Niaz Ahmed Khan

A journey towards shared governance: status and prospects for collaborative management in the protected areas of Bangladesh

Establishment of Protected Areas (PAs), in the face of rapid deforestation, forest degradation and climate change has been one of the key efforts in conservation of biodiversity worldwide in recent times. While Bangladesh has gained a degree of prominence in the world for its successful social forestry programs, the concept of collaborative protected area management is rather new in the country, initiated in 2004 by the Bangladesh Forest Department in five PAs with financial assistance from USAID. Based on empirical evidence from three of the pilot PAs, we examined the achievements and associated challenges and prospects for co-management. Our fieldwork revealed a number of challenges faced by co-management institutions: (1) institutions were dominated by the elite group, overshadowing the voice of the community people; (2) mutual trust and collective performance are key to good governance but had not taken root in the PAs; (3) encroachment onto forest land and subsequent conversion to agriculture remained a serious problem that discouraged forest-dependent people from participating actively in co-management initiatives; (4) legal provisions (including acts, rules and policies) were not clearly and adequately disseminated and understood at the community level; (5) there remained a degree of ambiguity regarding the roles and responsibilities of forest department (FD) and co-management committees (CMC) in field operations, and this was not enhancing transparency and accountability of the overall initiative; (6) the long-term sustainability of co-management institutions was another major concern, as the local intuitional structure was still in a nascent stage, and provisioning of resources (either internally or externally) remained somewhat uncertain. We offer recommendations for improvement.

Participation in social forestry re-examined: a case-study from Bangladesh

Bangladesh has enthusiastically launched social forestry projects that make grandiose promises of seeking local community involvement and participation in the management of forest resources. This study examines the functioning of the Chandra Agroforestry Research and Demonstration Project to evaluate the actual extent and nature of popular participation it entails. After discussing the project and its locale, the methodology of the study is described as an analysis of qualitative and quantitative data collected in the period February-August 1994. The theoretical framework was based on a modified version of Zamans framework that uses prevalence and opportunity as the indicators of participation. Analysis of prevalence indicators reveals that professional foresters make all major decisions for the project without consulting the farmers involved. The government also has sole responsibility for monitoring and evaluating the project, and the farmers are skeptical that the government will allow them to profit from the benefits arising from the project. Analysis of opportunity indicators shows that the project is not decentralized, cooperative and collaborative linkages have not been made, project flexibility has been sacrificed to bureaucracy, and the incentives promised to the farmers have not materialized. It is concluded that the participation of local residents in the Chandra project has been insignificant but that the project has succeeded in reducing 1) the historical distrust and conflict between forestry officials and local farmers, 2) encroachment on government lands, and 3) the rate of deforestation. In addition, the project has given participating farmers a sense of security.

Land tenurial dynamics and participatory forestry management in Bangladesh

Of late participatory forestry management more popularly known as `social forestry (SF) has acquired great significance in Bangladesh as a strategy for both forest resource management and rural development. However research on the contextual factors such as social relations institutional structures forest policies and land tenurial arrangements which regulate SFs performance in the field has been limited. Land ownership and tenurial arrangement is one crucial factor which has remained virtually unexplored in the context of Bangladesh SF. This article examines the land use and tenure arrangements in selected SF projects in Bangladesh. It focuses on the perceptions and choice of the SF farmers regarding land ownership tenure and use; implications of central land tenurial policy on farm productivity and farmers motivation; and also on the difference between farmers land use choice and the assumptions of the SF planners. It shows that land tenure is a complex issue for SF. Although tenurial security is a major motivating force for farmers providing permanent land ownership alone has little impact on farm productivity or on the growth of collective effort among SF farmers. Farmers need institutional assurance and support (especially from the government) to fully utilize the potential rights and benefits associated with such ownership. (authors)

Reckoning Electronic Government Progress in Bangladesh

In the context of the recent interest and enthusiasm regarding e-government, this article proffers an overview of e-government by focusing on its conceptual development and experimental practices with a particular focus on Bangladesh. The study primarily draws on an extensive review of the secondary literature together with personal insights of the authors gained in the course of engagements with selected e-government related projects in Bangladesh. It explores, inter alia, the conceptual setting by examining the key definitional issues and models of e-government; reviews e-government as a practice at the global and developing country contexts; and examines the policy frame and infrastructural status of e-government in Bangladesh. Major challenges and constraints on wider application of e-government in Bangladesh are identified and some clues on possible improvement of the situation are also explored. Despite many constraints, a degree of positive change is already noticeable in reducing the digital divide in the country.

A new estimate of carbon for Bangladesh forest ecosystems with their spatial distribution and REDD+ implications

In tropical developing countries, reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) is becoming an important mechanism for conserving forests and protecting biodiversity. A key prerequisite for any successful REDD+ project, however, is obtaining baseline estimates of carbon in forest ecosystems. Using available published data, we provide here a new and more reliable estimate of carbon in Bangladesh forest ecosystems, along with their geo-spatial distribution. Our study reveals great variability in carbon density in different forests and higher carbon stock in the mangrove ecosystems, followed by in hill forests and in inland Sal (Shorea robusta) forests in the country. Due to its coverage, degraded nature, and diverse stakeholder engagement, the hill forests of Bangladesh can be used to obtain maximum REDD+ benefits. Further research on carbon and biodiversity in under-represented forest ecosystems using a commonly accepted protocol is essential for the establishment of successful REDD+ projects and for the protection of the country’s degraded forests and for addressing declining levels of biodiversity.

Forest protected area governance in Bangladesh: a focus on the legal and policy framework

In the context of renewed interest in collaboration in natural resource management, the collaborative governance approach has lately been introduced to the forest Protected Areas (PAs) in Bangladesh. The adoption of this co-management approach is seen as an attempt to influence the governance process towards a transformation from the conventional custodian system to a more participatory management regime. Recognition of rights and responsibilities, effective participation, and equitable distribution of benefits amongst the key stakeholders working under a facilitative policy and legal framework are believed to address the broader goals of sustainable development. Notwithstanding the resurgence of interest in governance of forest PAs through the co-management approach, academic research on the subject remains limited. This article attempts to review selected key information and milestones on the forest PAs governance with special reference to the major policies and legal documents. With a brief introductory section, this article focuses on the genesis and selected major features of the Forest PAs in the country. The discussion then dwells on the policy and legal framework and provides a critique on its relevance for promoting community participation. The existing institutional arrangements for community engagement in protected area governance are also analyzed in light of the national and international commitment and policy obligations on the part of the country. The salient observations and key findings of the study include the following: (1) despite its limitations, co-management as concept and practice has gradually taken roots in Bangladesh; (2) the degree and level of active community participation remain low and limited, and there is also clear weakness in conscientizing and orientating the local community on the key legal and policy issues related to PA governance in the country; and (3) policy makers, practitioners, and other local stakeholders related to PA governance need to be oriented on international commitment and national development strategies. The study calls for systematic focus on regular research on the performance of co-management in the country, and efforts towards improving the implementation mechanisms in the field.

Commercial cultivation by farmers of medicinal plants in northern Bangladesh

Medicinal plants (MPs) are an important component of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), which are traditionally used in healthcare and source of livelihood all over the world. In an over-populated country like Bangladesh, the pressure on natural forests is immense; thus the cultivation of MPs can significantly contribute towards improving the livelihood of poor people, reducing the pressure on natural forests and enhancing biological diversity. Notwithstanding the growing recognition of its importance and economic and ecological potential, there has been little research on MPs, especially the cultivation, management and marketing aspects, in Bangladesh. Based on extensive fieldwork in a northern district of Bangladesh, this study explores various aspects of the cultivation, management and marketing of MPs. How collective efforts have brought economic and social benefits to communities was also examined in this study. It assesses the major processes and elements of management, identifies key problems and challenges and indicates ways of maximizing the potential of this important sector. The issues covered in this research include: farmers ’ perceptions and experiences; existing research and policy-making processes related to the MP sector; constraining factors (such as lack of processing technology, inadequate transportation, logistics, financial and storage infrastructure, lack of institutional capacity); markets, finance and networking; land use; pattern of livelihood and value chain issue.

The Realities of Aid Harmonisation and Aid Effectiveness: Views from Bangladesh

Aid harmonisation, both as a concept and an operational practice, has come to the forefront of discussions by aid donors and recipient countries. The Paris Declaration adopted a blueprint for donor harmonisation in order to increase aid effectiveness. In the context of the strikingly limited research on the subject, this article examines the progress of aid harmonisation in Bangladesh vis-à-vis the spirit of the relevant international conventions – especially the Paris Declaration and other stated official goals. The article offers some thoughts on improved harmonisation practices, and argues that effective donor harmonisation largely depends on a genuine commitment and collective effort between donors and the governments of recipient countries.Aid harmonisation, both as a concept and an operational practice, has come to the forefront of discussions by aid donors and recipient countries. The Paris Declaration adopted a blueprint for donor harmonisation in order to increase aid effectiveness. In the context of the strikingly limited research on the subject, this article examines the progress of aid harmonisation in Bangladesh vis-A -vis the spirit of the relevant international conventions - especially the Paris Declaration and other stated official goals. The article offers some thoughts on improved harmonisation practices, and argues that effective donor harmonisation largely depends on a genuine commitment and collective effort between donors and the governments of recipient countries.

Threats, vulnerability, resilience and displacement among the climate change and natural disaster-affected people in South-East Asia: an overview

ABSTRACT This paper attempts to unfold the dynamics and nature of the socioeconomic threats and livelihood resilience among the climate change and natural disaster affected people in the South-East Asia. The study captures the nature of the socio-economic threats of the climate change and natural disasters, and unearths the process and underlying causes of livelihood resilience among the local communities in the South-East Asian region. Based on a qualitative interpretative meta-synthesis, it finds that a huge number of people in the South-East Asian countries are displaced and migrated from place of origin, and subjected to resettlement elsewhere with manifestly low level of livelihood resilience. This displacement is largely determined by the underlying vulnerability of people to shocks that compel them to leave their homes and livelihoods for mere survival. The article concludes by offering selected policy lessons, and with an exhortation for further research on this relatively less explored subject.

Making international aid effective: An agenda for aligning aid to social business

In the context of heightened interest in social business and a renewed focus on the performance of international aid, this article explores the role and place of aid in addressing poverty in relation to the rapidly growing social business regime. Research on the subject is surprisingly limited. The article begins by operationalizing the key concepts, and developing a conceptual framework by exploring the possible nexus points between aid alignment and social business. It then addresses a number of key dimensions of aid; notably, a comparative account of possible aid investment in social business vis-a-vis conventional projects and private sector enterprises; an examination of the realities on the ground of the social business projects; and policy implications of the study together with some recommendations.