The inception meeting of "Coastal Harmony: Resilient ecosystems, thriving communities (CHRETC)" project was held at Taltoli upazila in Barguna district, with a focus on empowering women and marginal farmers and addressing the challenges of climate change.
The event took place on Tuesday at Payra Conference Hall of Taltoli Upazila Parishad.
It was presided over by Bartin Gomez, Managing Director of Good Neighbors Bangladesh, while Suman Mallik, Health Officer of Taltoli CDP, moderated the session.
Abu Zafar Mohammad Elias, Upazila Agriculture Officer, attended the event as chief guest.
Special guests included Victor Bain, Upazila Fisheries Officer; Md. Matiar Rahman, Forest Officer of Patuakhali Range; Md. Al Masum, Upazila Project Implementation Officer; Saiful Alam, Upazila Agriculture Extension Officer; Sanjoy Sikder, Upazila Livestock Officer; Tanvir Moinul Hossain, Upazila Cooperative Officer and Faraji Md. Yunus, Chairman of Sonakata Union Parishad.
Also present were Akhil Baroi, Head of Resource Development at Good Neighbors Bangladesh, Project Coordinator Simanto Chisim, CDC President of Taltoli CDP Alomgir Hossain, other upazila officials, local representatives, journalists, NGO workers and civil society leaders.
Funded by Good Neighbors Bangladesh and implemented under "Jago Nari" (Women’s Awakening) program in Barguna, the project is expected to directly benefit around 2,650 people of the upazila by 2028.
Key initiatives under the project include afforestation and forest conservation across 400 hectares, distribution of tree saplings, promotion of climate-resilient agricultural technologies for small-scale farmers and economic empowerment of women.
Speakers at the event emphasized that the project goes beyond environmental conservation. It is also a significant step toward improving the socio-economic conditions of the local community, especially women and marginalized groups.
They stressed the importance of combining local knowledge with global best practices and called for collective efforts to ensure the success of the initiative.
HM/SH
