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SHARE OUR SMILE :: Educational Outreach Program
C a p a c i t y B u i
l d i n g a n d E d u c a t i o n a l O u t r e a
c h
Capacity Building
BCDP invited a number of local students and graduates to participate
in the field work and increase their research skills and general
understanding of cetaceans present in Bangladesh waters. A total of
11 students from Khulna University, Chittagong University, and
North-South University, joined during various periods aboard the
research vessel for the habitat investigation. The identification of
the collected fish samples is being carried out by Khulna University
students, while the benthic flora samples are being analyzed by
students from Chittagong University. All students worked on a
voluntary basis, their food and accommodation was covered by BCDP.
BCDP also hosted two international interns/volunteers during this
year's field season. Their contributions were beneficial to the
project and strengthened their personal skills in the field of
cetacean research and conservation.
The Educational Outreach Program Coordinator was invited by two
local schools (American International School Dhaka, International
School Dhaka) as well as the Asian Study Group, Dhaka as a guest
speaker. Supported by a power point presentation and interactive
sessions, she presented the cetacean diversity of Bangladesh,
threats faced by the marine and freshwater cetaceans, while
encouraging the audience to actively involve themselves in
conservation efforts. The lower school students of the AISD selected
the Ganges River dolphin as the flagship species for their
environmental science project. In addition to studying the
eco-systems inhabited by these endangered freshwater dolphins, they
also raised money for their conservation. The donated money will be
used by BCDP for producing educational materials for public schools.
Establishing a network of local partners for Educational Outreach
Program
Five local Non-Governmental Organizations, based in Khulna, well
established and active in the fringe areas of the Sundarban
mangrove, were selected as partners for a training workshop on
'Cetaceans of Bangladesh'. Designated field staff from each
organization will attend the two day training workshop, where they
will receive information on the cetaceans present in Bangladesh,
workshop strategies as well as presentation techniques. Supporting
materials will be disseminated for further distribution among the
targeted fishing communities. The participants will be encouraged to
organize informal meetings and workshops in their respective
community groups, not only informing their target groups on the
importance of cetacean conservation and obtaining local input on
effective approaches for protecting populations, but hopefully also
passing on some excitement and creating awareness along with pride
in the communities.
Developing educational materials and community education programs
for raising public awareness regarding cetacean diversity and
conservation needs in Bangladesh.
The following educational materials have been prepared:
Whales and Dolphins of Bangladesh - a color-illustrated book in
English and Bangla containing basic cetacean information, with
special focus on species present in Bangladesh waters, and threats
faced by local populations, aimed at a broad general public.
Shushuk, Our River Dolphin - Bangla translation of a coloring
booklet for young readers developed by WDCS, containing basic
information on Ganges River dolphins.
Whales and Dolphins of Bangladesh - a coloring booklet in Bangla for
young readers, containing information about cetacean species present
in Bangladesh waters, cetaceans in general and threats they are
facing.
Whales and Dolphins of Bangladesh - A Toolkit for Educators - based
on the color-illustrated BCDP book 'Whales and Dolphins of
Bangladesh'; this handbook for educators includes additional
background information, suggestions for activities and games for
class-rooms, community meetings, and workshops, as well as a set of
fact-sheets.
Stranding information poster - contains instructions on how to avoid
entanglements of cetaceans in fishing gear, correct handling of
stranded live dolphins as well as conservation messages and the BCDP
dolphin hotline details.
Filming of Ganges River dolphins in various parts of Bangladesh is
currently being carried out. This footage will be assembled to a
short educational movie, used during the educational outreach
programs as well as broadcasted on national television.
Outlook for Educational Outreach Program 2008
In the projects first year, the EOP established BCDP as a
research organization focusing on Cetacean Conservation among
Government institutions and Non-Governmental organizations. In
addition to creating a network essential for the dissemination of
information, awareness raising as well as generating local input,
the program has created supporting materials suitable for local
schools and public display. In the coming year, the program will
focus on training field level workers and strengthening
partnerships, as well as continuing efforts towards raising
awareness for the importance of the conservation of the cetacean
diversity in Bangladesh.
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