- English
Sustainable use of biodiversity in the Sundarbans- the world’s largest mangrove
forest shared between Bangladesh and India has become increasingly complex due
to rising climatic and livelihood pressures. There has been a general agreement that
traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is key to supporting ecosystem services
(ES) and community resilience, yet it continues to be undervalued in management
decisions. This study investigates how communities in Koyra and Sarankhola, near
the Sundarbans in Bangladesh, use ES with TEK, and how TEK changes because of
ecological shifts and governance. Based on interviews, focus group discussions, and
field observations, this study investigates how TEK mediates ES use in a rapidly
changing the social- ecological system of the Sundarbans ecosystem. According
to the results, ecosystem services are declining, and TEK is weakening, creating
a social-ecological trap. The elderly master harvesters continue to possess strong
ecological literacy- demonstrated through their ability to interpret tides, winds, and
species behaviors yet younger generations are becoming increasingly disengaged
from forest-based activities. Despite this, a measure of resilience persists, sustained
by informal networks of cooperation and enduring cultural ethics. Our findings
emphasize that ensuring the sustainability of the Sundarbans requires more than
ecological restoration alone; one vital step is that TEK must be integrated into
co-management frameworks, policies, and educational initiatives to safeguard both
natural ecosystems and the cultural systems that sustain the Sundarbans ecosystem
and dependent livelihoods.
- English