1. Introduction- Mohammad Shaheed Hossain
Chowdhury, Masao Koike and Shigeyuki Izumiyama

2. Conceptual framework, research methods and approaches - Mohammad Shaheed Hossain Chowdhury and Masao Koike

3. Critical analysis of the forest policy of Bangladesh: Highlights on conservation and people's participation- Mohammad Shaheed Hossain Chowdhury, Masao Koike and Shigeyuki Izumiyama

4. Local communities' use of biomass fuels and attitude towards improved cooking stoves in and around Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary - Mohammad Shaheed Hossain Chowdhury, Masao Koike and Shigeyuki Izumiyama

5. Major resource use from protected areas by local communities: A case of harvesting medicinal plants in and around Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary - Mohammad Shaheed Hossain Chowdhury and Masao Koike

6. Impact of co-management on rural development: Evidence from community survey in and around Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary - Mohammad Shaheed Hossain Chowdhury, Masao Koike and Shigeyuki Izumiyama

7. Assessment of the community participation in and attitudes towards co-management programs in Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary - Mohammad Shaheed Hossain Chowdhury, Shigeyuki Izumiyama and Masao Koike

8. Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem functions of indigenous agroforestry systems: Case study from three tribal communities in and around Lawachara National Park - Sharif Ahmed Mukul

9. Role of co-management organizations in protected area governance: Some selected dynamics from Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary - A. Z. M. Manzoor Rashid and Niaz Ahmed Khan

10. A review discussion on the state of collaborative protected area management around the world and comparison with that of BangladesH - Mohammad Shaheed Hossain Chowdhury

11. Potential threats, their patterns and extent to the protected areas of Bangladesh: A 'red flag' to biodiversity conservation efforts - Mohammad Shaheed Hossain Chowdhury and Shigeyuki Izumiyama

12. Conclusion and recommendations - Mohammad Shaheed Hossain Chowdhury, Masao Koike and Shigeyuki Izumiyama

This book dealt with a number of issues under the broad subject matter of protected area focusing on the policy of collaborative management as a means to augment the forest conservation activities and enhance community development in Bangladesh. Studies covered in the book emerged with the success stories of protected area co-management, both in terms of community development and biodiversity conservation. Significant level of development was noticed in the socio-economic conditions of the surrounding communities. Empowerment and improved social dignity of women participants signifies the initiation of co-management approach. The principles of participatory governance were found reasonably well reflected in legal and policy frameworks. Based on the lessons from the studies, a general metaphysical model, namely 'Spider-web model of protected area co-management' has been developed that can be potentially applicable in countries where local communities rely heavily on protected areas.

Dr. Mohammad Shaheed Hossain Chowdhury JSPS Post-Doctoral Research Fellow Wildlife Ecology Laboratory Education and Research Center of Alpine Field Science Faculty of Agriculture Shinshu University, Japan.