Forest dependency, co-management and improvement of peoples' livelihood capital: Evidence from Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary, Bangladesh

In order to reduce peoples' dependency on forests, to improve their livelihoods, and to conserve forest resources a number of protected areas (PA) in Bangladesh has been brought under PA comanagement. In this study, we examined the dependency of forest dependent communities (FDC) on forests, and the impacts of PA co-management on their livelihood capital drawing data from Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), a pioneer PA of south-eastern Bangladesh. Data on forest dependency was collected through a participatory survey along 28 randomly selected forest trails and remote sensing (RS) analysis of betel leaf plots inside the CWS. To analyze the livelihood capital, we adopted a sustainable livelihood framework and interviewed randomly selected 843 FDC members, and 88 local people who were not involved in PA co-management as control. Remote sensing based vegetation indices were derived to evaluate the trends of vegetation condition in the CWS. Results show that 481 persons were entering into the CWS in a day to collect forest products having an estimated market value of about USD1,856. Even though the extent of cultivation had reduced but local people were still practicing betel leaf farming. The livelihood improvement activities under PA co-management had positive impacts, and livelihood capital indices of the FDC members were significantly higher than that of control group. Similar impact was also reflected in five livelihood capital, and notably the mean monthly household income (financial capital) of FDC members had increased by 53% in five years. The RS based vegetation indices indicate that overall forest condition was gradually improving from 2010 to 2015. In order to endure the livelihood of FDC members and to conserve the forests of CWS sustainably, we recommend further strengthening of human and social capital along with appropriate institutional support.