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.

1: Introduction.- 2: Conceptual framework, research methods and approaches.- 3: Critical analysis of the forest policy of Bangladesh: Highlights on conservation and people's participation.- 4: Local communities' use of biomass fuels and attitude towards improved cooking stoves in and around Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary.- 5: Major resource use from protected areas by local communities: A case of harvesting medicinal plants in and around Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary.- 6: Impact of co-management on rural development: Evidence from community survey in and around Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary.- 7: Assessment of the community participation in and attitudes towards co-management programs in Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary.- 8: Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem functions of indigenous agroforestry systems: Case study from three tribal communities in and around Lawachara National Park.- 9: Role of co-management organizations in protected area governance: Some selected dynamics from Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary.- 10: A review discussion on the state of collaborative protected area management around the world and comparison with that of Bangladesh.- 11: Potential threats, their patterns and extent to the protected areas of Bangladesh: A 'red flag' to biodiversity conservation efforts.- 12: Conclusion and recommendations.