Protect Fishing Cats in Bangladesh

Reporting Period: January 2026 – April 2026
Organization: Green Fund Initiative (GFI), New York, USA
Local Partner in Bangladesh: Bangladesh Biodiversity Conservation and Social Services Centre (BCSSC)

Project Overview

The “Join the Fight to Save the Fishing Cat” initiative is a collaborative effort by Green Fund Initiative (GFI) and BCSSC to protect the endangered Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) in Bangladesh. The project focuses on raising awareness, strengthening community stewardship, and reducing human–wildlife conflict in wetland-dependent communities where Fishing Cats are increasingly at risk due to habitat loss and persecution.

Progress During the Reporting Period (January – April 2026) Funding Status

During this reporting period, the project continued to face significant financial constraints. Available funds remained insufficient to run the project smoothly or implement planned conservation and research activities at scale. Despite these limitations, GFI and BCSSC remained committed to maintaining field-level engagement through low-cost, community-driven initiatives.

Key Activities and Achievements 1. Community Awareness Campaigns

Despite limited funding, the project successfully conducted:

• 4 awareness campaigns among local communities in the project area
• Participants included local residents, farmers, and youth

The campaigns focused on:

• The ecological importance of the Fishing Cat
• The role of wetlands in biodiversity conservation
• Human–wildlife conflict and its underlying causes
• Practical community-based solutions to reduce conflict

These awareness campaigns played a crucial role in sustaining community engagement, improving local understanding, and promoting coexistence between humans and wildlife.

2. Community Engagement and Local Support

• Continued informal engagement with community members and local leaders
• Strengthened trust and communication between conservation stakeholders and local communities
• Community members expressed ongoing interest in participating in future conservation initiatives

3. Partnership and Coordination

• Maintained close collaboration with BCSSC to implement low-cost activities
• Continued planning for future interventions, contingent upon improved funding availability

Challenges

• Insufficient funding to operate the project effectively and consistently
• Inability to implement key planned activities, including:
  • Scientific research and habitat monitoring
  • Structured conflict mitigation measures (e.g., livestock protection systems)
  • Expanded outreach and training programs
• Limited logistical capacity to scale up interventions

Conclusion

Despite ongoing financial limitations, Green Fund Initiative and BCSSC continued to advance the Save the Fishing Cat initiative during January–April 2026. Through four community awareness campaigns, the project sustained local engagement, strengthened community knowledge, and reinforced grassroots support for conservation efforts.

These efforts demonstrate the resilience of the project and the strong willingness of local communities to support Fishing Cat conservation. With adequate funding, the initiative is well-positioned to expand its activities, implement effective conflict mitigation strategies, and contribute meaningfully to the long-term protection of Fishing Cats in Bangladesh.

Links:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0X8DRLmfGA