The First Local Language Training Program of Ramsar Regional Center – East Asia

in KEPZ, Chittagong Bangladesh

Organized by Ramsar Regional Center – East Asia & Bangladesh POUSH

Sponsored by YOUNGONE Corporation

The first local language-training program for wetland managers was held in the KEPZ in

Chittagong, Bangladesh from 21 to 23 April 2011. Fifty participants from government

agencies, national and international environmental NGOs throughout Bangladesh,

academicians, researchers and students took part in the training program. The training was

conducted in Bengali to enable better communication and was composed of two different

sessions, an information and experience sharing workshop and 12 seminars.

The opening session was facilitated and chaired by Dr. Sanowar Hossein, President

Bangladesh POUSH & Chairman of IUCN Bangladesh National Committee. Welcoming,

opening and congratulatory remarks were delivered by Mr. Jahangir Saadat, the former

Ambassador for the Bangladesh Government and the President of Korean EPZ Corporation

Limited, a subsidiary company of YOUNGONE Corporation in Bangladesh, Dr., Sung –

Hoon Woo, the Deputy Executive Director of RRC-EA and Mr. Jafar Ahmed Chowdhury,

Former Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest

Before beginning Mr. Engr. Shahjahan, the General Manager of the KEPZ gave a

presentation on the work done by KEPZ. He mentioned KEPZ has initiated several

environmental programs, which include wetland restoration, tree planting, and bird and

wildlife conservation in the KEPZ compound. Each of these programs is aimed at improving

the environmentally friendly state of the KEPZ campus, and follows the guidelines of Mr. Ki-

Hak Sung, chairman of YOUNGONE Corporation.

Day One

Information and Experience sharing workshop

In the workshop, the participants presented their wetland initiatives, learning, experiences and

good practices, shared their ideas, and advised each other on issues raised. The participants

actively shared in the discussion and the outcome was more fruitful than expected.

Day Two

Lectures

The lecture session on the second day, composed of 12 topics on wetlands, began with a brief

summary of the previous day’s discussion by Dr. Sanowar Hossein.

Module 1: Wetland and Environment

This session, moderated by D. Tapan Ghosal, was facilitated using a multimedia power point

presentation given by Dr. A. Rob Mollah. The main session topics were, defining wetlands,

types of wetlands significance of wetlands and status of wetlands in Bangladesh. After Dr.

Mollahs’ presentation, a question and answer session accompanied by a feedback session

followed. Apart from the pre-determined topics, wetland biodiversity and its threats,

degradation of wetlands, globally significant wetland and species of Bangladesh, threatened

species, habitat loss and adverse impact on the wetlands were discussed in this session.

Module 2: Socio-economic value of Wetlands

Moderated by D. Tapan Ghosal This session was facilitated by Dr. Monzoorul Kibria,

Assistant Professor of Zoology Department at Chittagong University. He gave a

PowerPoint presentation. The main topics were, the multipurpose uses of wetlands, wetland

based occupations, wetland and fisheries and aquaculture and integrated fish culture.

The session was given using a colorful PowerPoint presentation. The presentation used

information taken from live activities in the Halda River a unique river of Bangladesh, which

is globally famous as a fresh water carp nursing and breeding ground. During his presentation,

Mr. Kibria expressed his pleasure and satisfaction in doing research on Halda since he was a

student. As a professor, he has continued his research. He shared the findings of his research.

He focused on the different livelihood activities of the different stakeholders and

communities on the Halda and on fisheries development using Halda spawn and fry. After the

conclusion of his power point presentation, a question answer session and feedback session

followed. The participants expressed their pleasure and stated that the presentation was very

lively.

To keep the session energetic and alive Dr. Ghosal performed a symbolic Halda River cultural

performance, which was aimed at its voluntary protection and conservation. During his

presentation, Mr. Dr. Kibria expressed his sorrow about the different harmful activities

happening on the river, Climate Change impacts, low water quality, the indiscriminate use of

chemical fertilizer and pesticides in intensified agriculture, which have been contributing to

the deterioration of the whole river. All of the participants made a collective commitment to

protect, conserve and manage the Halda River for future generations.

Module 3: Cultural values of Wetlands

Mr. Tapas Ranjan Chakraborty, the Awareness & Campaign Manager of OXFAM GB,

facilitated this exclusively participatory session. . The participants noted that many cultural,

social, ethical, religious events, tourism, economic activities, daily livelihoods and customs

were derived from wetlands in different parts of Bangladesh.

Module 4: Who is doing what for the betterment of wetlands in Bangladesh?

Moderator: Mr. Tapas Ranjan Chakraborty.

Facilitator: Md. Ehsanul Hoque

The facilitator began by discussing the factors affecting wetland classification in

Bangladesh. Based on visual inspection, wetlands of Bangladesh were grouped into 5

categories, namely-

- Haor area, Sylhet, on the Mymensingh floodplain

- Chalan Beel (a wetland in northern Bangladesh)

- Oxbow lake, Baor

- Sundarbans The largest mangrove Forest

- Kaptai lake, the largest manmade lake in Bangladesh

Based on the above grouping, participants were asked to separate into five groups and

identify the management history of each category. They were asked to provide the following;

project name, Responsible organization, what went right? What might be done? After 15

minutes of group work, each group presented their findings while the other participants were

free to ask questions.

A lively and interactive session, the participants of Northern region identified some important

but neglected wetlands, which most of the participants appreciated. The other groups

identified different wetland management projects, with some effective activities. They have

also identified individuals who are working in wetland management in different regions of

Bangladesh. In the end, the case of ‘Baikka Beel’ restoration by Barogangina RMO, which

supported through the MACH program, was shared. MACH program provides a co-

management approach where NGOs, government, and community are involved in project

implementation

Module 5: Wetland, Climate Change and Disaster

Facilitator: Mr. Tapas Ranjan Chakraborty

Facilitator talked about general climate change with emphasis on wetlands. He also facilitated

the discussion on climate change impacts on wetland ecosystems in Bangladesh. With

empirical evidence, he identified climate change is not a matter of debate it is now occurring.

In doing so, he presented information on Changes in rainfall patterns (intensity, frequency),

increases in temperature etc. Using these indicators, he linked the lives and livelihoods of the

wetland dwellers and identified the following disastrous events that would affect them. The

identified disasters are

- Flash floods

- Wave erosion

- Drought

- Siltation

Following this discussion, the participants were invited to identify observed impacts to their

previously selected wetland group. Group leaders summarized the impacts of climate change

on their wetland type and to compile a list, that can be identified as but are not limited to the

following;

- Siltation

- Flash floods

- Heavy rainfall

- Water logging (Soil saturation – leading to mass wastage)

- Saline water intrusion

- Coastal (tidal) flooding

- Habitat loss

- Biodiversity loss

- Livelihood shifting

- And Human migration

Day Three

Tapas Ranjan Chakraborty also facilitated Day threes’ opening session. The participants were

requested to summarize the last day sessions and Ms. Shamsunnahar Runa was selected by

the participants to present feedback and evaluation from the previous day. She briefly

described all the sessions and discussions of yesterdays’ sessions. Other participants also

assisted her in the summary. After the recap, the Module session 6 began.

Module 6: Threats to the Wetlands

Moderated by Mr. Tapas Ranjan Chakraborty, this session was facilitated by Mr. P. Baulia

and Mr. Kong C. P. Marma. The two facilitators shared their experiences, findings, learning

and recommendations using PowerPoint. The presentations were followed by a question and

answer session. Dr. T. K. Ghosal and Mr. T.R Chakraborty supplemented the question and

answer component of the session. Mr. T.R. Chakraborty provided an overview of the causes

affecting the disappearance of wetlands. He informed the audience that due to

misconceptions about wetlands over one-half of wetlands have been destroyed globally since

the 1700’s. Wetlands have been drained for agricultural activities, filled for housing

developments and industrial complexes, and used as dumping sites for household and

hazardous waste. Despite the fact that scientists have discovered wetlands to be valuable

ecosystems, their destruction continues worldwide. He also talked about natural threats such

as Erosion, sea level rise, drought, hurricanes, and wildlife overgrazing also impact wetlands,

Land use conflict involving upland or dry land areas all affect wetland loss. However, the

latest land type identified as being affected by intensifying use and over which research has

revealed increasing competition and conflict is wetlands. In a region where there is only one

rainfall season per year (and that subject to periodic failure), agriculture is very vulnerable to

climatic variability. Thus, irrigable land along streams and in seasonally wet areas has long

been valued.

He stated that most conflicts are the result of simple opposition: farmers versus herders,

wildlife guards versus hunters. However, rich environments, such as wetlands, attract

manifold users. Apart from fisheries, wetlands produce silt-covered swampy lands that can be

used for crops and pastures as the waters recede. In the Inland Delta, deepwater rice was

locally developed to adapt to rapidly rising floodwaters. Moreover, these wetlands can be

important areas for a variety of flora and fauna. Mr. Chakraborty cited many examples related

to wetland conflicts.

As a supplementary component of the session, Mr. Baulia gave a presentation on the threats

to the wetlands of southwest Bangladesh like Munshigonj under Shyamnagar. He visualized a

story of different threats to wetlands due to salt-water shrimp aquaculture and people’s

sufferings, livelihoods, biodiversity loss, communication disruption and ultimately ecosystem

loss that is associated with unplanned shrimp farming in southwest coastal regions of

Bangladesh.

Mr. Baulia gave a supplemental presentation on the threats to the wetlands of southwest

Bangladesh, using as examples Munshigonj and Shyamnagar. He went on to visualize a

story of the effects of shrimp farming on peoples’ lives, livelihoods, biodiversity loss,

disruptions to communications, and ecosystem loss in southwest coastal regions of

Bangladesh.

Comparatively, Mr. Kong C. P. Marma gave a PowerPoint presentation on the threats to

Kaptai Lake. The main points of his discussion on the threats to wetlands were:

The Pollution of Kaptai lake

Water hyacinth infestation

Indiscriminate killing of fishes

Disposal of garbage

Siltation

Lack of public awareness

Wild life Habitat reduction

Growth of a number of exogenous fish and other animals (reptiles, mammals, turtles,

tortoise, tigers, bison etc)

Change in lives lifecycle (including human)

Changes in Soil & Land pattern and fertility

Water table dropping and surface water scarcity

Above all it is caused by CLIMATE CHANGE & GLOBAL WARMING

Furthermore, Mr. Kong made some recommendations for the reduction of threats, the most

important are:

3R-recycle-reuse-reduce the garbage/wastes

To Increase public awareness

Documentation about the present status of Kaptai lake wetland

Reuse water hyacinth as floating agricultural material and as a compost material

Re-excavation (dredging) of the lake

AIGA etc.

The session was interactive and lively; however, to keep the session moving the participants

demonstrated different cultural activities.

Module 7: Threats about boundary issue of Wetland Conservation

Mr. Ehsanul Hoque Sipu assisted Mr. Tapas Ranja Chakraborty in facilitating this session.

Through participation, threats related to boundary disputes for wetlands were identified. Mr.

Tapas Ranja Chakraborty discussed the different threats related to boundary issues, such as

the Location of Specific Water Crisis, the international water crisis, a Specific water crisis in

three hill districts of Bangladesh under Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), which were identified

with suffixes such as Chhara, Chhari, Long, and Khyang. , In tribal language, these suffixes

mean spring or stream. Therefore, it is easily understood that many localities in Banderban,

Rangamati and Khagrachhari have been named after these springs and that these names

provide an indication of the importance these springs play in the lives of the twelve ethnic

groups who have been living in the CHT for hundreds of years.

He also stated that the indigenous people are not habituated to the use of modern water

technologies, as they have not been introduced to them like the people of the plain districts

have been. The indigenous people depend solely on natural sources of water, particularly the

springs, for drinking, cooking, washing, and bathing, as well as irrigation and cultivation. All

the villages, therefore, have been built adjacent to the springs. People even have to shift the

location of their age-old villages in case of the death of a spring near where the village was

located. All of the rivers and tributaries in CHT are the confluence of hundreds of springs in

this region. We all know about the importance of the river Karnuphuli that keeps the

Chittagong port functional and receives water from these springs. Moreover, the same thing

can happen in the case of the Sangu, Naf, Matamuhuri, and other similar rivers in the region.

He expressed sorrow for indigenous people of the CHT that the springs of this region are

drying out. It is assumed a hundred years ago, there were as many as 200,000 springs flowing

from the CHT area. Presently, there are no statistics of how many springs are still flowing.

However, local people can easily understand that many springs in the CHT are drying up each

year.

A VIPP card was distributed among the participants to note down locations and area specific

water crises. The technical and non-technical points identified by the participants, that affect

water loss were:

Climate Change

Flash flood

Sedimentation

Hyv variety-water intensive cultivation

Lack of international pressure group to raise the point

Lack of freshwater

Loss of biodiversity etc.

Module 8: Wetland Legislation

Mr. Ehsanul Hoque facilitated this module, and the main topic was wetland legislation,

management initiative and progress towards the implementation of the laws.

He discussed Laws related to Wetlands like-

• The forest Act 1927 (Amended in 1989)

• Bangladesh Wildlife (Preservation) (Amendment) Act 1974

• East Bengal Protection and Conservation of Fish Act, 1950 (Amended in 1982)

• The east Bengal State Acquisition and Tenancy Act, 1950

• The Haor Development Board Ordinance, 1977

He requested that the participants visit the DOE (Department of the Environment) website

and look for government info on these laws and other government guidelines for wetlands.

Technology for Wetlands (Module 11)

Module number was 11 but it switched with module no. 9. Mr. Nahid Hasan Raju of UNDP,

using a PowerPoint presentation facilitated the session. He discussed indigenous practices

and technologies for wetland utilization. As an example, he cited hydroponics, land shaping-

grading, UNDP model, wastewater treatment, and tidal river basin management method for

mitigating water logging etc. However, he mainly talked about technology in line with the

conservation and wise use of wetlands.

The participants shared their own technological experiences and practices in their areas. Mr.

Chakraborty then summarized and concluded the session.

Education, awareness and advocacy for Wetlands (Module 9):

Immediate following the Technology for wetland session, the Education, Awareness and

Advocacy for Wetlands session began. Dr. Ghosal facilitated this session and cited

information obtained from Bangladesh POUSH, which looked at informal education,

environmental education, booklets, and other instructional material developed for educational

purposes. He stated that for the last 20 years Bangladesh POUSH has been developing and

implementing environmental awareness activities and advocacy. He also stated that,

education is a continuous process and advocacy is a long-term process.

Dr. Ghosal clearly demonstrated the advocacy steps involved which were obtained from his

practical experience working with POUSH. He talked about several local level

meeting/workshops, union level meeting/workshops, regional level meeting workshops,

national level meeting/workshops, international seminar/symposium round table dialogues,

different movements, and different mobilizations, which are the part of advocacy program.

Actually, these programs are conducted on a when and as required plan based on community

demands. He went further to state that; the advocacy program has both short and long-term

results.

Dr. Ghosal using the VIPP card conducted an exercise in which all participants were

requested to note down their recommendations regarding factors, which might be integrated

into future advocacy plans.

The points identified by the participants were as follow:

To incorporate the wetland issues into a text book

To change the governments’ attitude

Fix a budget for advocacy and campaigns

Increase awareness of the significance of wetland’s through print and electronic media

To create a National wetland policy

Community participation

Training on wetlands

Enforcement for Biodiversity conservation

Introduce/revive the indigenous peoples knowledge and practice

Conduct different Seminars and workshops

Foster responsible behavior towards wetlands

The participants were instructed to focus on this simple idea regarding education and

advocacy. To increase the energy of the participants Dr. Ghosal gave a demonstration of a

small cultural performance related to education and awareness.

Conservation of Wetlands (Module 10):

Dr. A. Rob Mollah, Professor of Dhaka University Module 10 was managed by, beginning

the third days’ session. His presentation was given using PowerPoint. He gave many

examples related to wetland conservation, which were initiated by both government and

nongovernment organizations and by different projects. He specifically emphasized

community based participatory wetland conservation.

Mr. Sanowar Hossain concluded this module of the training workshop and invited those in

attendance to join the field trip. Mr. Seung Oh Suh, international coordinator of RRC-EA,

delivered his appreciation to the participants for their active involvement and patience.

Developing an action plan for wetlands (Module 12: Participatory Planning)

This session was the collective result of the different wetland conservation and management

session. After returning from the field trip the participants realized the need for the

development of an action plan and they have began an exercise to demonstrate how an

effective plan is created. They exchanged their feelings, views, observation, outlooks, and

perception about Banskhali ECOPARK.

Exposure Visit – Banskhali ECOPARK

The training workshop closed with a final dinner and a congratulatory speech given by Mr.

Ki-Hak SUNG, the Chairman of YOUNGONE Corporation. All participants gratefully

acknowledged YOUNGONE Corporation and the KEPZ for providing all support and

cooperation in organizing the training workshop. In Mr. Sungs’ closing remarks, he

mentioned that the KEPZ would prepare guidelines for disaster & environmental

management of the KEPZ. These guidelines will be in line with Bangladesh Environmental

Quality Standards. He stated that he would, recommend that the investors in the KEPZ follow

the KEPZ guidelines on environmental issues, create an environmental management

monitoring team to assist the investors and hire environment experts to manage the site in a

more sustainable manner. After dinner, Mr. Sung presented field jackets, produced in

YOUNGONE Corporation in Bangladesh, as a gift to all participants. All participants were

surprised with his unexpected gift and expressed their appreciation.

Dinner hosted by Mr. Ki Hak Sung Gift from YOUNGONE Corporation

Mr. Sung has contributed to environment conservation. In the KEPZ, he restored and created

17 lakes, which are important drinking water sources for local people; planted 1.5 million

trees to provide habitat for animals and prevent soil erosion during the rainy season. As a

result, the KEPZ is now habitat for over 130 species of migratory birds and other animals.

Furthermore, he provided uniforms for volunteers to the Ramsar COP10, which are familiar

to all Ramsar members; and in the future he will also provide uniforms for the volunteers to

the UNCCD COP10 in 2011.

Birds in KEPZ Volunteer’s Uniform in Ramsar COP10

YOUNGONE Corporation’s principal contribution towards environmental conservation

activities is implementation of Resolution X.12 “Principles for partnerships between the

Ramsar Convention and the business sectors” and it would be great to introduce this

workshop to the world as an exemplary case for the successful implementation of the Ramsar

Convention to encourage other stakeholders and business sectors.

The RRC-EA also takes this opportunity to thank YOUNGONE Corporation and Bangladesh

POUSH for their support of the training workshop, both practically and financially in

assisting with logistics arrangements. Special thanks must go to Mr. Jahangir Saadat, the

President of KEPZ, Mr. Shajahan, the General Manager of KEPZ and Dr. Sanowar Hossein,

the President of Bangladesh POUSH.

Reported by Sung-Hoon WOO, Seung-Oh SUH and Sanowar Hossein

Photos by Sung-Hoon WOO, Seung-Oh SUH and Sanowar Hossein