Project Activities (image gallery)
MANGROVE
A. AFFORESTATION / RESTORATION:
1.IMA FARM
Sites
Farm and Farmer selection
Farmers’ group formation
Mangrove Plantation at Chaital: Minakhan Block, North 24 Parganas
Mangrove Plantation at Chaital: Minakhan Block, North 24 Parganas
B. MONITORING:
Species Selected
1. IMA
Mangrove growth and survivabilitymonitoring by community
2. MGNREGS
Mangrove Monitoring through Android-based app
Monitoring of the mangrove nurseries
C. CENTRAL MANGROVE NURSERY
Group Selection
Nursery development Activities
i.Stitching of jute pots
ii.Seed collection
iii.Seed sowing
iv.Nursery reared saplings
Developed Nursery
Monitoring of saplings
Supply of Saplings from Central Mangrove Nursery to the IMA farms
D. MGNREGS
Mangrove plantation
INTEGRATED MANGROVE AQUACULTURE (IMA)
A. CULTURE
Sites and areas identified
Community meetings
Pond preparation
Species cultured
Stocking of hatchery-bred seeds
Harvesting
B. MONITORING
Water quality monitoring (pH and Salinity)
a. Monitoring by the community
b. Monitoring by the team
Monitoring of other parameters by the NEWS team
Growth monitoring of the cultured species
Farmers’ Diary
2. As an initial step of establishing a structured community-based value chain of both
the sites and a better price realization, an initiative has been made to link the IMA
farmers’ group with Badabon Farmers Producer Company Limited (BFPCL), a Farmers
Producers Company formed by the Sundarban farmers under the patronization of
Nature Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS).
COLLABORATIVE ECOSYSTEM
A. International Symposium in Khulna University, Bangladesh and Field Visit to the Coastal Region
(Recently, the NEWS team participated in an International Symposium titled ‘Healthy Mangroves and Sustainable Fisheries for Climate Resilient Coastal Communities in South Asia’ held at Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh on the 1st and 2nd of March, 2023. The Symposium was jointly organized by Khulna University, Bangladesh Environment and Development Society (BEDS), and Global Nature Fund (GNF). One of the scientific sessions of the Symposium titled “Inclusive and equitable market and value chains development” was chaired by Ms. Ajanta Dey, Joint Secretary & Programme Director of NEWS. Dr. J. R. B. Alfred, President of NEWS, was one of four evaluators for the “Poster Competition” held by Khulna University as a part of the symposium. NEWS also took part in the poster competition showcasing their research on the smokeless chulha and reduced dependence of women on forest resources. The NEWS team along with their partners in SAIME (Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems) #GNF, #Naturland and #BEDSBangladesh gave a presentation on the SAIME project and their achievements.. Several renowned international organizations such as GNF, Naturland, GLOBAL G.A.P., EMACE Foundation, The Centre for Research on New International Economic Order (CReNIEO) CReNIEO, Nagenahiru Foundation, TERRE Policy Centre, SaciWATERS, Huvadhu AID, The Nature Conservancy, One Tree Planted, Eco-social solutions also participated in this symposium.
A post-symposium field visit was organized from the 3rd to the 5th of March in the Sundarban of Bangladesh. The visit covered the Sundarban Coastal Region; Dacope, and Shyamnagar, Satkhira. The project sites and initiatives of BEDS such as the SAIME farms were visited. Several discussions and presentations were organised during this period on various topics such as ‘Water – policy frameworks and approaches for increasing resilience against global climate change’ and ‘Solar energy as a strategy for decarbonisation of rural coastal communities socio-economic impacts and lessons learnt’. The Living Lakes South Asia Subnetwork was also launched in one of these sessions. These conversations and knowledge-sharing sessions are instrumental for the continued growth of conservation organizations and the successful implementation of their initiatives.
NEWS thanks #GNF, #BEDS, and Khulna University for their wonderful programme and the opportunity they provided for creating a stronger network of organisations working towards the protection and conservation of natural resources and its sustainable management..)
B. Biofach Visit, Sustainable shrimp forum and Honey visit)
(SAIME Project on sustainable aquaculture in BIOFACH & VIVANESS in Nuremberg Global Nature Fund (GNF) Naturland Nature Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS) BEDS-Bangladesh together with Thies Geertz Md. Maksudur Rahman
Our partners BEDS-Bangladesh and Nature Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS) are presenting our Sustainable shrimp farming project at Global Nature Fund (GNF) Sustainable shrimp forum in Frankfurt. #GNF
Today visit at the honey collectors Die Honigsammler. Global Nature Fund (GNF) Naturland BEDS-Bangladesh Nature Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS) together with Thies Geertz Md. Maksudur Rahman Oliver Peters, Stefan Holler and Milon Sinha
C. Press Meet on SAIME
A project which revolutionizes the way in which coastal people practice brackish water aquaculture, ensures resilience via a community-based value chain and survive the consequences of global warming while also restoring, preserving and strengthening the #mangrove #ecosystem present in the area – that is what #SAIME encompasses. To publicize this futuristic project, a press meet was held on the 29th of December in the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BNCCI), Kolkata. Several renowned Press houses such as The Hindu, Jago Bangla, The Times of India, Asianet News Bangla and more were present.
For the last three years, SAIME was in its pilot phase and has been showing much promise. Ms Ajanta Dey, the Joint Secretary and Program Director of #NEWS, gave the audience an insight to this futuristic project which deals with the grassroot realities faced by the farmers to the policy changes NEWS is advocating for a healthier planet to an international value-chain which begins with the community.
D. US Consulate visit to Central Mangrove Nursery
Melinda Pavek, the US Consul General along with her team visited the #NEWS project area in Manmathanagar, South 24 Paraganas. The General and her team visited the Central #Mangrove Nursery and had a lively interaction with the #greenbrigade (our stalwart mangrove stewards made up of the women from the local community) on the problems, future possibilities and scope for building coastal resilience in the area. The next day, the US Consulate team met with Mr. Justin Jones, Deputy Field Director in the Sundarbans. They were enlightened of the Bengal Tiger’s status as an endangered species and the many threats it faces as an indigenous species to the Sundarbans. The #Sundarbans were happy to have hosted the Consul General and her team
#nonprofit #socialimpact #nature #ngo #india.
E. Strengthening the Value chain
(Our partners from #Livelihood Funds, Pascal De Petrini and Amla Natarajan came to visit NEWS and #BadabanHarvest from the 28th to the 30th of November,2022. A visit to our #organic farms along with discussions and meeting with our farmers, experts, entrepreneurs and academicians in the field created a dynamic space to understand the abundant resources found in the #Sundarban and its people. Some points of interest were the immense medicinal value of Sundarban Honey and the growing interest in #Organic food in both domestic and international markets . Ms Ajanta Dey said at the close of this visit- “It is a movement that must gain momentum to benefit society”.
#NEWS #Sustainablelivelihoods #livelihoodfunds)
F. Mangrove re-plantation in the Madhabpur SAIME site
Repair plantation at the Madhabpur IMA site was done under the SAIME project covering a farm area of 10.38 hectares. Around 12 mangrove species comprising Avicennia sp, Bruguiera sp, Rhizophora sp, Phoenix paludosa, etc. were planted on the embankments and along the islands following the standard IMA practice targeting more mangrove coverage. A strong step was put forward toward a climate-adaptive livelihood for the marginal farmers coupled with the ecological restoration of Sundarban.
#IntegratedMangroveAquaculture #SAIME #plantation #mangroves #Sundarban #IMA #germancooperation #GlobalNatureFund #sustainability #sustainableaquaculture #TeamBEDS #BEDSBangladesh #Naturland #chemicalfree #blacktigershrimp #mangroveecosystem)
G. Visit of Global Nature Fund at the Chaital IMA site and Sagar Islands
(On 26 June 2022, Mr. Ralph Dejas, on behalf of the Global Nature Fund and Mohammed Maqsudur Rahman, and Professor Sardar Safiqul Islam from Bangladesh Environment & Development Society (BEDS) accompanied by NEWS team members, met with the members of the two eco-clubs, namely, Pankauri Eco Club and Samukkhol Eco Club of Dhaspara Sumatinagar II Gram Panchayat of Sagar block. The members of the two Eco Clubs welcomed the guests with a pleasant ceremony and took the entire event forward by conducting it themselves. Highlighting the need to conserve the Mangrove Ecosystem for the existence of Sagardweep from climate change, the Eco Club members also presented the resource maps, pictures of the food chain, and herbarium sheets prepared by themselves to the visitors.
#EcoClub #GNF #Sundarban #Bangladesh #mangroveecosytem
Mr. Ralph Dejas, Programme Manager, Global Nature Fund, visited the Chaital IMA site, North 24 Parganas of the project Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystem (SAIME) on 22nd June 2022. During his visit, he visited the IMA farms and interacted with the farmers from the farmers’ group “Chaital Badabon Samannito Matsya Chash Samity”. The IMA sites were also visited by Md. Maksudur Rahman and Prof. Sarder Safiqul Islam of Bangladesh Environment & Development Society (BEDS), partners from Bangladesh of the SAIME project. Members from the other partners from South Asia, CReNIO, and Saci WATERs also visited the Chaital IMA site and interacted with the farmers’ group.
#Sustainability
#Sundarban
#IMA
#Integrated Mangrove Aquaculture
#Black Tiger Shrimp
#Sustainable Aquaculture In Mangrove Ecosystem
#SAIME
#Saimeproject
#Sundarban
#Global NatureFund
#German Corporation
#Bangladesh Environment and Development Society
#TeamBEDS
#Naturland
#Sundarbane Cosystem #Nature Environment & Wildlife Society
H. Trans-National Forum
(Aiming to develop a strong partnership between Civil Society Organisations, exchange ideas, and strengthen capacities, a Trans-National Forum under the project, Building a multi-country, civil society partnership to increase the resilience of coastal populations in South Asia was organized by Nature Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS) with support and guidance from Global Nature Fund on 23 June, 2022 at Sonar Bangla, Dulki, Sundarban. In this workshop, the peer-to-peer learning exercises acted as an exercise for young leaders from the CSOs to learn new methods in policy advocacy and soft skills such as communication that are vitally required for the CSOs to implement various programs. The discussions in the workshop focused mainly on the Protection and restoration of coastal ecosystems (esp. mangrove forests), income diversification for improving resilience, applying innovative techniques for improving food security and adaptation, and decarbonization of coastal communities (zero carbon goal).
#Sundarban #GermanCorporation #GlobalNatureFund #MangroveEcosystem #CoastalResilience #CReNIO #SaciWATERs #BEDS #TeamBEDS #buildingpartnership #collaboration)
I. Online Transformation Literacy Conference
(The Collective Leadership Institute has organized its first-annual Transformation Literacy Conference consisting of online events featuring international speakers and audiences. The Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystem (SAIME) project was featured as an example of the kinds of transformative initiatives that are needed around the world.
Dr. Nimai Bera from Nature environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS) and Ms. Sabrin Ahmed from Bangladesh Environment & Development Society (BEDS) delivered a presentation at Conference Session 1: Narratives: “What are the stories that inspire transformative change?” on 24 Feb from 14:00-16:00 CET / 18:30-20:30 India time / 19:00-21:00 Bangladesh time. They explained how the collective visioning work in February 2020 has helped inspire SAIME actors in their dialogues and concrete collaborations toward realizing their shared vision.
The conference was also a brilliant opportunity to connect with other experts and change-makers and is an exciting opportunity to get a broader view of the many approaches to transformative change.
#PartnershipForGoals #Sustainability #CollaborativeEcosystem)
J. REVIEW AND INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION ON MANGROVE MANUAL IN THE INDIAN SUNDARBAN ECOSYSTEM CONTEXT(26th July, 2021, Wild Animal Rescue & Transit Facility Centre, Kolkata)
Based on the working experience in the field with a community conservation model approach and integrating the scientific knowledge on mangrove management practice, NEWS has developed a ‘Mangrove Manual’ containing the scientific methodology of mangrove afforestation, reforestation, and conservation in the context of the Indian Sundarban for building a collaborative ecosystem for scientific mangrove management in the Sundarban involving various stakeholders from all sectors e.g. Government and Non-Government departments, Academic and Research Institutions, NGOs and other CSOs
K. COLLABORATION WITH ACADEMIA FOR RESEARCH: (6th June, 2021) A seminar on Sultry Sundarban:
The mangroves and the Micro-biome was organised by the Microbiologists Society, India where a presentation on the mangroves and the micro-biome was presented by Ms. Ajanta Dey, Joint Secretary and Programme Director.
L. MoU with ICAR-CIBA:
ICAR-CIBA (Central Institute of Brackish water Aquaculture) and Nature Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS) signed MoU for the knowledge partnership for brackish water aquaculture technology demonstration and training..
M. MANGROVE COMMUNITY NETWORK IN SOUTH ASIA:(12-16th October, 2020)
5 days workshop on project proposal writing was organized by Nature Environment & Wildlife Society where various NGOs from Living Lakes South Asia Network participated.
N. POST-AMPHAN ONLINE WORKSHOPS FOR CATALYSING CSO ENGAGEMENT:(5th October, 2020)
(Discussion on Mangroves: Mangroves for building coastal resilience and livelihoods of Sundarban post-Amphan situation with State Inter Agency Group, West Bengal)
O. MANGROVE RESTORATION AT SUNDARBAN: PARTNERING WITH THE Govt. of WEST BENGAL:
For policy level advocacy and consolidating networks of stakeholders both Government and Non-government, NEWS has partnered with the Government of West Bengal under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). NEWS has conducted capacity-building programs on mangrove restoration. Training on nursery development, plantation, and monitoring were imparted to 65 Gram Panchayats of 10 blocks of the South 24 Parganas district. NEWS team members are regularly monitoring the progress of the mangrove nurseries by visiting the nursery sites.
P. WORKING GROUP MEETINGS
Mangrove Working Group
Value Chain Working Group
Q. VISION AND ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOP (3rd and 4th February, 2020, Taj Bengal, Kolkata)
“Visioning and Engagement workshop: Initiating a partnership for healthy mangroves, thriving coastal communities and a robust aquaculture value chain in the Sundarbans: India, Bangladesh and beyond” was organized to understand the objectives of the SAIME project and create resonance & container for change in perspective of Sundarbans. Stakeholders from line departments like Forest, Environment; different private business sectors on shrimp value chain like Bluesensus, Blue Sea Aquaculture; Apex Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR); research institutes like Central Institute of Brackish water Aquaculture(CIBA); Universities like Central Institute of Fisheries Education(CIFE); State Biodiversity Board, Govt. of West Bengal participated in the workshop. Representatives from project partners viz, Global Nature Fund (GNF), Naturland e.V. and Bangladesh Environment and Development Society (BEDS) also attended the workshop.
R. PRACTITIONER’S CONFERENCE (26th November, 2019, The Commune)
A ‘Practitioner’s conference’ was arranged to discuss conservation-linked livelihoods in the Sundarban, the scope of SAIME to promote Integrated Mangrove Aquaculture (IMA), and alternative livelihood options in the Sundarban. Scope and challenges of natural feed-based brackish water aquaculture, organic shrimpcertification, trade, and value chain in India were also discussed. Representatives from BEDS also participated in the conference.
S. CAPACITY BUILDING: NEWS and BEDS team (17-19 October, 2019, NEWS head Office)
A capacity building workshop was organized among the NEWS and BEDS teams to discuss the project planning of SAIME. Pilot IMA sites of Madhabpur, Gopalpur, and Andulpota were visited by both teams.
T. WORLD MANGROVE DAY CELEBRATION: (The ‘World Mangrove Day, 26th of July, 2021:
A program was organized by the “Chaital Badaban Samannito Matsya Chaas Samity” farmers’ group where mangrove plantation was done at the embankment of the Bidyadhari River and the mangrove re-plantation activity was carried out in all the seventeen IMA farms. The local Government officials, Panchayat members also actively participated in the plantation program. An awareness campaign was also done to sensitize the importance of the mangroves among the communities. The family members of the IMA farmers also participated in the re-plantation program.At Manmathanagar, the women’s group celebrated the day where the central mangrove nursery was formally inaugurated by the forest officials.
U. CELEBRATION OF RAKSHA BANDHAN:
The women tied the Rakhi on the mangrove branches to signify the bond between them and how the mangroves protect the community from natural calamities.
V. CELEBRATION OF WORLD WETLAND DAY:
Under the theme “Wetland action for People and Nature”, World Wetland Day was celebrated at Chaital IMA site..
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
