Historical Insights into Wetland Management in Bangladesh: Policies, Practices, and Transformations

Mohammad Fakhrus Salam

Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Bangladesh

Wetlands play a crucial role in Bangladesh's ecology, economy, and livelihoods, yet their management has evolved through a complex interplay of traditional practices, colonial legacies, and contemporary policies. This qualitative study explores the historical trajectory of wetland management in Bangladesh, examining key policies, governance structures, and shifting approaches from pre-colonial times. Drawing on historical records, policy documents, and scholarly analyses, the study traces the transition from indigenous and community-based wetland use to state-led conservation and development initiatives. The findings reveal how colonial-era interventions disrupted traditional management systems, while post-independence policies have oscillated between exploitation and conservation. Despite efforts to integrate participatory governance and sustainable management, challenges persist due to policy inconsistencies, institutional fragmentation, and socio-economic pressures. By offering historical insights into policy transformations and their implications, this study underscores the need for an adaptive, community-inclusive, and ecologically sustainable approach to wetland governance in Bangladesh.

Article link: https://www.asianinstituteofresearch.org/lhqrarchives/historicalinsightswetlandmanagement