Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) for Effective Law Enforcement and Wildlife Monitoring in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, Bangladesh

Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) for Effective Law Enforcement and Wildlife Monitoring in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, Bangladesh

SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) is an evidence-based data collection and reporting system for wildlife and forestry law enforcement monitoring. SMART is a combination of software, training materials and implementation standards for systematic law enforcement and monitoring patrols. SMART is designed to improve anti-poaching efforts and overall law enforcement effectiveness in established conservation areas and management zones. Since June 2016, in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society, Sundarbans Management Project  SMP (jointly implemented by GIZ and Bangladesh Forest Department and funded by the German Federal Government) initiated SMART patrols across the whole Sundarbans. SMP initiated capacity development efforts with basic and advanced skill development of individual BFD staff on SMART’s application, data analysis, report generation, interpretation of findings, as well as setting standard protocols for practising SMART patrolling in the Sundarbans.