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Impact of Baikka Beel Sanctuary on Protection and Restoration of Fish Biodiversity and Enhancement of Local Livelihoods

Md. Mahbub Ul Hague
Deputy Assistant Director, Department of Fisheries, Matshya Bhaban, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Fish sanctuaries have been found to be effective for the protection and conservation of fish biodiversity. This paper discusses fish biodiversity in beels adjacent to and removed from protected areas, current fishing practices, perceptions among local community members about the effectiveness of the Baikka Bed Sanctuary, and benefits that local fishers derive from the sanctuary. Data collection was carried out through catch monitoring, focus group discussions, and semi-structured interviews. Results show that there were 31 species of fish recorded in Balla Beef and 24 species in Sixty Two Bed during the study period. The dominant species in the beels adjacent to Baikka Bed is boal (Wallago attu). Some other exotic species like grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) are also common in both wetlands. Indigenous species like Ompok bimaculatus, Pantius sarana, Nandus nandus, Labeo gonius and Chitala chitala which were rare before the establishment of the fish sanctuary, are now common in both beds. Findings also reveal that most of the respondents' beliefs about the effectiveness of the sanctuary concern increased fish biodiversity, though they also report some additional direct and indirect benefits from it. This study is encouraging because it indicates that the overall fish biodiversity in Balla Beel and Sixty Two Bell in increasing as a result of the establishment of the Baikka Beel Fish Sanctuary. It suggests that careful planning, management, and regulatory practices, along with active community participation, can have a positive impact on fish biodiversity.

Keywords: Baikka Beel, Fish, Haor, Sanctuary, Biodiversity

Location: In Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Resource Development and Management

Commodity: Haor, Fish

Objectives:

The specific objectives of this research are to:

1. Assess the biological impact of the fish sanctuary established in Biakka Beel by examining fish biodiversity in beels adjacent to and removed from the protected area;

2. Discover the current fishing practices in these adjacent sites and their implications for the sustainable management of the Biakka Beel fisheries;

3. Gauge perceptions among local community members about the effectiveness of the Baikka Beel Sanctuary; and

4. Assess the benefits that local fishers derive from the sanctuary.

Methodology:

Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected for this study using semistructured questionnaires, focus group discussions, personal observations, and fish-catch monitoring. Prior to selecting Ihestudy sites, I visited the area and selected the two villages and the two beels to be representative. This initial visit offered me a better understanding of local livelihoods, socio-economic conditions, and fishing activities. Based on the information I gathered from the site visit, I designed my questionnaire to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. I visited the study area for data collection each month from August to December 2011. I chose these two beels because of their distance from Baikka Beel. Sixty Two Beel is adjacent to the Baikka Beel Fish Sanctuary, and Balla Beel is a short distance from it. The inhabitants of both villages are heavily dependent on these beels for fishing. I also selected these two villages because most villagers are fishers, providing a broad population from which a selection of respondents would be representative. To determine biodiversity, I collected data from the fishermen engaged in fishing in those beels. Non-selective gear was used to collect the species composition of fish in those areas one time each month. I also visited the nearby fish markets of Baruna Ghaterbazar, Hajipur Ghaterbazar, and Bhairabgonj in order to learn more about the fish species that are collected from the study area and also the nearby area. I collected secondary data from various sources, including MACH project documents, reports, and other publications, to identify and better understand the impacts of fish sanctuaries on fish biodiversity, and the current management practices of the sanctuary. During each monthly visit, I also interviewed individual fishers to collect data about the type of fishing gear used, gear efficiency, dominant species caught, and the number of endangered species that have been revived. There is a list of fishers in each village in the Upazila Fisheries Office. From this list, I selected those fishermen who had been engaged in fishing for several years, because they could provide historical information about fish biodiversity at the sites. As those normally engaged in fishing in this region are male, my target group for data collection was also male. To conduct the socio-ecOnomic survey of the villagers, I used a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. This questionnaire included information about the following variables: age, sex, occupation, daily income, hygiene and sanitation, fish marketing channels, and attitudes towards the sanctuary. I also conducted two focus group discussions (FGD), one in each village, to collect data about the current management practices of the sanctuary, implementation of the Fish Act, attitudes towards the sanctuary, perceived benefits from the sanctuary, current problems facing the sanctuary, and possible recommendations for enhancing its management. All numerical data were tabulated into a spreadsheet and analyzed with Microsoft Excel. Qualitative information collected through FGDs and questionnaire surveys from the respondents was also analyzed in tabular format.

Source of Information: Report on Department of Fisheries (Dof), Matshya Bhaban, Bangladesh

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

From the data collected from the adjacent beels, and also from the perceptions of local people dependent on the beels, it is Clear that the Baikka Beel Fish Sanctuary is quite effective in terms of promoting the restoration of fish biodiversity and fish production. It also indirectly affects the livelihoods of the surrounding communities. The management practices in this sanctuary are based on a community approach. This approach can be replicated in other parts of the country. This study also identified some issues that need to be addressed. Future management and development plans for the Baikka Beel Fish Sanctuary should be geared towards improving fish diversity, conservation, and restoration. The fishing communities adjacent to the beds are an important component of this management. There are several fisher groups in the Baikka Beel area that have traditionally been engaged in fishing as their full-time occupation. This study is encouraging because it suggests that the overall fish biodiversity in Balla Beel and Sixty Two Beel is increasing, perhaps as a result of the establishment of the Baikka Beel Fish Sanctuary, which .has, been supported by the Government of Bangladesh, the MACH program, other NG0s, the Upazila administration, local government, and the community members themselves. Thus, careful planning, required management and regulatory practices, and active community participation in management can have a positive impact on fish biodiversity. However, more long-term, participatory research is needed to gain greater, insights into fish biodiversity trends in the Baikka Beel Fish Sanctuary and its 'effect on adjacent heels. This type of research is very important for biodiversity conservation and natural resources management. It is needed both for better planning and for raising awareness among policymakers, government agencies, NG0s, and local community members.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings