This edited volume focuses on the largest single tract contiguous mangrove forest in the world― the Sundarbans― exploring traditional knowledge, customary sustainable use and community-based innovation. The book analyses the current state of the Sundarbans, its multiple values and ecosystem services, to demonstrate that Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) is essential for the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Not only does this play an integral role in realising SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 15 (life on land), it also actively contributes towards achieving many other goals and targets. It contributes a new understanding of sustainability by bringing human-nature relationships in view of the renewed interest in biodiversity and climate change― heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The book links scientific knowledge with multi, inter, trans- disciplinary nature of ILK for sustainable development collected from the ground. It challenges the market-based approach in valuing the natural resources, and demonstrates that the valuation of environmental resources through market penetration pricing does not reckon the social benefits and values coproduced through complementarity between humans and nature.
Author(s): Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir
Series: Sustainable Development Goals Series
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 286
City: Singapore
Preface
Contents
Editor and Contributors
About the Editor
Contributors
Acronyms
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Introduction: The Sundarbans as Our Mind
Introduction
Biodiversity Resources
Floral Species
Faunal Species
Aquatic Resources
Resource System
An Alternative Conceptualisation of Values by the TRUs
Current Management Approach and Associated Problems
Methodology
PPGIS Method
Study Area
Rationale and Scope of the Book
Design of the Chapters
Conclusions
References
2 Current State of Terrestrial Ecosystem: Evidence of Resource Vulnerability
Introduction
Trends in Biodiversity Resources
Decadal Changes in Forest Coverage
Issues and Challenges
Increasing Habitation and Illegal Encroachment
Land Shortage, Land Reclamation and Shrimp Cultivation
Rent-Seeking Tendencies and Extra-Legal Management
Marginalisation of Local and Indigenous People and Existence of Poverty
Industrialisation and Development Projects Near (or Around) the Forest
Conclusions
References
3 Current State of Biodiversity in Marine and Coastal Ecosystem of the Sundarbans
Introduction
Current State of Biodiversity: Scientific Evidence
Ecological Value Mapping of Fishing
Ecological Value Mapping of Crabs
Traditional Resource Users’ Perspective: Community-Based Monitoring
Loss of Coastal and Marine Biodiversity: The DPSIR Framework
Conclusions
References
4 Traditional Knowledge and Customary Sustainable Practices in Terrestrial Ecosystem
Introduction
Traditional Rules and Practices Followed by TRUs While Harvesting Resources
Rules Followed by Mouals (Honey/Wax Collectors)
Rules Followed by Bawalis (Wood Collectors)
Traditional Practices of Golpata (Nypa Fruticans) Harvesters
Cultural Beliefs of TRUs and Indigenous Communities
Bawalis
Mouals
Munda Community
Innovations in Livelihood Options
Innovative Techniques in Agriculture
Joint Cultivation of Crab and Duck
Community-Based Mangrove Agro Aqua Silvi (CMAAS) Culture
Marginalisation of TRUs and Degradation of Resources
Conclusions
References
5 Traditional Knowledge and Customary Sustainable Practices in Coastal and Marine Ecosystem
Introduction
Rules of Fishing in the Water Bodies: Traditional vs Non-traditional Perspective
TRUs’ Perspective
Customary Rules Followed by Jele (Traditional Fishermen)
Practices of Fishing Followed by the Fishermen: Traditional vs Non-traditional Perspective
TRUs’ Perspective
The Negative Impact of Shrimp Cultivation in Coastal and Marine Ecosystems: TRUs’ Perspective
Conclusions
References
6 Multiple Values of Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being
Introduction
Well-Being and Ecosystem Services: Interconnectedness and Cooperation Between Human and Nature
The Current State of ES: TRUs’ Perspective
Fishermen (Jele)
Woodcutters (Bawali)
Honey and Wax Collectors (Moual)
Crab Collectors
Landscape Value Mapping of Woodcutters
Ecological Value Mapping of Honey and Wax Collectors (Moual)
Ecological Value Mapping of Fishermen and Crab Collectors
Ecosystem Services and Multiple Values
TRUs’ Perception
Ecosystem Services and Value Types
Drivers of Changes
Well-Being Perception Among the TRUs
Conclusions
References
7 Multiple Values of Nature and Transformational Pathways
Introduction
Multiple Values of Nature: Reflections from the Field
TRUs’ Perspective
Analytical Abstraction
Summary of Multiple Values Based on IPBES Guidelines
Rent, Power and Political Settlement
Governance Structure and Sign of Unsustainable Resource Extraction
TRUs’ Perspectives
Analytical Abstraction
Towards Transformational Pathways
Scenario A: Loss of Biodiversity (Level of Alienation)
Scenario B: Loss of Biodiversity (Commodity Fetishism)
Scenario C: Sustainable and Non-sustainable Scenario (Appropriation and Expropriation)
Conclusions
References
8 Climate Change and Its Impact: Sundarbans as a Natural Wall
Introduction
Impact of Climate Change: Perception of TRUs
Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) Predication
Contribution of the Factors
Conceptualising the Mangroves as a Natural Wall to the Climate Effect
Sundarbans: A Natural Wall
Protection from Natural Disasters
Protection from Tidal Waves
Protection from Carbon Emission
Protection from Erosion
Keeping up with Sea-Level Rise
Conclusions
References
9 Biodiverse Adaptation to Climate Change: Community-Based Mangrove Agro Aqua Silvi (CMAAS) Culture
Introduction
The Emergence of CMAAS Culture: Background Reasons
Climate Change, Natural Disasters and Salinity Intrusion
Intensive Shrimp Cultivation and Salinity Intrusion
Polders, Embankments and Dam Construction
Cultivation Method of Mangroves Under CMAAS Culture
Site Selection
Species Selection
Farm Construction
Cultivation of Mangrove Trees
Seed Collection
Nursery Establishment and Management
Maintenance of the Mangrove Plant Seedlings
Fencing
Watering
Weeding Out and Inspection
Plantation in the Farms
Care and Maintenance of the Mangroves
Harvesting
Uses of Mangroves
Economic Cost and Return
Cultivation Method of Aquatic Species Under CMAAS
Aquatic Species Cultivated in Farms
Fry Collection
Seasonality of Farming
Care and Maintenance
Harvesting
Cost and Return on Investment
Comparative Analysis of CMAAS Culture and Commercial Shrimp (CS) Culture
Conclusions
References
10 Traditional Resource Users and Claiming of Rights
Introduction
Activities and Achievements
Mobilisation Effect
Land Struggle
Negotiation with the Local Government
Conservation Practices
Community Plantation in Koyra
Education and Health
Financial Capability
Social Security and Awareness
Vocational Training
Women Empowerment
Protection of Indigenous Culture and Language
Conclusions
References
11 Resilience and TRUs’ Contribution Towards SDGs and Aichi Biodiversity Targets
Introduction
Conceptual Framework: Informal Institutions, Sustainable Conservation and Resilience Capacity
Assessment of the Resilience Capacity
Resilience Indicators for SEPLS
Enhancement of Resilience Under Informal Institutions-Based Conservation Framework
Aichi Biodiversity Targets and SDGs Under Alternative Conservation Framework
Conclusions
References
12 Human-Nature Cooperation for Well-Being: Community Understanding on ‘One Health Approach’ in COVID-19 Era
Introduction
Forest and Impact of COVID-19 on TRUs
Impact of COVID-19 on TRUs
Disruption in the Ecosystem
Policy Regime and Response to COVID Impact
Community Conceptualisation of ‘One Health Approach’ in the Sundarbans
Nature’s Contribution to Human Beings
Human’s Contribution to Nature
Promotion of Customary Sustainable Practices and Traditional Knowledge
Innovations in Livelihood Options and Biodiverse Adaptation
Innovative Techniques in Agriculture
Joint Cultivation of Crab and Duck
Community-Based Mangrove Agro Aqua Silvi (CMAAS) Culture
Modified One Health Approach: A Policy Perspective for Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework
Conclusions
References
13 Conclusions: A Post-2020 Biodiversity Takeaway
References
Index
