Bangladesh Environment and Development Society (BEDS) and Korea Green Foundation (KGF) have taken a grass-roots initiative to build an Eco Village in Banishanta Union of Dacope Upazila under Khulna district in Bangladesh since 2015. This initiative addresses to solve the major regional problems like drinking water, cooking fuel, riverbank erosion, electricity, livelihood and education of the Sundarbans coastal community without harming the mangrove ecosystem.

1. About the
Eco Village
Establishing an Eco Village
beside the World single
largest Mangrove
Forest to solve the major
regional problems like
drinking water, cooking fuel,
riverbank erosion, electricity,
livelihood and education of
the Sundarbans coastal
community without harming
the mangrove ecosystem.

2. Initial situation at the project site
The project site is the Sundarbans coastal region of Bangladesh. The
Sundarbans Mangrove Ecosystem (both a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site
and a RAMASAR Wetland site) is known as the single largest mangrove forest in
the world. The Sundarbans mangrove flagship ecosystem is the natural
safeguard and livelihood support for 3.2 million climate vulnerable coastal
people. The Sundarbans covers 4% of total area of Bangladesh and 40% of the
total forest of the country. It is the home of various types of species including
many rare and endangered flora and fauna such as the iconic Critically
Endangered Royal Bengal Tiger, estuarine crocodile, Turtle, Dolphin, birds etc.
Also the Sundarbans coastal region is disaster porn area and the front line of
Global Climate Change. So, the coastal people lose their livelihood, source of
drinking water, crops, livestock, farming land etc due to climate change impacts.
Safe drinking water is the big crisis for the people. People of this region are
completely dependent on ponds and rain water for their drinking purpose. As a
result, water born diseases break out. Cooking fuel is another. They mainly
depend on mangrove forest for their cooking fuel. River bank erosion is also a
massive hazard for these communities. Very often it washes away the
embankments and the adjacent households. Lack of electricity is another
depravity of the communities which made them backward people. The coastal
villagers remain in dark at night due to lack of electricity and increased kerosene
price. People of the coast are absolutely reliant on mangrove resources for their
livelihood but they didn’t know how to utilize natural resources and manage it
properly. They could have make Non Timber Forest Products. People’s
unsustainable practice of natural resources and habitat degradation pose critical
threats to ecosystem, while local villagers generally don’t participate in
conservation efforts due to their poverty, lack of education and knowledge.
People of the region had lack of environmental education and knowledge.
Though, Sundarbans coastal people lose their livelihood, source of drinking
water, crops, livestock, farming land etc due to climate change impacts they were
not aware of climate change impacts and disaster risks. There is always a very
good chance of promoting Eco tourism in the Sundarbans region. But
communities’ lack of skill and knowledge did not make it happen.

3. Our taken initiatives so far

4. Activity Outcomes till 2017
Year
Solar Water Mangrove Plantation Green Education Green Business
2015
Establish 11.25 kwp
Solar station in the roof
top of Public School
Re-excavation and
installation of SPSF
in three ponds
11,475 Ton
Mangrove saplings
Planted
30,000
Construction of
Green Education
Center for students
and community
90 beneficiaries
received training on
Eco tourism
15 people Certified
as Eco tour guide
2016
Establish 7.5 & 3kWp
Solar station in the
roof tops of Local Govt.
office and another
Public School Provided safe
drinkable water to
4,594 community
people
Mangrove saplings
Planted
30,000
25 Teachers trained
4,486 Students
received
environment
education
60 families received
training as Eco tour
organizer
2017
Opened solar print
shop and photo studio
Started battery rental
service and
Mangrove saplings
Planted
4,000
Education program
continued
After training, our
beneficiaries are
actively engaged in
different activities.

5. What we need now
Green Pond (Drinkable Water)
Green Housing
Implemented Activities:
Three ponds had been re-excavated in three villages. We improved the water
quality of those ponds through installing three Solar Pond Sand and Filter (SPSF).
Iron fence has also been prepared and the fence is covered with net for protecting
ponds from children and livestock.
Present Requirement:
According to the community demand, now we want to support safe drinking water to
another 3,000 coastal villagers from another 2 villages to extend our eco village. For
this, we would re-excavate 2 new ponds from those 2 villages and establish Solar
Pond Sand and Filter (SPSF) for getting safe drinking water.
Estimated Budget for this activity: 15,00,000 BD Taka (18,750 USD)
Initial Situation:
Safe drinking water crisis is the major problem for the people of Sundarbans coastal
region. People of this region are completely dependent on ponds and rain water for
their drinking purpose. They do not refine water and they drink it directly. As a
result, water born diseases break out and most of the female members have to
engage with collecting drinking water in maximum time of a day.

6. What we need now
What we need now
Green Stove (Improved Cooking Stove)
Green Housing
Initial Situation:
Cooking fuel is a major problem of Sundarbans coastal region. The villagers mainly
use traditional cooking stoves so they spend more fuel and time and traditional
cooking stoves make more smoke which is harmful for respiratory diseases. The
coastal community completely depends on the Sundarbans for their fuel wood and
that’s a great threat for the Sundarbans ecosystems. Sometimes, they use
homestead trees, cow dung, straw etc.
Implemented Activities:
To reduce the demand of cooking fuel for the villagers we introduced Improved
Cooking Stoves (ICS), develop the skill of the villagers on how to make and
maintain the ICS. Finally we distributed 300 ICS among 300 families. These stoves
consume 50% less fuel than that of traditional cooking stoves.
Present Requirement:
As per the community demand, we want to introduce some time demanding low
cost cooking fuel with the coastal villagers like husk wood, straw made wood etc.
We would like to develop education material (poster) to make people understand
about the alternative cooking fuel to reduce the ever increasing pressure from the
Sundarbans mangroves.
Estimated Budget for this activity: 1,75,000 BD Taka (2188 USD)
Green Stove (Improved Cooking Stove)
Green Housing
Initial Situation:
Cooking fuel is a major problem of Sundarbans coastal region. The villagers mainly
use traditional cooking stoves so they spend more fuel and time and traditional
cooking stoves make more smoke which is harmful for respiratory diseases. The
coastal community completely depends on the Sundarbans for their fuel wood and
that’s a great threat for the Sundarbans ecosystems. Sometimes, they use
homestead trees, cow dung, straw etc.
Implemented Activities:
To reduce the demand of cooking fuel for the villagers we introduced Improved
Cooking Stoves (ICS), develop the skill of the villagers on how to make and
maintain the ICS. Finally we distributed 300 ICS among 300 families. These stoves
consume 50% less fuel than that of traditional cooking stoves.
Present Requirement:
As per the community demand, we want to introduce some time demanding low
cost cooking fuel with the coastal villagers like husk wood, straw made wood etc.
We would like to develop education material (poster) to make people understand
about the alternative cooking fuel to reduce the ever increasing pressure from the
Sundarbans mangroves.
Estimated Budget for this activity: 1,75,000 BD Taka (2,188 USD)

7. What we need now
Green Housing
Initial Situation:
Deforestation of the Sundarbans is major threat for environment and its biodiversity
because most of the coastal communities completely depend on the Sundarbans for
their fuel wood and natural resources which is great threat to the Sundarbans
ecosystems. So, planting Mangrove more and more is must as the Sundarbans is
the natural safeguard during natural disasters to the coastal community.
Implemented Activities:
Considering the acuteness of river bank erosion, Villagers planted more than 64
thousand mangroves in the river side. In 2015 30,000 mangroves, in 201630,000
mangroves and in 2017 4,000 mangroves have been planted in the coastal areas.
All these mangroves are planted in the project site area. Fence is prepared for the
protection of the mangroves. Mangrove Management Committee is formed for
proper maintenance.
Present Requirement:
We all know that mangrove plantation is a traditional technology to protect the
embankment from the ferocity of river erosion. As the coastal area is always
threatened with riverbank erosion, we would like to plant 50,000 mangroves on the
riverbank. To protect the planted saplings we would like to make strong fence.
Estimated Budget for this activity: 20,00,000 BD Taka (25000 USD)
Initial Situation:
Deforestation of the Sundarbans is major threat for environment and its biodiversity
because most of the coastal communities completely depend on the Sundarbans for
their fuel wood and natural resources which is great threat to the Sundarbans
ecosystems. So, planting Mangrove more and more is must as the Sundarbans is
the natural safeguard during natural disasters to the coastal community.
Implemented Activities:
Considering the acuteness of river bank erosion, Villagers planted more than 64
thousand mangroves in the river side. In 2015 30,000 mangroves, in 201630,000
mangroves and in 2017 4,000 mangroves have been planted in the coastal areas.
All these mangroves are planted in the project site area. Fence is prepared for the
protection of the mangroves. Mangrove Management Committee is formed for
proper maintenance.
Present Requirement:
We all know that mangrove plantation is a traditional technology to protect the
embankment from the ferocity of river erosion. As the coastal area is always
threatened with riverbank erosion, we would like to plant 50,000 mangroves on the
riverbank. To protect the planted saplings we would like to make strong fence.
Estimated Budget for this activity: 20,00,000 BD Taka (25000 USD)
Mangrove Plantation
Green Housing
Initial Situation:
Deforestation of the Sundarbans is major threat for environment and its biodiversity
because most of the coastal communities completely depend on the Sundarbans for
their fuel wood and natural resources which is great threat to the Sundarbans
ecosystems. So, planting Mangrove more and more is must as the Sundarbans is
the natural safeguard during natural disasters to the coastal community.
Implemented Activities:
Considering the acuteness of river bank erosion, Villagers planted more than 64
thousand mangroves in the river side. 30,000 mangroves in 2015, 30,000
mangroves in 2016 and 4,000 mangroves in 2017 have been planted in the coastal
areas. All these mangroves are planted in the project area. Fence is prepared for
the protection of the mangroves. Mangrove Management Committee is formed for
proper maintenance.
Present Requirement:
We all know that mangrove plantation is a traditional technology to protect the
embankment from the ferocity of river erosion. As the coastal area is always
threatened with riverbank erosion, we would like to plant 50,000 mangroves on the
riverbank. To protect the planted saplings we would like to make strong fence.
Estimated Budget for this activity: 20,00,000 BD Taka (25,000 USD)

8. What we need now
Renewable Energy (Solar)
Green Housing
Initial Situation:
Lack of electricity is one of the major problems of the Sundarbans coastal
communities. Most of the coastal area is non electrified and people are living in dark
at night due to lack of electricity and increased kerosene price. Coastal families
spend a large amount of their income to meet up the demand of light. So, study of
the children is greatly hampered and in uncertainty, on the other side, earning of
livelihood is becoming harder for them because of increasing price of light. Most of
the families have to pass the night in complete darkness.
Present Requirement:
Our target is to cover 100% families will come under renewable energy by 2020. So,
we are planning to support the rest 500 families (approx.) with solar home systems
(SHS).
Estimated Budget for this activity: 30,00,000 BD Taka (37500 USD)
Implemented Activities:
For solving the electricity problems, we installed two solar stations and distributed
solar lamps, home systems, battery and generator among 3000 families. As a result
approx 70% families of our project area are now using solar energy where the
percentage was only 10% in 2013. Communities are conducting small business by
using energy. We have also established a community digital center in our station.
Local government has declared this union as the first Solar Union in Bangladesh.

9. What we need now
School Education (Teachers and students)
Green Education
Initial Situation:
Sundarbans coastal region is very much climate vulnerable due to its geographic
location. But people of this region are not aware of environment and climate
change. Knowing the environment and its importance is really necessary for all.
Future generation that is the students have to know about nature and environment.
This is why Environmental Education is a must. But due to the low quantity of
environmental data in text books does not allow the students to know the
environment properly.
Present Requirement:
Climate change is burning issue now a day and Sundarbans coastal area is the
front line of global climate change which produces natural hazards. So, students as
well as the coastal community should know about climate change and its impacts.
We would like to develop some education materials (Poster and flip chart) and
educate the villagers on climate change issue.
Estimated Budget for this activity: 3,50,000 BD Taka (4,375 USD)
Implemented Activities:
We have been providing Environment Education in the school level (both primary
and secondary school) by developing different education materials. 25 schools have
been selected from Banishanta and Laudove Unions. Environmental Education
materials such as eight posters on basic environment, a Teachers Manual and a
mangrove ecosystem game have been developed. Materials are distributed to the
selected schools. Training of Trainers (ToT) have been organized by involving 25
selected school teachers on how to teach and improve these materials. Students
are getting Environmental Education in the schools regularly.

10. What we need now
Green Education
Village Education (Organic farming)
Initial Situation:
Sundarbans coastal region is climate vulnerable area due to its geographic location.
But people of this region are not aware about environment and climate change.
Knowing the environment and its importance is really necessary for all. Along with
these, climate adaptive agriculture and eco farming can be the best solution to the
coastal people and environment of the coastal areas. But, the coastal people do not
have much knowledge on it. So, it is a must to provide them environment and
climate change education along with training on eco farming
Present Requirement:
Besides providing climate change education to the villagers, we would like to
introduce Climate Smart agriculture among the villagers. We would also like to
provide financial support to the villagers (farmers) to conduct such kind of farming
activities. It will definitely increase the production and develop their economic
situation.
Estimated Budget for this activity: 1,00,000 BD Taka (1,250 USD)
Implemented Activities:
We constructed a Green Education Center (GEC) for villagers’ education. In village
education we gave formal education as Mass Education to the 300 villagers who are
illiterate or able to write their name only. We also gave informal education on eco-
firming and eco-fishing to reduce the chemical fertilizers and pesticides in both
firming and fishing. It was also to protect the ecological balance of the nearer
riverine and mangrove forest. Almost 30 farmers are now conducting environment
friendly farming in the field and garden. Now the villagers are using the bio-traps in
their agricultural and fishing firms and getting the benefits of their produced crops
and fishes with big smile on their faces.
Green Education

11. What we need now
Train Eco Tour Guides
Green Business
Initial Situation:
Mass tourism can be an extremely destructive activity with wide reaching
consequences. However, fortunately for all, local communities across the
developing tourism area that they had and are setting up community-based tourism
business as Eco-Village Project in Bangladesh.
Implemented Activities:
We trained 15 local eco-tour guides. We provided them three months training with
the experienced tour guide of Bengal Tours and Travels LTD. Bangladesh Tourism
Board and Forest Department of Bangladesh have already certified them with
certificate and tour performing permission cards for eco-tourism in the Sundarbans
Region, Bangladesh. Now, they are practicing this experience in their locality. We
have also trained 90 local tour operators for sustainable Eco-tourism in the
Sundarbans regions in Bangladesh. They were trained to perform eco-tourism in the
Sundarbans locally. We supported 90 waste bins for their boats to keep non-
degradable waste on their boat and to protect the aquatic and mangrove forest
ecosystem.
Present Requirement:
We would like make 3 eco cottages near the Sundarbans coastal region for
providing home stay facilities for the tourists. We will also train up our previously
trained eco tour guide and eco tour organizing beneficiaries on how to deal with the
tourists and how to maintain the cottages.
Estimated Budget for this activity: 30,00,000 BD Taka (37,500 USD)

12. What we need now
Train Handcraft beneficiaries
Green Business
Initial Situation:
The coastal area people depend mostly on agriculture and forest resource
harvesting. Due to agricultural activities’ marked seasonality, almost all family
members become idle during other time in the year or go to the forest for collecting
forest resources. Handicraft activity, run almost exclusively by women, is one of the
greatest opportunities in this area to supplement household incomes. Women in
their leisure time make different kinds of things using local and natural materials
collected from the Sundarbans and the various places of the village to increase their
earning to meet up the families need.
Implemented Activities:
We trained 15 women with their existing product for the newly furnished and
designed handicraft for the tourist in the Sundarbans region as souvenir products.
This is also creating alternative livelihoods of the local people. The beneficiaries are
making new handicrafts at their residence now.
Present Requirement:
Our trained 15 handicraft beneficiaries are now making different types of
handicrafts. But it is a matter of great regret that there is no selling points for them to
sell their handicrafts. So, we would like to make a selling point for them and assist
them to sell their products among the tourists through making and circulating a
leaflet.
Estimated Budget for this activity: 10,00,000 BD Taka (12,500 USD)

13. Additional Work
Organize Free Medical Camp for Coastal Villagers
Initial Situation:
In coastal areas of Bangladesh, approx. 61% people suffer from health
issues which are so common but lead the villagers to the worst. Due to
lack of safe drinking water, unhygienic environment, poor sanitation,
malnutrition etc. the coastal people suffer most. But they do not get
proper treatment most of the times even for the most common
diseases, because the treatment facilities are not up to the mark and
mostly unavailable in coastal areas. People often take treatment from
the village doctors which are not satisfactory to them. They need to go
to city areas in case of emergency which is not possible for most of the
villagers due to financial problem. So, most of the coastal people suffer
from different common diseases like fever, dysentery, bronchitis etc
frequently.
Present Requirement:
After a keen field observation, we want to organize free medical camp
for the villagers where they would get free medical treatment and some
medicine of common diseases. As the initiative, we have planned the
medical camp facilities for 1 year when we would organize medical
camp for 6 times (in each 2 months).
Estimated Budget for this activity:
20,00,000 BD Taka (25,000 USD)

14. Let’s Build
an Eco
Village
Together