Environmental Movement and the Conservation of Forest: A Case Study on Ratargul Swamp Forest of Sylhet, Bangladesh

Aims: The aim of this paper is to explore and analyze the scope and nature of the environmental movement that may shape the existing management.

Study Design: This paper is a qualitative study and based on empirical research. It focuses on the impact of environmental movements around Ratargul Swamp Forest

Place and Duration of Study: This research was done around the Ratargul Swamp Forest located in on Sylhet district of Bangladesh. The study period was from January 2016 to November 2017.

Methodology: For the primary data collection, 47 respondents were selected by using purposive sampling on the basis of their level of involvement. Data was collected from local people, environmental groups and the forest department. Data collection methods were key informant interview, in-depth interview, case study, focus group discussion and archival research.

Results: People of Ratargul village are now more aware of the harmful activities of uncontrolled tourism while the Forest Department brings new management policies and practices in response to the local and civil pressure. It is also found that the Climate Resilient Ecosystem Livelihoods (CREL) project in Bangladesh actually works to negate the strength of the environmental movement rather than as a conservation proponent. The Forest Department is successful to implement their projects due to a lack of coordination between local activists. According to the respondents, 31.1% mark this movement as successful, 23.4% opine as completely failure and while remaining 44.4% thinks that it is partially successful.

Conclusion: A strong, integrated, coordinated and organized form of resistance or movement is needed to break up the hegemony of Forest Department that may save the Ratargul Swamp Forest from ongoing damage.