Questions/Answers

Issues and Challenges it aims: Hilsa (Tenualosa Ilisha) is an invaluable resource of Bangladesh and also the national fish of the country. Hilsa has recently been recognized as the second geographical indicator product in Bangladesh. The various initiatives of the present government in the protection of the Hilsa have already been praised by all. Particularly during the 22 days every year, the brood Hilsa Conservation Campaign, the joint campaign to eradicate illegal nets, the Jatka (hilsa juvenile) conservation operation from November 1 to June 30, has made outstanding contributions to the protection of the hilsa resources. In the meantime, some disobedient people are causing widespread damage to the hilsa resources and damaging the image of the government using illegal nets and breaking rules during brood hilsa conservation. In most of the fisheries, there is a shortage of manpower to protect the hilsa resources. Because of this, in many cases various operations against illegal nets and law breakers are foiled. As a result, lawbreakers in different places have to be fined. In most cases, the successful operation is hampered due to availability of mobile phones and easy information leakage. Considering everything, an innovative method has been adopted to take immediate action if anyone breaks the law at any time anywhere in the river. Innitiatives: For hilsa conservation the following steps have been taken which is called Betagi Model. Identify the risky points of the river. Local voluntary team formation consists of 3-5 members for continuous observation aginst brood hilsa fishing. Incentives for the volunteers. Evaluation of the operation and preparation for the next. Record keeping Objectives: Hilsa conservation in an innovative way. Encouraging local voluntary people. Increase Hilsa production. Build good relation to much people and govt. official.

Few years back hilsa fish was not very available in our country. The production was declining due to over exploitation and some mismanagement. But nowadays we get hilsa round the year and the production increased several times due to some steps taken by the government of Bangladesh. Now the challenge is to make hilsa production sustainable. And the Betagi Model involving local voluntary people in conservation of hilsa is a very innovative and sustainable strategy for hilsa conservation. This mechanism is not unique for only hilsa conservation, rather it can be applied for other natural resource conservation.

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end over fishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships Involving local voluntary people for hilsa conservation will ensure responsible production and consumption as well as ensure efficient use of natural resources. The Betagi Model will combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and make sure the sustainable development for marine resources. This initiative will build a good public-private and civil society partnerships.

Betagi Model is actually a social approach for the conservation of hilsa because local voluntary people are directly involved to this effort. And following this model different model can be developed for several aspects for the conservation of natural resources. This is clearly sustainable and economic effort. Our resource, our responsibility is the main theme of this model and this theme is appropriate for environmental sustainability.

This is a new approach in conservation of natural resources. Though the model is applied in hilsa conservation, this is applicable for all sphere of life and for all countries.

Men and women both can play important role in this approach. For example, for vigilance activities men can play role at night whereas women can do this at daylight.

Actually, the model is to ensure sustainable hilsa production. For that, no specific the target group there is. On the other hand, this model is implemented by the local voluntary people. So, this can be said that, the people who are concerned and dedicated for the nation are the target group here.

Betagi Model: A new approach in hilsa conservation Identification of risky and important sites Volunteer Selection by Area: A total of 5 voluntary team selected Formation of an area-based voluntary team with 3-5 members in each group. Funding from local government. Workshop on Volunteers aimed raising the importance and awareness of the protection of hilsa resources. Distribution of essential tools among volunteers to facilitate the operation. Immediate actions against breaking the law Evaluation and Review workshops Incentive distribution Record keeping

Very few of the volunteers derailed, later they were removed from group and replaced with substitutes.

For hilsa conservation several strategies have been taken from government. But this is a new approach in conservation and this is very effective indeed.

This model is easily applicable in every country. For different countries this may be for different kind of resources. This is just inspiring the local voluntary people for the conservation of their own resources.

Not yet in written. But this is already transferred to the adjacent areas. for example, Barguna Sadar, Barguna, Barisal, Bangladesh.

This model is praised by everyone and has great potential.

Some voluntary people and little fund for their incentives.

Awareness building and involving local dedicated voluntary people.

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The initiative was evaluated internally by Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh.

Effectiveness of the model in hilsa conservation.

This is a unique approach in hilsa conservation. This model is very effective and has great impact on the hilsa production.

This model is appropriate for the conservation of hilsa as well as other natural resources in Bangladesh. This can be applied in different levels of the government.

The local Government bodies, Govt. official were engaged in every steps. They evaluated the initiative.

Our resource, our responsibility. Local voluntary people's involvement is must for proper conservation of local resources. Plan Do See cycle everywhere. Keep record and plan for future.