Having more than 56 Protected Areas (PA) of different categories, Bangladesh is a naturally enriched country of diverse ecosystems, and vast floral and faunal resources. These PAs, serving as the most important zones in the country for conservation of wildlife biodiversity, are maintained and managed under the jurisdiction of Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD). However, with continuous population pressure, human encroachment on wilderness and natural resources, and landscapes, the resources and wildlife of our country are declining at an alarming rate. Over exploitation, illegal hunting, and trade, in this respect, have driven a number of endemic species to extinction in the last few decades, and lack of awareness regarding this issue in the mass population has destroyed many prominent biodiversity hotspots.
As such, to facilitate proper research and effective conservation initiatives, POJF has conducted the project Knowledge sharing and developing Protected Area Management System in five PA’s in Bangladesh to Conserve Wildlife (SRCWP) in 5 PAs of Bangladesh. Documenting information about existing wildlife, natural resources, and prospective conservation initiatives in these sites, POJF has conducted grassroots campaigns to ensure sincere involvement of all stakeholders, especially local communities living in and around the 5 PAs. Designing and developing 5 detailed research-based Video Documentation on the wildlife species and their ecological role in all the PAs, POJF has significantly contributed in preparation of the PA management systems. Ensuring peoples’ participation for successful conservation and protection efforts, POJF has also conducted data collection, group formation and skill development workshop, Income Generating Activities (IGA) skills development, child education on environment, women empowerment, environmental awareness, and connectivity to nature, capacity building of BFD staff and forest management and training.
