Evaluate the Impact of Tea Garden on the Environment and Livelihood: A Folkloric Study on Kamalganj, Sylhet of Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh covers 2% of world tea production every year. There are 164 tea gardens in Bangladesh and most of them are in Sylhet district, exactly in Kamalganj and Sreemangal. Tea garden affects the environment and livelihood of Kamalganj. The object of the study was to examine the impact of the tea garden on the environment and the livelihood of Kamalganj. The direct participatory observation method was used to conduct the research. The study was conducted with the help of open-ended questions. Four tea gardens were selected as the research area. The population of the research was the people who worked in the tea garden. Overall 30% of people of tea gardens complete their primary education. Their social status is very low. Many superstations are obeyed in a tea garden. Their economic system and sanitation system is very poor. They lead very miserable life. They have no political views. People live here from various tribes and religions. Every tribe has a different culture. It makes a cultural diversity here. But the culture and livelihood of Kamalganj depend on economic conditions and tea gardens control the economy of Kamalganj.