Summary: A small group of women in southern Bangladesh have taken the role of guardians of the Chunati Wildlife Reserve. Everyday they walk in green saris through the sanctuary, and have seen the resurgence of 77-square kilometers of the sanctuary since they first began. Logging and farming had once heavily damaged the sanctuary, but now it thrives with wildlife, even elephants. To that end, the Bangladeshi government now allows for limited logging within designated areas of Chunati. Community members can plant, cut and sell trees in parts of the forest, provided they replant and they don't cut the old growth. They keep 75% of the proceeds and the rest goes towards reforestation efforts.
Analysis: This is amazing! It is a demonstration of what a community can do if they get together to better their environment. Hopefully there will be even more stories in the news to come about communities like this. It takes real commitment to walk through the wildlife preserve every day, and the Sari Squad must be very proud to see how it has flourished with their help. It also helps a great deal that the other members of the community are willing to give 25% of the money they earn towards reforestation efforts.
Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/04/bangladesh.wildlife.eco/
This is great! I agree that the rest of the world should hear about this and do the same. Trees, while living, are a lot more important than a lot of humans think they are.
ReplyDeleteI am also glad that people are appreciating trees and plants more.
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