Assessing the sustainability of community based fisheries management approaches through beel user group at Sunamganj haor area

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.