Group Inequality and Environmental Sustainability: Insights from Bangladesh and Kenyan Forest Commons

Abstract

Abstract:The paper contributes to understanding the interactions of environmental and social dimensions of sustainability in situations of acute group inequalities. Using case studies of Mount Elgon in Kenya and Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh it shows the importance of ethnicity based inequalities in defining sustainability outcomes. The paper explores, first, the mechanisms through which dominant ethnic groups are able to exert influence on resource management at the expense of less powerful groups; and second, the consequences of ethnic inequalities for resource uses within ostensibly democratic systems. It combines information from social and political history with remote sensing data to explore causes, processes and patterns behind spatial trends in the study of forests. The paper concludes that efficacy of national democracy and its institutions in achieving positive environmental outcomes depends on the power relations among social groups, particularly in historically contested contexts. Further, environmental and social OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2014, 6 1463 dimensions of sustainability cannot be treated separately and the issue of equity among groups, ethnic or otherwise, needs to be recognised in policies for sustainable development. The study points out the need for further research into integrating socio-political history with spatial data to better understand social and spatial distribution of policy impacts.

High Rates of Suicide and Violence in the Lives of Girls and Young Women in Bangladesh: Issues for Feminist Intervention

“…More than 70 percent of the population live in rural areas (BBS 2014). Income inequality is high and increasing (Lewis 2011;Matin et al 2014;Nuruzzaman 2017). 31 percent, or around 43 million adults, in the lowest income sector live in extreme poverty, with incomes equivalent to $2 a day, or less.…”

Assessment of Global Sustainable Development, Environmental Sustainability, Economic Development and Social Development Index in Selected Economies

“…Gavin [28] also argued that extensive applications of environmental technologies will be conducive to reduce risk for environmental degradation. Matin et al [29] have noticed that environmental and social development cannot be separated form sustainability. Shafiei and Abadi [30] have also mentioned that environmental and ecosystem friendly technologies would be supportive for SD.…”

Climate Change and Social Inequality

“…For example, Perez et al (2015) note that women have more limited access to common property resources, and this limitation serves as a factor leading to differential impacts from climate change hazards. Matin et al (2014), on the other hand, provide evidence showing that dominant ethnic groups can control resource management and resource use at the expense of other ethnic groups.…”