Bangladesh – India Sundarban Region Cooperation Initiative: A Vision for Joint Platform Thank you

Ecological Facts

- The is the ’s largest delta

- Sunderbans delta is ’s largest eco-region

- Sunderbans is one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems Facts

Nearly 13 million people inhabit the Sunderbans

Poverty and vulnerability to natural hazards characterize the people in Sunderbans

Natural stresses are compounded by human- induced stresses Increased Hazards

High risk of persistent cyclones, floods and embankment failures

Sea level rise

Salinization of soil and water Challenges

- Political boundaries lead to incoherent landscape planning

- Insufficient Govt. Programmes

- Governance disjointed

- Unintegrated decision-making Indo-Bangla Agreements Relevant to Sunderbans

• of Peace and Friendship 1972 •Bilateral Trade Agreement •Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT)

1996 • Water Treaty

•Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development •MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Fisheries 2011 •MoU on Conservation of the Sundarbans •Protocol on Conservation of Royal of the Sundarbans

•Agreement on Coastal Shipping Between and ThankIndia you 2015 •MoU Between Coast Guards •MoU on Blue Economy and Maritime Cooperation in the and the

•MoU on establishing Haats Across the Border Between India and Bangladesh •MoU Between Geological (GSI) and Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) on Mutual Scientific 2017 Cooperation in the Field of Earth Sciences for Research and Development •MoU & SOPs on Passenger and Cruise Services on the Coastal and Protocol Route Between Bangladesh and India 2011 Non-binding Agreement

Agreements include MoU on specific issues: -Management of Sunderban -Management of -fisheries -exchange and sharing between national televisions None of these yet to be operationlised Need for a Common Platform Facilitating joint, sustainable development of the shared Sundarbans Region with stress on realizing economic growth and enhancing resilience

Build the confidence, knowledge and capacity of national and local institutions to effectively implement the 2011 Bangladesh-India MoU for joint sustainable management of the Sundarbans Bangladesh – India Sundarbans Region Cooperation Initiative (SRCI) In 2015 BISRCI began implementing the knowledge-based advocacy initiative to facilitate and support bilateral cooperation in the region

Partners in this initiative include: Institute of Defence Studies &Analyses, Policy Research Institute International Water Association, Observer Research Foundation, , and WWF-India Goals & Objectives

• Integrated /Joint Management of the Sundarban Region leading to sustainable development and ecosystem management – Support and facilitate creation of a joint mechanism that spearheads bilateral cooperation in the Sundarban Region. – Help raise the global profile of Sundarban Region as a key for meeting climate change challenges – Help promote mutual community-oriented economic growth through creating evidence and advocacy on issues such as eco-, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture management Strategy Elements

• Showcasing cooperation in Sundarban Region within the current political and policy priorities and bilateral agreements – 2011 MoUs; 2015 Agreements; “Act East” & “Neighbourhood First” policies of GoI; Climate change adaptation focus of GoB & GoI • Formation of SRCI; national & international partners • Partners with complementary skill sets and strengths Organization / Consortium Key focus IDSA & ORF in India; PRI, B’desh Strategic & diplomatic community Int’l Water Association Water & environment community, Media WWF-India & EnGIO Govt. of , Media, local governments & communities Strategic Approach • Simultaneous advocacy with demand-based evidence and research – Identify & work with key decision-makers & influencers in GoB, GoI & GoWB – Work within existing policy framework & support priorities of governments – Create alignment among civil society, academia, media, local govts. & communities with the objectives of SRCI – Key focus on: sustainable development, joint ecosystem management, climate change adaptation Key Decision-Makers & Influencers Offices of the Prime Ministers of Ministries: Environment, & Bangladesh & India Climate Change; Water; Tourism; Government of West Bengal Shipping; Commerce Local Governments Political & Environmental Media Strategists, former diplomats, thinkers Civil society, academia, CBOs Advocacy & outreach mechanisms

Research papers, policy briefs, with proposal for joint actions One-on-one meetings

Brainstorming Input to sessions policymakers

Consultations sessions Workshops & conferences Social media outreach Expected outcomes

Agreement / Understanding on joint and/or coordinated management of Sundarban ecosystem by Bangladesh & India

Agreement by Bangladesh Governments begin action and India on formation of a on joint activities in the bilateral mechanism on Sundarban Region Sundarban Region Timeline of activities & outputs

Key activities (till 2016) Outputs (till June 2016) • One-on-one meetings: continuous • Report on Integration of • Brainstorming sessions in & : and Inland Waterways, including continuous proposals for Joint Actions and Way • Joint workshop in Delhi on bilateral Forward Sundarban platform or mechanism: Nov / • Proposal for transboundary eco-tourism Dec 2015 in Sundarban Region • Proposed bilateral event at Paris CoP: Dec • Report on joint management and 2016 governance of the Sundarban • Int’l workshop, Dhaka: Jan 2016 ecosystem for sustainable development • Transboundary meeting on among • Report on the Economic Case for polity, media, civil society, academia: Early Bilateral Cooperation in the Sundarban 2016 Region • Consultation sessions with local governments • Proposals for Joint Actions in the & communities in West Bengal: Sep – Dec Sundarban Region to support 2016 reduction and joint ecosystem • Joint meeting between officials and political management leaders from GoB, GoI, and GoWB: May 2016 Thank you