Evaluating community vulnerability and co-management strategies in the Sundarbans forest-dependent region of Bangladesh

A socio-economic perspective

Bibliographic Data

ID21690516
AuthorsMd Tanvir Miah (0000-0002-8780-5703, Khulna University), Md Zakir Hossain (0000-0002-4426-8055, Khulna University), Niloy Biswas (0009-0000-8787-8470, Khulna University), Khan Rubayet Rahaman (0000-0002-8018-2355, St. Mary's University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Pages1-30
Publication date2025-10-29
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueLocal Environment (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1354-9839 • E-ISSN: 1469-6711
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13549839.2025.2570498
OpenAlexW4415667151
LanguageEN
References cited63

The study focused on evaluating the inherent vulnerability of forest-dependent communities in Chila Union, Mongla Upazila, Bangladesh, using the Socio-economic Vulnerability Index (SeVI). The primary aim was to assess the social vulnerability of these communities that rely on the Sundarbans’ resources for their livelihoods. To achieve this, the study employed a quantitative research design that included a household survey of 100 households to gather primary data on social vulnerability and ongoing co-management initiatives. Spatial data were used to calculate the average change over the preceding 30 years, from 1992 to 2022. ArcGIS 10.7 and the Google Earth Engine were used for spatial data analysis. To evaluate the vulnerability of the community, 38 indicators across seven primary components were identified and combined to create the SeVI. Results suggest that the study area’s SeVI score is 0.578 (P < 0.001), which is above average given that the index has a score range of 0 to 1. Also, the outcomes demonstrate the importance of several specific co-management-related variables, such as receiving assets, participating in savings organisations, receiving financial aid, and improving one’s standard of living. This study suggests that if the overall area occupied by forests were to decline, extracting natural resources or other items from those locations would no longer be possible. The implications of this study lie in guiding policymakers and professionals to address the adaptation needs of vulnerable and underprivileged households dependent on forest resources, while promoting sustainable strategies for the long-term management of global forest ecosystems

Livelihood · Sustainability · Vulnerability assessment · Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management · Creative Drama in Education · Social and Economic Development in India

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