POJF has been continuing research on endangered wildlife species, diverse ecosystems and climate change impact issues for sustainable development and natural resource management. Every initiative of POJF has a long basis of research and consistently collected scientific data. POJF has successfully completed several research activities singularly and in collaboration with other agencies to create a rich database through ongoing surveys and projects.
PROJECT BATAGUR BASKA
Fresh water turtle Northern River Terrapin (Batagur Baska) was once frequently seen in the waterways of Bangladesh, Southwest India and Myanmar. Due to A cooperative ex-situ conservation project was established to secure the survival of this large river terrapin. With combined efforts of Bangladesh Forest Department, Prokriti O Jibon Foundation, Vienna Zoo of Austria, and Turtle Survival Alliance of USA, we have so far assembled a breeding population at Bhawal National Park and Karamjal in the South Sundarbans, located in the historical distribution area of the terrapin. As of today, we house 274 individuals in the two stations. As such, a total of 244 individuals were bred and raised at the project sites.
The cooperative conservation breeding program of the Northern river terrapin has been extremely successful, however without further steps to ensure a responsible release-program our efforts would remain nothing but a breeding program. To protect the Batagur baska and potentially save a critically endangered species from extinction, it is enormously important that we should locate prospective environments for their survival. This can be realized with the help of local associations and partners. To continue to provide sustainable management in the future, this initiative is as important as the conservation initiative itself. In this respect, the Karamjal station is being regarded as the best starting point for a continued reintroduction to wild projects for revitalizing the endangered terrapins in their natural habitat.
MIGRATORY WATERBIRD CENSUS IN BANGLADESH
Thousands of birds from around the world migrate and take shelter in the wetlands, coastal chars and islands of Bangladesh. They play vital role in maintaining the balance of our ecosystems and enriching our aquatic biodiversity. These birds also contribute in increasing the fertility of the land. However, they are facing problems of food scarcity and safe habitats due to unbalanced aquatic ecosystem caused by water pollution, use of insecticides etc. So, about half of these birds can’t return to their breeding ground. Many of the birds have now been categorized as endangered in the IUCN Red List. Losing these biodiversity will result in disruption of the natural ecological balance.
To conserve these magnificent birds POJF in association with Bangladesh Bird Club (Bbc), has been conducting the Migratory Waterbird Census twice a year since 2013. Conducted in the coastal areas, chars, islands and hoar basins of Bangladesh, the Coastal Migratory Waterbird Census is an event from which the status of the waterbirds including the migratory species can be assessed. The census plays a significant role in the conservation of these birds as well as maintaining healthy natural ecosystems. The report, immediately after the census, is sent to the Wetland International (WI), one of the responsible authorities in waterbird conservation globally. As such by conducting the Migratory Waterbird Census, POJF is gradually contributing in maintaining healthy waterbird population, increasing numbers of migratory birds and raising awareness for protection and conservation of the migratory as well as native birds.
ESTABLISHMENT OF TURTLE BREEDING CENTER TO CONSERVE ENDANGERED TURTLE SPECIES IN BANGLADESH
Bangladesh is home to significant herpetofauna diversity. Turtles and Tortoises are considered a vital part of this. Most of the terrestrial and aquatic turtle species are endangered due to habitat loss, over exploitation, illegal hunting, poaching, and pollution. Thus, some species are at the brink of extinction. To save these turtles, POJF has taken initiative along with Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD) by setting up a turtle breeding center at Bhawal National Park in Gazipur. However, the risk associated with leaving a species at the mercy of poachers in their last remaining habitat is simply too high. In the meantime, Asian giant tortoises (Manouria emys), Arakan forest turtle (Heosemys depressa), and Elongated tortoises (Indotestudo elongata), formerly destined to be traded at foreign markets or consumed at local dinner tables, can find sanctuary in our Turtle Conservation Center, within the Bhawal National Park, Gazipur, Bangladesh. Safe from the hands of traders, these lucky individuals will breed with a profound purpose: to restock dwindling wild populations – once the forests of the Chittagong Hill Tracts are rendered safe.
RESCUE & EMANCIPATION FOR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
One of the prime objectives of POJF is to rescue, rehabilitate and release injured, sick and orphaned wildlife back to the wild. Eradicating baseless superstition and creating mass awareness on beneficial roles of many neglected wild animals in the ecosystem, POJF has also participated with Bangladesh Forest Department in rescuing from poachers the endangered wildlife like Gavial, Tokay Gecko, and other animals to release them into nature. Under this project the Foundation continues to carry out wildlife rescue and emancipation work, to rehabilitate the wounded, sick and abandoned wildlife in Bangladesh. Already we have worked with an enormous number of different animals including owls, kites, vultures, parakeets, and many more.
CONSERVATION CAMPAIGN FOR ENDANGERED VULTURE POPULATION WITH SAVE
In recent years in the context of rapid climate change, population pressure and ever-growing environmental pollution, Bangladesh has been losing many of its diverse floral and faunal species. In this regard, as a National Member of SAVE (Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction), POJF has been participating in annual SAVE Meetings. Working from the very grassroots level, POJF continues to contribute in conservation planning, implication and restoration for the endangered Vulture population of Bangladesh as well as all other SAVE member countries. Creating public awareness and facilitating policy level intervention, POJF has contributed in the banning of Diclofenac and Ketoprophane; lethal veterinary drugs for the sustenance of the vulture species, to conserve the endangered and rapidly declining Vultures. As such, creating public awareness on their essential role in the nature’s cycle, POJF continues to help conserve the vultures, especially at the Vulture Safe Zones (VSZ) of Rajshahi and Khulna in Bangladesh.
ESTABLISHMENT OF BUTTERFLY PARK AND RESEARCH CENTER IN JAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY TO REAR AND CONSERVE THE THREATENED BUTTERFLY IN BANGLADESH
Butterflies are one of the most magnificent creations on earth. Different habitats in Bangladesh are suitable for diversified species of butterflies. Thus, more than 450 species of butterflies are expected to be present in this country. Yet approximately 325 species are enlisted in the national checklist of Red List by IUCN Bangladesh. Among those, notable numbers of butterfly species are now threatened due to various reasons like habitat loss, environmental degradation, and climate change. For serving as a vital pollinating agent and bioindicator the endangered butterfly species should be conserved. To get more information about these majestic beautiful creatures, Prokriti O Jibon Foundation and the Department of Zoology of Jahangirnagar University have signed a MoU in 2015 to conduct research and conservation initiatives to save the butterflies in Bangladesh. Accordingly, the Butterfly Park and Research Center has been established in Jahangirnagar University campus for rearing and conserving the threatened as well as other butterfly species in Bangladesh. Till now the researchers have become successful in reintroducing some critically endangered butterfly species to nature. Moreover, the Butterfly fair is being arranged each year to create awareness among the people of different ages since 2010 in Jahangirnagar University Campus.
