Status and strategies for wetland management in Bangladesh- Arifuzzaman arif

STATUS AND STRATEGIES FOR WETLAND
MANAGEMENT IN BANGLADESH
Prepared By
Md. Arifuzzaman Arif
Student ID: 130538
Forestry & Wood Technology
Discipline
Khulna University

Wetlands?
Areas of marsh, fen, peat land or water,
Whether natural or artificial,
Permanent or temporary,
With water that is static or flowing,
Fresh, brackish or salt,
Including areas marine water the depth of which at low tides
does not exceed six meters.
More than two thirds of the country's landmass may be
classified as wetlands according to this definition given
by Ramsar Convention (IUCN,2005)

Objectives of Wetland
1.To know the biophysical
characteristics and importance of our
wetland.
2.To know the management practices
and issues of wetlands in
Bangladesh.
3.To recommend the possible
solutions.

Wetlands of Bangladesh
The total area of wetland in
Bangladesh has been
estimated to be 7-8 million
hectares which is nearly 50%
of the countries landmass.
But Chowdhury et al. (1996)
showed that, total wetland of
Bangladesh cover about 11%
of the total area which is
16,000 square km.

Ecologically Critical Areas of
Bangladesh
Name of Wetland District
Strip of 10 km. outside
the Sundarbans
Reserved Forest
Khulna, Bagerhat,
Satkhira
Sea Front of Cox’s
bazar and Teknaf
Cox’s Bazar
St martin’s Island Cox’s Bazar
Sonadia Island Cox’s Bazar
Hakaluki Haor Moulvibazar
Tanguar Haor Sunamganj
Marjat Baor Jhenaidaha
Gulshan Lake Dhaka city

Classification of wetlands in
Bangladesh
Saltwater Wetlands
Freshwater Wetlands
Manmade Wetlands

Importance of wetlands in
Bangladesh
Ecological Importance
Wetlands act as water purifier as it traps and filters the water that moves
through it.
Slows down surface runoff.
Reduce flooding and siltation of rivers.
Reduce the action of toxic chemicals by neutralizing them.
Help replenish underground water reservoirs.
Habitat for plants and animals, migratory and resident water fowls & the
significant endangered species.

Importance of wetlands in
Bangladesh

Wetland fisheries and wildlife
94% open water, 6% closed water
Types
No. of species
Fish species 226
Water fowl species 125
Amphibian species 6
Reptile species 48
Total bird species 174
Aquatic mammals 12

Causes of Wetland Degradation
 Biological alteration
 Chemical alteration
 Physical Destruction
and degradation:
 Overharvesting of
trees
 Chemical use
 Illegal hunting of wild
life
 Alien animals
 Population expansion
 Mismanagement of
wildlife

Strategies for Wetland
Management in Bangladesh
X
c

Initiatives taken by Govt. of
Bangladesh
Set up Ministry of Environment and Forest (1989)
Formation of National Conservation Strategy
National Environment Policy (1992)
Became signatory of Ramsar Convention (1992)
National Environment Management Action Plan
(1995)
Environmental protection act (1995)
Sustainable environment management program
(1996)

National Water Policy
1. Maintaining the aquatic environment and
facilitating drainage.
2. Water extraction will not hampered other aquatic
characteristics.
3. Taken up integrated management for fish
production and recreational value and natural water
bodies will be developed

Community Based Haor &
Floodplain Resource Management
(CBHFRM)
Awareness
Campaign
Awareness
Campaign
Community Based
Organizations
Community Based
Organizations
Community GroupsCommunity Groups
Skill DevelopmentSkill Development Habitat
Restoration
Habitat
Restoration
Conservation of
threatened
wildlife
Conservation of
threatened
wildlife
Promotion of
Ecotourism
Promotion of
Ecotourism
Renewable
Energy Options
Renewable
Energy Options
Environment
Fund
Environment
Fund

A Project of Government of
Bangladesh supported by USAID
MACH (Management of Aquatic
Ecosystems through Community
Husbandry)
 Building Community Resource Management
Institutions
 Empowering and enabling the poor
 Participation of women
 Best practices to ensure good governance
 Sustainability

Community Based Fisheries
Management (CBFM)
 To ease the growing fishing pressure and stop fishing during
the breeding season, usually for a three-month period – April to
June each year.
 To establish fish sanctuaries where no fishing is allowed
 Sanctuaries are demarcated with red flags, accompanied by a
signboard declaring that fishing is completely banned in the
sanctuary.
 164 fish sanctuaries covering over 90 hectares of water area
have been established in 81 water bodies.

Coastal and wetland Biodiversity Management
Project (CWBMP)
 Has been implanted since 2006 In the
Ecological Critical Areas, viz., Sonadia Island,
St. Martin’s Island and Teknaf Peninsula and
in Hakaluki Haor.
 Object of the project is sustainable
management of natural resource through
community groups.
 Ecologically Critical Areas were declared under the
1995 Environmental Conservation Act (1995).

Participatory Action Plan Development
Problem CensusProblem Census
Problem Cluster
and Prioritization
Problem Cluster
and Prioritization
Analysis of
Solutions
Analysis of
Solutions
Consensus of
Solutions
Consensus of
Solutions
End product of
PAPD is a
consensual
community
action plan
End product of
PAPD is a
consensual
community
action plan
After a PAPD,
communities develop
a more detailed action
plan, which will be
implemented through
existing or newly
formed local
community
institutions.
After a PAPD,
communities develop
a more detailed action
plan, which will be
implemented through
existing or newly
formed local
community
institutions.

The ECA notification identifies the
following activities as prohibited
 Felling or extracting of trees and forest.
 Hunting and poaching of wild animals.
 Catching or collection of snail, coral, turtle and other wild animals.
 Establishment of industries that may pollute soil, water, air and/or
create noise pollution.
 Any activity that is likely to threaten the habitat of flora and fauna.
 Any activity that is likely to destroy/ alter the natural characteristics of
soil and water.
 Any activity that is likely to cause harm to fish and other aquatic life.

Steps For proper management of
wetlands
 Wetland mapping and landscape planning
 Declaration of critical wetlands as protected areas, if considered
necessary.
 Identification of problems through PRA exercise
 Conservation and protection measures including eutrophication
abatement
 Wildlife conservation and fisheries development
 Environmental awareness and organizational set-up.
 Develop institutional funding arrangements through integrated
mechanisms at national, regional and international levels.
 Legislation is needed to regulate all activities which impact
wetlands.

Recommendations
 Prohibit wetland conversion by law
 Restore and rehabilitate the degraded wetlands
 Bring all significant wetlands under sustainable management program
 Limit hunting & fishing to such an extent that breeding & spawning of various
species is not hindered
 Carry out Environmental Impact Assessment before initiating any engineering
project

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