A CASE STUDY ON THE GARO ETHNIC PEOPLE OF THE SAL (Shorea robusta) FORESTS IN BANGLADESH

Garo is one of the major indigenous communities in Bangladesh with distinct ethnic identities. An empirical study was conducted on this community living in the Madhupur Sal (Shorea robusta) forests of Bangladesh. Our objectives were to analyze the diverse socio-economic and cultural aspects of the Garo people with regards to their livelihoods. We also attempted to understand the underlying causes of prevailing conflicts with the Forest Department, and their adverse affects on the forests and indigenous people of the areas. It was found that this indigenous group has been experiencing countless challenges and their human rights are consistently being abused against, both by the law and its implementation. With multiple claims over the same piece of land and illegal settlements of non-Garo population in the forests, the Garo peoples have become a marginalized ethnic group in their own traditional land. This study determined that if sensitive land tenure issues remain unsettled, sustainability of the forests and lands cannot be ensu red, even with on-going participatory social forestry practices in the Sal forests. The Government needs to recognize the Garo population as indigenous people of the area, which would legitimize them as caretakers of the land and forests resulting in the initiation of effective policies for sustainable management. It is recommended that existing national policies and laws that adversely affect their rights and life are reviewed and re-evaluated. The unique culture of the Garo population needs to be preserved through proper documentation and Governmental recognition.