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, comanagement 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.