Abstract
The study tried to explore the role of national forest in sustaining and conserving biodiversity of a protected area named Nijhum Dwip National Park, Noakhali, Bangladesh. This study was conducted to assess the biodiversity status and to identify the management strategies of Nijhum Dwip, emphasizing on resource user, resource extraction, present condition of flora and fauna, causes and effects of biodiversity loss, people participation in management and training system for conservation of Nijhum Dwip National Park. For this purpose we collect data by using different methods such as key information interview, focus group discussion, eye sight visitation and various types of secondary data. On the basis of questionnaire survey, most of the respondents were illiterate 44%, fisherman 46% and older (above 40 yrs) 46% based on educational status and occupational status respectively. From this study, it has found that 94% people directly dependent on this forest resource, 64% people on fisheries. Government and local people have a broad contribution in management and governments also provide training for conservation of forest. In order to manage the continued degradation allowed by conventional forest management flaws, adaptive management process has been recommended to conserve this ecosystem in a more equitable way.
