USAID Ecosystems/Protibesh Activity

About the Project

Protibesh is being implemented by Chemonics International in partnership with three local partners: Arannayk Foundation (AF), Center for Naturel Resource Studies (CNRS) and International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD), as well as relevant government agencies, regulators, NGOs, universities, private sector, local government and communities, and other stakeholders. The USAID Ecosystems/Protibesh Activity is working to improve ecosystem conservation in and around two ‘Key Biodiversity Areas’ of Bangladesh.

Protibesh’s approach is facilitative and inclusive. It makes local systems work by addressing key constraints to ecosystem co-management, with the goal of making comanagement the broadly accepted national approach to conserving ecosystems in Bangladesh. The project engages stakeholders to build their capacity to respond to a wide array of threats to biodiversity conservation. This approach facilitates stakeholders in better understanding their conservation roles and responsibility; encourages new mindsets and behaviors, and engages actors to improve their own systems, processes, and platforms.

Objectives

The project aims to:

1.  Strengthen environmental governance through an Ecosystem-Based Management approach.
2.  Address key threats to biodiversity in and around targeted key biodiversity areas (KBAs);
3.  Advance market-based incentives that promote sustainable natural resource management.
4. Strengthening sustainable capacity and reduced dependency on project resources are core targeted outcomes of the project.

Ultimately, it aims to empower communities/stakeholders to independently drive the co-management process for the conservation of natural resources.

---

Project Goal

• 700,000 hectares under improved natural resource management
• $30 million resources leveraged
• 800,00 people with improved economic benefits.

GoB Partners

• Forest Department
• Department of Environment
• Department of Fisheries and Livestock

The project activities included a range of initiatives focused on the key biodiversity areas under the “Protibesh” program. The activities began with initial consultations and planning meetings involving key stakeholders, followed by field visits and data collection in the project areas. These efforts aim to gather insights into local biodiversity, ecosystem services, and community livelihoods. Under this project, a policy advisory committee (PAC) was also formed. Subsequent activities included capacity-building workshops, where local communities were engaged in discussions about sustainable practices and conservation strategies. The project also involved the development of a community-based management plan, integrating both traditional knowledge and scientific approaches. These preparatory actions set the stage for Policy Workshop 3, where the findings and strategies were shared with policymakers to influence decision-making processes.

---

Reports

Policy Dialogues

1. Policy Dialogue 1- Conservation and Equitable Management of the Sundarbans Landscape
2. Policy Dialogue 2- Implementation of Forest Protected Area (PA) Management Rules, 2017
3. Policy Dialogue 3- Equity and Co-management of Baikka Beel Permanent Wetland Sanctuary

Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) reports

1. First PAC meeting
2. Second PAC meeting
3. Third PAC meeting

Policy Workshops

1. Policy Workshop on Equity and Co-Management of Baikka Beel Permanent Wetland Sanctuary:
   Report on Pre-Dialogue Meeting & Policy Dialogue 2
2. Policy Workshop on Equity and Co-Management of Baikka Beel Permanent Wetland Sanctuary:
   Report on Policy Dialogue 3
   

Learning Hub Event (LHE) Reports

1. Learning Hub Event (LHE) on ‘Environment, Climate Change & Inclusion’ in the 9th Five-Year Plan

---

Contact Person :

Bushra Anjum
Research Assistant