Mapping international forest-related issues and main actors' positions in Bangladesh

Abstract

The international forest regime complex (IFRC) comprises a wide range of international policies, institutions and actors. The study of the influence of individual elements of the IFRC at a domestic level has become significant in forest governance processes. This paper identifies the most relevant international forest-related policy issues currently discussed in Bangladeshi forest politics and analyses the active actors and their positions on the issues identified. As an empirical method, the content analyses of media and of expert sources were employed and a theory-based actor typology was adopted. The analysis detects issues that encompass various policy domains e.g., REDD+ elements of UNFCCC, biodiversity elements of CBD, sustainable forest management, community based forest management and good governance. Our results suggest that future empirical research on the implementation of the IFRC in Bangladesh, especially analysing the role of powerful actors (e.g., the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Bangladesh Forest Department, and Development Cooperation Agencies) using power analysis would be worthwhile.