1. Ecosystems for Life
A Bangladesh-India Initiative
Mihir Kanti Majumder PhD
INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE

2. BASIC INFORMATION
Geographical Area
Bangladesh-India sub region (Ganga, Brahmaputra, Meghna region)
Project Duration
2010 to 2014
Support
The Kingdom of The Netherlands
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Implementing IUCN Offices
IUCN Bangladesh
IUCN India
IUCN Asia Regional Office

3. GBM Region: Opportunities
• Second largest hydrological region in the world.
• Huge surface water potential with tributaries and distributaries.
• Excellent geographical location in the Himalayan region.
• Suitable rainfall pattern with huge precipitation.
• Ample arable land with highest potentiality to support agriculture.
• Annual water availability is 771400 CM/sq.km. against the world
average of 269000 CM/sq.km.
• Huge hydro-electric potential: Nepal- 83000 MW ( viable 42000
MW, India- 76000 MW and Bhutan- 30000 MW).
• Sufficient waterways for navigation.
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4. GBM Region: Threats & Challenges
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Covers only 1.2 % of the World’s land mass.
Per capita arable land about 1/10th per hec.(half of world average)
Home of 10% of the World’s pop. & 40% of the World’s poor.
Broken down by country and individual basin.
Drains an area larger than their actual surface area.
Knowledge gap exists relating to hydrological flow of water.
Absence of Regional climate change model for GBM Region.
Most vulnerable Region to Climate Change.
Natural & Climate induced hazards like landslide, sudden change
in river course, bank erosion, drainage congestion, increased
rainfall , decreased monsoon period etc are on the rise.
• Anthropogenic factors also contribute to develop threats.
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5. CONCEPT & GOAL
 Promote a better understanding of the water regimes in Bangladesh
and India to address food, livelihood, biodiversity and climate
change concerns.
 Create a body of knowledge through credible joint scientific research.
 Influence policy options for sustainable management of ecosystems
in the region.
 Improve Integrated Management of Trans-boundary Water Regimes
in South Asia Region.
Research
Dialogue
“Knowledge Management”
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Advocacy

6. APPROACH
• Dialogues focused on civil society actors, researchers and
government agencies – between Bangladesh and India
• Formation of civil society platform in Bangladesh and in India at
actual working level (a core working group)
• Research activities focusing on present situation and generating
information for future activities.
• Civil society platform is the vehicle to run dialogues—concerned
government agencies are engaged when necessary
• A cross-national project committee provides advice and expertise
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7. Research & Dialogue:Theme Pentagon
•Food security, water productivity and
poverty - exploring the links between these
issues for poverty alleviation
•Impacts of climate change - developing a
common understanding of these impacts and
adaptation methods
•Convergence of inland navigation and
integrated water resources management goals
•Environmental security - developing a
understanding of the links between economic
development and environmental security
•Biodiversity conservation – understanding
of ecosystems and habitats, leading to
improved conservation of flagship species
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8. THREE-TIER APPROACH
 Research- to build a scientific information base
(identification of stakeholders, conducting research
studies, documentation and review of research).
 Dialogue- to facilitate consultation meetings, mapping of
concerns and build a common research and
dialogue network.
 Knowledge Management- transformation of information to
knowledge products, disseminate the same and
contribute to policy deliberations and integration.
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9. THREE-TRACKS OF COOPERATION
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Track-I – Indo-Bangladesh Joint River Commission (JRC)
& the mode of consultation.
 Track-II – Discussions among Government Officials
supported by Civil Society Leaders to facilitate
the JRC consultations.
 Track III– Research, dialogue and advocacy approach to
establish a knowledge based platform to
sensitize Track-I and Track-II initiatives.
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10. Expected Output
• Develop a Shared vision for addressing food,
livelihood and water security issues.
• Establish Multi-stakeholder knowledge Hub on
food, livelihood and water security issues.
• Enhance the capacities of Civil Society
stakeholders to address food, livelihood and
water security.
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11. SHARED VISION: HEADWAY
• National Advisory Committee covering water resource
professionals, legislators, diplomats, private sector managers,
researchers and academics.
• Stakeholder mapping to develop a database of NGOs, CSOs,
academia, researchers and key members.
• Multi-stakeholders consultations at different locations (Dhaka,
Kolkata, Guwahati, Bangkok and other places).
• Joint meeting of Authors and Researchers and develop a common
research framework.
• Conduct research work using common research framework.
• Presentation of findings to produce Joint Thematic Situation
Analysis report.
• Dialogue and Consultations to disseminate the report.
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12. STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS
Joint Meeting of Authors
8 December, 2010, Bangkok
(Academics, advocacy
organisations, research
institutions, individual experts)
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– Thematic group discussions
– Consensus on approach and
methodology
– Deadlines

13. MEDIA DIALOGUE
Around 20 Media professionals
from Bangladesh and India
Panel Discussions
7 Dec 2011
Bangkok
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14. KNOWLEDGE HUB: HEAD WAY
• Collection and transformation of information to knowledge
products through consultation processes, NAC & PAC
discussions, situation analysis papers, studies, exposure
visit & research book.
• Dissemination of knowledge products through web,
publication and other media.
• Dev. of Effective Communication Strategy and media
monitoring.
• Development of
Comprehensive database on transboundary knowledge resource.
• Creation of an informed public opinion based on studies and
contribute to policy options.
• Development of Resource Books (Brahmaputra-Jamuna
Book, Trans-boundary Water Governance Resource Book).
INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE
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15. Knowledge Products
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16. Capacity Building of Civil Society: Headway
• Build the capacity of young professionals, media and
Government officials.
• Create synergies and integration of best water management
initiatives (Southern Asia Water Initiatives, Abu-Dhabi
Knowledge Forum, Nile Basin Initiatives, India-Nepal
Committee on Flood Forecasting, HKH Friend, SACi
Waters).
• Enhance research capacities on environmental flow and
develop a common understanding.
• Enhance research capacities on Trans-boundary Water
Management.
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17. DIALOGUE on Hilsa Fisheries Management
Government officials of both
the countries with scientists,
representatives of fishermen
associations, journalist and
civil society members
Policy Dialogue
24 July 2013
Kolkata, West Bengal
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18. Brahmaputra-Jamuna Book
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Book in a non-technical and non-jargon language.
Myths and beliefs relating to the river.
Basic data of the river & Views of the scholars, locals.
The largest river island in the world in this river.
Biggest one horned Rhino Sanctuary on the river bank.
Home of Ganges Dolphin.
Reflection of the lives of the Char dwellers.
Reflections from river doctors of the Floating Hospitals.
Indigenous dredging techniques followed by locals.
Existence of one of the longest Bridges on the river.
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19. JOINT RESEARCH
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20. et odo ogy
et odo ogy
eet g
JOINT RESEARCH
MultiStakeholder
Consultation
Dissemination
Guidance from
NAC Members
Peer Review
Feedback
Joint Research
Report
Publication &
Dissemination
Policy Options
Stakeholders/Constituency
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Feedback

21. Joint Research: Community Based Floods Early
Warning System(FEWS) Development in Brahmaputra
Basin
• An appropriate FEWS plays a pivotal role to reduce
damage.
• Both the countries have flood forecasting system.
• Have the practice of data sharing at the Govt. level.
• Community based appropriate FEWS can be developed
introducing a sharing culture at the community level:
* Sharing experiences and ideas to improve the system.
* Enhance the use of web based hydro-metrological data.
* Sharing of the water level information between riparian
countries.
* Discussion of reliable flood information.
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22. KEY OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES
Creation of a
knowledge
hub
Knowledge
products
scientific
reports,
popular
books
Comprehensive
capacity
building on
project
themes
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Policy
Advocacy
Identification
of policy
options
Dialogue,
joint
research
and
knowledge
management
Exposure of
stakeholders
to best
practices
Influence
changes
on the
ground

23. LESSONS LEARNED
• Importance of science in dialogue and science based
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research.
Process-oriented approach by ensuring sustainability of
trans-boundary collaboration and networks.
Strategic approach to develop a vision for sustainable and
workable TBWM in the region addressing all externalities.
Contextual approach addressing the dynamics of civil
society due to political, geographical and other aspects.
Involvement of broad range of stakeholders including civil
society, researchers and media.
Various lessons from activities (regular revisits of
stakeholders mapping, visible output, conceptual clarity of
activities etc.)

24. THANK YOU