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Climate Adaptive Livelihood Security of Sundarbans

Resource Dependent Community

Final Report BAN162 (March, 2018 – February, 2019)

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Content

Subject

Page No.

Project at a glance 3

Summary 3

Project Goal 4

Project Objectives 4

Project Area 4

Checklist of Work Plan and Achievement 5

Project Progress 6

Monthly Group Meeting 6

Bi-monthly Association Meeting 8

Project Approach (Co-operative Model) as a follow-up of SME

Process Documentation & Study on Cooperatives

10

Sundarbans Bawali-Mawali-Jelley Association 8

Co-operative/Group Approach of the Sundarbans Resource Dependent

Community

11

Examples of SME/Scheme in Mongla and Dacope 15

Legal Awareness on Bangladesh Wildlife (Conservation and

Security) Act, 2012

20

Staff Meeting 9

Travel for Monitoring (Director of CCEC with Project team) 9

Facebook page: Cafod Ccec (Sundarbans project) 22

IEC materials 21

Challenges 23

Initiatives taken to overcome the Challenges 24

Conclusion 25

Annex 1: Project Matrix 26

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Climate Adaptive Livelihood Security of Sundarbans Resource Dependent Community

1. Project at a glance

Implementing partner name Centre for Coastal Environmental Conservation (CCEC)

Project title Climate Adaptive Livelihood Security of Sundarbans Resource

Dependent Community

Donor Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)

Project approval reference BAN162

CAFOD contribution £40000 = 4480518 BDT

Funding period March 2018 – February 2019

Working area Dacope Upazila under Khulna district & Mongla Upazilla under

Bagerhat district in Bangladesh.

Project duration 12 Months

Total Project Budget 4595718 BDT

2. Summary

Since 2014, the NGO CCEC (Centre for Coastal Environmental Conservation) has successfully

completed the project on “Climate Adaptive Livelihood Security of the Sundarbans Resource

Dependent Community (CALS-SRDC)” in Bangladesh and renewed for another one year (March,

2018 to February, 2019) funded by the donor Catholic Agency for Overseas Development

(CAFOD). The primary objectives of this project are: secure alternative livelihoods and to build the

capacity of the Sundarbans resource-dependent community. Over the years, lesson learning was -

how community sensitive ownership is developed. Group Strategic Approach was the key to

success with the formation of association following the rules of co-operative society with the

philosophy “United we stand taller”; how community empowerment is built through decision

making by the target beneficiaries. To date, with the up gradation and changes in the co-operative

policy, the project shapes into a co-operative model for the Sundarbans resource-dependent

community aiming to reduce poverty through SME/scheme operation align with Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs). Reducing exploitation and increased solidarity of 320 Sundarbans

resource harvester families are the key to project intervention and policy advocacy.

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3. Project Goal:

To increase livelihood diversification, food security and climate adaptive capacity change of the

target vulnerable Sundarbans resource harvesters and their families.

4. Project Objectives:

➢ To support climate adaptive livelihood diversification and food security through an

ecosystem-based approach

➢ To enable community-based Sundarbans resource management through capacity

building, skill development and policy advocacy

5. Project Area:

Dacope Upazilla. Khulna District Mongla Upazilla, Bagerhat District

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Figure: Satellite image of project sites surrounding Sundarbans Reserved Forest (SRF)

6. Checklist of Work Plan and Achievement

No. Activity No. of Planned

activities

Achievement

I Staff recruitment - √

II Office set up 3 (2 Field + 1 Head

Office)

√

III Equipment purchase (Motor cycle, Bi-cycle,

laptop, Camera etc.)

- √

IV Monthly group meeting for all 13 groups 156 √

V Association meeting for sharing group

experiences in 2 Upazila

12 √

VI Monthly Staff meeting 12 √

VII Travel for staff and director of CCEC - √

VIII Group scheme support (co-management principle) 12 √

IX Income generation support for 20 women headed

families

20 √

X Training on accounting process, Resolution, cash,

bank, notice book, pass book for

Group/association

2 √

XI BLC support for Sundarbans harvesters 300 √

XII Disaster management campaign/ Day observation

(school level)

20 √

XIII 2000 students and their guardians get conservation

education which promotes their livelihood

knowledge

20 √

XIV Livestock vaccination campaign in two Upazila 2 √

XV Capacity building for project beneficiaries on

legal aspects (Bangladesh wildlife laws and

regulation)

12 √

XVI IEC materials (poster, leaflet, year calendar) 500 √

XVII Report submission 2 √

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7. Project Progresses

I. Staff recruitment

All four field staff (2 from Mongla and 2 from Dacope) was renewed for the continuation of the

project. The vacancy announcement for the position of “Project Supervisor” was advertised via

local newspaper and circulated to notice board of several NGOs for example; Rupantar, LoCOS.

The position was recruited via written examination and Viva Voce and priority was given to be a

citizen of Sundarbans coastal region i.e., Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira. In the middle of this

one year project, two vacant positions were renewed again for “Project Manager” and “Accounts

Officer” following the recruitment guideline of CCEC i.e., written examination and viva voce.

New Accounts Officer was appointed from the month of October 2018 and Project Manager was

appointed from the month of November 2018.

❖ Staff orientation of the project: The staff orientation program was conducted in CCEC

Khulna city office to share information among project colleagues especially new project

staff. A project orientation was arranged in CCEC conference room with the presence of

all field organizers, project manager continued from the previous project, CCEC

executive committee members, core staff including director, CCEC. Objectives, goal,

activities of BAN 162 project, and background of CCEC, Project activity plan, Job

responsibility, Complain mechanism and other related issues were discussed in the

orientation meeting. Again, newly appointed staffs were informed about the project,

project area, beneficiaries, and organizations policy in the monthly staff meeting. II. Office set up

Office rent: Two field office sites are located in Mongla Upazila under Bagerhat district and

Dacope Upazila under Khulna district. Thus, two field offices were rented and set up at Mongla

and Dacope from the previous project and renewed from March 2018. Field offices were

equipped with chair, table, and other required furniture.

Project Signboard: Two signboards with project summary, contact information were placed in

front of two field offices at Mongla and Dacope Upazila. The signboards are a communication

tool to help people/ passer-by to understand CCEC_CAFOD project on Sundarbans involving

Sundarbans Resource Dependent Community, the Bawali-Mawali-Jellay community.

IV. Monthly Group Meeting

This reporting period of the project is March 2018 – February 2019. All monthly meetings were

held regularly with every group in order to address the issues related to the project. 84 group

meetings in Dacope Upazila and 72 group meetings in Mongla Upazila have been held within the

project period (March 2018 – February 2019). There were a number of issues raised in the

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monthly group meetings such as the follow up of the Scheme/SMEs, review new application for

scheme support, monthly income generation and bank deposits, verification of Pass Book

deposits, bank statement, group saving status, follow up of BLC support, capacity building on

legal aspects, Observation of environmental days, CCEC participation in CMC meetings by FD

and Monthly NGO Coordination Meeting organized by UNO. The meeting is a participatory

process to follow up all the group activities and keep records for documentation. Both male and

female beneficiaries participated in the group meeting. In the monthly group meeting,

beneficiaries collect their savings, deposit money into the bank, and document group works,

setup future plan of the project activities, and follow-up their Scheme/SME & livelihood support

in order to strengthen co-management approach align with Sustainable Development Goals

(SDGs).

Considering the sustainability of the project, local village school teachers were tagged as

advisors (volunteer) of the project and phone numbers of the teachers are shared with the

beneficiaries. Participants of the Monthly Group Meetings also include the Members of the Co-

Management Committee (CMC) formed by the Forest Department (FD), members of Union

Parishad (UP), teachers. Project beneficiaries have been linked with different projects especially

FD projects such as Sundarbans Management Project (SMP/GIZ); “Expanding the Protected

Area System to Incorporate Important Aquatic Ecosystems Project (EPASIIAEP/UNDP)” and

NGOs (CNRS, CODEC) working on Sundarbans implemented by the Forest Department. CCEC

always tries to introduce project beneficiaries (through formal letter/ oral discussion) with the

development projects as the most vulnerable communities of the coastal zone. At the same time,

CCEC upholds their success stories and cooperative model to the new development

organizations. In consequences, many development

organizations invite CAFOD-CCEC beneficiaries to

their meetings. For example, Forest Department (FD)

invites the CAFOD-CCEC project staff for attending

CMC (Co-Management Committee) meeting

eventually raising awareness on the current activities

(dolphin conservation by UNDP) of the on-going

development projects among the beneficiaries

enhancing social capital and Sundarbans management.

A list of teacher advisors in Dacope and Mongla UPZ:

Dacope Upazila

SL No. Name of the Group Teacher Name School of the teachers

01 Doyaner Gate Abdullah-al-Mamun (Assistant

Teacher)

Sutarkhali Kowmiya

Madrasa

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02 Sutarkhali Mijanur Rahman (Super) Gunari Dakhil Madrasa

03 Kalabogi Subash babu (Assistant Teacher) Kalabagi Pandit Chandra

Primary School

04 Khalisha Ruma Rani Roy (Head

Mistress)

Khalisha Govt Primary

School

05 Nalian Abdul Sattar Mostofa Kamal

(Head Teacher)

320 No. Govt. Nalian Forest

Primary School

06 Pankhali Sheikh Mahibur Rahman

(Head Teacher)

Pankhali Momtaj Begum

Primary School

Mongla Upazila

SL No. Name of the Group Teacher Name School of the Teachers

01 Kalikabari Ambik Mayttra (Head

Teacher)

Bangladesh Govt. Primary

School

02 Paschim Chila Poresh Banarjee (Assistant

Teacher)

Chila-Bangladesh Govt.

Primary School

03 Dakkhin Kainmari Ambik Mondal (Assistant

Teacher)

St. Marish Primary School

04 Baiddamari Shamol Biswas (Head

Teacher)

South Haldibuniya Govt.

School

05 Purba Chila Milon Mondal (Assistant

Teacher)

Registered Primary School

06 Joymoni Anil Krisno (Assistant

Teacher)

St. Marish Primary School

During the ending months of the project, group members and CCEC staffs discussed the

sustainability of scheme operations. Groups and associations decided to close all existing scheme

operation in the month of December and start new schemes from January and February 2019.

However, few schemes were not ended during the deadline, due to seasonal variability and

extension of the schemes. Groups and associations decided to run the scheme operation for the

next three years following the current guidelines. Sundarbans Stakeholder Association decided to

take the responsibility to continue scheme operation after the end of the project via supporting

from the association bank account. The association bank savings will be used for monitoring

schemes, purchase passbook, cash book, Upazila office set up and other costs.

V. Bi-monthly Association meeting

The Association is an apex body composed of several groups exists in a particular Upazila (sub-

district). The Mongla Association is consist of 6 groups and Dacope Association is consist of 7

groups. Each of the Association is composed of 160 members thus 320 families are the direct

beneficiaries of the project in two UPZs under two districts. Bi-monthly association meetings

were held periodically during the one year project. Association members meet in a place to share

the present activities, experiences with each other, raise the demand of the concerned group and

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Association consensus is taken with the approval of the majority. Selection of SME/ Scheme

operator and its application approval is the main discussion topic in the Association meeting.

The project has developed the capacity of the disadvantaged forest people/group members to

speak out loudly and enable to bargain/negotiate about their rights “we are the most victim and

vulnerable to climate change and we deserve the

climate fund such as climate resilience fund,

climate trust fund, green climate fund”. Making

the project innovative, the generosity of donor

CAFOD is remembered with gratitude for the

continuation of the fund for four years. The

Sundarbans Bawali-Mawali-Jellay (SBMJ)

association now in the list of Upazila

administration (UNO) by contributing money from

their own fund as a Community Based

Organization (CBO) for the observation of Victory Day (16th December) and plan to attend all

National Days ahead like other NGOs. The inclusion of local school teachers as the advisor to

the adjacent group and their participation in group and association meeting is a milestone for the

sustainability of the project.

VI. Staff Meeting

CCEC arranged monthly meeting in the first quarter of each

month. Here the project team shares monthly progress of the

project activities. CCEC also arrange weekly staff meeting in

Khulna head office and inform necessary decisions to the

project staff, discuss monthly activity plan and specific job

responsibility of all staffs. CCEC has completed 12 monthly

staff meeting from March 2018 to February 2019.

VII. Travel and per diem for Monitoring

CCEC director Mr. Mowdudur Rahman conducted several field visits with the project team for

monitoring and evaluation purposes. He also attended group and association meetings and

Association name

/Upazilla

Date Number of

participant

Dacope 25/04/2018 47

24/06/2018 45

26/08/2018 51

18/10/2018 50

23/12/2018 44

17/02/2019 55

Mongla 09/04/2018 40

14/06/2018 37

06/08/2018 45

16/10/2018 44

22/12/2018 42

19/02/2019 50

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interacted with the project beneficiaries both in Mongla and Dacope Upazila. The field visits

were very helpful for decision making and make the project sustainable. Besides project

assignment, Mr. Rahman also attended several meeting for advocacy purposes with Forest

department, GOs and NGOs.

VIII. Group scheme support (co-management principle)

During January 2018 i.e. within the last Six Monthly Report BAN162 (March 2016 – February

2018), the SME process documentation and study on Co-operatives ended up with an

observation that there was a remarkable change and up gradation in SME operation. The SME

operation renamed as Scheme operation which is also known as group approach Co-operative

Model.

The project is unique in its innovation because it is the only organization working directly with

the Sundarbans resource-dependent community through the formation of groups and association.

Working for the community who raised Governments economy through forest revenue for last

150 years despite sun heat, rain and who faces challenges of tigers on the land and crocodile in

the water, above all take risk of their life in the forest resource harvesting. The organization

CCEC is dedicated and works solely with the most vulnerable community as repayment of debt.

The implementing agency CCEC is always an inspiration for the ownership building of the

groups encouraging the beneficiaries for money savings and increase the volume at their own

bank account to run climate adaptive business fits in the saline environment with “learning by

doing” exercise. “Learning by doing” in Group Approach was a major decision for them to

emphasize more on operating “individual scheme” compared to group SME operation. Currently,

109 scheme operations are ongoing. Following the business principle, the season based scheme

operation and timely money withdrawn from their own bank account by the group decision leads

them making the scheme profitable and sustainable and to become self-reliant. By now, the

groups have raised a good amount of money through savings. Estimated bank deposits (bank

statement) and the amount of money engaged in Scheme Operation is above 2500000 BDT

(approx.) in 13 groups (6 groups in Mongla and 7 groups in Dacope). The project has initiated to

link the CALS_SRDC project beneficiary groups with “SHURAKKHA” an upcoming

development project jointly be implemented by Palli Sanchaya Bank and Forest Department by

involving 50000 people living surrounding Sundarbans whose livelihood depends on Sundarbans

resources. This project aims to formulate 40,000 associations with Sundarbans resource-

dependent people and gradually shift them towards alternative livelihoods, which is very similar

to CAFOD-CCEC project objectives. Low rate interest loan money is to be provided to the target

associations thus CAFOD-CCEC project beneficiaries have high chances to get involved with

the “Surakkha” project. CCEC keep continuing to liaise with FD and Palli Sanchay Bank.

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During the month of November 2018, CAFOD-CCEC project supported 13 groups for scheme

operation by providing an amount of 600,000 BDT. With this support, individual beneficiaries

started poultry farming, duck rearing, climate resilient vegetable gardening, crab fattening, and

extended existing schemes. They took decision to follow the co-operative based group approach

model and run it in a cyclic order.

❖ Co-operative / Group Approach Model of the Sundarbans Resource Dependent

Communities facilitated by CCEC & CAFOD

The model follows the principles of Co-operatives, the government of Bangladesh. Key members

of 13 groups were brought under Co-operative training. “Unity is Strength” is followed in

group/association approach that’s why the model is called Co-operative Model. Small &

Medium Enterprise (SME)/ Business Scheme by the interested individual /group members comes

through an application and evaluated in three steps; first by the group of their own, secondly by

the association and thirdly by the project implementing organization. Visiting the proposed

scheme site by the evaluation, team members are mandatory for releasing funds. The business

model is continuous learning and changes over time with the decision of the group members

that’s why the model is called the Group Approach Model.

1. Make the process Community-led by establishing Group and Association.

2. Encourage every beneficiaries for individual savings (BDT

100/month/person/family).

3. Ownership is given to the community by opening the bank account in their name for

example "Climate Adaptive Kalikabari Sundarbans Bawali-Mawali-Jellay Group" in

Mongla under Bagerhat district and "Climate Adaptive Sutarkhali Sundarbans

Bawali-Mawali-Jellay" in Dacope under Khulna district.

4. Open Bank Account jointly operated by the Climate Adaptive Sundarbans Bawali-

Mawali-Jellay (president/secretary) group and Executive Committee members of the

implementing organization.

5. Both the savings of beneficiaries and project support are being rotated among group

members as SME/individual business scheme according to the decision in the

monthly group meeting. Several processes was taken for receiving the capital for

operating the business scheme, for example; application by the group member

interested for business, verification by the project team and disburse the money for

the business scheme for a period of 10 months following the decision of the group.

6. Empower the women with small scale project support for example; vegetable

growing, livestock rearing (hen, duck, and goat).

7. Livestock training for the women in cooperation with UPZ livestock offices.

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8. By now 13 groups (7 in Dacope and 6 in Mongla) have been formed and raised funds

of their own and operate project funds in cycles through different business scheme

according to the group decision.

9. Two Associations now functioning as Community-Based Organizations (CBO). One

in Dacope UPZ and another one are in Mongla Upazila.

For ensuring the responsibilities are handed

over to the associations and groups, CCEC

has taken a number of initiatives such as i)

conducted training for the key group

members (secretary & treasurer) and guide

them for maintaining accounting process,

resolution, cash book, bank statement, notice

book, pass book for group/ association

eventually increased their capacity to manage

documents and accounts. ii) Keeping the

sustainability in mind CCEC formed advisers

by involving & selecting local teacher

adjacent to beneficiary community schools

thus 12 teachers have been selected who also

cooperate them in SME operation. iii) CCEC

has introduced the association as a

Community Based Organization (CBO) and

deposited money both in Mongla and Dacope Upazila like other NGOs and got recognition as

CBO and received invitation to attend the Monthly NGO Coordination Meeting by the Upazilla

Nirbahi Officer (UNO). iv) CCEC facilitates opening association bank accounts both in Mongla

& Dacope Upazila and has deposited money into the association bank account from the group

profit for sustainability. The sustainability money will be spent for monitoring, purchase of cash

books, passbook, bank register, and travel for attending UNO meetings after the end of the

project and ensures all money is handed over to the associations to maintain control in the future.

As part of CCEC initiative, “learning by doing” approach led by the Sundarbans resource-

dependent community, a number of up-gradation have been suggested and on the process by the

community members for sustainability are as below;

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Co-operative/Group Approach Model

- The SME/Scheme/Business should be introduced as co-operative/co-management based

Sundarbans bawali-mawali-jellay (SBMJ) SME/Business scheme operation because the

decision for SME/Scheme/Business operation is made by Group/Associations members.

- Both the invested capital of the SME/Business Scheme and profit will be deposited to

group bank account monthly to complete the business cycle in 10 months and create

future scheme operation.

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- 10% profit will be deposited to group bank account according to group’s decision and the

rate of profit may change over time.

- 6.5% profit will be deposited to the Association bank account for sustainability of the

scheme operation such as monitoring groups, purchasing cash/ledger/notice/pass-books

in future (Rate of profit may change over time).

- Each SBMJ SME/Scheme operation will run for 10 months.

- The profit of the cooperative business will be calculated once in a year preferably in

December including bank interest and bank charge.

- The Group/Associations member themselves take the decision for any changes,

moderation, inclusion, and exclusion in the policy-making aspect that’s why it is also

called Group Approach Strategy.

SME/ Scheme/Business types:

- Poultry

- Vegetable gardening

- Fish culture

- Crab fattening

- Livestock

- Salt tolerant rice

(BR-23, BR-28) cultivation

- Pigeon rearing

- Pig rearing

- Honey business

CCEC provided flexibility to the groups to enjoy their freedom of decision thus groups revamp

their guidelines of businesses several times based on their convenience. In the beginning, groups

took decision to deposit a 16.5% profit in their group and association bank account along with its

capital. Later, they decided to reduce the profit into 12% to raise the willingness of all

beneficiaries in scheme operation.

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❖ Examples of SME/Scheme

i) Poultry- firming: The poultry-firming is an option as an alternative

livelihood for the Sundarbans resource harvesters and

has been successfully becoming a leading industry in

Bangladesh. This industry can provide various

opportunities to increase livelihood pattern through

food security as well as ensuring self-employment,

create purchasing power and reducing poverty at a

large scale. Allowing importance of the poultry

industry in order to ensure sustainable economic development it is now high time to step forward

for the better accumulation of resources available from this industry. Providing economic help to

the local industry and protect safeguard to the local entrepreneurs of the poultry industry.

Vaccine, vaccinations services, an alternative to vaccine services, antibiotic feed additives and

other inputs and services have been supported by the project to different poultry firms and

individual cases at beneficiary's villages.

ii) Pig-rearing – An way of sustainable livelihood and hope for a better life: Kalikabari is one of the six groups in Mongla Upz where

200-250 Hindu, Christian family lives among them 70-80

family is engaged in pig rearing. Out of 31 group

members, there are 15-16 people doing pig rearing

traditionally. The adoption of these business trends

increases after the rising cases of fishermen kidnapping

while they harvesting resources in Sundarbans Reserve

Forest (SRF). Under the scheme operation, the project supported seven beneficiaries for pig

rearing. Pig rearing is a good income generation activity. Usually 1 -2 months pig baby is

purchased in a rate of Tk. 3500 (female) and male (4500-5000), and rearing in an earthen-

wooden cage for about 10-12 months when it grows up to 35-40 kg and sold in the market of

15000-16000 BDT. During this period, food cost is about 4000-5000 BDT, thus profit is about

5000-6000 BDT from each pig. During the festival like marriage ceremony, birthday party,

religious occasions they sell it in the village market @ Tk. 400/kg (approx.) when they also

consume 1.5- 2 kg/family. Again a female pig gives birth two times in a year and 8-10 babies at

one time. There is a tradition to purchase a baby pig while selling an adult pig. Freshwater

scarcity is the main problem for pig rearing in Kalikabari village otherwise it could be more

profitable mentioned by the scheme beneficiaries Mr. Sunil Bagchi and Mr. Krisnapado Podder.

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iii) Crab-fattening: Crab fattening has been a profitable climate adaptive

livelihood option in coastal areas of Bangladesh. Crabs are

collected from shrimp farms and natural sources i.e. rivers

and river channels around the Sundarbans. The CALS-SRDC

project has supported 7-8 schemes at Nalian village group.

They prepare small pond/gher, often adjacent to their

homestead, put pata (made of bamboo), so that crabs can't

escape from the farm. Rotten fishes are the main food for the

crabs in the gher. Crab fattening takes a cycle of four-five weeks. According to the opinion of Maruf

Gazi, Soleman Shikari, Isha Gazi; beneficiaries of Nalian, mentioned that about One kg small crab, molt

crab are purchased about 150-200 BDT and feed cost is about 120-150 BDT for 4-5 weeks Thus, cost for

crab culture/fattening reaches 300-350 BDT while sell prize is about 800-1000 BDT but sometimes the

price goes down 500-600 BDT thus market price is a crucial factor for crab fattening. The price of crab

market is not stable and sometimes local buyers lie about the price in the international market and give a

low rate for all grades. In the first year, the Nalian Crab SME made a profit of about 30000 BDT

(approx.). 7-8 group members in Dacope and 5-6 group members Mongla Upazila are successfully

fattening crab and selling to the local market/buyer for exporting abroad via Dhaka Airport Market.

iv) Crab Harvesting Gear (ATOL) Making

Since the production of the Sundarbans

resources (Nypa, honey, fish, crab) are

declining and the policy of the forest

department is to divert the harvesters for

alternative livelihood, the project is

motivating the Sundarbans communities and

the target beneficiaries in particular. Men

are the direct project beneficiaries as they

enter into the Sundarbans. Once the income

is stopped by the man, women also look for searching work for income generation for the family.

The project empowers the women and has supported 5 women in Pankhali village group

members for crab gear (atoll) making and marketing an alternative livelihood. Atol is prepared at

home by women and sold to the crab harvesters and shrimp firm owners in Kaliganj,

Shyamnagar, Asashuni Upazilla. Nur Nahar, Rebeka Begum, Ratna Begum and other

beneficiaries of Pankhali village stated in an interview that a woman can make 100 number atol

in 15 days thus earn 3000-3500 BDT. Again the demands of atol purchasing vary year to year

depending on the production and availability of crab in the firms in the southwest coastal

Sundarbans region.

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❖ Way forward:

To facilitate community based approach for climate adaptive livelihood and Food Security of

Sundarbans resource-dependent community, the establishment of Poultry-firming, Crab-

fattening, Crab harvesting gear (Atol) making & marketing and Pig-rearing are the potential

SME/Schemes for poverty reduction of the Sundarbans resource-dependent community

beneficiaries in Mongla and Dacope UPZ under Bagerhat and Khulna district. At the beginning

of the project, emphasize was given to SME establishment but Scheme approach was the

transformation over the years by the group approach. Currently, 63 SME/Scheme in Dacope

Upazila and 46 SME/Scheme in Mongla Upazila are being operated successfully. Two

Association Bank Account set up is one of the key strategies for the future sustainability of the

Group/Association interventions. Noted all the SME/Scheme business profit is deposited to the

Group /Association Bank Accounts. No benefit, profit or interest from the SME/Schemes are

taken by the implementing organization, CCEC unlike other Bangladesh NGOs such as BRAC,

Grameen Bank, ASA, PROSHIKA, SHUSHILAN, UTTARAN, NABALOK and its micro-credit

programme with interest. The groups and associations changed the rate of profit they decided for

scheme operation and bank deposits in the immediate past in order to invest entire fund for

scheme operations. In reality, the beneficiaries decided the percentage of profit in a flexible way

that everyone can afford it based on field context (seasonal variation, business opportunity,

market situation). Although the schemes are running well in cyclic order, there is a need to

increase the amount of the SME/Scheme capital for the sustainability of Co-operative/Group

Approach Model for the Sundarbans communities. Association bank account plays a key role in

the sustainability of the project as it will carry the cost of future group maintenance, documents

purchase, and communication with GO and NGOs. Above all, the Sundarbans Stakeholder

groups and associations will continue their activities as like CBOs (Community Based

Organization).

IX. Income generation support for 20 women headed families

CCEC is playing a significant role in broadening and complementing income-generating

activities of women heading family and has been involved in the trend towards the use of credit

as a key tool, as well as in catalyzing and coordinating profession that supports women’s

productive activities. CCEC has supported Shirin Akter of Sutarkhali union in Dacope Upazila

for sewing and clothing business as well as supports other 19 women with climate adaptive

agriculture, livestock rearing and poultry farming. She has made a significant improvement in

her clothing business and demanded more support to broaden the scope. CCEC is beginning to

acknowledge as an organization that it is the latter action that will bring about fundamental

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changes and sustainable progress in women’s role and status in the women headed family in the

Sundarbans coastal area.

CCEC keeps track on the income generated by the 20 Women through different activities such as

poultry, atol making (crab gear making) in association with rishi (low caste Hindu people skill in

shaping and making the bamboo stick required for atol), bamboo made homestead products

marketing, goat rearing, duck rearing, vegetable growing and sewing. It is estimated that the

women headed target family member earns i.e. make profit 2000 to 2500 BDT yearly (based on

the season) on an average form the income generation support.

X. Training on accounting process, resolution, cash, bank, notice book, pass book for

Group/association

Accounts officer of the project conducted capacity building training in November 2018, with the

presence of three key representatives (President, Secretary, Cashier ) of each group. In this

training, he discussed how to maintain cash book, leisure book, resolution book and other

necessary documents in the groups by themselves. This training makes the group members

capable to maintain documents without the project team support. They are also able to check and

maintain banking activity by themselves. This training helps the rural community people capable

to handle the scheme successfully.

XI. BLC support for 300 Sundarbans harvesters

BLC support has been provided to 300 Sundarbans harvesters in the month of September 2018

(17-09-2018). Beneficiaries follow the legal way to access Sundarbans forest as well as practice

the conservation rules during resource harvesting, especially wildlife protection. They realize by

heart that they are getting support for getting legal access to wild resources thus they should also

have the responsibility to follow conservation rules of the Bangladesh Forest Department as well

the ethical issue to protect the environment for better future.

XII. Disaster management campaign/ Day observation

2000 students, their guardians, and school teachers have been attended in the CCEC organized

disaster management campaign and UNISDR declared International Day for Disaster Reduction

(13 October). The campaign was held in the 1st and 2nd week of October. 10 schools from each

Upazila was selected for the campaign and 100 participants from each school (Student 60,

Guardians - 30, Teacher - 10). In this campaign, the CCEC project team developed disaster

education materials on hazard warning signal, preparedness mechanism and needful actions

during a disaster. The campaign mainly focused on cyclone and flood risk management as those

are the most frequent disaster in coastal Bangladesh. In addition, project team distributed BBC

media action publications on disaster management among the beneficiary groups. The campaign

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conveys the message of Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme-II among the

beneficiary groups.

XIII. 2000 students and their guardians get conservation education which promotes their

livelihood knowledge

Along with the disaster management campaign, CCEC provided conservation education and

conservation ethics among the same audience in the school (Student, their guardian, and

teachers). This action made a network of 20 school's student-guardian-teacher to practice

conservation knowledge which intern supports their livelihood knowledge. CCEC evaluate

knowledge improvement through a structured questionnaire survey for two time period (before

the campaign and after the campaign). The conservation education consists of Sundarbans

resource harvesting laws and regulations for example; Bangladesh Wildlife (conservation and

security), Law, 2012. Students and guardians disseminate this knowledge in their locality and

encourage their family members and neighbors to choose conservation friendly livelihood

options. The student-guardian-teacher network was included in the project as the teachers are

considered to be the ideal of society. People obey and respects the teacher and follow their

words. CCEC representatives attend meetings in Upazila education office, meet them in schools

and conducts sessions involving teacher-student-guardian in schools (20 schools, 20 sessions

covers 2000 teacher-student-guardians in Mongla and Dacope) using leaflets, poster, videos on

conservation education. Once the guardians (Sundarbans resource harvesters) listen to the

messages of conservation ethics from the teacher and again when reflects at home by their

children thus provoke guardians mind-sets and motivated towards conservation eventually

promotes livelihoods by creating opportunities to be regenerated and proliferation of the

resources following the Sundarbans resource harvesting laws and regulations for example;

Bangladesh Wildlife (conservation and security), Law, 2012.

Student-guardian-teacher network provided an opportunity to work together as a team in order to

make awareness into action. Project concern is how Sundarbans resources conservation ethics

promotes parents livelihood via school children. A number of copies book on “Mangrove

Sundarbans Conservation education”/ “Livelihood and Biodiversity of Mangrove Sundarbans”

were purchased from CCEC and distributed among Student-guardian-teacher network with a

particular focus on 20 schools from Dacope and Mongla Upazilla. Each student plays an

important perspective to share with their parent; parents know their child’s personality, habits,

strengths, and weaknesses, so they can guess how they should guide children in the future. The

school gathering creates an opportunity to learn from each other particularly this exercise creates

an ideal environment for learning conservation ethics for the parents from their children. For

example, crab harvesting is ban in Jan-Feb but the parent doesn’t follow the FD regulation but

when their children ask them to follow it touches them. Awareness’s about the livelihood pattern

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of coastal people is also been facilitated by CCEC conservation meetings in schools.

Headteacher Hoglabunia Govt Primary said, “if the children understood the motto of this

meeting, they will be inspired to motivate their parents to change their traditional destructive or

unsustainable practices in collecting resources from Sundarbans for livelihood”. The

conservation knowledge has been assessed through a questionnaire and it increased from 40% in

the initial level to 80% at the end of the project.

XIV. Livestock vaccination campaign in two Upazila

CCEC involved 12 women beneficiaries in the skill development of livestock health safety. The

livestock vaccination campaign was organized in the 1st week of December. The project team

published materials on livestock farming benefits, vaccine dose and response, vaccine

maintenance and application. The skilled women are now acting as a local veterinarian and

provide services for emergency disease occurrence and treatment. The vaccination campaign is

intended to help reducing livestock early death rate levels in Mongla and Dacope Upazila,

especially duck, hen, and goat. The vaccine made available to the family by the family via

Upazila health complex.

The campaign focused on the following disease of livestock:

Diseases Name Victim

Chicken Ranikhet Chicken (3-5 days)

Ranikhet Hen & Duck

Duck Pleg Duck

Cholera Hen & Duck

Gambro Hen & Duck

Foul Pox Chicken

XV. Capacity building for project beneficiaries on legal aspects (Bangladesh wildlife laws

and regulation)

Capacity building of the project beneficiaries on legal aspects was carried out with the

involvement of the lawyer. A leaflet with messages on Bangladesh Wildlife (preservation &

Security) 2012 and Forest Act was distributed among the project beneficiaries and people in the

project area of Mongla and Dacope. Legal awareness of the rules and regulations on Sundarbans

management and conservation was conducted through group and association meetings. The

lawyer has attended 4 associations meeting and 52 group meetings. The lawyer also follows up

the previous FD cases. Records and status of the cases mentioned below;

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Following up the status of FD Cases by lawyer

Serial

No

Case No Crime Type Hearing/

Movement

Status

1 CR - 23/14 Cutting Tree 3 Times Witness with evidence

2 CR - 28/13 Catching Crocodile 3 Times Witness with evidence

3 CR - 127/13 Cutting Tree 3 Times Witness with evidence

4 CR - 168/13 Time period for pass permit is over 4 Times Witness with evidence

5 CR - 244/11 Time period for pass permit is over 3 times Accused Examine (342)

6 CR - 10/12 Pass permit 2 Times Witness with evidence

7 CR - 54/11 Catching Fish (Non-Surrender) 4 Times Argument

8 CR - 69/11 Catching Fish (Non-Surrender) 3 Times Argument

9 CR - 197/11 Cutting Tree 3 Times Witness for last time

10 CR - 53/11 Cutting Tree 4 Times Judgement

11 CR - 70/11 Time period for pass permit is over 4 Times Judgement

12 CR - 238/11 Cutting Tree 3 Times Judgement

13 CR - 480/11 Cutting Tree 3 Times Witness

14 CR - 552/11 Cutting Tree 4 Times Judgement

15 CR - 153/11 Time period for pass permit is over 3 Times Accused Examine

16 CR - 10/17 Entering another canal and catching

Fish

5 Times Trial

17 CR - 16/17 Entering another canal and catching

fish

1 Time Trial

** Case number 16 & 17 are two new FD cases

Ten cases have been concluded since 2014 and 17 cases are still on-going. “Trail” means the

judge listen all the facts of a case (hearing) from the lawyers (accuser & non-accuser) at different

dates and put or keep further dates for hearing by the judge or jury and keeps waiting for the final

decision. On average, two or three people were involved in most of the cases, sometimes more

(based on the number of resource-dependent people found in a boat or in a group). Accordingly,

25 people have been received support to conclude their cases from CAFOD-CCEC lawyer. 18

out of 25 people were released (bail) from the court without any punishments. The rest of the

victims received punishment for 3-6 months custody. The CCEC-CAFOD lawyer appealed

against the judgment of the lower court to high court and fight with arguments and evidence, as a

results court minimizes the length of punishment i.e. concluded in favor of the victims. In total,

based on the FD Cases, 25 numbers of people were released from the Court as the case was

moved and hearing by CAFOD-CCEC Lawyer.

XVI. IEC Materials (Poster, Leaflet, Year calendar)

CCEC published 500 copy booklet on the outcome, challenges, case stories of the "Climate

Adaptive Livelihood Security of Sundarbans Resource Dependent Community" project. The

booklet also consists of a section on the comparison of two different phases of CALS-SRDC

project. Booklets were distributed among the project beneficiaries and other stakeholders (GO

and NGOs). As part of Information, Education & Communication (IEC) materials development

from the project, a poster was designed reflecting photographs of several steps of Co-operative

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model for example maintenance of the pass-book by the beneficiary group members &

verification by the field staffs, livelihood interventions and key messages of the ownership of the

money & bank account belongs to the beneficiaries themselves. The poster was circulated among

the beneficiaries and concerned government departments (co-operative, forest department) and

NGOs via participating and distributing in the Monthly NGO Co-ordination Meetings organized

by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Dacope and Mongla. Posters were mounted in the key

community locations (launch terminal, markets, and shops) for greater communication of model

operated by the Sundarbans resource-dependent community.

XVII. Report Submission

A half-yearly progress report and a yearly final report has been prepared and submitted including

the financial reports. Data has been collected from the field staffs and beneficiaries, also from the

secondary sources of different government offices and finally project manager prepared the

report and reviewed by the director. Accounts officer was responsible for the preparation of the

financial report, it was verified by the project manager and director of the organization.

❖ Facebook Page: Cafod Ccec (Sundarbans project)

A Facebook page has been opened titled “Cafod Ccec (Sundarbans Project)” for sharing the

project activities by uploading photos. Based on the uses of Facebook, a network has been

created among colleagues and friends, nationally and globally (cafod-UK). This allows Facebook

users to know the project intervention well and provide an opinion. Comments of experienced

users are useful. Regular photo upload and comments create enthusiasm among colleagues,

target beneficiaries, project staff, project advisors and implementing organization and donor.

Facebook page link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010047169510

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❖ Comparison between 1st and 2nd phase of the project:

We have developed a structured questionnaire to compare the 1st and 2nd phase of the project.

There are several changes has been made from the beginning of the project to the end. During the

1st project, the proposal did not contain group/association approach to manage project support.

The project supported beneficiaries on an individual base. But during the 2nd phase of the

project, the beneficiaries started a group-based approach to operate individual schemes.

Additionally, the project team worked on Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) operation and

maintenance in the 1st phase of the project however individual scheme operation was initiated

during the 2nd phase of the project. The project fused on Sustainable Development Goals

(SDGs) no. 1, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17. The beneficiary number has been multiplied in the 2nd

phase of the project compared to the 1st phase. With the increasing number of beneficiaries,

there has been an increase in the project stuff in the 2nd project. In the 2nd phase of the project,

2000 students and their guardians get conservation education which promotes their livelihood

knowledge. This was not included in the 1st phase of the project. Disaster management campaign

is a new activity in the 2nd project. Those two campaigns simultaneously influenced to

developed conservation ethics among the community and practice climate adaptive livelihoods.

Direct legal aid support was provided via the Sundarbans Stakeholder Service Center (SSSC) by

the appointed lawyer in the 1st phase of the project. Later, this activity targeted to build capacity

for project beneficiaries on legal aspects (Bangladesh wildlife laws and regulation). The

livestock vaccination campaign was organized in the field level with the presence of local

people, in the 1st phase of the project. However, during the 2nd project, the organization focused

on skill development of local beneficiaries on livestock health care/treatment.

❖ Challenges:

Riverbank erosion becomes a great challenge for the Kalabogi village beneficiaries in Dacope

UPZ. Nine-ten houses have been washed away into the river during the last couple of month's

especially rainy season (June-July). Recently the Bangladesh Water Development Board

(BWDB) construct the embankment that demarcates, divides and excludes 1000 households

(HH) out of 4000 HH of Kalabogi village. Among 29 beneficiary families of Kalabogi group, 27

families now fall outside the embankment and only 02 families remain inside the BWDB

embankment. Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD) is in the process of changing the policy and

planning to divert the resource harvesters into alternative livelihoods. Robbery/pirates,

kidnapping is making fear among the Sundarbans resource harvesters. Water vessels (cargo) are

operated using Sundarbans Rivers and canals violating UNESCO recommendations following oil

pollution in 2014. Installation of Rampal coal-fired power station is always a concern for long

term environmental impact on the Sundarbans while the government is rigid to make it happen.

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The bureaucracy of the government delays releasing funds via NGO Affair's Bureau was a great

challenge.

❖ Initiatives taken to overcome the Challenges:

Communicating with the concerned departments, for example, Bangladesh Water Development

Board (BWDB) which is in the process of undertaking projects for constructing and raising the

height of the embankment in the Sundarbans coastal area/polders and make compensation for the

affected families due to the newly embankment construction. Consultation meeting with FD for

finding the alternative livelihoods options in cooperation with development partners (GIZ).

Meeting with SURAKKHA project might be an option for alternative livelihood for a large

number of population living surrounding the Sundarbans emphasizing resource harvesters.

“Surakkha” is an upcoming government project jointly be implemented by the Forest

Department and Palli Sanchay Bank for the welfare of the Sundarbans resource-dependent

community. This project aims to formulate 40,000 associations with Sundarbans resource-

dependent people and gradually shift them towards alternative livelihoods, which is very similar

to CAFOD-CCEC project objectives. Low rate interest loan money is to be provided to the target

associations thus CAFOD-CCEC project beneficiaries have high chances to get involved with

the “Surakkha” project. CCEC keep continuing to liaise with FD and Palli Sanchay Bank. CCEC

director meets the Chairman of Palli Sanchay Bank in Dhaka and discussed the possible

cooperation. NGO CCEC loan support was useful to overcome the barrier and smooth execution

of the project. CCEC director, Mr. Mowdudur Rahman got chance to meet and interact the fund

releasing issue with the highest authority of the Forest personnel in Dhaka to become a Member

(NGO sector in Bangladesh) of the Project Implementation Committee (PIC) of the project

“Expanding the Protected Area System to Incorporate Aquatic Ecosystems Project (EPAIIAEP)”

while attending the meetings in Dhaka. Currently, UNDP is funding the project titled

"Expanding the Protected Area System to Incorporate Aquatic Ecosystems Project (EPASIAEP)”

and NGO CODEC is implementing the project for the period of 2014 -2019 (implementation

phase in the field is late). The number of people shifting to alternative income generating options

that reduce pressure on biodiversity: at least 500 fishers by year 3 and 700 by project end is an

objective.

Sundarbans supports one of the last remaining populations of the Ganges and the Irrawaddy

dolphins and holds the key for their long-term survival on a global level. However, they are

under increasing threat due to the unsustainable fishery; increasing maritime traffic; vessel

collision; unplanned economic development; poaching; land-use change; climate change etc.

EPAIIAEP projects aims to ensure the long-term conservation of these cetaceans.

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Unfortunately, CCEC-CAFOD target beneficiaries were not selected for project support as

because they are located beyond FD criteria for support (within 1 km from the FD Range

location). Considering ban162 project activities, CCEC director is selected as one of the Member

of Project Implementation Committee (PIC) and attended meeting chaired by honourable Chief

Conservator of Forests (CCF) at Dhaka thus put recommendations for the EPASIAEP project

and possible involvement of CALS-SRDC project beneficiaries especially the fishermen fishing

in the dhangmari dolphin hotspot in Passur River. Noted CCEC is the only NGO selected for PIC

Member of the project.

Again CCEC project manager and two field staffs were invited for a daylong meeting and given

booklets those were distributed among fishermen. A big portion of CCEC-CAFOD beneficiaries

is fishermen. Cetacean conservation booklet has been distributed to them in the group meeting

and discusses the importance of the dolphin's role for the aquatic ecosystem in the group meeting

that they do not harm this creature. Fishermen beneficiaries of CCEC-CAFOD are also involved

in reporting about the dead dolphin found and sustainable fishing practices. Finally, it was

helpful to speed up the process to receive the funds through the NGO Affairs Bureau.

Conclusion

Development of the Co-operative model of the Sundarbans resource harvesters is the principal

achievement. The model, scheme operation modality took a long time a couple of years through

changes in co-operative policy and group/association decision. Overall the project has made

significant progress and empowered community-based co-management approach of the

Sundarbans resource-dependent community. The NGO CCEC has facilitated 320 beneficiaries

and builds capacity to interact and coordinate with the government departments such as forest

department, department of agriculture, livestock & fisheries, Directorate of cooperatives

eventually lead them to run as a self-reliant Community Based Organization (CBO) with active

patronization of CCEC funded by CAFOD.

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Annex: 1

Outcomes as defined in Indicators as defined in the Evidence of progress - where are we right

the PSGA Project Matrix PSGA Project Matrix now? - Brief notes to illustrate actual

progress towards this change, assessed

against the defined Indicators

1.Reduced exploitation - Total 13 Group and 2 - 13 Sundarbans resource dependent and increased solidarity Association effective community groups and two associations

of 320 Sundarbans running. have been formed and functioning. resource dependent - 7 members executive committee exists for

community 7 members executive each of 13 groups and for 2 associations.

committee exists for each - Monthly money savings by the project

of 13 groups and for 2 beneficiaries maintaining pass book, cash

associations. book, ledger in the form of cooperative

society.

- Boat Licence Certificates - 13 group STD bank accounts have been

(BLC) received from Forest opened for project support transaction and

Department by resource group savings in Mongla and Dacope.

harvesters.

- BLC support has been provided to 300

male beneficiaries in 2018 with evidence of

old BLC, National ID Card, and Citizen

Certificate by UP chairman.

2.Improved livelihoods Average profit will be

and food security status earned by the each SME by - Approximately 35% beneficiaries adopts

of Sundarbans resource every fiscal year. Scheme/SME operation

harvester and tiger- - Income generation of 20 women from atol

widow families, At least 35% of the (crab harvesting gear), poultry and

particularly women household have increased tailoring/clothing

their income - Following up livestock vaccination skilled 12 women (6 Dacope, 6 Mongla)

CCA adaptive livelihood

- 16.5 % profit is being earned by 109 Scheme operation (poultry, pig rearing,

practice by 320 HH/109 crab fattening, goat rearing, atol, small

Scheme Operator shop, duck rearing, vegetable gardening,

pigeon rearing, honey business, sewing

machine)

- A risk assessment & risk management

3.Enhanced Climate monitoring sheet has been prepared to

-Improved disaster risk improve risk reduction strategies and coping Change

Adaptation

reduction knowledge of mechanisms.

knowledge on agriculture,

CCA by 320 households - CCA knowledge acquired by 320 fisheries, livestock and

households through Group & Association the

Sundarbans

- 78 group meetings, 6 meetings, Legal awareness and using project

conservation

& Association meeting, 26 publications (leaflet, poster, calendar and

management

legal awareness meetings. other conservation education materials) by

four field staffs regularly.

- 2000 students and their

guardians get conservation

education which promotes

their livelihood knowledge

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Annex 2: Financial Report (March 2018 to August 2018)

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29

Annex 2: Financial Report (September 2018 to February 2019)

30