Indigenous Knowledge - LEARN8

I chose to evaluate "Restoring Local Community Participation in Wetland Resource Management: A Bangladesh Case Study". In this case study, "The Initial Situation is that apart from habitat destruction, one of the main problems facing the management of most freshwater wetlands in the country is that the fisheries resources have largely fallen into the hands of the elite : wealthy and the politically well-connected. This process, whereby local fishermen are (sometimes forcefully) divorced from their resource base invariably leads to impoverishment. The process is also often linked to over-utilisation of natural resources, which is fueled by the fact that the rural poor have to make ends meet on an ever-dwindling resource base, while the elite myopically focus on making handsome profits in the short - term". This problem was solved by setting up a management plan that involved local villagers in commercial fisheries, monitored the implementation with clear cut roles, and established community development projects. I believe that the lesson learned form this case study is that obstacles such as sustainable resource management and biodiversity conservation can be carried out in planned manner while also still involving all levels of stakeholders in the process. The lesson shows that it was in fact the local people that were essential in the process.