Scope of Public Participation for the Protection of Biodiversity in Bangladesh: Some Legal Reflections

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Jahan, Ishrat^{; †; *}

Affiliations: Senior Assistant Judge, Bangladesh Judicial Service, Bangladesh

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Note: [†] The views expressed are personal.

Abstract: Bangladesh is rich in biodiversity. However, the biological diversity of Bangladesh is declining day by day. Without the active participation of local people, biodiversity conservation initiatives may fail. Public involvement is vital for biodiversity conservation in the context of the biodiversity of Bangladesh. Public participation is necessary because it promotes the legitimacy of decisions concerning environmental matters, gives the public a chance to express its concerns, can reduce conflict among competing interests and can raise public awareness, educate people and strengthen the local community and indigenous people. The existing legal frameworks of Bangladesh on biodiversity provide some scope for public participation in biodiversity conservation. The current legal frameworks could be improved to ensure effective public participation in biodiversity conservation. Existing laws should be amended to include provisions like mandatory provision for co-management systems for the management of sanctuary, parks and other protected areas, provision for the development of skills and capacity of local people and provision to protect the traditional and the right of livelihood of the indigenous community The government of Bangladesh needs to take initiatives to revise the existing laws to broaden the scope of public involvement to ensure adequate and effective participation in biodiversity conservation efforts.

Keywords: Bangladesh, Biodiversity Protection, public participation, local community, legal framework, co-management system

DOI: 10.3233/EPL-210113

Journal: Environmental Policy and Law, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 55-68, 2022