Author: Md. Kamal Uddin
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no. HS-87-02
Year: 1987
Academic Program: Human Settlement (HS)
Type: Thesis (M. Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 1996
Examination Committee: Vinod K. Tewari (Chairperson); M. Zakir Hussain, Govind Kelkar (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: Mangroves occur in intertidal zones between the land and the sea. It is one of the most important productive coastal ecosystems in the world. Bangladesh has the world’s largest compact single block of mangroves namely Khulna Sundarban. There is also another isolated tract of natural mangroves in the southern district of the country known as Chakaria Sundarban. The Chakaria Sundarban has been severely degraded due to expansion of shrimp culture. But mangroves are economically very important in the economy of Bangladesh as the mangrove produces timber, firewood, bee, bamboo for paper, and provides plentiful aquatic habitats. A considerable portion of the local inhabitants depend on the mangrove resources. The clearance of the mangroves obviously has given rise to the socio economic and environmental problems in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. The present study investigated the environmental and socio economic impacts of mangrove destruction in Chakaria Sundarban. To carry out the present study primary data, secondary data, experimental data, as well as GIS data have been used. The result shows both positive and negative effects in the study area. In terms of positive effects, it can be said that shrimp culture is more profitable than the other landuses in agriculture. But intensification of shrimp culture carries risks of polluting the aquatic environment by discharging nutrient rich farm effluents, spreading diseases and destruction of fish population. On the other hand local people, specially the traditional fishermen have lost their income sources. Some of them even become jobless. Therefore, developement of coastal areas and protection of the unique coastal resources, there sould be mutually supportive plan and must give serious consideration to environmental issues, if the development is to be sustainable.
Scholarship Donor(s): ADB – Japan Government
Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science
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