APFED Booklet on Good Practices and Innovative Activities 2005 ...

Award
etc.
Bangladesh 2007
*etc.=Shifting rivers and riverbank erosion
Disappearing Land: Supporting Communities Affected
by River Erosion
Project Site Location Gaibandha District
Background - Problems Addressed and Policy Responses
A large part of Bangladesh is covered by a network of
rivers and tributaries whose courses change due to geohydrological
factors. Since most of the land is either densly
inhabited or put to other economic use, river course variation
has historically led to severe socio-economic impacts on the
communities living adjacent to these rivers.
Floating vegetable gardens attended by
growers during peak floods
Project Outline - Objectives and Activities
1) To provide basic services, through cluster village development and multi-purpose refugee shelters,
to the poorer citizens living on riverbanks and vulnerable to natural disasters. 2) To provide alternative
livelihood options to persons displaced or at risk of being displaced by riverbank erosion. 3) To improve
the social, civil, and political rights of disadvantaged citizens affected by riverbank erosion.
2009
2008
2006 2007
Impacts and Achievements
Four hundred and sixty sandbar farmers have produced 2,244 tons of pumpkins with 359 USD per
capita net income in 180 days with secured food supply and income during the lean period; 116 floating
vegetable producers have earned 2,137 USD; 2,950 homestead vegetable producer groups have
produced 495.6 tons of green vegetables, fetching an income of 48,796 USD; 379 floating fish cage
operators have produced 9.4 tons of fish, with an income of 9,825 USD in six months; and a total of 18
community-based fishery groups have earned an income of 14,637 USD.
Future Challenges
Characterising and understanding the causal factors of river erosion and introducing mitigation
options; recognition of displaced communities by local governments for providing the state benefits;
identification and construction of resettlement areas, enhanced support for capacity-building for resilient
livelihood-generating activities; greater access to natural resources, including the sand dunes, for
displaced populations; promoting private sector involvement and greater coordination among NGOs
and local governments for sustainability of initiatives.
General Information
Name of the Implementing Organisation:
Practical Action Bangladesh
Type of Organisation: NGO/CBO
Contact: Veena Khaleque
House 12/B, Road 4 Dhanmondi Dhaka- 1205, Bangladesh
Tel: 008802 9123671, 8111934, 8111855 Fax: 008802 8113134
E-mail: veena@practicalaction.org.bd Website: http://practicalaction.org/region_bangladesh
Project Reviewer (NetRes / Collaborators) that monitors the project:
S.V.R.K. Prabhakar, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
E-mail: sivapuram.prabhakar@gmail.com
Area
Climate Change 3R Biodiversity & Ecosystem Water Capacity Development etc. Others
Award
Gold Silver Bronze Incentive
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