Ecosystem Services for Indigenous Community Well-Being at Kaptai Lake in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Bangladesh

This study investigates the adaptation capability of local indigenous communities and the obstacles to adaptation based on the ecosystem in the Kaptai Lake area in Bangladesh. The study is based on a semi-structured questionnaire survey among the purposively selected 150 respondents from the indigenous communities in three villages in the study area. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) has been facilitated among the community leaders. The study identifies that ecosystem services are assessed on the socio-cultural dimension, behavioral compliance with management and policies, benefits from ecosystem services, conservation approaches, and sustainability evaluation. The respondents feel they benefited from the ecosystem in agriculture, fishing, small businesses, and tourism activities. The respondents emphasize several initiatives such as forest conservation, reducing illegal housing and deforestation, community participation, indigenous knowledge, diversified agriculture, and business activities. The FGD suggests sustainable agriculture, medical plant cultivation, ecotourism development, freshwater management, and reduced emissions. Several initiatives, such as benefits, regulation, preservation and adaptation, decision-making, and Indigenous knowledge, are essential for the adaptation capabilities of Indigenous communities based on ecosystem services. The study recommends natural ecosystems, protection of livelihoods, community participation, and investment in sustainable ecosystem services for ensuring the economic, social, and environmental well-being of indigenous communities.