Abstract

This study undertook a qualitative approach to evaluate the perceptions and attitudes of stakeholders towards the effectiveness of planning and management, in three protected areas in Bangladesh. A complex socio-economic context was revealed, within which there were diverse views leading, in some cases, to ongoing conflict and difficulty in law enforcement. While the co-management approach in theory takes the interests of local people into account and so has a better prospect for long term, sustainability, and forest protection, this research revealed that community participation is not currently effective. Recommendations are made to remedy to increase the potential towards achieving the management objectives for these protected areas.

Key words: Co-management, protected areas, Bangladesh.