:Over the past few decades deforestation has become the issue of global concern for its rapid reduction of biodiversity. The tropical moist deciduous Sal forest ecosystem of central Bangladesh is currently in a critical situation. Destructive anthropogenic and natural impacts coupled with overexploitation of forest resources have caused severe damage to the forest ecosystem. Due to rubber monoculture, expanding commercial fuel wood plantations & expanding agriculture, illegal cutting, encroachment of forest areas, and illegal poaching of wildlife, the Sal forest is losing biodiversity alarmingly. The study is based on intensive literature survey and tries to explore the overall deforestation situation and conservation practices for M adhupur Sal forest that comprises about 5% of the total forests in Bangladesh. The level of destruction of the natural Sal forest has pushed the forest-dwelling indigenous Garo community into cash crop production, forcing them to move away from their traditional subsistence economy. Now we need to address a joint conservation and improved management plan of the forest resources use. Thus all kinds of military establishments, construction of roads and highways for military purposes should be avoided and a policy of planned industrialization should be adopted to mitigate the adverse effect of industrialization. Findings of the study will help to identify the causes of deforestation and conservation of Madhupur Sal forest and also in other national parks in Bangladesh which ultimately conserve the biodiversity and help to maintain natural balance.

Abstract:The study was undertaken to determine the livelihood status of slum dwellers in some selected areas of North Dhaka City Corporation and to explore the relationship between livelihood statuses of slum dwellers with the selected characteristics. Data were collected from 130 slum households by using interview schedule from July to October 2012 in following a stratified random sampling procedure. Majority (43.08%) of the respondents were young in the study area. Almost one half (43.07%) of the respondents was illiterate to could sign only. Majority of the slum people were found in the low annual income category, low media contact, low training exposure and medium environmental knowledge. Overall livelihood status of the slum people was found low and majorities (65.37%) of the respondents were found having high problems (such as lack of proper waste management system, lack of proper sanitation and drainage system, water crisis than necessary and lack of proper health facilities). Relationship among the variables was determined by using the Pearson's Product Moment correlation co-efficient (r). The computed value of correlation coefficient showed that education, annual income, media contact, training exposure, and knowledge about environment showed significant positive relationship at 0.01 level of probability with their livelihood status. On the other hand, age, family size and credit had no significant relationship with their livelihood status.

The study was carried out to ascertain the level of noise pollution at different locations in Tangail municipal area. For this purpose noise levels were measured at different locations at different periods of the day. At all the locations the level of noise were found to be higher than the acceptable level. The intensity of noise was found lower with increasing distance from the road side. The noise level on the main road near hospital, shopping center and bazars was above the standard level recommended by MoEF. From the survey motor vehicles were found as the main cause of high noise level. The most common problems with high noise level were found to increased heart beat, drowsiness, headache and hearing impairment.

Abstract:The study observed the effects of flooding on socio-economic status of two integrated char lands of Jamuna River in Bangladesh during the period from March 2011-September 2011. Data were collected on primary and secondary sources. The Primary data was collected from the field level through intrinsic study and secondary data were collected from various sources vz. Bangladesh Water Development Board, Statistical Bureau, Agricultural office, published journals etc. The questionnaire survey was conducted on the char land's people in order to reveal their perception regarding effects of flooding and management and adaptation strategies. The study revealed that floods have long-term negative implications on socio-economic status. According to survey followed by the most affected sector was agriculture (53.33%), followed by health (17.77%) and property (26.66%), diseases as Diarrhea occurred at alarming levels (77.77%). In the year 2011 the crop damage (57.77%) and house damage wise significant (26.66%) and roads communications were also highly affected by flood. The study obtained the difference-indifference estimates the magnitude of impact of flood on socio-economic status depending on the relative flood prone area and the severity of flooding and its associated impacts.

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