Abstract:
Bangladesh is dominated by vast floodplains with its huge small and large water bodies
called haor, baor, beels under wetland system. The water resources system having unique
natural setting like intensive river network and floodplains, wetland, bio-diversity, etc.
with interdependent interactions has presented us the present social life of Bangladeshi
typology. The beel fishery is a vital part of this eco-system and economy related with
water. These water resources have been exploited by a small number of powerful people
overriding all values and norms depriving the poor fisheries group. At present, fisheries
and environmental degradation of beels and wetlands is alarming in Bangladesh putting
severe adverse effects on livelihoods of subsistence fishery group as well as on beel ecosystem
i.e. on water resources system. Community Based Resource Management Project
is one of the latest such efforts since 2003 in Sunamganj haor area.
Education level of the schooling aged children, skill training, sanitation & hygiene
awareness, organizational involvement, women mobility, shearing of responsibility, land
uses for fisheries activities, land prices, access to alternative resources, improvement of
wall materials, access to roads, average yearly income of BUG, access to financial loan
and access of women to economic activities has been increased for the during project
period compered with pre-project period. Under the marketing channel of study beels
(Fishermen - Nikeries - Beparis - Aratdars - Consumers), Fishermen’s share was 74% and
70% for Boiragimara and Chatol Udaitara Beel respectively of what was paid by the
consumer as the retail price. Production efficiency as labor return distribution, gender
equality, impact on biodiversity, beel yield and marketing efficiency are better condition
for study beels for during project periods compared with pre-project period.
BUG federation development, involvement of LGIs, habitat restoration, permanent
sanctuary establishment, post project activities, construction of fish marketing sheds with
adequate facilities have been suggested to improve the existing condition. Siltation has
been occurred as a product of climate change impacts. Adequate area of the beels would
be re-excavated to overcome the problem.
