Migration Impacts on Environment: A Case of Rohingya Influx in Ukhia Upazila, Cox’s Bazar

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Md. Sahadat Hossain, Abdullah Al Nayeem, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder

Department of Environmental Science, Stamford University Bangladesh

Dhaka 1209, Bangladesh

Presented by : Abdullah Al Nayeem

• Human society and forests influence each other in both

positive and negative ways

• Total required forest cover 25 %, however available 9%

(FAO), 10 % (UNESCO) cover

• Deforestation (accounts for 15% of all global greenhouse

gas emissions) include conversion of forestland to farms,

human settlement, urban use, industrialization

Introduction

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• Since the 1970s, more than one million Rohingya have fled

to neighboring Bangladesh, as well as Malaysia, Thailand

and other Southeast Asian countries.

• As of 21 November, an estimated 6,22,000 Rohingya

refugees fled Myanmar to Bangladesh.

Introduction

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2017 Scenario

• The Rohingya influx—August 25, 2017

• Cox’s Bazar is mainly affected area

• Hill forest destroying for the Rohingya settlement.

• Water, soil and air pollution for this migration.

• The pressure on the land is creating another conflict, this time

environmental rather than ethnic

Introduction

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Covered Area

Ukhia Upazila

Palongkhali Balukhali Thaingkhali Kutupalong

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• Ukhia Upazila, Cox’s Bazar District of

Bangladesh.

• Located in between 21°17` N and

92°06` E.

• Area covers 261.8 sq km

• Main sources of income: Agriculture

54.40%

Study Area

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Methodology

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Results and Discussion

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January 10,

2017

November 26,

2017 % Change

Vegetation

311.24

(65.49%)

267.99

(56.39%) -9.10

Bare Soil

164.01

(34.51%)

207.26

(43.61%) 9.10

Total 475.25 (100%) 475.25 (100%) 0.00

Results and Discussion

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Impacts on Local Aspects

Local Socio-

economic Aspects

Air & water

Local labor

Education

Health

Gender

Sanitation

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Humanitarian and Legal security

Proper infrastructure

Participation of local communities

Bilateral Cooperation with Myanmar government

International Cooperation

Ensuring repatriation process

Relief operations

Possible Solution

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• GoB aimed to achieve 20% of land under forest cover

by the year 2015 (Forest Policy, 1994)

• SDG Goal 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat

desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt

biodiversity loss

• By 2020, sustainable management of all types of

forests, halt deforestation

• By 2030, combat desertification

• By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain

ecosystems,

• Climate Change : (Deforestation accounts for 15% of all

global greenhouse gas emissions).

Need to be concern

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Future Study

Field Study

Social Condition

Economic Condition

Gender Discrimina

tion

Vulnerability

Conclusions

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This slide is made possible by the support of American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the sole responsibility of the presenter and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States government.

Save the Forest for Better Environment and Achieving the

Sustainable Development Goals

Conclusion

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