Why a collaborative approach is crucial for forest management

Bangladesh currently has 22.38% forest coverage, falling short of the global standard of 25% and the national target of 24%. Forests play a vital role in maintaining the country's microclimate and ecological balance. 

Despite challenges, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has made efforts to increase forest coverage through afforestation, social forestry, and tree plantations since independence in 1971, spurred by the devastating Bhola cyclone in 1970. 

However, human activities like encroachment and illegal logging continue to degrade critical forest ecosystems, including hill forests and sal forests.

The Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest (6,017 sq km), serve as a natural shield against tropical cyclones like Sidr, Aila, and Amphan, as well as tidal surges. Despite its ecological importance, the Sundarbans face degradation from cyclones and overexploitation by local communities. 

Historical data from SPARSO (Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organisation) highlights the Bay of Bengal as a hotspot for cyclones, with 26 out of 36 major global cyclones recorded in 1582 AD originating there.

Natural disasters cost Bangladesh 1.8% of its GDP annually, a figure projected to rise to 2% by 2050 and 9% by 2100. Rising temperatures, increased CO2 emissions, and sea-level rise threaten to submerge 17% of the country's land, displacing 18 million people due to livelihood loss, shelter destruction, and health risks. These challenges underscore the urgent need for sustainable forest management and climate resilience strategies.

Forests play a critical role in enhancing climate resilience, particularly in Bangladesh, where coastal forestry spans approximately 209,140 hectares, over 93% of which consists of mangrove species. 

Mangroves are exceptionally effective in carbon sequestration, storing four times more carbon than hill forests, making them vital for mitigating climate change impacts. The importance of mangroves was starkly highlighted after the devastating Cyclone 2B (Gorky) in 1991, which claimed 138,866 lives and caused $1.7 billion in damages. 

In response, the government, with financial support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), initiated coastal plantations with mangrove species to protect vulnerable coastal areas. By 2022, MoEFCC reported the completion of 2,277 square kilometres of coastal plantations, significantly enhancing protection against extreme natural hazards. These efforts, supported by various stakeholders, have strengthened the Green Belt initiative.

Despite these advancements, Bangladesh's forest coverage remains at 22.38%, falling short of the government's target of 24%. To address deforestation and livelihood challenges, the country introduced community forestry practices in the 1970s. 

The first successful initiative was launched in Betagi and Pomra mouzas in Chittagong by renowned forester Professor Dr Alim, who transformed degraded forest lands into thriving social forestry projects. This model improved forest conservation, biodiversity, and community livelihoods, paving the way for broader forest co-management initiatives supported by development partners.

Bangladesh has implemented several community-based forest management projects, including the Community Forestry Project (1982–1987), Thana Afforestation and Nursery Development (1985–1995), the Coastal Green Belt Project (1995–2000), the Forestry Sector Project (1997–2004), and the Nishorgo Support Project (1999–2008). 

Ongoing initiatives include the Community-Based Adaptation to Climate Change through Coastal Afforestation (CBACC-CF) and Sustainable Forests and Livelihoods (SUFAL) (2018–2025).

These projects highlight the country's commitment to sustainable forest management and climate resilience, despite persistent challenges such as deforestation and natural disasters.

Nevertheless, the formal practice of forest policy dates back to 1855, intending to conserve forest resources. In Bangladesh, the policy had limited success due to various sociopolitical factors. However, the forest evolved into a valuable resource pool for the common people, who used it for resource collection and livelihood purposes. 

The Pakistani government declared its forest policy in 1955 and modified it in 1962. After the liberation, the first Forestry Conference of Bangladesh was held in 1977, which led to the country's first forest policy declaration in 1979, aiming for forest protection, conservation, extension, livelihood support, and research through education and training.

In 1994, the forest policy of Bangladesh emphasised massive afforestation and rural forestry (social forestry) that has contributed to building awareness among the people for plantations, especially the exotic species like Akasmoni, Mangium, and Eucalyptus. For community forestry, many NGOs were involved to raise awareness in society and to expand plantations. 

The National Forest Policy 2016 has emphasised sustainable forest management through community engagement in decision-making, empowerment of women, and sustainability of livelihoods of the forest-dependent people. 

Additionally, it also emphasised people-centric forest governance and protection, conservation of biodiversity and wildlife, and protection of endangered species, especially in the protected areas, through institutional and legal frameworks. The SUFAL project, launched in 2018, has rightly addressed all the issues successfully and positioned itself as a milestone with the digitalisation of a database equipping its outstanding monitoring with transparency.

It has been a landmark initiative, addressing these priorities effectively. By digitising databases and enhancing monitoring systems, the project has improved transparency and positioned itself as a milestone in Bangladesh's forest management efforts. These policies and projects reflect the country's evolving commitment to balancing ecological conservation with community needs and sustainable development.

Md Zafar Alam Bhuiyan is a consultant at the Sustainable Forests & Livelihoods (SUFAL), Bangladesh Forest Department. He is also a PhD researcher in climate resilience through sustainable forest management. He can be reached at zafar.climatechange@gmail.com. 

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