‘SMART Handbook’ were jointly developed with the BFD and includes valuable contributions by a multi-stakeholder’s SMART working group members. The SOP constitutes a crucial milestone and presents a uniform and practical framework for implementing SMART in the Sundarbans. The provisions that were incorporated in the SOP and Handbook are consistent with the laws and regulations of the ‘Government of Bangladesh’. All the staffs involved in SMART patrolling were oriented on the ‘SMART Handbook’ and ‘SOP’ and everyone have a hard copy of the same. This helps them to guide during patrols.
Strong cooperation among different development partners and BFD that ensured perfect joint work environment;
Formation of SMART – Technical Work Group with the participation of all active development partners helped to provide expert inputs and suggest directions;
BFD’s willingness to technical expertise and develop future-proof protocols for Sundarbans.
Outputs (Handbook, SOP) are widely accepted due to engagement of all potential stakeholders;
Lengthy process and hard work.