Rain Water Harvesting for Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation at Lawachara National Park in Bangladesh: A Study on Policy Challenges
An assessment on the rain water management policy at a protected area for conserving biodiversity was undertaken. The study focuses on the current status of biodiversity with respect to ecological changes and community environmental awareness at the Lawachara National Park (LNP) in Moulvibazar di...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2017
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/15616/ http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/15616/1/Rain%20Water%20Harvesting%20for%20Sustainable%20Biodiversity%20%28abstract%29.pdf |
| Summary: | An assessment on the rain water management policy at a protected area for conserving
biodiversity was undertaken. The study focuses on the current status of biodiversity with respect
to ecological changes and community environmental awareness at the Lawachara National Park
(LNP) in Moulvibazar district of Bangladesh. The contemporaneous era of modernization and
globalization indicates a lot of comfort and luxurious life where lead to an alarming situation of
huge environmental degradation integrated with all the apprehensive activities. Now a days the
entire sectors in the world economy is facing massive challenges to deal with the global warming,
climate change, environmental problems, loss of biodiversity and its consequences present one of
the most important threats to the protected areas. Due to all these reasons, the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD) have started modifying its activities and strategies through Aichi
Targets to ensure protection to our natural resources and environment, particularly biodiversity
conservation at protected areas. Everyone exploits them but none can conserve profoundly due to
lack of scientifically effective policies, tools and methods in national park areas. The study
explores the present uniqueness of inland water management, land use, environmental and forest
policy towards Lawachara National Park for Biodiversity Conservation according to Aichi Target
11 of the CBD. The study examined the exclusivity of the tools to enhance conservation through
existing approaches, technology, literature reviews, observations, reconnaissance findings and
undertook interviews with park managers, Team Leader of Co-management Committee,
Indigenous Community Leader, Academics, Biodiversity Specialists, Water Management Officer,
Botanists, Zoologists, Researchers, Environmental Lawyers, land user, Learners, Policy-Maker,
Local Government Leaders, NGOs and effective key stakeholders. All data were sorted and
analysed using SPSS software for development of priorities Logic Model. About 55% of the
respondents agreed that rain water should be harvested at LNP during rainy season as for
importance of biodiversity information. The study showed that 42% and 55% of the respondents
respectively stated that it is essential and very essential for the authority to undertake the necessary
action to fulfill the Aichi Target of CBD at the existing protected area management. During winter
and summer season water scarcity tends to highly ecosystem services at LNP. This scarcity
assessment will support policy and decision-makers in assessing options to modify existing
policies which will develop initial long-term strategic plans for rain water harvesting and
implement effective policies for sustainable biodiversity conservation. The study also highlights
on the steps, initiatives, benefits and future of rain water harvesting technology in Bangladesh
context. Moreover, the study regarded the need for protection of biodiversity at LNP while
reducing the water scarcity, removing illegal hunting and loss of biodiversity issues during dry and
winter seasons. Overall, the research revealed that terrestrial water harvesting at protected areas
requires policy improvement for sustainable conservation. However, policy makers and relevant bodies need to be trained on biodiversity and water to make them more effective. Finally, the
study suggests future research trajectories using a new collaborative approach to drive
methodological agenda and recommends ways to further incorporate the need of upcoming
generation on water management policy at protected areas in stimulating environmental
sustainability. |
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