evidence from village common forests, the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh Chakma, Chaturthi creator Tsusaka, Takuji W. Chairperson Sasaki, Nophea Examination Committee Yaseen, Muhammad Examination Committee AIT Scholarship Scholarship Donor IDE-JETRO Scholarship Donor text series technical report th Pathum Thani Asian Institute of Technology 2025 continuing eng

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221 leaves : ill.+ 1 online resource Indigenous Knowledge (IK) has long been integral to forest resource management, shaping sustainable practices across generations. Amidst growing environmental degradation and climate change, understanding IK{u2019}s role is essential for guiding sustainable forest management. IK has been shown to contribute meaningfully to biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource management, and livelihood support. However, challenges remain in effectively integrating it with modern conservation approaches while preserving its cultural integrity. In the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), despite the indigenous communities being widely recognized for their role in sustaining Village Common Forests (VCFs), there is a notable lack of research examining IK{u2019}s influence on resource utilization and livelihood. This study examines the effects of IK on forest resource management documenting IK practices, assessing their influence on Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) utilization and tree diversity, and exploring challenges in VCF management. Data were collected through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a household survey of 151 households across four ethnic groups selected using convenience sampling. Using a mixed method approach, including narrative analysis, probit regression, and ordinary least squares methods, the findings reveal that IK, rooted in Traditional Ecological Knowledge, guides forest governance through customary rules, spiritual beliefs, and collective decision-making. Some key practices include sustainable harvesting, avoiding stone removal from water bodies, traditional medicine, natural regeneration. Probit regression analysis shows that education, occupation, ethnicity, and religion significantly shape IK utilization, with primary education promoting conservation behaviors, while age and certain occupations and ethnicities are linked to a decline in IK. Most IK practices increase livelihood dependency on NTFPs, except rituals, which reduce consumption. While many IK practices do not affect tree diversity, traditional medicine use positively influences species richness and evenness, whereas weeding and not hunting reduce diversity. Illegal logging, accidental fires, economic pressure challenge VCF conservation.Findings advocate for integrating IK with science-based approaches through context-specific interventions of adaptive co-management systems such selective weeding, assisted natural regeneration, and regulated hunting and sustainable livelihood programs such as agroforestry, sustainable commercialization of NTFPs to refine traditional practices while maintaining ecological balance. A thesis submitted in patial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Natural Resources Management Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2025 Sustainable forestry Bangladesh Forest management Bangladesh Citizen participation Asian Institute of Technology. http://203.159.5.9/ait-thesis/detail.php?q=B22432 http://203.159.5.9/ait-thesis/detail.php?q=B22432 250624 20260818144319.0