Shrimp Cultivation: Development Debate and the Adverse Effect on Environment and Economy

Abstract

As an indicator of economic development, GDP remains the main factor among economists. But the hidden reality is that such parameter just shows the overall superficial economic gain but not the real development scenario of the masses. In the name of economic development, numerous degrading activities take place in the centre and periphery regions of Bangladesh. Such unplanned development activities are not only halting the natural flow of development but also creating a threat to sustainability. As the shrimp sector emerges as one of the major areas of earning foreign currency, stakeholders overlooking its multiple negative impacts on the coastal environment and traditional economic livelihood. With the introduction of shrimp cultivation different short of income sources created. As a result, some profit seekers become well off within a short period of time leaving majority unprivileged. Moreover, there is no local authority that shows any concern on the long-term suffering of the local inhabitants. In this article, we tried to show the amalgamate opinion of multiple people from different occupational groups and the conflicting areas against popular theory of development. As the research is heterogeneous in nature we used qualitative method for collecting data from various respondents. The research result clearly shows the conflicting situation and deprivation of the local inhabitants. Concluding part of this research focused on the ultimate crisis and its way out.