Introduction:
The project reduces the vulnerability of coastal communities to the impact of climate change in four especially vulnerable areas. The project’s main innovation is that it expands the livelihood options for coastal communities in a way that supports the conservation of coastal resources, thus increasing their ability to adapt to climate induced changes and threats, while at the same time mitigating the effects of climate change. The Project has two integrated Components; the first is to establish 6,100 Ha of mangrove plantations on 14 kms of newly accreted land. Mangrove forests have an important role to play in the second component of this project; the fruit, and fish ’or Triple F model. Mangrove forests act as extremely effective carbon sinks, able to absorb 97.57 tons of carbon per hectare, or more than three times the absorptive capacity of non-mangrove forests. with a total of 6100 ha of mangrove plantation is now underway throughout the project, in addition the 923 ha of non-mangrove trees planted as part of the triple F model, the 4 project sites will together absorb more 610,000 tons of carbon. Mangroves trap sediment in their root structures at an incredible rate, and through this project, UNDP is testing a range of species and planting approaches to determine which combination of trees trap the largest amount of sediment Mangrove forests also protect the ‘Triple F’ model. This mound and ditch model is having a profound impact on the communities involved. On just 1 hectare of land, 8 mounds and 8 ditches can be built, with one ditch and one mound going to each family. Selected beneficiaries, many of whom are female headed households, are provided with financial assistance to establish the model. Fast growing fruit trees, high yielding vegetable seeds and fish are supplied by the Forest and Fisheries Departments for cultivation. The end result is a combination of protective and productive vegetation on each mound and fish nursery ponds in each ditch to create multiple sources of income over the short and long term. Within one year of planting, each family can generate as much as $800 from the harvest of their plot. Extra income helps to increase adaptive capacity tremendously. Household nutrition also gets an enormous boost as diets are rounded out with fruit, vegetables, and fish. The project provides coastal communities with training in nursery and forest management and in how to create and maintain the ‘Triple F’ model. Through the process, coastal people have been encouraged to see and use their limited natural resources in alternative and more sustainable ways. Communities who were previously considered a threat to coastal forests have become the guardians of these vegetative protective belts. By anchoring mitigation and adaptation measures with approaches that increase livelihoods options for communities, the project is securing its sustainability. This sustainability is promoted through close ties with the representative bodies responsible for much local level development work, who will help to secure these measures once the project has come to a formal end.
Coverage:
Bhola, Chittagong, Noakhali, Borguna