Community participation

Problem Census (PCs) and Planning Workshops (PWs) are used to examine the diverse contrasting perspectives of beneficiary groups in regard to their socio-economic and political conditions. On the basis of information generated from these activities, stakeholders become aware of non-uniform impacts of resource use patterns, livelihood strategies and economic activities on the local environment, sustainable resources management schemes and environmental conservation options available to them.

The purpose of the reports is to; a) improve the existing, and develop new income generating opportunities with local communities; b) improve existing, and develop ways to manage (use, protect, enhance) natural resources; c) facilitate, train and strengthen existing institutions; d) promote and undertake new institutional structures that improve sustainable utilization, management and conservation of natural resources.

The loss of plants from floodplain ecosystems have resulted in further degradation of other ecological functions. To stop and reverse this trend, massive plantation programmes were carried out at three floodplain sites: Padma-Jamuna, Brahmaputra-Shitalakshya and Madhumati Floodplain. The overall objective being to increase native tree coverage and enhance productivity by establishing plantations through people’s participation. The report shows how this was accomplished.

The participatory land-use survey report is a major baseline activity of the Community Base Haor Resource Management Project. The survey was done in Pagnar and Sanuar-Dakuar haors.

The present report compiles the awareness raising initiatives take under the Community Based Floodplain Resource Management Project, a component of the SEMP. It details out the justification of such interventions, approaches considered and chosen activities to enhance people’s awareness level at the project areas in the floodplains. A number of recommendations are also suggested to make the initiative more participatory and effective in attaining the targeted impacts.

This report aims to provide proper guidelines and mechanisms for communities, to enable them to manage and sustain the current positive trends into the future. The recommended issues and concerns articulated by the stakeholders have been considered as priority components while formulating the “Exit Plan” of the Community Based Haor and Floodplain Resource Management Projects of SEMP.