Towards Dynamic Policy Instruments for Enhancing Biodiversity Conservation in National Parks: A Case Study on Bangladesh and Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract

Asia is the most populous region, with a substantial number of global biodiversity hotspots and several megadiverse countries, including Malaysia, with rich cultural and natural heritages. In this region, natural heritages within protected areas is under threat with high tendency of biodiversity losses. Exploitation is widespread but effective conservation is hampered by lack of systematically dynamic policies and instruments. This study attempts to relook at key factors that strengthen policies towards conserving biodiversity at national parks (NPs) in Bangladesh and Sarawak, Malaysia. It focuses on the analysis and review of the present tools (policy, growth of national parks and legal aspects) used to enhance conservation activities within and around these areas through literature review, observations of some of the parks, as well as interviews with relevant staff and indigenous community. The study showed that the growth of NPs maximized for the period of 2010 to 2014 both in Bangladesh and Sarawak, Malaysia reflecting the importance that both countries are placing on the conservation of biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide. This is indeed a positive sign that both two countries reveal towards achieving Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 for the global protected areas network. Overall, the study suggests that the dynamic policy-based decision-making on sustainable biodiversity protection at NPs in both countries should incorporate development with environmental, economic, social, institutional and administrative domains.

Towards Stimulating Tools for Advancement of Environmental Conservation through Promoting of Psychological Instruments

“…The findings on the existing psychology instruments are inadequate in connection with national and global perspectives, where there are some gaps, like lack of environmental education, dynamic collaboration, stakeholder participation, establishment of psychological conservation supports in the society. However, national parks are instrumental in supporting biodiversity conservation as well as providing many benefits to the society (Miah et al, 2017).…”

More policies and laws, is it better for biodiversity conservation in Malaysia?

“…Malaysia has continued to show commitment to biodiversity conservation by formulating policies and passing laws. However, there are noticeable shortcomings in implementing these policies and laws (Mohammad, 2011;Naqiyuddin Bakar, 2018;Rahimullah Miah, Sayok, Sarok, & Belal Uddin, 2017;Wan Talaat et al, 2013). These shortcomings include the limitations of existing legislative frameworks, unclear administration of biodiversity management, and lack of an integration of policy in biodiversity management.…”

Policy Development in China’s Protected Scenic and Historic Areas

“…A study assessed biodiversity conservation policy instruments for national parks in Bangladesh based on an expert rating methodology [70]. There are also studies that use interviews to test policy instruments for biodiversity conservation in national parks [71]. Current research on policy instruments has mainly used qualitative methods to analyze the effects of policies, which lack standards, and rarely systematically assess protected area systems.…”