technology development

Increasing landing from BoB (decedal average)

Average

Max

Min
1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

Regional Geopolitical Organizations• South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC)• SAARC Environment Ministers meet periodically to takestock of and further regional cooperation on
environmental issues.
• In October 1997, during Third Meeting of the SAARC
Ministers, SAARC Environmental Action Plan was adopted.
• Climate Change and sea level rise were flagged as areas ofconcern.
• SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre (hosted by
Maldives) was created.
• However, SAARC Environmental Ministers have not met
since 2011.

• Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Regional Environmental Organizations• South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SACEP)• Part of Regional Seas Programme of UN Environmental
Programme.

• International Union for Conservation of Nature Mangroves for the Future (IUCN-MFF)

Fisheries

Regional Fisheries Organizations• Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC)

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Source: BOBLME 2015

4.0

3.5

Unplanned growth leading to stock depletion

1950

Section 2: Institutional & Governance
Framework for Regional Cooperation

3.0

What is regional cooperation in the context
of the seas?

Millions tonnes• Objective: To share cross-sectoral learning on regional
cooperation (Marine fisheries & environment)• Wetlands are highly important for marine ecosystem.
However, they are not covered here as they arecovered in other presentations.
• Section 1: State of Fisheries and Environment in Bay of
Bengal• Section 2: Institutional and Governance framework forregional cooperation• Section 3: Example of regional cooperation andachievements• Section 4: Lessons learned and way forward

Of the 46 commercially
important species, 11 species
are fully exploited and 4 arefully or over-exploited.

• A four-country regional fisheries
advisory body.
• Members: Bangladesh, India,
Maldives, Sri Lanka.
• Cooperating countries:
Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia,
Malaysia• Institutionalized in 2003 fromerstwhile Bay of Bengal
Programme of FAO which started
in 1979.

Section 1: The Bay of Bengal – Stylized Facts

Plan of the Presentation

Fishing down the food chain.

Bay of Bengal ProgrammeInter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO)

International Instrument for Regional
Cooperation“It is one of the advances in maritime international law, resulting
from the intensification of fishing, that the former laissez fairetreatment of the living resources of the sea in the high seas has
been replaced by a recognition of a duty to have due regard to
the rights of other States and the needs of conservation for the
benefit of all.”(ICJ, Fisheries Jurisdiction Case, 1974)

United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea
Article 64: Highly migratory species• The coastal State and other States whose
nationals fish in the region for the highly migratory
species…shall cooperate directly or throughappropriate international organizations…toensuring conservation and promoting theobjective of optimum utilization…

• Indian Ocean Tuna Commission• Stock Management• Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Project73

United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea

Convention on Biological Diversity

Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries• Article 118: Cooperation of States in theconservation and management of living resources• Article 5. Cooperation• Article 6: …In recognizing the transboundary nature of• Article 119: Conservation of the living resources of
the high seas
• Article 123: Cooperation of States bordering
enclosed or semi-enclosed seas

• Each Contracting Party shall…cooperate…, in respect ofareas beyond national jurisdiction and on other matters ofmutual interest.

• Article 17. Exchange of Information• The Contracting Parties shall facilitate the exchange of
information…

• Article 18. Technical and Scientific Cooperation• The Contracting Parties shall promote international technicaland scientific cooperation…

The UN Fish Stocks Agreement• Focuses on conservation and management ofstraddling and highly migratory fish stocks;• Introduces precautionary approach to fisheries
management;• Specifies obligation of flag states – innovative
enforcement provisions;• Promotes special needs of developing countries;• Paves the way for regional fisheries management
organizations.

Convention on International Trade inEndangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(CITES)• To ensure that international trade in
specimens of wild animals and plants does
not threaten their survival.
• Provisions for penalizing non-complying
parties.

Sustainable Development Goals
The 1992 Earth summit• The Rio Declaration put ‘human’ at the centre ofconcern for sustainable development andacknowledged the sovereign right and responsibilityof states to ensure controlling of damage to theenvironment.
• Agenda 21 calls for international co-operationneeded for sustainable development, conservationand management of resources, strengthening ofstakeholders and governance issues.

• Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas andmarine resources for sustainable development• Goal 15: Life on Land

• Protect, restore and promote sustainable use ofterrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests,
combat desertification, and halt and reverse landdegradation and halt biodiversity loss

• Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals• Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize
the global partnership for sustainable development

BOBP-IGO: Strategic Action Plan

Section 3: Examples ofRegional Cooperation

Safetyat SeaSafe Fish

Capacity building in data collecting, collation
and analysis• During regional and subsequent national MCS meeting, datacollection and reporting was identified as a major shortcomings• Lack of fund, wherewithal and trained manpower.
• Lack of private-public partnership• Lack of involvement of general academia• This need was again reflected during CCRF and EAFM training
programmes• There is also a lack of demand for data and a national level plan on
utilization of data.
• Data and analytical reports are often not timely available.
• A administration+ R&D Institution Dialogue is often missing on
developing an effective data collection and reporting mechanism

74

Felt-need based
activities

Adopting CCRF& EAFM

Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem
Project• Funded by GEF• Implemented by FAO from 2009-2015.
Next phase under progress. Likely to startby 2020.
• Adopted transboundary diagnostic
approach• Major threats:• Over-exploitation of fish stocks• Habitat degradation• Pollution

migratory stocks, should cooperate to ensure effective
conservation and management of the resources (ontransboundary stocks).

• Article 10: States with neighbouring coastal areas should
cooperate …to facilitate the sustainable use…

Convention on the Conservation of Migratory
Species of Wild Animals (1979)• Aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian
migratory species throughout their range.

• Food & Agriculture Organization of United Nations• Other UN Organizations• Umbrella bodies• Larger policy direction• National level capacity building• Technology and knowledge transfer• Recently there is concern that UN bodies are
moving toward policy direction only while there
field presence is reduced!

Adopting CCRF

Improving
MCS

Livelihoods• Article 7: …States in the case of straddling and highlyInternational Organizations• Goal 14: Life Below Water

AdaptingtoClimateChangemany aquatic ecosystems, States should encouragebilateral and multilateral cooperation in research, as
appropriate.

• A regular training programme instituted in 2008
• Targets junior and middle-level officials• Covered: Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Myanmar,
Indonesia• 6 programmes; 120+ trained.

Promulgating EAFM
• Started in collaboration with BOBLME. Carried forward by
BOBP-IGO• 2 Regional Programmes; several national programmes; 70+
trained.
• Strategy: To develop both in-country trainers andpractitioners

BOBLME Phase 1 was a foundational Project• Based on the need to lay the foundations forchange,including demonstrations of transboundary cooperation,
before implementing a second phase action programme thatwill lead to the long-term goal relating to an improvementin the health of the Bay of Bengal and its fisheries.

• BOBLME focused on:• increasing capacity in natural resources management,• increasing knowledge about the ecosystem,• developing indicators for tracking changes, and• starting to improve ecosystem health throughtransboundary demonstration activities.

Two major outputs

Section 4: Lessons Learned and Way Forward

A Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis –TDA• Countries are more forthcoming inrecognizing and discussing transboundary
issues!
• However, actual and effective on-field
examples of regional cooperation is scant!

• Review and analysis of the majortransboundary issues and their causes

A Strategic Action Programme – SAP• A (strategic action) plan for addressing
the major transboundary issues andtheir causes

Regional cooperation is costly…
• Countries need to adjust their priorities andpolicies.
• The nature of commitment of the Government
also changes under a regional framework –became more binding!
• From data to research to policy and action – moretransparency becomes necessary (owing to sharing
information and knowledge).

Challenges in moving towards a regional
cooperative arrangements

Political relations

Compatibility of Lack of regional
National objectives
leadership

Undermining
importance of
Bureaucratic inertia
environment &fisheries in policy

Moving towards cooperation• Primary level: Cooperation in researchand information sharing• informal and non-binding.

• Secondary level: Cooperation inprimary level + implementation &enforcement.
• Formal & binding .
• Its effective

Thanks!

75

Norman Emmanuel C. Ramirez
Contents

History• Introduction• Main RRC-EA activitieso CEPAo Networko Wetland Fundo Implementation of Ramsar Convention• Planned activities

The Ramsar Regional Center – East Asiaand plans for the Bay of Bengal region
Norman Emmanuel C. Ramirez
Program Officer, Ramsar Regional Center – East Asia

Regional boundary

Governance and Institutional Arrangements

Areas of work

• RRC-EA Steering Committee

1. promoting communication, capacity building,
education, participation and awareness (CEPA)
2. maintaining networks of wetland managers andwetland education centers
3. managing the RRC-EA Wetland Fund
4. supporting the implementation of the Ramsar
Conventiono provides guidance in the development of policies andprograms for the Centero Heads of the Ramsar Administrative Authorities or their
appointed representatives from RRC-EA countries• RRC-EA coordination with the Ramsar Secretariat
and Ramsar Administrative Authoritieso to ensure complementarity of RRC-EA activities withnational initiatives and the Ramsar Strategic Plan

CEPA

CEPA

CEPA

Regional Training Workshop for Wetland Managers
in East, Southeast and South Asia

National Training Workshop for Wetland Managers

Subregional Training Workshop for Wetland
Managers• capacity building support in between the regionaland national levels• to target transboundary wetlands beyond national
borders, e.g. Yellow/West Sea, Lower Mekong River,and Bay of Bengal

CEPA

CEPA

CEPA

• Youth Model Ramsar Convention

World Wetlands Day promotion• Training module development

CEPA

CEPA

Network of wetland managers and wetland
education centers• Translation of Ramsar Guidebook

RRC-EA website and web magazine

Wetland Link International - Asia

• annual event offered to all RRC-EA Member Countries• 11 regional training workshops (by 2019)• designed to include:o special lectures aligned with the World Wetlands Day theme (e.g.
disaster risk reduction, sustainable urban wetlands, climate change)o Information sharing session by the countries
o Rapid Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Services (RAWES)o Ramsar Site Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (R-METT)

o aims to raise the awareness of the youth and future
generations on wetlandso designed to simulate the basic proceedings of a Ramsar
COP• annual event offered to interested RRC-EA Member
Countries• provides complementary support to address the priority
capacity building needs of one country (based on national
wetland action plans or related policy documents)• approach to use the national language as the medium ofcommunication during trainings• venue to promote Ramsar Convention tools and approaches(RAWES, R-METT, Designation and Management of Ramsar
Sites)• host countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Mongolia, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Namo RAWES and R-METT video lectures have been developedo accessible through YouTube and the RRC-EA website• World Wetlands Day promotion

o producing and distributing posters, pins, brochures,
hand fans and eco-bags that promote the WWD and theRamsar Conventiono the RRC-EA collaborates with the Kia Tigers professional
baseball team to promote the WWD by hosting anationally televised ceremonial pitch and hito translated into nine (9) languages of the countries:
Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Lao PDR,
Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal and Viet Nam

76• www.rrcea.org• quarterly web magazine

Network of wetland managers and wetland
education centers“Wetland Centers
in Asia”

RRC-EA Wetland Fund

Implementation of Ramsar Convention• the RRC-EA maintains cooperation and linkages
with the Ramsar Secretariat and with Ramsar
National Focal Points▪ as of 2018, a total of 46 projects from 14 countries in East,
Southeast and South Asiao to ensure that the initiatives of the RRC-EA are in sync
with global and national commitments anddevelopments• the RRC-EA contributed to the development of:

1. R-METT
2. RAWES approach
3. Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention

Planned activities (2019-2020)
1. Regular activities• regional, subregional (Lower Mekong River and Bay of Bengal)
and national trainings (Malaysia, India or Philippines)• youth program and WWD promotion• development and translation of training modules and Ramsar
Guidebooks• RRC-EA website and web magazine• WLI-Asia Secretariat and RRC-EA Wetland Fund

2. Special events

Thank you for your attention• 2019 Society of Wetland Scientists – Asia Chapter Meeting• 7th Wetland Link International – Asia Conference• Inaugural Wetland City Mayors’ Round Table• Workshop of the Independent Advisory Committee• 2020 Asian Wetland Symposium77Raquibul Amin & Shahad Mahbub Chowdhury

Community based coastal wetlands management
under the Mangroves for the Future (MFF) initiative

Mangroves are a flagshipecosystem, but MFF is inclusive of
all coastal ecosystems

Where MFF works(geographical scope and countries)

Raquibul Amin
Shahad Mahbub Chowdhury
IUCN Bangladesh

Members: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Viet Nam
Outreach: Malaysia

Seagrass

Estuaries

Coral reefs

Sand dunes

MFF in Bangladesh

The Social Ecological System (SES)• Bangladesh joined MFF as outreach country on 2009
• Later formed a functional National Coordinating Body (NCB)
which starts operation since October 2011
• GoB has approved the National Strategy and Action Plan
(NSAP) in 2012
• Bangladesh became a member country of MFF sinceNovember 2012 (in RSC 09)• NCB is chaired by the Secretary, MoEFCC• Chief Conservator of Forests is the Member Secretary• NCB Bangladesh is a multi-stakeholder body comprising ofGOs, NGOs, academia, scientists, coastal experts andprivate sectors, and this body consists of total 35 members.
• Implemented 17 grant projects in the selected coastal sites

4

Resilience Analysis in
Shyamnagar

Example # 01

Identified issues

Priority issues for Call

NCB

2013

Mangrove rehabilitation• Initiative for livelihoods diversification andsecurity of forest dependent and fisher
communities• Freshwater conservation for agriculture• Community based climate change
adaptation• Introduction of adaptive agriculture andaquaculture to cope with the changing
climate• Support to community based eco-tourism
initiative

Impacts: Natural Resource Governanceand Resilience

426+ ha100+ hain 201617

2017

20+ Village
Conservation
Forums under
SatkhiraSundarban Comanagement
Committee
engaged© IUCN/Enamul Mazid Khan Siddique10

Lesson Learned• The institutional arrangement for a shared
governance mechanism is a new lesson
learned from the MFF intervention.
• Involvement of local communities alongwith Union Parishad were the key todevelop local ownership and ensure thesustainability of the initiative.
• On the technical side, Assisted Natural
Regeneration (ANR) of mangroves wasfound cheaper and more efficient method
compared to seedling raising andplanting.
• The MFF mangrove rehabilitation model
should be adopted as a best practice of
Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA) anddisaster risk reduction strategy in char
land.

78

Example # 02

Common pool: Equitable water governancebrings prosperity to Sabkhali, Shyamnagar.
2012

2015

• Dependency on Sunderbans will decrease, People will comeforward to conserve Sundarbans.
• All development activity will be better integrated by Local
Govt.
• Water management system will be established through theinitiative of BWDB and others.
• Shaymnagar people will be skilled on disaster management.
They will turn around after disaster.
• Mangrove conserved through co-management will be grownoutside the river embankment and accreted land
• Business centers will flourished• People will be professional on eco-tourism based businessand livelihoods.

Results:

326 hatill 2015

mangroverehabilitated

Project sites: Bangladesh

Vision: Golden Shyamnagar 2050

• Salinity ingression, fresh water scarcity,
limited livelihood opportunities, highdependence on Sundarban mangrove
forest, vulnerability to climate variability,
river erosion and tropical cyclones

Improved natural resource governance throughplanting mangroves at the riverine chars:
Innovation in Climate Change Adaptation.

• Started with 25 Hectare
Mangrove plantation in
2013-14• Union Parishad shares
responsibility with a 35
member forest
management committee• Community gets 40% of
benefits (fruits, honey,
nursery), UP gets 40%
and 20% used tomaintain the forest

MFF is co-chaired by IUCN and UNDP, and is funded by Danida, Norad and Sida.

• MFF supported rehabilitation of 100 ha so
far through its grant projects.
• CREL/FD/USAID leveraged theirinvestment and rehabilitated more than
300 ha.
• The mangroves now look like a naturalforest and provides shelter of fishes andbirds.
• The village Gabura has now become lessvulnerable to erosion and tidal surges.
• MFF-VCF earned BDT 0.25 million by
selling mangrove saplings to CREL
project in 2014.
• Illegal entry to Sundarban has decreased.
• An average person (usually women)catches post-larvae of fish, crabs andshrimp worth about BDT 200/day - thisincome is well comparable with what they
use to get from the Sundarbans.

Two consecutive cyclones in2007 and 2009 worsened
the situation of Sakhali.
There is severe shortage offreshwater. Farmers could
grow one rain-fed rice withthe little water that could be
stored in the only remaining
natural canal that flows
through the village. Most
part of the canal was silted
up and illegally occupied by
local elites.

2012

2013

Figure 3. Example of land tenure map developed for Shyamanagr

Results in Sabkhali Canal at a
glanceInnovations

2 km long and 30 meter wide canal was re-excavated.
The canal water helped the farmers to grow round theyear crops in 120 ha land, giving them more than 60%
increase in production; Farmers have also done
livestock rearing, fish farming and poultry.

Food security ensured

Gender equity: Total beneficiaries 360 (M 180, F 180)
Social Harmony: Munda, Hindu
and Muslim members are in
SCMC.

Efficient and judicious
use of surface water:
Entire water is not
irrigated to crop fields,
water kept for fish
farming also.

Achievements in

Innovations

Introduce climate resilient crops: Water
melon, Wheat, Maize, Sunflower.

2016

Sabkhali Canal at a

glanceEstablishedequity:Landowner and land less farmers
can cultivate rice in 16
decimal land using canalwater.

16

Moving towards
sustainability

Results in Sabkhali Canal at a
glanceSabkhali Canal, a unique Model
for Coastal Belt
Equal
ownershipof water

Beneficiaries and Staff:
DB

IB

180

180

3,200

Linkage with GO & otherservice providers

Total

4,800

3,380

01

Group unity; no outsider
musclemanbenefitted
from the resource
03

DB= Direct Beneficiaries
IB=Indirect Beneficiaries

Lesson Learned• It hasdemonstrated
howcoordinatedaction at thecommunity
level can be
successful
andsustainable.
• The MoDMR has already recognised thismodel as a disaster risk reduction strategy
and requested that two UDMC’s inShyamnagar to scale up their interventions.

Resource based &tagged with PSB

Sustainability

4,980

Staff

Seed preservation

Savings from production
and contribution from
PSB

PSB= Palli Sanchoy Bank

Biodiversity
enhanced (animals,
plants, birds, water
plants)Sundarban
dependency
reduced 80%

Reasons foruniquenessto develop
partnership
Climateresilient/CCA
community
existsIntensively
related to lives
and livelihoods.
Developed
relation among
Go, NGOs andothers.
Inclusive
development
establishedThank you22

79

Muhammad Abdur Rahaman, Arifur Rahman Ovi, A S M Imrul Kayes & Md. Nazimuzzaman
Geomorphological evolution and coastal dynamics along thecoastal shoreline of Bay of Bengal in relation to climate
induced disaster: Fifty years of human-nature interaction

Background of the study

Background of the study Coastal shoreline is geologically dynamic in terms of subsidence and The coastal regions of Bangladesh are disaster prone due to its geographicaluplifting characteristics.

location.

 Sea level rise, bank erosion overlaying with subsidence and uplifting, Climate induced natural disasters like severe cyclone, shocking tidal surges,

Muhammad Abdur Rahaman

severe floods, underhanded river erosion, excessive rainfall, overwhelming
salinity intrusion, sea level rise etc. are occurring more frequently in greater
intensities along with prominent human activities.

Arifur Rahman Ovi

coastal shoreline along the Bay of Bengal is changing continuously and Forming diverse new land forms
 Changing land use patterns
 Changing vegetation coverage Changing river morphology as well as river trajectory

A S M Imrul Kayes

Resulting fragile natural resource base, socio-economy as well as human
displacement

Md. Nazimuzzaman
Contact: rana.bries@gmail.com

Study elements

Study area

Methodology
Analysis of Landsat satellite images for the period of 1994 to 2019 for land
cover mapping, land use changes, changes of human settlement pattern,
dynamics of vegetation coverage (NDVI) and changing characteristics ofwater bodies. The Landsat data (1994 and 2019) have been acquired fromthe U.S. Geological Survey Earth explorer interface.

 Coastal erosion and deposition
 Dynamics of vegetation coverage Changing land use pattern

Satellite/Sensor
Landsat-7, ETM+
Landsat-8, ETM+

 Changing settlement pattern

Date of acquisition
January 1994
January 2019

No. of bands
88 Changing river trajectory Analysis of sea level data of Hiron Point, Bakkhali and overlaying withsubsidence and uplifting rate

Result and Discussion

Methodology
 Sea level data for the same period was analyzed for the Hiron Point,

Charchenga and Bakkhali river point extracting from University of
Hawai Sea Level Center and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport
Authority (BIWTA) for the period of 1977 to 2019.

Sea level rise, geological uplifting and tidal
inundation at Charchenga, Hatiya
 Average sea level rising trend of

 In 1994 there was 230 ha of vegetation but it

Charchenga point of Hatiya is 11.8 mm forthe period of 1983-1999.

stands at only 125 ha in 2019 as well as ineach year Saint Martin Island is losing
vegetation coverage at a rate of 4.2 ha. If theisland lose by this rate then within 30 years aswell as at 2050, Saint Martin Island will be abarren Island.

 The study as made overlaying seal level data with geologicalsubsidence and uplifting information of coastal area of Bangladesh
for the three coastal regions namely western coastal region, central
coastal region and eastern coastal region.

Result and Discussion
Land use changes in Saint Martin Island Geological uplifting was observed in thispoint is .018 mm for each year which
account of 8.36 mm for this same period(Bramar, 2017).

 As a result, in the last 20 years, net sea level

rise observed in this point is 2.94 mm whichcauses regular tidal flooding in Hatiya alongwith river bank erosion at increasing rate.

Result and Discussion

Result and Discussion
Land use changes in Saint Martin Island

Land Use
Vegetation
Water bodies
Sandy Beach
Settlement

 At 1994 there was 85 ha water bodies inside theisland which stands at 30 ha in 2019.

 At the same time, sandy beach reduced 15.2 ha foreach year on an average in the last 20 years but
settlement is increasing at the rate of 8.4 ha in eachyear in the last 20 years and it may be concluded
that within 50 years the island would be full of
human settlement if the settlement increasing ratecontinues at this rate

Result and Discussion
Vegetation coverage changes in Sundarbans
Land TypeForest Area
Forest adjacent Area
Forest depleted Area
Lost adjacent area

Area (Ha) in 1994
6,01,700
6,26,140

Area (Ha) in 2019
5,40,005
6,03,074
61,69523,066

In each year, Sundarbans is losing 2467.8 ha of forest on an average

80

230
85
560
22

1994 (Ha)

125
30
256
190

Result and Discussion
Vegetation coverage changes in Sundarbans

Land use change in Saint Martin Island
2019 (Ha)Resolution(m)3030Wetland in Bangladesh

Part II
Sanowar Hossain
Conservation of wetlands andDisaster Risk Reduction in Bangladesh

Sanowar Hossain
Bangladesh POUSH

Threats to Wetlands
2. Pollution

3. Over harvesting of the natural resources
4. Land use conflict
5. Lack of up stream water flow in winter1960

7. Increase risk of flood

Hector(a) Inland open water(1) Rivers (During dry sea)
GangesPadma
Jamuna27,16542,32573,666

Meghna (upper)

33,597

Meghna (lower)

40,407

Other rivers and canal

262,580

Sub-total

479,735(2) Estuarine area

551,828(3) Beels and haor

114,161(4) Kaptai lake (man-made)

68,800(5) Inundable floodplains (seasonal)
Sub-total

5,486,609
6,221,398(b) Close water-body(i) Ponds and tanks

146,890(ii) Oxbow lakes(iii) Brackish water farms
Sub-total(c) Marine-water Exclusive Zone

260,378✓ Haor✓ Baor✓ Beel✓ Jheel1988

8. Entrance of saline water due to lack of water flow in winter.

2008

Wetland biodiversity
3200 plant species
250 fish
11 amphibians
34 reptiles (6 turtles, 7 lizards and 21 snakes)
206 birds
31 mammals

Inland fisheries alone cover an area of 4.3 million hectaresof which 94% comprise openwater capture fisheries, andonly 6% close water system.

515,268
7,000,000

Degradation of wetlands

1. Disappearing

6. Over flow of water in monsoon

Water-body▪

extinction and loss of wildlife,▪

extinction of many indigenous wild and domesticated rice varieties,▪

loss of many indigenous aquatic plants, herbs, shrubs and weeds,▪

loss of natural soil nutrients,▪

loss of natural water reservoirs and of their resultant benefits,▪

increasing the frequency and intensity of flooding▪

threat to occupations, socio-economic institutions and cultures.

Climate Change and Disaster Impact in wetlands▪ Extreme weather▪ Drought▪ Salinity Intrusion❑First rain by early April❑Prolonged Rainy season❑Excess rainfall❑Extreme cold weathers❑High temperature

Climate Change impact in Sundarbans
Increasing salinity
Changes in Habitat
Habitat loss
Loss of Biodiversity
Cyclone SIDR – Nov 15, 2007
Cyclone Aila - May 25, 2009

Thank you!

81Naoya Furuta
Disasters are on the rise

Disasters by region in 2011, EM-DATThe Role of Wetlands for Disaster Risk
Reduction

ASIA
ASIA

ASIA

Naoya Furuta
Coordinator, Japan Liaison Office
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)/Taisho University
1

3

Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction –more sustainable approach to DRR andClimate Change Adaptation

Publications on DRR following Western
Indian Ocean Tsunami

Global Partnership– Partnership for Environmentand Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR)

Eco-DRR “ is the sustainable management, conservation, and restoration to reduce
disaster risk, with the aim of achieving sustainable and resilient development”（Estrella
5
and Saalismaa 2013)

Global advocacy for ecosystem-based
strategies for DRR and CCA

http://www.pedrr.net/

Ramsar COP12 (2015)-> Integrating DRR issues into global conservation
policy frameworks-> Integrating ecosystem-based solutions into global
DRR, CC and sust. dvlpt frameworks

8

CBD Voluntary Guidelines on
EbA and Eco-DRR

CBD Voluntary Guidelines on
EbA and Eco-DRR

11

Principles for building resilience and enhancing adaptive capacity through EbA and Eco-DRR
Consider a full range of ecosystem-based approaches to enhance resilience of social-ecological1systems as a part of overall adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies.
Use disaster response as an opportunity to build back better for enhancing adaptive capacity and2
resilience and integrate ecosystem considerations throughout all stages of disaster management.
3
Apply a precautionary approach in planning and implementing EbA and Eco-DRR interventions.
Principles for ensuring inclusivity and equity in planning and implementation
Plan and implement EbA and Eco-DRR interventions to prevent and avoid the disproportionate
4
impacts of climate change and disaster risk on ecosystems as well as vulnerable groups, indigenous
peoples and local communities, women and girls.
Principles for achieving EbA and Eco-DRR on multiple scales
Design EbA and Eco-DRR interventions at the appropriate scales, recognizing that some EbA and5
Eco-DRR benefits are only apparent at larger temporal and spatial scales.
Ensure that EbA and Eco-DRR are sectorally cross-cutting and involve collaboration, coordination,
6and cooperation of stakeholders and rights holders.
Principles for EbA and Eco-DRR effectiveness and efficiency
Ensure that EbA and Eco-DRR interventions are evidence-based, integrate indigenous and7
traditional knowledge, where available, and are supported by the best available science, research,data, practical experience, and diverse knowledge systems.
Incorporate mechanisms that facilitate adaptive management and active learning into EbA and8
Eco-DRR, including continuous monitoring and evaluation at all stages of planning andimplementation.
9
Identify and assess limitations and minimize potential trade-offs of EbA and Eco-DRR interventions.
1082

Maximize synergies in achieving multiple benefits, including for biodiversity, conservation,
sustainable development, gender equality, health, adaptation, and risk reduction.

13

12

Safeguards for effective planning and implementation of EbA and Eco-DRR
1.
EbA and Eco-DRR should be subject, as appropriate, to environmental impact
Applying environmental
impact assessments andassessments including social and cultural assessments (referring to the Akwé: Kon guidelines)
robust monitoring andat the earliest stage of project design, and subject to robust monitoring and evaluation
evaluation
systems.
Prevention of transfer of risks 2.
EbA and Eco-DRR should avoid adverse impacts on biodiversity or people, andand impacts
should not result in the displacement of risks or impacts from one area or group to another.
Prevention of harm tobiodiversity, ecosystems, andecosystem functions andservices

Sustainable resource use

Promotion of full, effective
and inclusive participation
Fair and equitable access tobenefits

Transparent governance andaccess to information
Respecting rights of womenand men from indigenous

3.
EbA and Eco-DRR, including disaster response, recovery and reconstruction
measures, should avoid the degradation of natural habitat, loss of biodiversity or the
introduction of invasive species, and should not create or exacerbate vulnerabilities to futuredisasters.
4.
EbA and Eco-DRR should promote and enhance biodiversity and ecosystem
functions and services, including through rehabilitation/restoration and conservation
measures, as part of post-disaster needs assessment and recovery and reconstruction plans.
5.
EbA and Eco-DRR should neither result in unsustainable resource use nor
enhance the drivers of climate change and disaster risks, and should strive to maximize energy
efficiency and minimize material resource use.
6.
EbA and Eco-DRR should ensure full and effective participation of the people
concerned, including indigenous peoples and local communities, women, minorities and themost vulnerable, including the provisioning of adequate opportunities for informed
involvement.
7.
EbA and Eco-DRR should promote fair and equitable access to benefits and should
not exacerbate existing inequities, particularly with respect to marginalized or vulnerable
groups. EbA and Eco-DRR interventions should meet national labour standards, protecting
participants against exploitative practices, discrimination and work that is hazardous to theirwell-being.
8.
EbA and Eco-DRR should promote transparent governance by supporting rights toaccess to information, providing all stakeholders and rights holders, particularly indigenous
peoples and local communities, with information in a timely manner, and supporting thefurther collection and dissemination of knowledge.
14
9.
EbA and Eco-DRR measures should respect the rights of women and men fromindigenous peoples and local communities, including access to and use of physical and cultural

15

2018 Japan floods in July

More than 220 people died in the extreme heavy
rain in the western part of Japan2018 Typhoon #21(Jebi/Maymay)
in August16

2018 Eathquake in Hokkaido
in September

At least 11 deaths and more than 600 injuries
were reported across the central part of Japan. 17

Large scale landslides occurred partly due to a heavy rain fall in
the previous month. More thank 40 people died and manybuildings were destroyed.
18

2011 Great East Japan earthquake/tsunami

2018 Typhoon #21(Jebi/Maymay)
in August2018 Eathquake in Hokkaido
in September

An offshore international airport constructed by landfill
had to be closed by the sea water intrusion and fueltanker crash. It took more than two weeks for recovery.
19

Workshop on Ecosystem-based DRR (Eco-DRR)
Sendai July 2012

A large scale liquefaction occurred in some of theresidential areas that were develop by landfill of
wetlands.
20© REUTERS/KYODO

Sanriku Fukko(reconstruction)
National Park

Designated on May 24, 2013

Sanriku Fukko (reconstruction）

24

IUCN World Parks Congress (Sydney)

National Spatial Development Plan
and National Infrastructure Development Plan
• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport• National Spatial Development Plan
– Approved by the cabinet in Aug 2015
– Recognizing the important role of ecosystems for
DRR and CCA• 4th National Infrastructure Development Plan
– Approved by the cabinet in Sep 2015
– Addressing the necessity to promote “GreenInfrastructure”
26

Eco-DRR in JICA (Japan International
Cooperation Agency)

Eco-DRR implementation guideline• Ministry of theEnvironment
developed ahandbook for local
governments how to
implement Eco-DRR
activities on the
ground (March 2016)

27

A recommendation by Science Council of JapanIn September 2014, the
Science Council of Japan
published arecommendation on
Encouragement of the
Use of Ecological
Infrastructure in
Reconstruction andNational Resilience
28

29

30

83

Research projects on GreenInfrastructure/ EcoDRR• A multi-disciplinary group of researchers forGreen Infrastructure formulated since 2014
• A feasibility Study on Green Infrastructure
research project, funded by GOJ under Future
Earth Programme, ICSU since 2015
• Two EcoDRR related research projects fundedby MOEJ are underway since 2015
• More research projects to come….
31

84

32

Yukihiro Shimatani
DisasterUrban wetlands for DRR
in JAPAN

interaction

Urban
Wetlands
Coast
River
ChannelMoat
Irrigation pond
Spring
GardenHigh tide
Earthquake
TsunamiFlood
Fire

Yukihiro Shimatani
Kyushu University
Japan wetland society

Change of length of water space inCitiesDisaster

Urban
Wetlands

ClimatechangeDecreasing
Degradation
Artificialization

Decrease ofresilience toHazard

１．Coast & Estuary

m/ha
Ohori
ChannelSmall river
Big river

Tokyo

Osaka

Hiroshima

Left: 1880s
Right: today

２．0RDW⇒IORRGFRQWUROUHVHUYHU

Saga
City

3.Channel or small river

7KRXVDQGVKRXVHV

4.Irrigation pond ⇒flood control&LW\JDV(OHFWULFLW\:DWHUVXSO\/3JDV

Kobe ©Asahi News paper         /LIHOLQHUHFRYHU\
ZHHNV

PV

0LNDVDULYHU

910

1R
LUULJDWLRQ
SRQG

890
870
850

IORRG

IORRG

830
810

㻞㻜㻜㻟 㻲㼡㼗㼡㼗㼍 㼟㼠㼍㼠㼕㼛㼚㼘㼑㼚㼓㼠㼔

770㻞㻠㼗㼙㻯㼍㼠㼏㼔㼙㼑㼚㼠㻌㼍㼞㼑㼍㻥㻠㼗㼙㻞㻲㼘㼛㼛㼐㻌㼏㼛㼚㼠㼞㼛㼘㻌㼐㼍㼙㻞㻵㼞㼞㼕㼓㼍㼠㼕㼛㼚㻌㼜㼛㼚㼐

㻝㻞㻝

5LYHUIORZFDSDFLW\

8VHIXOFRQWURO

790

㻹㼕㼗㼍㼟㼍 㼞㼕㼢㼑㼞

750
730

4

5

6

7

㊢

KRXU

85

5.Spring
Spring water wasused asemergency water
when the watersupply stopped

デッキのタンクに溜めた雨水は手軽に使えることが大切。庭に配管した給水栓は３か所です。

7. Green infra
evaporation

あめにわの構成と工夫

Rain garden

Fountain
6.gardengarden

庭は、楽しい工夫とともに治水の理念に基づいて構成されています。

©Setagaya local
gov.

Rainwatertank

Rain fall

Agriculture
land

Widening andrestoration

Infiltration facility
Undergroundwater

和泉川東山の水辺施工前

Enforcing resilience by urban wetland
Enforcing resilience

Urban
Wetlands
Coast
Irrigation canal
Moat
Irrigation pond
Spring
Garden86

DRRfunctionProtection of sand & salt
Protection of serge
Storage storm
Healthy water cycle
Emergency water supply
Fire protection

DisasterHigh tide
Earthquake
TsunamiFlood
Fire
Drought

Conclusion

There are many types of disaster andwetlands in Japan.
We recognize that good wetlands also
have good DRR functions.

We must raise awareness of thedisaster prevention function of
wetlands and strive to conserve andrestore wetlands.

Ritesh Sikka
Ecosystem Management and DRR,
Lessons from Mahanadi Delta, Odisha

Ecosystems and Disaster Risk

Risk embedded in landscapestructure and way ofmanagement

Ritesh Sikka, Wetlands International South Asia

The challenges of linking scales

The challenges of linking scales

Social construction of risk,
confounded development
choices
Disaster Risk Reduction planning
begins with the household
Interventions are focused on the ways
communities can mitigate, avoid or
prepare for disaster risk

Ecosystems as buffers for several
disasters

Planning and implementation using
administrative scales

The cluster approach

Approach• Multi-scale framework for identifying ecosystem-based intervention
needs and opportunities to support DRR• Based on knowledge of landscape-scale drivers of disaster risks• Organises risk reduction interventions in ‘clusters’smaller landscape units comprising communities facing similar patternsof risks from natural hazards• Complements community-level risk reduction actions with multiscale interventions to benefit from ecosystem services that reduce
disaster risk
• Enables blending administrative and landscape scales
Ecosystem planning requires landscape considerations

PfR: Strategic Partnership in India

Mahanadi Delta, Odisha

Mahanadi Delta
Geophysical set up

Support implementation of Sendai Framework of Action toensure that vulnerable people are more resilient to crises in theface of climate change and environmental degradation enablingsustainable inclusive economic growth.
• Shift from disaster mitigation to disaster risk reduction• Proactive use of integrated management approaches• Focus on water mediated risks and use of natural solutions
as wetlands

Risk context

Risk context

Risk context

Flood dependent economy has turned flood vulnerable

Over 30% of wetlands converted in last three decades

Vulnerability – Capacity Assessment

Clustering

Landscapeextensively
fragmented forwater resources
development
projects

Vulnerability – Capacity Assessment

87

Risk reduction planning

Influencing critical risk drivers

Lessons

Societies accumulate risks aslandscapes and ecosystem
functioning degrades
Management of Hirakud Reservoir

Engagement in coastal zone
management

Ritesh Sikka
Technial Officer
Wetlands International – South Asia

Ritesh.sikka@wi-sa.org

88

Spatial approaches required toaddress landscape dimensions,complementing household risk
reduction approaches

Part III
Myo Lwin
Sustainable Forest Conservation and Livelihood
Support through Community Based Activities
at U To Village , Rakhine Coast, Myanmar

U Myo Lwin
Myanmar Forest Associations
MYANMARU TO village situated at BOB
U TO village Mangrove Conservation project Site, near Chaung Thar Beach

MFA and RCJ Teams Visited the Proposed Project Area and Conduct Meeting with
Community

Village Mangrove Nursery establish and raised the seedling (Kandelia candel,
Baugulera gymnorhiza and ceriops decandra) Species.

Warning Sign boards protection and concrete posts show the boundary ofconservation areas.

Three plantation ceremony

2017, Mangrove gap plantation

2018, Mangrove New Plantation

Awareness Raising Posters for Mangrove Conservation

Neighboring country study visit. Crab Bank Program

Myanmar Television Program broadcasting the news of U To Mangrove
Conservation project

R.C.J Team Visit the Project Site and meeting with Villagers

Crab and clam (Mollusk) fattening training and crab cage

Quality Vegetable Seeds Distribute at Seik Kyi Village

89

Ecotourism Training at U To Village

Thank You

90

Ministry of Natural Environment and Resources Conservation(MONERC),
Minister's Observation Tour at Project Site

Mangrove Nursery and Wooden Board walkMin Thiha Zaw❖ IUCN Red list is Critically Endangered (2008)❖ Population is under 500❖ Migratory Shore bird
❖ Breeding in North East Russia (Chukota)❖ Breeding Seasons ( Last week of May to June)❖ Wintering ASIA and South East Asia countries❖ Fly over 8000 km on EAAFP flay-way

Gulf of Mottama➢ Located in Yangon, Bago and Mon state➢ 150,000 ha➢ Largest turbidity Zone in South East Asia
➢ Sittaung River main flow to GoM➢ Connection with Bay of Bangle➢ The depth is 7 to 8 m (Spring tide), 3m (need tide)➢ Wintering birds population about 150,000 to 200,000

Min Thiha Zaw& Thaw Phyoe Shwe

Biodiversity And Nature Conservation Association (BANCA-BirdLife Myanmar)

The threatens on Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Wintering Birds in Winter Countries❖ 50% of Global population wintering in GoM❖ Wintering October to April in Myanmar

Spoon-billed Sandpiper ( Calidris pygmaea)

Hunting Techniques

Bird hunter’s status
Bird hunters❑ Birds hunting❑ Habitat loss

Professional- Rely mostly on
bird hunting fortheir daily family
livelihoods. No
opportunity.

Opportunistic-Work together withfishing andhunting/income of bird
hunting is lower thanfishing

Professional

Supports alternative livelihood

Opportunistic

Occasional-Works as fishing,sometime caught bird
want to consume.

Mist net

Use chemical(Potassium Cyanide)

Use with pesticide liquid andrice

SnaresOccasional

Bird hunters give back hunting equipment to BANCA

Negotiation Village Authorities, BANCA and Bird Hunters agreement Singed

Birds Watching Training to LCG Members

Changed Livelihood❖ Formed (7) Local Conservation Groups (2013)

Capacity Building training to LCG Members

Past time

Present time

Environmental Education and Awareness to Students (CEPA)❖ Some of former hunters are leader in LCGs

Displaying Education and Awareness Signboards at villages

Develop Community Programme

Digging Fresh water ponds

Environmental Education and Awareness to Local Community (CEPA)

EESC

The Location of Ramsar Site and to extension Ramsar Site of Map❖ Designed Ramsar Site
❖ To Extension Ramsar Site
❖ North East of Gulf of Mottama (Ramsar
Site)❖ 10th May, 2017
❖ 42,500 ha❖ Six out of Nine Ramsar Criteria❖ 1,2,4,5,6,8❖ Site number 2299

Children Release SBS in Chaung Zone (Successful CEPA)

Nursery (over 10,000) seedling

Plantation in Raining Season

Village level signed for extension Ramsar Site designation

Township level singed for extension Ramsar Site designation

91

Patrolling on Biodiversity by using SMART Software
SMART Patrolling Group

Illegal fishing Net

Monitoring on Shore Birds Survey Team
Birds Survey Team

92

Using BoatSansanee Choowaew
Objectives
Community-based management of
wetland resources for ecotourism
Sansanee Choowaew

Wetlands Management Research and Training Center
Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies
Mahidol University, Thailand

sansanee.cho@mahidol.ac.th• To introduce some good case examples ofcommunity-based management of wetland
resources for ecotourism along the coast of
the Bay of Bengal in Thailand• To compile / present some key contributing
factors leading to possibilities and positive
outcomes of wise use and community-based
management of wetlands and wetland
resources for ecotourism

The International Symposium on theConservation of Wetland Biodiversity along the Coast of the Bay of Bengal
1
7 March 2019, YWCA Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Case example # 1 : Laem Nao village,

Mole Crab /Sand CrabWing Shell

4

Some key factors leading to possibilities
and positive outcomes of wise use
and community-based management of
wetland resources for ecotourism• Diversity, uniqueness, quality of wetlands andwetland resources → ecotourism resources• Diversity of ecotourism activities• Combination of inland-coastal-marine ecotourism,
nature- livelihoods-health-culture-conservation
based activities• Ecotourism management capacity, leadership,
teamwork, interest/willingness/readiness ofcommunity members, shared roles/responsibilities,
rules for responsible tourism, code of conduct
7***• Group of Local Traditional
Fishers and Fund for
Small-scale Fisheries
Promotion• Group of Ecotourism by
Communities, shared roles/
responsibilities
Ecotourism highlights :• Conservation activities– coastal & the whole island
ecosystems• Learning experience :local livelihoods, Tree Bank,
subsistent fisheries, Surf Clam conservation

3

Case example # 3 : Tha Pom Klong Song Nam,

Koh Yao Noi island, Koh Yao Noi sub-district,
Koh Yao Noi district, PHANG-NGA

Ecotourism highlights :• Community-based management,
shared roles/responsibilities• Learning experience : local
livelihoods, subsistent fisheries,
hands-on participation inconservation activities including
Crab Bank, Wing Shell release• Species indicator of maintained
ecological character• Case example # 1 :Laem Nao village,
Ranong province• Case example # 2 :Koh Yao Noi community,
Phang-Nga province• Case example # 3 :Tha Pom Klong Song Nam,
Krabi province2

Case example # 2 : Koh Yao Noi community,

Nakha sub-district, Suksamran district, RANONG

Some case examples ofcommunity-based management of
wetland resources for ecotourism

Ban Nong Jik village, Khao Kram sub-district,
Muang district, KRABI

5

Some key factors leading to possibilities
and positive outcomes of wise use
and community-based management of
wetland resources for ecotourism• Local wisdom, knowing/using eco-indicators• Ecotourism facilities and basic facilities• Knowledge/experience sharing and transfer• Technical and financial support• Benefits gained – benefits sharing• In-coming tourists• Promotion and marketing channels
8• Sub-district based
management – Community
Forest for Ecotourism• Participation of villagers,
local schools/universities
TAT
Ecotourism highlights :• The Canal of 2 waters
and 3 forests• Code of Conduct for
visitors, managers*** Nature Interpretation
Guide : Take experiencefrom amazing nature 6

Conclusion• At several sites on Thailand’s coastline along the
Bay of Bengal, community-based management of
wetland resources for ecotourism is possible andeffective.
• Local livelihood activities, ecotourism activities,
and conservation activities can be combined,
providing great benefits to local economy andoverall ecosystems.
• Various many factors contribute and lead topossibilities, opportunities, good practices, andpositive outcomes.
9

10

93

Durga Prasad DashSCHOOL PROGRAM

LCCR

1- Establishment of LCCR as focal point

3- Undertaking Plantation

3-Plantation in School campus
4-Seasonal data collection from Bahauda

6- Competition among Students
7- Climate smart Eco-game

PALLISHREE

8-Alternative Energy saving lifestyle502/2 MALLICK COMPLIEX,KHANDAGIRIBHUBNESWAR,751030.
Email:pallishree137@gmail.com
Web:www.pallishree.org

9-Publication of News Letter
10-Data disemination in community

1-Awareness activities
2-Nuresry raising

2-Solid waste management

5-Celebrating WED & WWD & AWW

COMMUNITY PROGRAM

4-Eco-DRR training
5-Promoting Good practices

6-Conservation & Wise use
7-Hygienic dryfish production
8-Crab culture
9-Drawing Govt. attention
10-Capacity building training
11-Biodiversity conservation
12-Promoting organics
13-Sustainable fishing practice

PALLISHREE

502/2 MALLICK COMPLIEX,KHANDAGIRIBHUBNESWAR,751030.
Email:pallishree137@gmail.com
Web:www.pallishree.org

Community Data base system for CC & Biodiversity

94

Essay & Painting Competition

Capacity building through trainings:
1- Alteranative energy saving life style
2- ToT on conservation & Wise use of wetlands
3-Training on solid waste management
4- Training on crab culture
5-Training to women on hygienic dryfish production

Wise Use Workshop:

Garbage pit management

Knowledge exchange programme95Wardi Kasinath
Mass Nesting sites in Odisha of India

Community based sea turtle
conservation along the coastof Bay of Bengal in India

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is
ecological importance oceanic species in the world.
As per IUCN red list, they are marked as ‘Vulnerable’.

▪

Wardi Kasinath▪ KISSAN,▪ Odisha, India

One of the main causes is the lossof breeding habitats of this turtle
due to repeated cyclone.

3/14/20192

Sea Turtle eggs destroyed after
cyclone3

Nesting sites in India

In India there are 3 mass nesting sites ofthese turtle like the Rushikulya rookery in
Ganjam, Gahirmatha in Kendrapada andDevi rookery in Puri. Each year millionsof these sea turtle come to these places
exclusively for mating and mass nesting.

3/14/20194

7

Eggs are being eatenby the Predators likedogs, crow, jackel & kite.

3/14/20193/14/201913

The threats :8Community based ‘protection andconservation of ecosystem’ has beenplaying very Important role
- in the protection of this species duringmating in the nearby sea,
- lying of eggs on the shore,- hatching of eggs and- juveniles returning backto the sea.

Apart from fishing related mortality, turtles facemultiple problems while they are on the coastal
landscape. Polluted beaches are no longer
suitable for mass nesting. Apart from humanpoaching, dogs, jackals, birds are the threat tothe eggs and thejuvenile turtles.
It has estimatedthat 1 from 1000
eggs really survives
and returned back to ocean.

Community led conservation:▪ In support of PALLISHREE (NGO) a CBO
namely KISSAN “Kruma Iswaram
Sangham” (Turtle-God Association) during
2007 was developed. The members are
now taking all the responsibility till frommating of the turtle to release of hatchlings
to Bay of Bengal from November to thenext year June along with the Forest Dept.
11

10

The community worship as God, because in Hindu
mythology the Supreme Lod God Bishnu has come tosafe this mother earth in the form of Turtle. So
community has an emotion for worshiping turtle.

96

5

1 mother turtle can lay around 80-160
eggs at a time. After a 45-50 day
incubation period, baby hatchlings
emerge from the sandy nests to crawl
into the ocean.

Every year, from November to the end ofJanuary, the ridley turtles mate in these coastal
waters and anytime from January to early April,lakhs of mother turtles come shoreline beach inmass to lay their eggs.

3/14/20193/14/2019

Other community based groups:▪ KISSAN has promoted women SHG in
different hamlets of 12 coastal villages. The
members of the SHG are organised to takelead roles in conservation of mangrove
plants and turtles eggs.
▪ Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Committee(RSTPC), with the assistance of the local
youth. They are also participating in theconservation efforts with KISSAN.

Now the CBOs like KISSAN and Rushikulya Sea
Turtle Protection Committee (RSTPC) work
directly with the communities and thestakeholders. The process has got success andbecame a community led conservation process.

3/14/201915

The hatchlings are going to sea after 45-60 days ofthe mass nesting. The duration depends upon theweather condition. The rate of female turtle
hatchlings increases, if the temperature goes up.

The success:One of the success indicators of this workis that, last year (in 2018), the mass
nesting / Arribada activities have
happened two times in this rookery.
Since the turtle felt that the nesting site issafe, clean and other favourable
conditions motivated them to come twicein the year.

3/14/2019

At present Rushikulya sea beach along the coast
being world’s 2nd largest rookery attracts overhalf a million female olive ridley sea turtles formass nesting/ egg lying.

3/14/201919

17

The community understood the importance of
the work. Community will continue working
for the conservation of the turtle, eggs andbeach habitat in future also.

3/14/201920

The school children are also facilitated toparticipate in the process. This helps
them to learn from the actions taken by
the elders.

3/14/201918

Thank youfor your kind attention

21

97

Maneewan Sanlee
Flagship species

Trang Province
Trang is a province in the southern part of Thailand
on the coastline of the Andaman Sea,
between Krabi and Satun provinces.

ThailandSea grass
Coral
Inter National
Wetland and(Ramsar site)

Trang has 119 km coastline.

By
Miss Maneewan Sanlee

There are diverse natural marine andcoastal ecosystems including the Ramsarsite : Had Chao Mai NP – Koh Li Bong NHA –Trang River Estuary.
Ecosystem highlights : mangrove, seagrass,coral reef and important marine species i.e.
Dugongs, Dolphins and Sea turtles

Save Andaman Network Foundation (SANF)
THAILANDDugong

150 Dolphins• 70 of Indo-Pacific Hump-backed
Dolphins• 40 Irrawaddy Dolphin• 30 Bottlenose Dolphin• 10 Finless Dolphin
1,000 of sea turtles

DugongMangrove

160 – 180 Dugongs (the biggest
school; out of 200 dugongs found in
Thailand)Dolphin

Seagrass beds

Dugong Situation in Thailand

Dugong Situation in Thailand

High risk of extinction

Had Chao Mai NP - Koh Libong NHA –Trang River Estuary :11 seagrass species; 2,000 hectares

Statistics from the aerial survey of Dugongs
in Trang Province during 2012 – 2018 :• Dugongs population decreased in 2013
due to high mortality rate ( 13Dugongs)• Since 2014, dugong population iscontinuously increasing• In 2018, there are 160-180 Dugongs inTrang provinceHigh diversity of seagrass beds →Dugong’s habitat

Dugongs migrate along the coastline ofTrang, Krabi and Satun.

Source: Department of Marine and Coastal Resources

Still, dugongs are at high risk ofextinction. Mortality rate is morethan 5 per year.

Continuous survey : 12 years in Trang
1 March 2019. Aerial survey of Dugongs at Koh
Libong. There were many pairs of mothers and calves
Source: Phuket Marine Biological Center (2019)

Participatory
involvement of local
communities
Habitats of Dugongs, Dolphins and
Sea Turtles are the same area offishery and tourism zones.
Dugong, Dolphin and Sea Turtle
coexist with fishing and boat-tourism
activities.
Dolphins eat mackerels in fishing nets
and may destroy fishing nets.
Fishers allow them to eat fish
and feel sad whenever dolphins were
killed by fishing gears. Villagers arefriendly with dolphins and dugongs.

Key Concept :Members of communities love and are friendly
with Dugongs : the first important step anda key to success of the conservation campaign.

• Support / strengthen coastal community organization and community network
in Trang province

Monthly Meeting : Urgent Agenda – Dugongs and marine resource conservation

Causes of dugong mortality▪ Traps, nets, illegal fishing gears▪ Marine transportation▪ Disturbance from increase of
tourist boats and speed boats

Communities love Dugongs – Seagrass Conservation• To raise awareness of communities
about the importance and value of
Dugongs• Increase of habitats and feeding groundsof dugongs, aquatic species and juveniles• Communities gain benefits fromabundant fishery resources, ecotourism• Seagrass beds are well-maintained• Seagrass helps absorb carbon dioxide• Dugongs feed on seagrass and theirexcretes are natural fertilizer.

• Enhance knowledge and understanding ofYouth and public about dugong conservationand coastal ecosystems
o Marine Conservation Learning Centre established in Communities
o Marine and coastal resources conservation activities
o Set up ‘Fund for Sea and Dugong Conservation’

Dugong and Marine Ecosystem
Conservation• Support Youth and Women’s Fisherfolk
Network to participate in conservation andrestore natural resources- Women’s Fisherfolk Network Meeting- Support Vocational Career, Marine Processing

98

Key Concept :Communities love Dugongs→ → → Seagrass conservation“Dugong is the Indicator of Abundance of Marine Life”

Dugong and Marine Ecosystem Conservation Zones

Participatory efforts and actionsof local communities

Communities love Dugongs –Seagrass Conservation• Control speed of boats while passing seagrass beds
• Not fishing in seagrass zones• Not using inappropriate fishing tools and methods
harmful to dugongs• Commercial fishing vessels zones were shiftedaway in order to protect seagrass beds
• Communities’ conservation efforts are widely
recognized• Save Andaman Network Foundation works closelywith communities for seagrass-dugongconservation• Support communities to set up rule and regulation related tomarine and coastal conservation zoning and rare species
conservation i.e. Dugongs, Dolphins and Sea Turtles- Zoning Aquatic larvae conservation areas in 4 village (2007)- Bor Hin Subdistrict Administrative Organization’s legislation concerning
Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation and Sustainable Use. (2010)- Koh Libong Subdistrict Administrative Organization’s legislation concerning
Dugong and Seagrass conservation (2011)- Seagrass conservation zoning, Boon Kong Bay – Pru Jood, Mai Faad, Sikao
district.
- Koh Sukorn Subdistrict Administrative Organization’s legislation concerning
Dolphin and Seagrass conservation (2015)- Wing Shells conservation zoning, Baan Koh Mook
- Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation and Sustainable Use Zoning
Map, Boon Kong Bay Zone, Sikao, Trang Province

Jobs / income generation : ecotourism, fishery products

Education

Marine Conservation Learning Center

Marine Conservation Learning Center

Crab Bank
mangrove forest planting

Squid breeding
Seagrass breeding

Marine Conservation Learning Center
Study visit

Practict

Ecotourism

Ecotourism

Started since December 2017
- Good practices- > 2,000 tourists/year- Conservation Fund established

Climbing small mountain , Viewpoint

On the beach

Suggestions/Comments- More funding support from the Government for community-basedmarine and coastal resources management- Specific policy to conserve seagrass beds and overall ecosystems
and dugong conservation is needed

Thank you for Attention

99Part IV
Indika Rohan Palihakkara
Management of Koggala lagoon for
Sustainable Livelihood Development- Case study in Sri Lanka

Introduction

Introduction…

• Poor people are particularly dependent on natural
resources and its ecosystem services for their livelihoods.

• The livelihood framework identifies five core
capitals.

• Rapid deforestation and biodiversity losses are depriving
people of valuable mangrove based water resources,• Identified as fuel wood, fish, shrimp, food, medicine, andecosystem based services such as bird watching, boat riding
etc..

• These are natural, social, human, physical andfinancial capital.

• Water pollution and degradation of mangrove based eco
system is a major threat to the livelihoods of number ofpeople who lives in and around of these areas.

• Improving capital assets is a primary strategy for
improving rural people’s livelihood from a given
livelihoods strategy.

Study site

Analytical framework of the study

I.R.Palihakkara and A.J.M.C.M.Siriwardana
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of
Ruhuna – Sri Lanka

Introduction…
Koggala lagoon•

Natural capital– Located southern coast of Sri Lanka– Total water spread area of 7.27 km2

Human capital

Financial capital– Water depth of lagoon ranges from 1.0 to 3.7 m– Catchment area of 60 km2

Mangrove based
Koggala lagoon utilize as
livelihood strategy

Physical capital

Consists 14 islets with,•Social capital– Forest– Mangroves– Terrestrial shrubs

Long term sustainability of Koggala lagoon

Main livelihood activities around the
Koggala Lagoon

Objectives

Methodology• Location - Koggala lagoon• This study was conducted
01. Fisheries– To identify the socio-economic situation ofcommunity around the Koggala Lake

02. Tourism and– To identity environmental aspects and issues– 5º 59' - 6º 02' N and 80º 18' - 80º 21' E– Galle District, of the Southern Province Sri Lanka• Data collection → pre-tested structured questionnaires
were used.

– To identify the issues related to livelihood

03. Agriculture/Labor work/etc.

– Demographic information on age, education, family size,
income, nature of the occupation, experience, major
income sources, importance of lagoon for livelihood,
government and social interactions were observed.

– To make appropriate suggestions to
overcome/manage the identified issues

Methodology…

Personal interviews

Results and Discussion• Data were collected based on five livelihood
capitals.
• Data were analyzed using R statistical softwareand percentages.

Human, Physical and Financial Capitals
Variable

Distribution

Average family size

3-5 members

Average number of boats

30

Boat owners

33%

Age

20 – 45 years

Human capital around Koggala lagoon% Types of livelihood (Female & Male)

5-30 years

Average income (per annum)

200,000.00 LKRFemaleMale

Koggala

798

414

394

Koggala(Additional) ll

1294

668

626

Natural Capitals of Koggala Lagoon
2. Important species for fisheries

0.3

0.25

i.

Prawn → Metapenaeus dobsoni, Penaeus indicus andMacrobrachium rosenbergii

ii.

Brackish water fish → Mullet (Mugi cephalus), Parati

0.2
系列2
系列3

0.15

iii. fresh water fish → Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Malkoraly(Etroplus maculates), Lula (Ophiocephalus striatus), Magura(Clarias brachysoma)

0.05

0

100

Total Population

1. Shallow water body with total area → 7.27 km2

0.35

0.1

Job experience (Engage with fishing andtourism)

GS Division

Fishing

Tourist industry

FarmingLabor work

Public (Government )iv. Crabs → Scylla serrata and Portunus pelagicus

Natural Capital…..

Natural Capital…….

• The lagoon located in a popular tourist
destination in Sri Lanka (Galle).

• 33% of boat owners provide employment
opportunities for others for fishing as well as
for tourist industry.

• Fresh, brackish, saline water levels provides
good background for fishing.

• Loan schemes from government bank andfinancial support from private and NGOs baseformal institutes were given for the villagers.

• Transport facilities for farmers.

Disturbances and threats• Removal of the natural sand barrier of lagoon mouth→ decreasing of the fresh water fish and mud crab
population.
• The unregulated landing of seaplanes → erosion of thelagoon banks and shifting of bird population.

• Large scale clearing of mangroves for construction →decrease biodiversity.

Financial CapitalCont..
• Fluctuation of income with the time.

• Growth of invasive plant species → decreasein natural plant species.
• Operate boats by unskilled person with lesssafety → decrees tourist attractions.

• Illegal discharge of effluents into the lagoon fromvillagers and near by free trade zone.

Future prospect to develop livelihood

Conclusions

Conclusions…

• Improve infrastructure facilities related to tourist
industry → Sanitary facilities, vehicle parks.

• Koggala lagoon play an important role in livelihood
development of community in the area.

• Government intervention to tourist and fishingindustry.

• Brackish water fishing is main income source
followed by tourist industry.

• Regulate unauthorized construction beside thelagoon and discharge of effluent from free tradezone koggala.

• Government intervention is important →• To minimize the risk of depending on one or few
livelihood capitals, it is very much need to develop
and implement combine policy decisions by stateand privet sector to increase the living stands ofthe people in these area.

• Financial assistant, with low interest rates fordevelopment of fishing and tourist industry.

– To make policy for develop eco-tourism industry– To regulate unauthorized construction of the lagoon
boundary and despotic discharge of waste matter fromkoggala industrial zone.

References
1.
2.

3.

4.

CEA (Central Environmental Authority), Wetland site report andconservation management plan. Koggala lagoon under wetland
conservation project. Sri Lanka Euroconsult, Sri Lanka
G.P.AMARASEKARA, PRIYADARSHANA, T., MANATUNGE, J. & TANAKA, N.
Impact on Etroplus Suratensis (Pisces: Cichlidae) Population Attributed to
Human Induced Hydrological Modifications to The Koggala Lagoon, Sri
Lanka, Proceedings of an International Symposium, Faculty ofAgriculture, University of Peradeniya,Sri Lanka, Vol. 1, pp. 1-15, 2012
GUNARATNE, G. L., TANAKA, N., AMARASEKARA, P., PRIYADARSHANA, T.
& MANATUNGE, J. Restoration of Koggala lagoon: Modelling approach inevaluating lagoon water budget and flow characteristics. Journal ofEnvironmental Sciences, Vol. 22, pp. 813–819, 2010
IUCN Sri Lanka and the Central Environmental Authority. National
Wetland Directory of Sri Lanka. Colombo, Sri Lanka, pp. 123-125, 2006

101

Maung Win
CONTENT

Introduction
Wetlands Protected Areas• Introduction• Threats and issues to Wetlands in Myanmar

Established 42 Protected Areas
1. Hkakaborazi National Park

• Moeyungyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary

2. Indawgyi Wildlife Sanctuary• Indawgyi Wildlife Sanctuary

3. Inlay Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Wethikan Bird Sanctuary• Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary

5. Moeyungyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary• Inlay Lake Wildlife Sanctuary

Mr. Maung Win
Park Warden
Indawgyi Ramsar Site
Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division
Forest Department
Myanmar

6. Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary• Current conservation activities in Wetland ProtectedAreaso FD & BI , MoE ( Japan) Project:o A Wetland Inventory for Myanmar

Ayeyarwady /Chindwin River Basin (85)

8. Thamihla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary
9. Moscos Island Wildlife Sanctuary
10. Lampi Marine National Park

• Conclusion

Country’s total wetlands – 99 Nos.

7. Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary

Ramsar Convention and Myanmar

Ramsar Convention Implementation in Myanmar

Ratified Ramsar Convention in 2005
Ramsar Sites

Thanlwin River Basin (6)Third in 2017

Sittaung River Basin (5)Coastal Area (3)Fourth in 2017

The first in 2004o Integrating action plans for wetland conservation and management in
Myanmar’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)(2011)o Conserving important wetlands under protected areaso Strengthening communication of World Wetlands Day from national levelsites levelo Preparing Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS) for nominating new Ramsar Site
Designationo Member of East Asian-Australian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP)o Member of Indo-Burma Ramsar Regional Initatives (IBRRI)o Cooperating with Ramsar Regional Center- East Asia (RRC-EA)

Fifth in2018
Second in 2016

Ramsae Convention Implementation in Myanmar
National Wetland Committee in Myanmar (30 Aug 2016)
Director General

Forest Department
Ministry of Natural Resources andEnvironmental Conservation

Secretary(Head of the Ramsar
Administrative Authority)

Deputy Director
GeneralForest Department
Ministry of Natural Resources andEnvironmental Conservation

Joint Secretary(National Focal Point)

Director

Watershed Management Division
Forest Department
Ministry of Natural Resources andEnvironmental Conservation

MemberDirector

Forest Research Institute
Forest Department
Ministry of Natural Resources andEnvironmental Conservation

MemberMoeyungyi Wetland
Wildlife Sanctuary
The First Ramsar Site
Site No (1431)
Designated 17-11-2004

104 sq km
Bago and Wow TownshipRamsae Convention Implementation in Myanmar
National Wetland Policy and Strategic Actions (Published in 2019)

Threats and Issues to Wetlands in Myanmar
Land use change

Chapter 1: Rationale for the Development of
National Wetland Policy
Chapter 2: Wetlands and Values
Chapter 3: Wetland Policy and Strategic Actions
Six wetland Policy Imperatives▪ Protection, Wise Use,
▪ Mainstreaming Wetlands Values in
Development Plans,▪ Participations,▪ Raising Awareness,▪ Collaborating in International andRegional Wetlandso Eighteen Objectives
o Seventy-three Strategic Actions

Water pollution

Unique Fauna and Flora of Moeyungyi
Resident bird

- 84

Migratory bird

- 49

Fish

Threats and Challenges of Moeyungyi- 46

Amphibian-8

Reptile- 21

Electro fishing

Small mammal- 12

Duck farming

Butterfly- 33

Grazing

Aquatic plant- 74

Over use of water ( foragriculture )Insect collecting

Invasive species(Sucker mouth catfish,
Talabia, Golden apple snail,Unique Fauna and Flora of Indawgyi

Threats and Challenges of Indawgyi
o Illegal land use

MammalForest birds
Water birds
Fish
Amphibian and
ReptilesButterfly
Tree
Medicinal plant
OrchidQuality Vegetable Seeds Distribute at Seik Kyi Village

102( Cultivation, Gold mining )

- 47
- 350
- 109
- 93

o Over use of resources

- 91
- 50
- 148
- 118
- 75

o Over fishing( Logging andfirewood harvesting)Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife
Sanctuary
Third Ramsar Site
Site No (2280)
Designated 2-2-2017
508 sq km
Bogalay Township

Gulf of Mottama (Mon State)

Unique Fauna and Flora of Meinmahla Kyun

Designated 10-5-2017
Kyaikhto Townshiphabitat losto Water pollutiono Tourism bombing andpocketed habitato Inoperative

Unique Fauna and Flora of Inlay Lakeo Mammal-9o Bird- 352( water bird - 92,
Forest bird -260)
o Fish- 61
o Amphibian and
Reptile- 23
o Butterfly- 94
o Tree- 108o Orchid- 184
o Medicinal plant - 527
o Bamboo- 11
o Aquatic plant - 61

Conclusion

Current conservation activities in Wetland Protected Areaso Patrolling to prevent hunting of wetland species
o Regular Survey on water birds
o Monitoring the occurrence of migratory birds
o Education and public awarenesso Capacity building program
o Promoting community base tourism in important
wetland areaso Research on wetlands and water birds
collaborating with universities, NGOs
and INGOS

catchment areao Land use conflict ando Illegal fishing

Fifth Ramsar Site
Site No (2356)
Designated 2-2-2017
533.7 sq km
Nyaung Shwe and Pe Kon
Township, Shan State

Site No (2284)

o Deforestation ino Firewood extraction

Inlay Lake Wildlife Sanctuary

Fourth Ramsar Site

Threats and Challenges of Inlay Lake

Threats and Challenges of MeinmahlaKyuno Mammal- 18
o Amphibian andreptile- 36
o Fish- 112
o Bird- 190
o Crab- 14
o Shrimp-6
o Mangrove- 29
o Medicinal plant - 53
o Orchid-6❖ Collaboration of relevant stakeholders in the wise use of wetlands areneeded.
❖ Rural population increase and growing demand of fresh water
resources, there is a heavy pressure on the long term conservation
and wise use of Myanmar.
❖ Both local and international collaboration are needed.

❖ Myanmar needs assistance from Ramsar and related organization ino Biodiversity decrease

the promotion of wetlands conservation and management.
❖ Let the people know themselves to protect and care for wetlands
where there are near by.

Thank You103

Takuji Arai
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Activities
For Rehabilitating Mangrove Forests
In Cooperation with Local Communities
At Merbok Mangrove Reserve, Kedah, Malaysia
Organized by
Japan-Malaysia Association (JMA)In Collaboration with
Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Penang
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
Supported by
Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund (Japan)
Presenter
Takuji Arai
Executive Director
Japan-Malaysia Association

Contents
1. Background
2. Location
3. Activities
4. Goals of the Project
5. Project Result for the 1st Fiscal Year

●Photos●Topics①Historical and Cultural Relation②Geographical Features③Social Values for Conservation and Restoration

Project Outlines

In the area, the mangrove and river ecosystems play an important role in providing
livelihood for fishermen and the surrounding village communities. Some of thevillagers and fishermen comprise of low income households.

This project is conducted at Merbok Mangrove Forest Reserve in the area ofKuala Muda District, Kedah, Malaysia.

However some parts of mangrove forests have been degrading due to felling, andurbanization and development in the area. This situation can leave an impact on thesustainability of ecosystem and biodiversity in the future.

1. Location

Merbok Mangrove Reserve is located about 1 hour drive north from Penang island.
Merbok Mangrove Reserve which is made up of 18 compartments with a total area of
4,176 ha, is under the jurisdiction of the Kedah Forestry Department.
Mangrove forest in Merbok consists of 32 species of trees exclusive to the mangrove
ecosystem, and has been considered as one of the most floristically diverse
mangrove sites in the world.

Background
Japan-Malaysia Association (JMA) is an authorized public interest corporation by
the Cabinet Office of Japan to contribute to strengthen and deepen lasting
relationship of friendship and goodwill, and also to promote tourism, economic andpersonal ties between Japan and Malaysia.
Since year 1995, JMA has been conducting rehabilitation of tropical forests andenvironmental education project in Sarawak, Malaysia in cooperation with the State
Government and local communities.
JMA has been a Regional Sejahtera Network (RSEN) member of RCE Penang,
Universiti Sains Malaysia(USM) since 2014. JMA and RCE Penang had jointly
coordinated Overseas Training Course organized by the Environmental Restoration
and Conservation Agency of Japan (ERCA) in Malaysia in August 2016.
Based on this experience, JMA has started ESD activities for sustainable
rehabilitation program of mangrove forests in cooperation with RCE Penang, USM
and communities in the area of Merbok Mangrove Forest Reserve, Kedah Malaysia
since 2018.

Bay of Bengal and “Malay Peninsular”

In 2018, JMA has started a joint project in collaboration with RCE Penang, USM todevelop ESD activities for sustainable rehabilitation program of mangrove forests at
Merbok Mangrove Forest Reserve.
This project is with participation of local communities, schools and othertarget groups to conserve the sustainability of the ecosystem and its
biodiversity for the people in the area.

The Reserve also harbors a diverse array of fauna, most prominent are its bird
communities where about 80 species have been recorded including migratory
species. Other inhabitants include several species of primates, reptiles and a highnumber of commercially-important aquatic species occupy the estuarine river
ecosystem.

Merbok, Kedah, Malaysia

Merbok, Kedah, Malaysia

Peninsular Malaysia

Merbok Mangrobe Reserve, Kedah, Malaysia （google map）

MerbokMangrov
Reserve

Degraded area

Sungai Batu Besi village

Merbok Mangrove Reserve
2. Core activities:

3. The goals(1) Reforestation activities at degraded sites with participation of local
communities.
(2) Establish mangrove seedling nursery as a stock for mangrove
reforestation sites.
(3)Conduct capacity building program for local communities in silviculture, tree care,forest management, communication skills, and other relevant skills.
(4) Develop and conduct educational program for local schools, visiting
schools, universities and public to learn about mangrove ecosystem andconservation and also ecotourism activities.
(5) Establish a mangrove environmental/educational gallery as a centre of ESD
program in the future.
(6) Hold seminar and symposium to share experience with schools, NGOs and otherrelated bodies and print leaflet for publication.

(1)Start up reforestation activities at Merbok
・Making research on the present condition of the forests at Merbok Mangrove
Reserve・Meeting for consensus building and planning with stakeholders
・Establish nursery and raise seedlings for plantation (Target: 4,000 seedlings /year)
・Reforestation activities by local communities (Target: 2ha / year)(2)Develop ESD program in conjunction with reforestation of mangroves at Merbok
・Meeting and idea sharing with stakeholders
・Develop ESD program for students and communities
・Conduct tree planting event with USM students and villagers (once in a year)
・Prepare for setting up educational facilities at Merbok Mangrove Reserve

4. The expected duration of the project is 3 years (April 2018 - March 2021)

Project Result for the 1st Fiscal Year (April 2018 - March 2019)2018
April:To organize MOA, research visit plans to various stakeholder and agencies:
documentations, letters, and permissionsMay:
1st project meeting at RCE Penang, USM with a representative of JMA
June:
Site visit and networking to stakeholders and agencies
Establish a working group and appoint a leader from the local village for the
project.
Build a nursery and start seed collection and sowing in the polybag.
July:
Nursery upgrading works, seed collection and sowing works by villagers
Experts of RCE Penang, USM visit the project site regularly
Held a meeting with the Section Heads of Kedah Education Department(JPNK) with regards to the reforestation project at RCE Penang, USM.
JPNK agreed to become a partner and provide assistance for the projectAugust: Nursery upgrading works, seed collection and sowing works by villagers
Experts of RCE Penang, USM visit the project site regularly
RCE Fellows attended a discussion about the reforestation project with theHead of Development, Sungai Petani Municipal Council (MPSPK). The
Head welcomed the project and gave his full support. MPSPK has agreed to
become a partner and provide assistance for the project.

104

September: Held discussion with District Officer of Sungai Petani District.
November: Held Mangrove Camp 1.0 – an outdoor camp for primary andsecondary schools which introduce the mangrove ecosystem and theirimportance. In participation were 30 primary and secondary students
from the nearby villages, 6 USM students and 5 USM researchers on
23-25 Nov.
Several related modules have been delivered by RCE fellows andstudents got to participate in outdoor activities in the mangrove
environment.
Each participant also got to replant mangrove seedlings in the
degraded area. Total seedlings planted were 500.
2019
February: World Wetlands Day celebration with USM students on 23 & 24 ofFebruary, with this year's theme of Wetlands and Climate Change. Our
key activity was a movie screening on Climate Change followed by adiscussion to engage students on the role of wetlands in mitigatingclimate issues. Students conducted mangrove replanting (300seedlings) at the site. Afterwards, we ran a river clean-up of the Sungai
Merbok using kayaks and boats. The program finished off with a selfreflection session, followed with a discussion on how each individual
can help protect wetlands and mitigate climate change.

This reforestation project has been mobilised since June 2018 with several villagers
from Kampung Sungai Batu Besi, Merbok, Kedah. It started with an initial meetingwith villagers whereby discussion on the project flow and stages, were made. The
first stage is to set up and the mangrove nursery. At the moment only one species oftree is prepared, Rhizophora apiculata. More species will be added to this collectionin the near future, including endangered species such as Bruguiera hainesii.
The project has received satisfactory cooperation from villagers. Villagers
continue to collect seeds, prepare them for the nursery and to care for theseedlings. The villagers involved seemed very engaged with the nursery
activities, and show optimism.
As of end of January 2019, approximately 1500 seedlings has been raised in
the nursery and 1000 seedlings replanted by villagers. Presently, most seeds
are of Rhizophora apiculata trees with some amount of Rhizophora mucronata.
Other species common to the area such as Bruguiera sp, Xylocarpus sp, Avicennia
sp. and Sonneratia sp. will be added later when the seeds are available due toseasonality.

Project planning for the 2nd and 3rd Fiscal Year (April 2019 - March 2020)
2nd fiscal year (April 2019 - March 2020)
Project planning✓ Refine and improvement of the project activities based on the two main objectives
which are: reforestation and educational component.
✓ Increase the number of participants (stakeholders/collaborators) for this project✓ Production of educational materials (virtual, printed)✓ Project show case at the site. Compilation of best practices of start up activities✓ Continuing reforestation activities, training for local communities in silviculture andother relevant skills, carrying out trial ESD program, promote & encourage local andvisiting schools and societies to take part in the program, etc.

Photos
Project Area
Recent Activities

3rd fiscal year (April 2020 - March 2021)
Project Planning✓ Project final report✓ Monitoring and evaluation of the project✓ Carrying out ESD program, organize seminar at USM and other places to share theexperience with RSEN members and other related bodies, publish leaflet, etc.
✓ Establish a centre in one of the schools/ community

Proposed educational center for reforestation and conservation activities

Degraded area

Raising mangrove seedlings by local community

Raising mangrove seedlings by local community

Mangrove Camp 1.0 (Nov 2018)

Mangrove Camp 1.0 (Nov 2018)

Mangrove Camp 1.0 (Nov 2018)

Dialogue session with villagers

Learning value of conserving mangrove forest and ecosystem

Learning value of conserving mangrove forest and ecosystem

Mangrove Camp 1.0 (Nov 2018)

Kayaking to correct rubbish in the river

Mangrove Camp 1.0 (Nov 2018)

Planting and correcting mangrove seedlings

Mangrove Camp 1.0 (Nov 2018)

Planting and correcting mangrove seedlings

105

Photos
6 March 2019At
Merbok Mangrove Reserve

TopicsHistorical and Cultural Relation
Geographical Features

106

JERAI GEOPARKJERAI Geopark has been proclaimed as a National Geopark in conjunction with thecoronation of the 29th Sultan of Kedah on 22nd Oct 2018.
Jerai Geopark, covering an area of 800 sq km, encompassing two districts, namely
Yan and Kuala Muda, was chosen for geopark development because it wasscientifically located in the high rock geodiversity area of the Jerai formation,
Mahang formation and Jerai granite.

Jerai Mountain
Bujang Valley

Jerai has been a trade route guide since the golden age of the old Kedah
civilization. These geological and archaeological evidence shows the progressof the iron-based industry in Jerai which had become the focus of trade andthe world’s supply of iron at that time.

Merbok Mangrove Reserve
Kuala Muda
(Tsunami Gallery)

The biological diversity, namely, the richness of flora and fauna at different altitudes
also complements Jerai as a potential geopark to be recognized as a global geoparkin the future.

Jerai Mountain

Ancient tomb temple at Bujang Valley

Surrounded by race field

Tsunami hit coastline of Kuala Muda, Kedah (Dec 2004)

Tsunami gallery in Kuala Muda Town

Tsunami Monument in Kuala Muda Town

TopicsSocial Value for Conservation and Restoration

107

Tapas Ranjan Chakraborty
Threats to the Biodiversity
Responsible Fisheries in the Bay of Bengal

Tapas Ranjan Chakraborty

Bangladesh’s sovereign right on more than n 8000 sq km, 200 nm of Exclusive Economic Zone;▪ declining at an unprecedented rate due to many reasons.
▪ cutting of mangrove and sand dune vegetation▪ conversion of mangrove and mudflat habitat into crop field▪ aquaculture and salt pans
▪ the harvesting of turtles and turtle eggs; destructive fishingmethods including shrimp fry collection; indiscriminate exploitationof marine resources along with juveniles of different species andhunting of shorebirds;

Sundarbans is the largest block of tidal halophytic mangrove ; Cox’s Bazar is the longest straight beachin the world;
Prone to severe natural disaster, such as cyclones, storm surges and floods▪

Major Activities

Community based Harvest Management by Conserving theJuveniles of Marine Biodiversity in Bay of Bengal

Bay of Bengal Fisheries
Bangladesh owns 118,813 km2 area of territorial

Barodail, Teknaf Peninsulasea, 200 nautical miles of Exclusive Economic
Zone and all kinds of animal and non-animal
resources under the continental shelf up to 354
nm from the Chittagong coast.
▪ Marine fisheries contributes 16.28% of thenational fish production.
▪ The potential of the coastal fisheries sector has
not been rationally harvested, rather the
resources have been over-exploited and as aresult, the fish stocks declined.

April 2016-March 2019

▪ Conserve the biodiversity of the marine ecosystem by reducing thevolume of harvesting▪ Minimizing the accidental catch, and release the juveniles and noncommercial species in the sea immediately▪ Awareness raising about the value of the biodiversity and thepractices of sustainable harvesting and conservation▪ Build up the capacity of the community practicing marine
biodiversity conservation through harvesting management`

Group Formation & Awareness5 group [20 members each] > a series of meeting to aware themBaseline Survey fishing assets, sea going fishing community, loss ofjuveniles and non-commercial species from the sea,
community occupation and income, food security,
alternative livelihoods etc

Training for the fisherman

Fishing Net Distribution

100 sea going fishers are trained on “ immediate release of accidental catch”❑Importance of non-commercial juveniles in ecology, ecosystem and economy is wellunderstood by the community.
❑The fisherman used harmful zero net for fishing.
❑ motivated them to change the zero net for fishing and use cotton net which is Biodegradable❑9 recommended cotton nets were distributed among the fisherman.

immediate release of accidental catch> 21% to 60%.
The Training module have been developed in Bangla language forbe better understanding for the participants on Alternative
livelihoods Homestead vegetable gardening and duck poultry
rearing.

Non-target Catch(1) Biodiversity Conservation Group formation and involved them into Project(2) Conduct Baseline Survey in the Site
(3) Awareness Raising and Knowledge Development(4) Conduct training for the fishing community on the process and practice ofimmediate release(5) Assessment of Sea Fishing Net and Distribution of Legal Fishing Net(6) Livelihood diversification to reduce the pressure on marine resources(7) Skill building training to undertake AIGA
(8) Visit to potential marine biodiversity conservation area, Orissa, India(9) Biodiversity Habitat Conservation & Turtle Hatchery Development(10)Result Sharing and Dissemination❑Three billboards for awareness raising is placed.

Fifty youth was identified based on their requirement fordiversified the livelihood options training.

Aware community on the breeding season of marine biodiversity
Community is aware on the breeding season of all most all the fishes including commercial
fishes found in the sea. Population dynamics of non-fish species known.

Conservation Board Game

SDG14- Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas andmarine resources for sustainable development

Fishing of a responsible fisher❑Around 2 k.m of turtle breeding ground is graded by the community.
❑The community has reducing the use of light in the adjutant areas.
❑Community is using red color light if crossing of turtle ground by walk.
❑community is highly motivated on keeping their house dog away from sand dune area.

Established during October-November 2016
12000 eggs were collected for safe incubation.
Marine Turtle Hatchery

Workshop
3 local level learning sharing workshops
SDG14 in action

50-57% hatch success

Activity Metrex
SL.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
15
16

108

Activities
Training
Field Survey
Survey for Juvenile catchMarket Price Survey
Regular Use Fishing Net
Turtle hatchery/aquatic & terrestrial habitat
PosterNational/International Workshop
Lecture Book
Printing Game Item
Focus Group Discussion (FGD)
Group Meeting
Billboard
Exposer Visit
Position paper

Year-110 days3600 HH
50 days2
11000 Copies
1
100 Copies
5-

Year-210 days3600 HH
411554 personYear-320 days3600 HH
120 days
3
1
1
100 Copies
4
5
2 person1

Total
40 days3600 HH
50 days
120 days
931000 Copies
3
100 Copies
100 Copies
415
5
6 person
1

THANK YOU

Binod Bihari Sahu
Fish Waste Recycling

DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF
FISH WASTE RECYCLING

Welcome!!

INTRODUCTION

In-discriminatory usage of chemical fertilizers, pesticides,
antibiotics, agro-chemicals in agriculture and water bodies hascreated many environmental and health issues. Culture andcapture fisheries resources utilizes nutrients from the coastal
water bodies which creates pollution in Bay of Bengal throughriver systems. Post harvests fish processing waste constitutearound 50% in a fish are not commonly used in human feeding
and are disposed off. Fish waste recycling into organic fertlizers
is well in tuned with current food production concern, waste
disposal, environmental responsibility and efficiency.

SUSTAINABLE
CONSERVATION OF
COASTAL ECO-SYSTEM:
A PARTICIPATORYAPPROACH

International Symposiumon the Conservation of
Wetland Bio-diversity along
the coast of Bay of Bengalorganized on 7th March 2019
Dhaka, Bangadesh.

Dr. B.B. Sahu Retd. Principal Scientist, ICAR (CIFA), Bhubaneswar, India , Email: binodbsahu@gmail.com

Prepared by:

Prepared by:

Fish Waste Recycling

Fish Waste Recycling

Fish Waste Recycling

Fish Waste Refineries & Process

INTRODUCTION

Prepared by:

Fisher women Self Help Groups (FWSHG) of Odisha in India“Fish waste bio-refineries” are defined as sustainable processingof fish waste biomass into a spectrum of marketable products
and energy for crop, animal and fish farming. Fish processing
waste are promising renewable biomass.
Fish waste bio-refineries have low cost production and easy
operation, low cost energy consumption and maintain high productivity of value added organic fertilizers, bio extracts, aminoacids, peptides and bio-supplements for increasing primary prod
-uctivity of soil and aquaculture ponds. Bio-refinery products
from fish wastes are plankton and chlorophyll enhancer as well
as soil recharger .

Shellfish bio-extracts
are immune-modulators, plant and animal
disease prevention, anti
fungal and anti bacterial
activities.

Fish bio extracts are liquidorganic fertlisers for plants
and crops are used as afoliar spray and drenching.
Solid bio-extracts are pow-dered organic fertilizer
use for soil and aquaculture pond recharge.

Participatory bio-refine
ry projects in two coast
al villages of Odisha(India) comprising Fisher women Self HelpGroups (FWSHG)

This is popularized as abrand “MASCHHYAGANDHA” and appliedin more than 1000 ha.
of agricultural crops like
Green gram, Black gra
m, Potato, rice and vari
ous horticultural crops.

Prepared by:

Prepared by:

Fish Waste Recycling

Fish Waste Recycling
Fish hydrolysate is highly bioactive. Awesome for pro
moting plant, animal and fish growth02

Provides amino acids, fatty acid, hormone vitamins
improve health and vigour of fish, plant and animals

03

It is one of the oldest and most effective fertilizers, for
centuries as an excellent fertilizer sources

04

05

Aquaculture ponds for plankton production
20 litre/acre/meter water bodies 4 equal
divided doses in 15 day interval100 times
diluted with water
Nursery ponds for seed production

Poor man’s fertilizer, non-toxic improves soil texture and compost enhancer

Wild and domestic animal, birds and insect, pest repel
lant, repellant for crop raiders

20 litre/acre/meter water bodies 4
equal divided doses in 15 day interval 100 times diluted with waterPrepared by:

Fish Waste Recycling

Liquid fish fertilizer (Fish Hydrolysate)

Salient features of fish fertilizer01

The novel organic fish fertilizer utilizing fishand prawn processing waste, trash fish, fishprocessing waste constitutes around 30-40%
during primary processing. Huge quantity of
waste is also generated during netting, trawling and fish harvesting. Municipality andcorporation fish markets also generate hugequantity of waste.

Powdered fish fertilizer (Fish Bio-fert.)

Floating/sinking fish feed

Powdered fish fertilizer (Fish Bio-fert.)

Agri-Horti-Vegi-Flori Use

100 kg compounded feed material
add 2 litre fish hydrolysate (CIFA-BIN
D ADD) during pelletization,

Pond fertilization

Lawn and Landscape

Agri-Horti-Vegi-Flori-Lawn Foliar spray
1 ml/litre liquid fish fertilizer (Planktofert)
for foliar spraying once in every week

Compound aquaculture mass feed

Agri-Horti-Vegi-Flori-Lawn Fertigation

50:50::rice bran:GNOC & Powder,
100kg feed mix properly 1 litre fishhydrolysate.

20 litre per acre for fertigation/drip irrigation/green house farming

Prepared by:

20 kg/acre/meter water bodies Fourequal divided doses in 15 days interval Mixing with 5 times vermin compost sprinkled

Nursery pond fertilization

20 kg/acre/meter water bodies Fourequal divided doses in 15 days interval Mixing with 5 times vermin compost sprinkled

6gm/sq.ft/every 15 days interval,
2 timesFloriculture flower beds

6gm/sq.ft/every 15 days interval,
2 times

Rose plants/flower pots

6gm/flower pot/every 30 days interval, 2 times

Vegetables/fruit plant beds
6gm/sq.ft/every 30 days interval,
2 times

Prepared by:

Prepared by:

Fish Waste Recycling
Benefits of organic fish fertilizer

Author:-BANGLADESH

Dr. B.B. Sahu Retd.
Principal Scientit, ICAR (CIFA),

1. Fish fertilizer is a liquefied organic fertilizer
excellent for fertigation and foliar spray.
2. Pond application promotes phytoplankton
zooplankton, chlorophyll, helpful microbialcommunity development for live fish fooduse.
3. Applications of 0.35ml liquid fish fertilizer
per kg.

Prepared by:

Bhubaneswar, India
Email: binodbsahu@gmail.com

INDIA

Thank you

Mobile: +91 94372 62566

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