a) Technical Proposal – Institutional assessment for the establishment of a Flash Flood Warning System

Project : Hydro-infrastructure rehabilitation to mitigate vulnerability to climate-driven extreme events in the Republic of Moldova” Project

Moldova has 57 natural lakes, about 3,400 reservoirs, including 90 with a volume of more than 1 million cubic meters[1]. The largest water reservoirs are Costesti-Stînca (735 million m³) on the Prut River and Dubasari (277.4 million m³) on the Nistru River.  Moldova is prone to rapid-onset flash flooding and river flooding, which are triggered by spring snowmelt and heavy rainfall during the warm season of the year. Flooding has been a recurring issue in Moldova, particularly in the spring and early summer, when heavy rain and melting snow cause rivers to swell. Many of the country’s rivers drain into the Dniester and the Prut, increasing the risk of floods, especially in the southern and central parts, which are situated along major river basins.  These floods often result in significant damage to homes, infrastructure, and agricultural land, impacting both rural and urban communities. “Căușeni, a city in the south-east of the Republic of Moldova on the Botna River, a tributary of the Dniester, is an area highly vulnerable to flooding. The most recent took place in 2021, when heavy rains and the rise of the Dniester River submerged over 100 hectares of agricultural land”, says Ghenadie Florea, a rescuer at the Regional Department for Emergency Situations in Căușeni. Heavy rains and flooding in July 2010 have directly affected 12,000 people in Moldova. A total

Moldovan  topography

On the other hand, Moldova’s National Hydrological Monitoring Network (NHMN) operates the lowest density hydrometeorological observation network, which encompasses two hydrological stations and 58 hydrological posts. This network provides insufficient datasets of weather parameters and inadequately provides the precision level of flood warnings to the frontline. Additionally, the institutional risk management capacity, which compounds vulnerability to the threat of flooding, is insufficient in local governance institutions for effective flood risk and water resources planning and management at the sub-basin level. Improving Moldova’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities is critical for protecting human lives and preventing the loss of its development gains to disasters and climate change events.

• Objective:

Considering the frequency and intensity of rapid-onset flash flood disasters, and the need to develop a robust flash flooding early warning system and emergency operation center, the UNDP has designated an experienced International Consultant to conduct an assessment of the existing institutional and stakeholders capacity of State Hydrometeorological Service (SHS) and upgrade the National Hydrological Monitoring Network (NHMN), enhancing operational capacity of   Flash-Flood Detection System and Alert/Warning Center. The assessment of the  capability of technical human resources,  system upgradation for operating the Alert/Warning Center, and the provision of training for the assigned staff.

Moldova needs to improve the infrastructure of hydrometeorological observation, monitoring, and early warning services, and improve the relevant national and local authorities’ ability to respond to floods. Improving hydro-meteorological monitoring network for effective river basin management, setting up & instrumentalizing a national flood forecasting and early warning center, operationalizing the robust flash flood warning system, providing round-the-clock operational flood forecast, and impact-based forecasts to the frontline. Assessment &  Mapping of community-level flood risks, Enhance community-level flood hazard management capacity, enhancing the capacity of the local authorities, and empowering community stakeholders to participate actively in governance of integrated water resources management for flood control.

• Scope of work :

The proposed consultancy service aims to support the diagnosis of existing systems, propose a design for system upgradation in the areas of observation, detection, and mining a hybrid network, design and establish the most robust and state-of-the-art Flash-Flood Detection System and Alert/Warning Center, and improve customized forecasting capability.

1. Scope of work for  improving the system, tools, and operational  capacity  

1. Implementation of a high-density weather monitoring network: Installation of Automated Weather Stations (AWS) to capture essential weather parameters, including a lightning detector, precipitation measuring instruments, and temperature ECV measuring instruments, to measure the amount of precipitation over spatial and temporal scales, serving the SHS.
2. Improvement of surface runoff measurements, telemetric river-gauging stations: Installation of river level sensors in major river sections, lakes, and cement areas to measure river runoff levels and flood levels.
3. Develop methodology tools and guidelines for the integrated water resources management (IWRM) approach in 5 key watersheds, aiming to produce knowledge and institutional capacities for the rehabilitation of high-risk hydrotechnical infrastructure, as well as increased participation by local stakeholders in water governance.
4. Assessment of Flash-Flood Detection System and Alert/Warning Center: What are the current operational structures, tools, and processes? Assessment of indicative system infrastructures, tools gap, and propose a new design and upgradation.
5. Institutional Capabilities: Met-Office/SHS Staffing Structure and Capacity, identify gaps and recommendations  
6. Assessment of Operational Capability of SHS, National Administration “Apele Moldovei” (NAAM) identify gaps and recommendations  
7. Reviews the national disaster management and civil protection committee (CPC), identifying gaps, and recommendations  
8. Reviews the integrated water resource management system ( IWRM ), identifying gaps and recommendations   

• Scope of work for  improving the policy, strategy, stakeholder capacity and operational  

The Consultancy needs to provide the relevant operational modality, irrespective of laws and governmental decisions that establish the responsibilities of all institutions involved in water management in the Republic of Moldova. Review the Water resources management strategy and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach, and ensure that all water resource typologies are taken into account when developing national policies and decisions on water management and (civil) protection. Review strategies and guidelines for the water sector  government institutions, identify the policy, programmatic, and operational gaps, and provide recommendations for the relevant governance improvement:

1. Assess the Ministry of Environment (MoE) ‘s policy framework for IWRM, including coordination with neighboring countries for transboundary waters. Identify the policy and strategy gaps and recommendations for transboundary water level data and information sharing.
2. Assess the State Hydrometeorological Service (SHS) institutional capacity in monitoring the state and evolution of hydro-meteorological conditions and environmental quality, identifying decisive tools and processes gaps, and recommendations.
3. Assess National Administration “Apele Moldovel” led the existing policy on water resources and flood protection, serving as the principal national water management authority with a regulatory framework. It is responsible for identifying and addressing existing gaps and making recommendations.   
4. Assess the Agency for Geology and Mineral Resources’ institutional capacity in monitoring groundwater levels and quality, as well as coordinating groundwater use and protection, to identify and address existing gaps and make recommendations.   
5. Assess the Environmental Agencies and Environmental Protection Inspectorate in programmatic capability in the Environmental Assessment and Ecological risk management, identify the key gaps and recommendations  

1. Comprehensive assessment of hydromet institutional, tools, process, and  service delivery in the following key areas

4.0 Proposed Methodology

In order to minimize the flash food risk and establishing Flash-Flood Detection System and Alert/Warning Center the consultancy intended to devise in such a way that the infrastructure and operationality can robustly be capable of tracking weather events, detection of flash floods with hybrid system, manufacture precision level flash flood forecast warning, automated common alerts of impending floods, activation of triggers e.g., forecast based early action protocol, emergency evacuation and preparedness so that the systemic approach can significantly minimize the Loss and Damages(L&Ds)  of elements and sectors are well informed. The design outline to contextualize the complete mechanism of designing, implementation, and operationalizing (one-stop solution) procedure the system, coordination and partnership, standard operating procedure (SOP) of SHS and enabling institutional capacity for running the state-of-the-art integrated nowcasting /common alerting service being disseminated to alarms, alerts, podcasts, national broadcasting networks,  media outlets, Telecommunication SMS, IVR, Cell broadcasts in 24X7 operational modality.

1. Strategic methodology for diagnosing/screening of existing system, structure and process, efficiency, and efficacy:

1. Conduct desk review:

• Review of Hydro-meteorological forecasting product, outlook, warning and alerting services, 
• Review Numerical weather prediction (NWP) system over the long, medium, and short-range forecasting products.
• Review the existing forecasting capabilities, modeling, ensemble system, and short-range forecasting process and capacities, ECMWF Montenegro, Balkan Region weather forecast,
• Review the sector specific operational forecasting (dynamic statistical and downscaling model for predicting rapidly developing weather conditions) products and services.
• Review reports on the hydrological situation, warnings and forecasts produced by the Institute of Hydrometeorology and Review Damage and Loss assessment tools.
• Review hydrometeorological observations/monitoring systems are in place, data acquisition, collation, management systems and networks and data exchange, preparing multi-hazard analysis and mapping to support risk assessment, multi-hazard Early warning systems.
• Review reports on national climate multi-hazard risk and vulnerability assessment (CRVA), country risk profile 
• Review all relevant technical reports, strategies, studies, research and development on extreme weather events(frequency, intensity, landing pattern, trends and future threats, loss and damage category and statistics), multi-hazards and early warning mechanisms of Montenegro.

• Review Weather observation System (tools, technologies, instruments, data acquisition etc.):

• Diagnose the complete forecasting system, mechanism, weather observation system (number of automatic, telemetric, and manual), geolocation of weather observation system, spatial observation station gaps, number of river gauging stations, number of telemetric stations over the river system for tracking the synoptic conditions of the surface weather system.
• Review the clusters of observation technologies that are currently being deployed, including supercomputers, European Weather Clouds (NWC),  limited area numerical models, European ensemble prediction systems ( ECMWF, GFS, UKMO, Meteo France, etc.) ,  data analysis, reanalysis, bias-correction, ensemble model prediction,  meteorological radars, drone radar technology, access to the latest EUMETCast satellite data system, and other relevant tools
• Review institutional data sharing bottlenecks, access limitations to radar data from neighboring countries, and identify gaps.

• Strategic methodology for summarizing the deliverables

5.0 The work plan

[1] March 2024 -Flood hazard study in Moldova , Academy of Sciences & Institute of Geology and Seismology   of Moldova

Download Full Document………………………..

b) Assessment Design Document – Expression of Interest (EoI) for Site Specific Planning (SSP) and GIS Mapping and Monitoring of Reserve Forest and Sanctuary

Name of the Project            : Host and Rohingya Enhancement of Lives Project (HELP)

Forestry Component           : Establishing Green Belt at Bhasan Char and Reforestation of Rohingya Affected Area in Cox’s Bazar.

Name of the Package          : Consultancy firm (SSP and GIS Mapping and Monitoring)

Package No.                          : HELP/S-06

Organization                         :Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD)

Duration of the Contract    06 (Six) months

Duty Station          HQ (BFD-PIU) Dhaka, and Project Area

Submitted by: Moulovibari Research and Partnership Hub (MoRPH)

Contents

1.0 Executive Summary. 3

2.0 Introduction: 3

3.0 Understanding the assignment: 3

4.0 Objectives: 4

5.0 Scope of the Services. 4

6.0 Methodology: 5

6.1 Desk review : 5

6.2 Survey tools preparation and data collection: 5

6.3 Survey team preparation for data collection : 6

6.4 Develop a mechanism/Application (customize online/offline apps)   for SSP data collection. 8

6.5 Data collection: Conduct Field Survey : 8

6.5.1 On-site index mapping of the detail component of site-specific planning (SSP) 8

6.5.2 KII/FGD with local user groups ( forest resources)  : 9

6.5.3 Putting digital surveillance in the main encroachment pockets: 9

6.6          Develop a geospatial online dashboard: 9

6.7          Review and propose to improve smart patrolling : 10

6.8 Data integration and comparison. 11

6.9 Online dashboard for Site Management: 11

6.10  Analysis of hydrometeorological factors for forest delegation and regeneration: 12

6.11  Prepare a hydrometeorological multi-hazard map: 12

6.12  Feeding local level Impending multi-hazard exposure, risk, and vulnerability by the Uapzila, Union & Ward Disaster Management Committee to the geospatial platform: 12

7.0 Timeline with key Milestones: 13

8.0 Name, designation, and a brief about the key team member of the Consultants: 14

1.0 Executive Summary

………………………………….  is registered under Bangladesh’s Register of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC). ………………, in association with CMD, works for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, conducting thematic assessment, action research, rural development, and innovation. We conduct research and development in numerous sectors, including sustainable environmental management, disaster management, climate change and adaptation, the development field, ICT, Monitoring & Evaluation, etc. MoRPH utilizes ICT-based tools, i.e, UAV(Drone), Remote Sensing (RS) technology & Geographic Information Systems (GIS),  GPS survey, socioeconomic survey apps/ tools, for conducting landscape and environmental assessment. We do innovative work in various sectors, including Drone Image Analysis, Internet of Things (IoT), Impact-based Early Warning, Location-based Service, etc.

…………….strives for client satisfaction by providing state-of-the-art technologies in the fields of Consultancy, Research and development, Remote Sensing (RS) and geographic Information Systems (GIS), location-based Services, RSGIS Training, Surveying (GPS, Drone), Monitoring and Evaluation, Software Development, Disaster Management, and Climate Change and adaptation.

Our vision is to help our nation build a technology-oriented solutions and services culture in different sectors. We will eradicate digital barriers at the grassroots level, providing easy and usable solutions in various aspects. To bring everyone to their doorsteps, innovative and cheaper technology and methods for shaping a more livable nation.

2.0 Introduction:

The Cox’s Bazar  District, south-eastern region Teknaf forest range and Wildlife Sanctuaries i.e.,  Himchhari National Park, Inani National Park, Fasiyakhali Wildlife Sanctuary, and Medhacocchopia National Park those are on the verge of extinction which being contributes by the multiple risk factors e.g., landscape vulnerability to climate induced cyclonic disaster, sea storm surges, salinity intrusion, heavily populated Rohingya refugees and host community continue to exerts pressure on extracting and overexploiting natural resources, landslide and environmental degradation, etc., all those factors contributed for forest and natural resources degradation of Teknaf and adjacent Cox’s Bazar Areas.

Other residual factors are the socioeconomic conditions of the local community, heavily populated settlements, poverty-laden livelihood options needed to ensure household energy and food security, which depend on the extraction and exploitation of resources from reserve forests and sanctuaries, and endangered wildlife. These natural treasures are eventually on the verge of extinction. Until today, the reported cases of garter loss and biodiversity, as of 8,000 acres of forest land, have been degraded, which is putting immense pressure on the area’s wildlife. Critically endangered Asian elephants, with only 38 remaining in the fragmented habitat, face a fight for survival.

3.0 Understanding the assignment:

Considering the multi-factored risk drivers to protect reserve forest and sanctuaries ( for migratory shorebirds, gross stock taking for birds and other wildlife species ) on the verge of extinction, the BFD is soliciting technical solution for comprehensive assessment of forest resources, level of deforestation, identifying the root causes of forest degradation, determine what would be a nature-based solution for conservation of forest ecology, what would be robust ICT driven round-the-clock patrolling and oversights mechanism putting in place, so that a dashboard control system can detect illegal intruders’/exploiters entry and exits, detect theft of resources and other degradation incidences and be able to provide early warning of any impending incidence.

The initial survey/assessment needs to essentially identify the overall risk drivers/factors (climate change-induced factors, nature-induced and human-induced factors, dispersed Rohingya refugees and host community settlements, environmental and ecological degradation factors, landscape fragility, bay proximity cyclone and storm surge and tidal surge factors, coastal salinity intrusion factors) that are residual factors in biodiversity and ecology losses. The assessment will use remote sensing and GIS, GPS, and UAV-based aerial and surface observation mechanisms to instrumentalize site-specific planning (SSP). 

4.0 Objectives:

The main objective of the services is to provide an online web-based site-specific planning (SSP) solution for each plantation intervention site, which is considered a significant activity. Proper identification of the interventions, considering the prevailing natural and socio-economic conditions and site potentials and plants, can ensure success and monitoring. At the same time, the web-based SSP platform at the Bangladesh Forest Information System (BFIS) needs to be integrated.

5.0 Scope of the Services

In consultation with BFD central office and Cox’s Bazar office, the overall mission design is to be finalized for conducting the assessment with consideration of the following points;

1. The main scope of work of this assignment will be as follows. Still, it is not limited to: Under the direct supervision of the Project Director, the MoRPH will provide technical services and facilitate selected Forest Divisions in developing Site-Specific Plans. The assignment will last 6 months and cover specific services and deliverables.
2. Using GIS technology, delineate the SSP at selected Forest Beats on-site, including data collection using Android-based ODK, GPS survey, drone survey for delineating plantation sites, Index mapping of the Beat, and regeneration survey. Organize focus groups for community consultation and identify deforested and degraded pockets for scheduling all silvicultural operations in the nursery and plantation sites.
3. Organizing recurrent discussions with BFD to vitalize the SSP application format. The core consultancy team to be teamed with a Forest Specialist, a Geospatial application developer, a web-based database management specialist, a GIS mapping specialist, and an IT expert.
4. Deploy full-time GIS/GPS and field Surveyors on specific sites for 5 months. The MoRPH will ensure two comprehensive orientations of BFD Officials on SSP processes and their activities.
5. Agreed upon by the BFD to the deploy of a customized and interoperable geospatial platform (ESRI ArcGIS or Open Street Geospatial) to be able to interact /synchronize with field level surveillance apps, online patrolling system and integrated with the SSP platform at the BFIS as a module within the BFD domain (http://bfis.bforest.gov.bd/bfis/), which is hosted by the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC).  A detailed discussion on the platform and approval of BFD’s format is required.
6. Develop a mapping interface to export data to GIS as efficiently as possible, using the same map client interface currently in use for the BFIS geoportal. The interface should display a fixed list of layers (from the above) with fixed map symbolization (as may be agreed with BFD) and a suitable selection of freely available base maps.
7. Develop an interface delineating forest division, range, or beat, and oversee the impact level online. There should be provisions for the phasing of ‘report endorsement’ by the respective Range Officer and Divisional Forest Officer (DFOs), as well as Admin should be provisioned, before making SSP data available to other users. In this connection, the Beat Officer, the finite data user, should be able to revise as per recommendations from the respective endorsing entities (e.g., Range Officer and DFO).
8. After this review, the DFO needs to electronically approve a mechanism/Application to be developed for SSP data collection at the Forest Beat level through a simple Report Format. With the DFO’s endorsement, the data will be available to all concerned through the Dashboard and other reports.
9. Develop an inception Report with a work plan, an interim progress report, and a completion report at the end of the assignment. Three workshops, with proceedings, for presenting
10. the method and work plan,
11. mid-line progress of SSO data collection, as well as online interface/application development of data management and
12.  a final workshop for results at BFD, Dhaka.

h) Support the respective forest officers in developing a geolocation-based plantation journal.

i) Develop technical guidance documents for SSP on-field teams and mid & end-line reporting.

j) The survey will be conducted in all potential plantations in Cox’s Bazar South Forest Division.

6.0 Methodology:

6.1 Desk review :

1. Reviews of all relevant studies of DFO, INGOs (USAID), UN-FAOs, WFP, UNDP, UNEP
2. Review the BFIS database system, the Bangladesh forest ecosystem services valuation database, the Bangladesh forest inventory, plant species, and the identification of the data gap.
3. Review project documents: the Sustainable Forests & Livelihoods (SUFAL) Project, Zoning for tree and forest assessment in Bangladesh (USAID), Bangladesh Forest Information System (BFIS), the Reforestation Information Management System (RIMS) database of the Nishorgo project, the UN-REDD Programme, documents on Encroachment inside Reserve Forests, etc.
4. Review information portal bd-forest web portals, www.forestsouth.coxsbazar.gov.bd, Review documents on FAO-Cox’s Bazar sub office produced on landslide management and slope stabilization.  
5. Review Bangladesh’s FAO-developed new landslide warning system based on Forests and Landslides. Reviews  soil and landscape based on the type of trees and forests being recommended for the prevention of landslides and the rehabilitation of landslide-affected areas in Asia
6. Review government policy, programme documents on forest conservation, Management Plan for Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary, laws, co-management issues, agroforestry development, regeneration, etc.

• Review forest-related MIS systems: RIMS, BFIS, landslide warning system. Prepare a GIS map on the existing generation layer, the Land cover map, the land use map, the multi-hazard prone map, and the landslide hotspot map.

6.2 Survey tools preparation and data collection:

1.  Prepare GIS field map: Survey tools preparation for conducting  Survey: Prepare GIS base map of all Union of Teknaf Upazila ( GIS shapefile already in hand) with all mouza layers,  other available layers ( LGED map), showing forest cover areas ( overlaying BFIS forest shape file), Forest Department “Field Maps”, Forest Zonation map of DF, Zonation Map of USAID Climate Resilient Ecosystem and Livelihood (CREL) Project, Landslide map of FAO-Cox Bazar Sub-Office for preparing comprehensive survey tools.
2. Prepare a remote sensing map with an interpretation of the trend of land cover and land use changes over the years.
3. Prepare Union and Mouza GIS map with available GIS layers(to be collected from LGED, DLRS, SoB), delineating the boundary of core zone, bugger zone, impact zone, range area and number, beat area and number, block area and number, and Protected Area (PA) for determining the survey strategy, team planning, mobilization, and capturing geospatial forest site-specific features from field survey.  
4. Prepare Field Survey tools: Organize technical surveyors with an Android-based GPS logger, GPS Essential apps (capturing georeferenced pictures/videos), Kobo toolbox apps, Drone surveys for stock-taking of trees (count, size, and species types), and producing high-resolution maps. Conduct tree inspections and surveys, photogrammetry & modeling, and pictures and videos for SSP.
5. Prepare survey templates for collecting attribute information (hardcopy) of the socioeconomic and other risk drivers( multi-hazards/disaster) and deploy surveyors with survey apps for tracking geospatial layers( point, polygon, polyline features)  to be interpreted with GIS layers ( hard copy field map, forest department clock/beat map) and latest  Kobo-toolbox, GPS logger apps for capturing additional features, attribute datasets.
6. Prepare an FGD/KII template for discussions with diverse local DFO actors, forest-dependent stakeholders, service providers, CSOs, and regional institutions to collect risk, vulnerability, community-level information, stakeholders’ level information, and actors’ level information from the frontline.

6.3 Survey team preparation for data collection :

6.4 Develop a mechanism/Application (customize online/offline apps)   for SSP data collection

Explore suitable instruments (Drone/UVA, mobile apps) to be surveying Forest Beat level which needs to be electronically approval by the DFO, after this review and finalize the suitable tools and methodology and to be endorsed by the DFO, complementing the demand driven data format to be visible with the online/offline dashboard and other formats.

6.5 Data collection: Conduct Field Survey :

1. Aerial Survey:  Using UAV (Drone), capture high-resolution images/videos for stock taking of trees ( count, size, and species types), and prepare high-resolution maps. Tree inspections and surveys, photogrammetry and modeling, picture and video capture)
2. Identify the on-site causal effects of deforestation, regeneration, afforestation, and social forestation, by organizing a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the following target group

6.5.1 On-site index mapping of the detail component of site-specific planning (SSP)

6.5.2 KII/FGD with local user groups ( forest resources)  :

6.5.3 Putting digital surveillance in the main encroachment pockets:

For incident tracking, install surveillance BFD local units instrumented with a special-purpose Drone to survey stock taking of trees (count, size, and species types), and high-resolution maps. Tree inspections and surveys, photogrammetry and modeling, picture and video capture)

• Identify elephant corridors, exit/entry routes of wildlife, elephant, deer, monkey, and other wildlife
• Identify exit/entry routes of livestock animals for illegal grazing /fodder collection.

6.6         Develop a geospatial online dashboard: 

An online geospatial portal (open-source or ESRI ArcGIS portal, map tiles, map layer) with a database can display the map and event online. The interface will be created with field-level apps for directly updating and selecting events in the online map.  Evey stakeholder will be connected via apps, instant messaging services, GPS apps adding georeferenced information to server about incidence (illegal encroachment of forest resources, land grabbing, hill cutting, tree cutting, landslide, treefall, hunting wildlife, animal poaching (elephant), illicit logging timber, damaging of trees/seedling, sapling/. The online real-time tracking system will be facilitated on the following surveillance.

• Identify Direct Threats: Encroachment, illicit felling, Wildlife hunting, Forest fire, etc.
• Tracking Brick field, illegal/informal settlement of land inside forest, Illegal housing inside forest, Sawmill, Furniture shop, livestock grazing inside forest
• Tracking annual regeneration rate
• Tracking the annual forest degradation rate
• Tracking annual planting rate
• Tracking degraded areas
• Tracking illegal resource extraction by the extractors and encroachers’ livelihood group encroachment
• Mobile apps for community patrols at strategic locations.
• Tracking an instant snapshot from the photo of the most degraded edge point 
• Community petrol for forest protection (with apps)

6.7         Review and propose to improve smart patrolling :

6.8 Data integration and comparison

All GPS placemarks and Kobo-Toolbox collected data were verified with Google Maps to check data quality, design survey areas, and identify non-survey areas for next-level surveying. All the data collected were integrated and compared. Both alignment and data content were checked. All the GIS data were displayed; otherwise, the accuracy was compared with the reference layer. Accuracy was also compared among the sources.

6.9 Online dashboard for Site Management:

a) Develop geospatial platform (Open source/ ESRI ArcGIS / Map tiles/ Map Layer, etc) :

To facilitate ICT-driven, evidence-based geospatial services-enabled facilities, MoRPH intends to install and operationalize a Geospatial platform (ArcGIS Platform), interfacing with ArcGIS/QGIS software, and uploading delineating and tracking impacts over the following zones.

6.10  Analysis of hydrometeorological factors for forest delegation and regeneration:

 Monitoring local extreme weather events ( heavy rainfall, heatwave, dry spells, coastal surges, salinity intrusion, etc.), quantifying climate-induced loss and damage( L&Ds), and proposing adaptive measures. Access the FAO developed Slope map, Land Degradation map, landslide early warning system, and capacity building for SSP -FD  for adaptive planning/actions.

6.11  Prepare a hydrometeorological multi-hazard map: 

Develop a multi-hazard exposure, risks, and vulnerability risk atlas and analyze the impacts on the forest elements.

6.12  Feeding local level Impending multi-hazard exposure, risk, and vulnerability by the Uapzila, Union & Ward Disaster Management Committee to the geospatial platform:

A mobile phone (Android)- based WhatsApp group and GPS apps will be installed, oriented to the Beat offices, Range offices, NSP offices, Police stations, Village Conservation Forum (VCF) , People’s Forum (PF), Co-Management Committee (CMC), Elected representative from villages and local communities within the Protected Area landscape,  Local Disaster Management committee ( UDMC, Ward DMC), Women &  youth-led group with apps based monitoring and tracking incidences to provide the forest site-specific petrol and incidence report to the central server etc. to provide the forest site specific petrol, incidence report to central sever for visualization.   

7.0 Timeline with key Milestones:

8.0 Name, designation, and a brief about the key team member of the Consultants:

Climate Smart Village Approach Design File

(Bangladesh Context)

Developed by Z M Sajjadul Islam

Contents

1.0        Introduction – Climate Smart Village (CSV) Approach Assessment : 3

1.1 Understanding the assignment: 3

1.2 Objectives of the assessment of CSV approach: 3

2.0 Proposed scientific Methodology of assessment of   CSV approach. 4

2.1 Rationale of RDI Limited engagement with the assessment. 4

2.2   Prepare CERVA tools for develop baseline climate/multi-hazards exposure, risk and vulnerability (CERVA) scenarios: 4

2.2.1    CERVA database development (for most vulnerable/model village ) : For developing the base case CSV scenario 1 village level detailed  CERVA database to be developed for informing the CSV development plan at the end of the day. 4

2.3 Linking socioeconomic and statistical data with CERVA database: 4

2.4 Geospatial platform for tailormade informed tools for  CSV governance   : 5

2.5 Conducting Consultation with relevant stakeholders for identifying strategy/recommendations: 5

2.5.1 Identify governing structure and process: 5

2.5.2         Identify the level of climate / multi-hazard risk & vulnerability perception and conducting CREVA and planning tools development. 9

2.5.3         Identify the level of climate smart subsistence farming: 10

2.5.4         Identify Village level disaster management mechanism, copping capacity, emergency response and recovery capacity. 11

2.5.6         Assessment of developing climate resilient business model. 13

2.6 Consultation Process for the  TOR  Indicated queries : 14

3.0 Deliverables and Timeline: 21

1.0  Introduction – Climate Smart Village (CSV) Approach Assessment :

The changing climate largely being caused by Global warning consequently multi-hazard events becoming recurrent over the Bangladeshi climate frontline communities, as a result their livelihood assets being hardest hit by the changing climates. Therefore, a systemic and sustainable “Climate Smart Village (CSV)” approach and frontline climate governance mechanism need to be put in place for making vulnerable livelihoods resilient to climate change. However considering the endowed Bangladeshi agroecological resources , deltaic geographical and geomorphological settings, prevailing local agroclimatic conditions the FHB proposed CSV concept and outset approach would heavily be imperatives to Disaster Risk Reduction(DRR), Climate Change Adaptation(CCA) , Mitigation and  Resilience building while CSV components e.g. climate  smart agricultural, weather, sustainable water management, low /zero carbon, organic soil/nitrogen, clean energy and self-sufficient  energies to household cooking,  knowledge smart related schemes could be fully implemented at household and community level for boosting household and village level economies .

1.1 Understanding the assignment:

From the above perspectives, primarily the CSV approach being pioneered by the CGIAR Research Program being undertaken by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) partners through providing the village communities with greater facilities for resilient agriculture, mass education & employment, sustainable clean energy, clean water, healthcare facilities, empowerment of women, transportation, communication, and coping mechanisms from multi-hazard induced impacts. However, RDI Limited intended customize the approach through harmonizing local context/settings more robust approach, instrumentalizing the inclusive process, proactive engagement and self-estimated CSV governance mechanisms   and suitably fitting in the local context.

The FHB intended CSV approach can be materialized by conducting the conclusive assessments, participatory and technical consultations (with frontline/actors/stakeholders), recurrent reviews, site visits etc., and essentially to prepare the detailed CSV masterplan for villages of the FHB intervention areas and feasibly to implement CSV centric actions/schemes/projects for making climate frontline villager’s livelihoods resilient to changing climate in Bangladesh. The technical aspects of designing CSV approach are based on inclusive locally led solutions (sustainable utilization of geological resources, establish the best practices, promote sustainable technologies, introduce smart climate services, undertaking suitable programs, and inclusively engage frontline community in informed-local planning and decision-making process) essentially enabling frontline villagers sustaining against the persistent local climate risk and vulnerabilities.

Addressing the persistent climate risks and vulnerabilities, sustainably harnessing the local agroecological resources with inclusive village level engagement, the proposed CSV can be suitable approach to reduce poverty, ensure persistent food, energy, water, and environmental security. The CSV concept is the most transformative and paradigm shift from traditional/primitive livelihood to more sustainable, climate resilient, ecologically friendly, inclusive, participatory livelihood options governed by local agroecological resources and mitigating the persistent and incrementally impending climate change risks over the frontline villagers in Bangladesh.

1.2 Objectives of the assessment of CSV approach:

From the above conceptual approach, the overall objective of this assignment is to conduct a “climate smart village” approach assessment of the FHB Area Programs in Bangladesh and propose a set of recommendations in terms of climate smart village approach initiated and implement at different parts of Africa and Asia and South Asia continents that can be feasibly implemented by smallholder farmers/farmers groups to increase their resilience and adaptation to climate change.

2.0 Proposed scientific Methodology of assessment of   CSV approach.

To materialize the CSV approach the required assessment needs to be designed and conducted conclusively so that every elements/component of the approach being well captured, and narrated.  Complying with the required tools and process, the RDI Limited intended to conduct robust scientific methods, participatory consultations and field interactions over the FHB APs. 

2.1 Rationale of RDI Limited engagement with the assessment

1. The CSV approach is heavily encompassing of technical structure and process that need to be instrumentalize over the last tier of local governments over the self-esteemed village level climate governance in which RDI Limited having specialization on the local government system and technical service delivery expertise.
2. RDI Limited having technical expertise in GIS (GPS and Remote Sensing) mapping and conducting geospatial technology based rural/local assessment and informed planning tools development for project planning capacity in which our professionals were heavily worked under Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and other international agencies.
3. RDI Limited having professional knowledge on the key local governments  sectoral department working at District and Upazila, Union Local Governments with thematic sectors e.g.,  Agriculture,  Fisheries, livestock, Rural communication and infrastructures development, Public health infrastructure, Rural development & Cooperatives, Health and Family Planning, Water resource management, forestry etc., conducting climate risk and vulnerability assessment(CERVA), risk reduction action planning (RRAP), budgeting and project/scheme implementation.
4. Having professional experience in risk-informed sector integrated local development planning (LDP) , budgeting and project implementation at community level.
5. Having professional experience in multi-hazard risk assessment, risk management, early warning, impact-based forecasting and disaster risk management.

2.2   Prepare CERVA tools for develop baseline climate/multi-hazards exposure, risk and vulnerability (CERVA) scenarios:  

The key components of CSV deal with Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), therefore the tailormade CERVA informed tools are essential for undertaking climate smart actions/projects/schemes at village level. To do so RDI Limited intended to apply the most strategic methods capture the CERVA scenarios and spatially interpreted GIS Base Map on the FHB Aps. The CERVA process GIS & Remote Sensing Technology followed by the elements being captured by the GPS, Kobo-toolbox, drone, and other survey apps. During consultation with local actors/stakeholder/ frontline community and field visits the GIS base map to be utilized for verifying the secondary sourced CERVA maps. RDI Limited intended to develop village level GIS base map and robustly develop climate risk informed tools for detailed CSV planning (micro level land use and land cover).

RDI Limited having archives of  Union GIS based map to be used for CERVA purposes and all those Union base map to be further customized with necessary geospatial elements of  physical infrastructures  , communication networks, land use data compiled from  Remote sensing google earth engine, drone captured image etc., and ultimately to develop a comprehensive GIS maps for capturing climate and muti-hazards exposure, risks and vulnerabilities from the households and community level( followed by FGD/KII/Transact-walk, field visits).

2.2.1    CERVA database development (for most vulnerable/model village ) : For developing the base case CSV scenario 1 village level detailed  CERVA database to be developed for informing the CSV development plan at the end of the day.

2.3 Linking socioeconomic and statistical data with CERVA database:  

RDI Limited intended to leverage the most robust assessment mechanism so that a conclusive can be bought out for inclusive plannings. Since the CSV robust approach encompasses a roadmap of hypotheses are currently being informed by the multi-factorial analytics, multiple-indicators analytics through backlogged composite informed-tools analytical recommendations based decision-supports, and consultative process( residual CERVA scenarios , Socioeconomic conditions, analysis of paradox of climatic and non-climatic risks over the agroecological, endowed resources can be harnessed, enabling capacity of frontlines, local actors/stakeholders/group, village level cooperative mannered entrepreneurships development, women empowered green entrepreneurship development for earning inclusive green growth with transforming a traditional village to climate smart and inclusive green growth and product village at the end of the day.   To do so the CERVA repository database to be developed with hybrid sources of information and local consultations.

2.4 Geospatial platform for tailormade informed tools for  CSV governance   :

The Proposed platform to facilitate the ICT driven Evidence based geospatial services enabled facilities RDI Limited intended to   online Open-source Geospatial platform for supporting inclusive CSV level planning, scheme design and implementation.

2.5 Conducting Consultation with relevant stakeholders for identifying strategy/recommendations:

2.5.1 Identify governing structure and process

• Identify the level of climate / multi-hazard risk & vulnerability perception and conducting CREVA and planning tools development.

• Identify the level of climate smart subsistence farming:

•  Identify Village level disaster management mechanism, copping capacity, emergency response and recovery capacity

• Conduct Assessment for AVC components wise  Planning process, scheme design and implementation  :

2.5.6           Assessment of developing climate resilient business model.

2.6 Consultation Process for the TOR  Indicated queries :

Download Climate Smart Village Approach Design Document (Bangladesh Context)