EXPERIENCES FROM TRANS BOUNDARY PROJECT AIMED AT REDUCING CLIMATE DISASTER RISKS AND ENHANCING RESILIENCE OF THE VULNERABLE COASTAL COMMUNITIES AROUND THE SUNDARBAN IN BANGLADESH AND INDIA Presentation on

BY ASM SHAHIDUL HAQUE TEAM LEADER, CCDRER PROJECT BANGLADESH CENTRE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES (BCAS) EXPERIENCES FROM TRANS BOUNDARY PROJECT AIMED AT REDUCING CLIMATE DISASTER RISKS AND ENHANCING RESILIENCE OF THE VULNERABLE COASTAL COMMUNITIES AROUND THE SUNDARBAN IN BANGLADESH AND INDIA

-SOME INFORMATION OF THIS PRESENENSURING IS COLLECTED FROM DIFFERENT WORK OF BCAS - MOSTLY THE PRESENTATION FOCUSES ON THE ACTIVITIES OF AN EU FUNDED PROJECT TITLED COLLECTIVE ACTION TO REDUCE CLIMATE DISASTER RISKS AND ENHANCING RESILIENCE OF THE VULNERABLE COASTAL COMMUNITIES AROUND THE SUNDARBANS IN BANGLADESH AND INDIA (CCDRER) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Goals of this Presentation 1. Provide an overview of BCAS 2. Share experience of a trans-boundary CC related project 3. Adaptation activities for DRR and enhancing resilience for Coastal Communities around Sundarban EXPERIENCES FROM TRANS BOUNDARY PROJECT AIMED AT REDUCING CLIMATE DISASTER RISKS AND ENHANCING RESILIENCE OF THE VULNERABLE COASTAL COMMUNITIES AROUND THE SUNDARBAN IN BANGLADESH AND INDIA

Introduction Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies(BCAS) is a leading research and policy institute in the non-governmental sector and working as an independent, non-profit, non-government institute since BCAS addresses sustainable development through four interactive themes: (a) environment-development integration, (b) good governance, (c) poverty alleviation and sustainable livelihoods and (d) economic growth and public-private partnership.

1. The project is designed considering Sundarban as a whole. 2. This project is being implemented in Bangladesh and Indian part of Sundarban. 3. Proper use of science 4. Idea sharing (GO/LGI/NGO/local people/stakeholders) Features of the trans-boundary project

5. Proper selection of area and beneficiaries 6. Integration of local knowledge 7. Awareness/DRR/Adaptation/Mitigation/Livelih- ood components 8. Community based collective action 9. Networking and dissemination 10. Procedure recording Features of the trans-boundary project (continued..)

PROJECT AREA IN BANGLADESHDistrictUpazilaClusterVillages Target Household KhulnaPaikgacha BagerhatMorelganj SatkhiraShyamnagar

PROJECT AREA IN BANGLADESH

PROJECT AREA IN INDIADistrictPSClusterVillages Target HHs South 24 Parganas Patharpratima Basanti North 24 Parganas Sandeshkhali Hingalganj17300 Total1500

Project Area In India

SUMMARY ACTIONS 1. Proper site selection and beneficiary selection 2. Climate change adaptation Forum (Social mobilization and establishing community links) 3. Vulnerability and risk assessment (PVA) 4. Development of strategy and action plans 5. Strengthening Capacity and Resilience of the vulnerable community -Workshop - Training - Demonstration - Awareness building - Alternative livelihood - Low-cost and renewable energy options - Promotion of agro-forestry and social forestry - Wider Partnership and Networking Monitoring and evaluation

Methodology -Reconnaissance study -Census study -Baseline survey -PVA These studies and surveys were designed to collect information to assess present status of the target beneficiary in terms of climate related disaster risks, their adaptation capabilities and dependencies on Sundarban.

TARGET BENEFICIARY GROUPS Target groups Needs and constraints Small and marginal farmers Saline water intrusion reduced the scope of the agricultural activities within the vicinity. They are not aware about the climate change risks vulnerabilities. They need to grow crops for their food security. Saline tolerant crops are required to demonstrate. Fishermen fish fry/crab collectors The cyclone and tidal surge frequently damage their resources and reduce the scope of their livelihood. Honey/fuel wood collectors They are exploiting the resource of the Sundarban for their livelihood. They need to rehabilitate to reduce the natural forest. Landless Community They have poor access to livelihood and migrating to urban slums for searching of their livelihood.

Site selection Based on Sundarban impact zone Low impact zone (>10 km) Medium impact zone (5-10 km) High impact zone (0-5 km)

Site selection Based on Salinity Level Low salinity Medium salinity High salinity

ACTION TO REDUCE DISASTER RISKS 1. By assessing present and future climate change impacts on target beneficiaries with a view to reduce risks by promoting alternative livelihoods and food security (of poor and marginalized people) 2. By identifying community needs and priority to address the climate change impacts. 3. By promoting knowledge and awareness of target groups about the present and future climate change impacts, risks and vulnerability of the coastal Sundarbans ecosystems 4. By building capacity of the local partners, actors and stakeholders to integrate climate change issues and adaptation into local and regional development process.

ACTIONS FOR ENHANCING RESILIENCE 1. By strengthening current coping mechanisms of disaster risk reduction (DRR) through natural resources management and improvement of the coastal biodiversity and ecosystem linking climatic and related risks on their lives and livelihoods; 2. By formulating local and in some cases implementing adaptation action plans by involving communities. 3. By building partnership and network among the relevant actors and stakeholders for effective exchange and action against climate injustice in national, regional and international levels. 4. By sharing learning, good practices, experiences with others 5. By advocacy to influence policy and decision making processes at regional, national and international levels.

Common focuses: Common focuses: –Awareness building about current and future climate change risks –Awareness building about current and future climate change risks –Capacity building and skill development among vulnerable community, stakeholders and actors –Capacity building and skill development among vulnerable community, stakeholders and actors –Mainstreaming climate change adaptation into agriculture, water, health, local development, livelihood and DRR –Mainstreaming climate change adaptation into agriculture, water, health, local development, livelihood and DRR –Community linkages with Union Parishads, UDMCs, LGIs, NGOs and actors –Community linkages with Union Parishads, UDMCs, LGIs, NGOs and actors ACTIONS FOR ADAPTATION

AREA SPECIFIC ACTIONS FOR ADAPTATION EXAMPLE: Morrelganj Upazilla Salinity tolerant paddy and crops, fish and crab culture Salinity and storm resistance trees and plants and coastal aforestation Rain water Harvesting and pond preservation for fresh water Maintenance and improvement of coastal embankments and erosion protection Enhancement of disaster preparedness –Cyclone shelter and Kellafor cattle –Strengthening house structures –Health services –salinity, cyclones and heat stress –Foods, shelter, employment and planned -migration for the displaced population

Adaptation

Vulnerable Situation Agricultural Technological Interventions: Suggested crops/Crop Varieties Drought and SalinityRice: BR-42, 43 (drought tolerant), BR-47, BR-49, BR- 54, BINA-7,8 (salt tolerant) Vegetables: HYV Water Gourd, Bitter Gourd, Cowpea, Cucumber, Red amaranth, Jhinga, Indian spinach. Potato/Sweet Potato: Cardinal, Diamont, Sweet Potato- 8,9, & Local varieties Pulse crops: Mung-1,2,3,4,5,6, BARI Khesari-6, BINA Mung-3, Local Khesari, Wheat: Shourab, Gourab, Prodip Oil seed crops: Sharisa-15 Water- logging/ Submergence Rice: Bri Dhan-44, Bri Dhan-51,52, Tidal surges/Tidal floodBR-51, BR-52 ADAPTATION TECHNOLOGY FOR AGRICULTURE

Vulnerable AreasSuggested Innovative Practices Drought and SalinityRice: Irrigate with Sweet water, Pulses & Oil Seeds: Use of Compost Vegetables: Use of compost/poultry manure. Potato/Sweet Potato: Use of compost/poultry manure Pulse crops: Use of Compost/Poultry manure Wheat: Use of Compost/Poultry manure Oil seed crops: Use of Compost/Poultry manure Water- logging/ Submergence Sorjan System of Cropping: Cultivate year round vegetables, fruits and Spices on Raised beds and cultivate fish in ditches during wet season. Raised Pit System: Cultivate creeper vegetables on Trellis around the raised Pits formed by water hyacinth. Utilizations of Pond edges/Gher areas: Cultivate year round vegetables, spices & fruits on pond edges or Gher areas profitably. INNOVATIVE PRACTICES FOR ADAPTATION IN AGRICULTURE

Vulnerable AreasSuggested Innovative Practices Tidal surges/Tidal floodSorjan System of Cropping: Cultivate year round vegetables, fruits and Spices on Raised beds and cultivate fish in ditches during wet season. Raised Pit System: Cultivate creeper vegetables on Trellis around the raised Pits formed by water hyacinth. Utilizations of Pond edges/Gher areas: Cultivate year round vegetables, spices & fruits on pond edges or Gher areas profitably. Soil wetness/Clay soil areas/Late harvest of T.Aman Zero Tillage Practices: Cultivate Potato/Pulses/ Oil seeds crops including vegetables under zero tillage practice Dry Seeding Practice: Rice may be cultivated in char lands and wet soils using sprouted rice seeds. INNOVATIVE PRACTICES FOR ADAPTATION IN AGRICULTURE

Floating bed agriculture Home stead garden on raised plinth Adaptive Agriculture

Challenges of Implementing Trans-boundary projects 1. Policies / rules / laws 2. Funding process and fund transfer process 3. Human Resource mobilization 4. Reporting 5. Partnership COLLECTIVE ACTION TO REDUCING CLIMATE DISASTER RISKS AND ENHANCING RESILIENCE OF THE VULNERABLE COASTAL COMMUNITIES AROUND THE SUNDARBAN (CCDRER)

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