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ERA Town Hall – Gabura

Trust T1

Climate Zones: Tropical monsoon (Am) with marine influence.
Regenerative Focus: Community adaptation, ecosystem restoration, nature-based solutions, participatory governance.

About this land node

Community-led “town hall” process convening fishers, farmers, women and youth to co-design climate adaptation, ecosystem restoration and inclusive livelihoods in a cyclone-impacted coastal delta.

Overview

Project Vision: A trusted civic space where residents set priorities and steward finance for adaptation with transparency and co-governance.
Project Purpose: Co-create a locally governed roadmap for regenerative adaptation—prioritizing mangrove protection, safe water, resilient housing, women-led enterprises and youth stewardship—aligned with UNFCCC, Earth Charter and Adapta2+ principles.
Project Title: ERA Town Hall – Education, Restoration & Adaptation (Sundarbans)
Political Location: Satkhira District, Khulna Division, Bangladesh

Ecology & biodiversity

Flora & Fauna: Sundari (*Heritiera fomes*), *Avicennia*, mud crabs, otters, river dolphins, shorebirds.
Keystone species: Sundari tree and keystone mangrove guilds shaping sediment capture and habitat.
Biodiversity context: Global mangrove biodiversity hotspot and RAMSAR-class wetlands.
Ecological corridors: Mangrove and riparian corridors connecting to Sundarbans Reserve Forest.
Natural boundaries: Bounded by tidal creeks and polders at the edge of the Sundarbans Reserve Forest and the Bay of Bengal.
Ecosystem unity: Deltaic mangrove-estuarine mosaic linking river channels, mudflats and village settlement islands.

Climate & water

Climate Zones: Tropical monsoon (Am) with marine influence.
Rainfall patterns: Bimodal monsoon peaks; heavy rains Jun–Sep, cyclonic storms pre-/post-monsoon.
Average Rainfall: 1,800–2,800 mm/yr
Temperature Extremes: ~10–37 °C
Average Temperature: ~26 °C average
Watershed: Lower Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna delta draining to the Bay of Bengal.
Aquifers & groundwater: Shallow coastal aquifers; brackish in dry season; freshwater lenses after monsoon.
Nearby water bodies: Adjacent to tidal rivers and khals; Bay of Bengal ~15–30 km.

Land & terrain

Elevation & slope: 0–5 m asl; nearly level with engineered embankments.
Landforms: Deltaic islands, mudflats, polders, tidal channels.
Soil Types: Alluvial and saline clay-loams on young deltaic deposits.
Soil health: Salinity intrusion and storm-surge degradation; soil organic matter improved via mulching and biochar trials.
Erosion risk: High due to cyclones, embankment failure and wave action.
Natural resources: Fisheries, mangrove products, clay, freshwater pulses.
Renewable resource potential: Solar micro-grids on rooftops; potential tidal/wind hybrids; rainwater harvesting.

People & history

Land Acknowledgements: Respect to Munda peoples and coastal artisanal communities as long-standing stewards.
Traditional ecological knowledge: Mangrove use, honey/wax harvest, cyclone coping practices, community seed and nursery traditions.
Human Cultures: Coastal fishing and smallholder communities including Munda and other traditional users (Bawali, Mouali honey collectors).
Cultural landscapes: Embanked polders, shrimp ghers, fishing hamlets, cyclone shelters, village commons.
Recent land history: Cyclones Aila (2009) and Amphan (2020); recurring salinity intrusion and livelihood shocks.

Regenerative practice

Regenerative Focus: Community adaptation, ecosystem restoration, nature-based solutions, participatory governance.
Regenerative Methodologies: ANR micro-nurseries, biochar-amended soils, living shoreline pilots, rainwater systems, open-source dMRV for accountability.
Environmental objectives: Protect mangroves and soils; reduce erosion and saline intrusion; enable nature-based defenses.
Community objectives: Strengthen women- and youth-led livelihoods, safe water access, and climate education.
Community engagement: Village assemblies, women’s circles, youth eco-clubs, fisher forums; feedback loops via town-hall cycles.
Economic Model: Mixed—grants and solidarity capital; micro-enterprise incubation; future regenerative finance via ecocredit-style mechanisms.

Impact

Expressed Impact: Residents co-define adaptation pathways; early pilots selected and resourced; improved trust and coordination across villages.
Key impact metrics: # town halls; # participants (women/youth %); priorities adopted; pilots launched; households with safe water; governance scorecards.

Visiting & links

Nearest urban centres: Satkhira ~55 km; Khulna City ~80 km.
Website: https://www.sesdobd.org
Social media: Not Provided
Visit Link: https://www.sesdobd.org/ongoing-projects/