Exploring the Interrelationship between the Local Communities and Ecologically Critical Areas (ECA): Evidence from the Communities of Jaflong-Dawki Riverbank Area, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Md. Ohidur Zaman
Additional contact information
Md. Ohidur Zaman: Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Barishal, Bangladesh Doctoral Research Scholar, Department of Sociology, University of Lucknow, U.P., India

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2025, vol. 9, issue 4, 4278-4287

Abstract: According to the 2015 declaration by the Government of Bangladesh, the Jaflong-Dawki River of Sylhet division is the newest ecologically critical area of the country. This river is located in the southern hilly parts of Bangladesh, and natural rocks flow naturally in the river bed. This study seeks to understand the relationship between this ecologically endangered river and the riparian communities. To collect primary data from the study area this study conducted a household survey and Focus Group Discussions. Empirical field data show that local communities are highly dependent on the river ecosystem services for livelihood. They rely on ecosystem services, such as stones, sand, fish, transportation, water for irrigation, and freshwater for household activities in their everyday lives. Despite its ecological vulnerability, locals and traders from nearby towns and cities continue to extract substantial resources without sufficient knowledge of conservation practices. Furthermore, mass illegal resource extraction, corruption among authorities, and inadequate monitoring have made the river increasingly vulnerable. This study suggests that awareness programs, systematic and proper monitoring, and alternative livelihood options could be effective measures to protect this endangered river.

Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/ ... ssue-4/4278-4287.pdf (application/pdf)
https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/arti ... a-sylhet-bangladesh/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-4:p:4278-4287

Access Statistics for this article

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science is currently edited by Dr. Nidhi Malhan

More articles in International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science from International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS)
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Dr. Pawan Verma ().