Effectiveness of Forest Management and Safeguarding Interest of the Local People of Sundarbans in Bangladesh

Abstract

Sundarbans, the largest contiguous mangrove forest, is situated in the southwest part of Bangladesh having a wide range of biodiversity. Sundarbans constitutes 51 % of the total reserve forests and is the richest natural resources of Bangladesh. This is a landmark of ancient heritages of mythological and historical events that bestowed with magnificent scenic beauty for its internationally recognized extensive mangrove biodiversity both on land and water. In the context of climate change impact on Bangladesh, protection of Sundarbans and its biodiversity is a prime concern of the Bangladeshi Government as well as the international communities. At the same time, livelihood of the local poor people, which is dependent on Sundarbans, is of similar concern. It is observed that there are always conflicts between the interests and goals of forest department and dependent local community. Due to various interventions of government to protect Sundarbans, local people are losing their livelihood and working opportunities. Therefore, these local communities are not always convinced or welcoming all the interventions and enforcement related to Sundarbans protection or preservation. In this conflicting situation, the chapter attempts to conduct a decisive investigation on the existing forest management effectiveness and safeguarding interest of the local people of the Sundarbans in Bangladesh. Both fisheries and aquaculture have long been an integral part of life of the people of Bangladesh. The sector, second only to agriculture in the overall economy of Bangladesh, contributes nearly 4.5 % to the gross domestic product (GDP), 23 % of gross agricultural products, and 2.46 % to the total export earnings. It accounts for about 60 % of animal protein intake in the diet of the people of Bangladesh with per capita fish consumption of 18.94 kg per annum. The people of Bangladesh largely depend on fish to meet their protein needs in both the rural and urban areas. About 14.7 million people have been involved in aquaculture in Bangladesh. The value chain includes hundreds of stakeholders, whose livelihood fully depends on aquaculture. More than half of the total fish production (53 %) comes from aquaculture (1.73 million tons). The sector provides living and livelihood for more than 11 % people of the country. If the available resources are used sustainably with proper technological assistance, fish produced from aquaculture would efficiently meet the protein demand of growing population of the country, and will ensure, food and nutritional security, employment generation, and foreign exchange earning leading a Bangladesh free of hunger, malnutrition, and poverty.