Determinants of participation of mangrove-dependent communities in mangrove conservation practices

This article examines the factors that influence conservation practices in the worldʹs largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans in Bangladesh. It explores the relationship between mangrove density reductions and past and present management practices. It is a cross-sectional study based on a close-ended structured questionnaire (n = 412), measuring variables of interest from theory of property rights. Randomly selected cross-section of households in mangrove-dependent communities (MDCs) were interviewed. Results show that MDCs who engage in resource harvesting under the current property rights regime have less participation in, and lower motivation for, the conservation of mangrove resources. Strict management by the Forest Department results in lower commitment by the community to conservation. Conservation of resources could be achieved by the allocation of management roles to MDCs through expanded property rights. With the granting of these rights they would be very willing to engage in conservation management. The results suggest that constructing effective strategies to promote mangrove conservation require these two factors to be addressed if sustainable mangrove management is to be achieved.