Social Forestry Practices and Co-Management Approach at Kamalganj Upazila of Sylhet Division in Bangladesh

Social forestry plays a crucial role in Bangladesh by restoring degraded lands, alleviating pressure on natural forests, and enhancing rural livelihoods through community en-gagement. This study evaluated strip and woodlot plantations in Kamalganj Upazila of Sylhet Division, alongside co-management activities at Lawachara National Park, to as-sess their socioeconomic and ecological contributions. A structured survey of 32 benefi-ciaries and a discussion with the co-management committee were conducted to examine household characteristics, benefits received, challenges encountered, and local involve-ment in forest protection. Beneficiaries, mostly males aged 30–60 years, reported improved income, fuelwood access, and livelihood stability after participating in social forestry. Plantations were dominated by Acacia auriculiformis, Albizia procera, Chukrasia tabularis, and Melia azedarach, and respondents emphasized the need to incorporate more indigenous and multipurpose species. Co-management efforts contributed to a reduction in illegal ex-traction and enhanced community awareness, although issues such as manpower short-ages, limited training, and communication gaps between management groups persisted. These findings demonstrate that social forestry and co-management initiatives in Kamal-ganj Upazila provide meaningful socioeconomic benefits and advance forest conserva-tion, while highlighting the importance of species diversification, stronger institutional coordination, and expanded livelihood support to ensure long-term sustainability.