Save Innocent Birds Trapped in Deadly Nets

Reporting Period: (March 2024 – June 2024)

Project Name: Save Innocent Birds Trapped in Deadly Nets
Date: July 10, 2024
Organization: Green Fundi Initiative, New York, USA

Location: Bangladesh

Executive Summary:

The "Save Innocent Birds Trapped in Deadly Nets" project by the Green Fundi Initiative, launched in March 2024 in Bangladesh, aims to protect fish-eating birds from being ensnared in fish farmers' nets. Key activities include identifying high-risk areas, forming and training a volunteer group, conducting rescue operations, and raising awareness among local communities. Despite challenges like limited resources and community resistance, the project has successfully rescued 75 birds, formed crucial partnerships, and initiated community outreach programs. Future plans focus on expanding training, enhancing community engagement, and establishing treatment facilities for injured birds. These efforts collectively aim to foster a more sustainable and conservation-minded community, reducing bird entanglement incidents significantly.

Background:

In Bangladesh, hundreds of fish-eating birds from various species are consistently ensnared and killed as they become entangled in nets spread over ponds and wetlands by fish farmers. Lifeless birds are often suspended in nets, serving as a grim warning to their fellow avians. To conserve these bird species, this project in Bangladesh aims to engage the local community, especially fish farmers, in conservation efforts. The project emphasizes the formation and training of volunteer groups, raising awareness among fish farmers, rescuing birds trapped in nets, and establishing a bird and wildlife care center for their rehabilitation. This report outlines the progress made since the project’s inception in March 2024, highlighting key activities, accomplishments, challenges, and future plans.

Objectives

1. Identify areas with high incidences of bird entanglement.
2. Formation of community volunteer group and train them
3. Educate local communities and fishermen about the dangers of discarded nets and importence of bird conservation.
4. Conduct rescue operation and rehabiliation of injured birds
5. Collaborate with local authorities and conservation organizations to promote sustainable practices

Activities and Accomplishments

1. Site Assessments and Surveys: The Green Fundi Initiative conducted a survey to identify high-risk fish farms in the project area. The results showed that there are 4,526 acres of land under pisciculture in the project area (according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics). Among these, the Green Fundi Initiative identified 117 spots that pose a high risk for bird species, with frequent incidents of bird entanglement.
2. Formation of Community Volunteer Group and Orientation:The Green Fundi Initiative formed a community volunteer group in the project area, consisting of 15 members. They participated in a day-long orientation program, which included demonstrations on how to rescue birds trapped in fish farmers' nets.
3. Community Outreach and Education: Green Fund Initiative organized 02 community level meeting in the project area to educate locals and fish farmers on the impact of protection nets on bird populations.The organization also distributed over 500 educational leaflets in fishing communities.
4. Rescuing Birds Trapped in Fish Protecting Nets and Rehabilitation: We successfully conducted 15 rescue operations to save various species of birds trapped in fish farmers' nets. During these missions, our volunteers rescued around 75 trapped birds and found 16 birds dead in the nets. The rescued birds were provided treatment and released back into their natural habitats. Unfortunately, among the 75 injured birds, 12 died due to a lack of proper treatment facilities.
5. Collaboration and Partnerships: During the reporting period, we have informally partnered with several institutions, including the sub-district-level Department of Forest, a local NGO (BCSSC), a school, and a farmer’s group.

Challenges

1. Limited Resources: The problem is extensive, and available resources are often stretched thin.
2. Community Engagement: Some community members, particularly fish farmers, remain resistant to changing long-standing practices. Extensive awareness campaigns are needed to enhance community engagement.
3. Logistical Issues: Organizing large-scale rescue operations in remote areas presents significant logistical challenges.
4. Capacity Building of Volunteers: Volunteers require more training.
5. Lack of facilities to treat the injured birds

Future Plans:

1. Expand Volunteer Training Programs: Enhance the training programs for volunteers to improve their skills in bird rescue and rehabilitation.
2. Increase Community Engagement: Implement extensive awareness campaigns to educate fish farmers and local communities about sustainable practices and the importance of bird conservation.
3. Establish Treatment Facilities: Develop facilities to provide adequate treatment for injured birds, ensuring better survival rates.
4. Strengthen Partnerships: Formalize and expand partnerships with local authorities, NGOs, schools, and farmer groups to support sustainable practices and conservation efforts.
5. Conduct Regular Monitoring and Surveys: Continue to identify high-risk areas and monitor bird entanglement incidents to implement timely and effective rescue operations.

Conclusion: The "Save Innocent Birds Trapped in Deadly Nets" project by the Green Fundi Initiative has made notable progress in protecting and conserving bird species in Bangladesh from March 2024 to June 2024. The project identified high-risk areas, trained a volunteer group, and conducted multiple rescue operations. Community outreach efforts have raised awareness among fish farmers about bird conservation. Despite challenges, the project established a solid foundation and formed partnerships with local authorities, NGOs, schools, and farmer groups. Moving forward, plans include expanding training, increasing community engagement, establishing treatment facilities, and enhancing monitoring to ensure a safer environment for birds.