The Role of NGOs Activities with forest conservation for sustainable development: Experiences from Bangladesh

Abstract

In Bangladesh, many NGOs have been launched with involving local people in managing livelihood enhancement with forest resource conservation for sustainable development. The study was conducted to assess the capability of NGOs ongoing programs towards species richness and biodiversity conservation in a sustainable way of rural households in Chattogram and Moulavibazar covered by evergreen and semi-evergreen forest area, Tangail and Sherpur covered by Sal forest area and Satkhira covered by Mangrove forest area during 2014 to 2019. Data were collected from 330 IGA participating forest-dependent farmers, who were the member of different NGOs viz. World Vision Bangladesh, Arannyak Foundation, Caritas Bangladesh, Bangladesh Pallidaridro Foundation, and BRAC.  The assessment was done using multistage random sampling. A total of 131 plant species were identified adjacent twenty villages of evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, Sal forest and Mangrove forest areas of which 43 species were fruit-producing, 41 timber species,  29 fuelwood and ornamental species, 18 medicinal and species of spices. Most of the farmers (33%) preferred to plant fruit tree species for future plantation followed by timber species (31%). Diversity and abundance of fruit species were found higher in all homestead. Seven livestock, seven poultry, and two pet animal species were recorded. A total of 46 species of cultured fish species were recorded. Besides, analysis of existing management period indicates that farmers lack scientific information, almost every household presently follows traditional management systems. Finally, a homestead forest management plan, conservation of homestead species diversity through scientific management and obtaining training and support from government and NGOs, was found highly demandable by this study.