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European Journal of Research [email protected]¹ 5/2019

Generalization of Scientific ResultsVienna, Austria

ROHINGYA REFUGEE CRISIS IN BANGLADESH: ANANALYSIS OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN BANGLADESHMYANMAR BORDER AREA

Anwar Hossain Choudury, Mohammad FazlulkaderUniversity of Chittagong, Bangladesh

E-mail:[email protected], [email protected]

Abstract: Bangladesh is a country that is consisted of various ethnic groups. After the46 years of freedom Bangladesh remains under the title of developing country withnumerous afflictions. Rohingyas is one of such affliction. In history, no Rohingya wordexists before 1951. As a Muslim minority group, Rohingya face systematic discrimination.Tension in the region, which borders Bangladesh, hashistorically been fueled by Myanmar'sdenial of citizenship to the Rohingya who are also not recognised as one of the country'sofficial ethnic nationalities. The Rohingyas were stripped off their citizenship and rightto self-identify by the 1982 citizenship law. The Rohingyas are also subject to manyrestrictions without authorisation, propitiated from working outside their villages, andthey cannot marry without permission. They have lacked sufficient access to livelihoodopportunities, medical care and education. They face mass killing, execution, forcedlabour and deportation or denied them the most basic of human rights and renderedthem stateless.

Thestudy will be analyses from A.Martin Refugee-Host relationship Model - to figureout the Rohingya crisis and their impact on local peoplesbecause, Rohingya refugees areblamed for the enhancement of socio-economic, demographic and environmental problemsin Teknaf and Ukhia of Cox's Bazar. This study is an attempt to find out local peoples viewon involvement of Rohingya refugees in such problems.

This issue was studied through a survey (Interview schedule) and case studies on 90local peoples from Teknaf and Ukhia. The collected data was analysed and compared withavailable literature. Based on findings, it was proved that Rohingyas asignificant driverfor accelerating Socio-economic, political, demographic and environmental problems.

Keywords: Rohingya, Refugee,Challenges, Socio-economic problems, Border people.

SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES

http://dx.doi.org/10.26739/2521-3253-2019-5-10

Manuscript info:Received April 14, 2019., Accepted April 18, 2019., Published May 26, 2019.

Recommended citation: Anwar Hossain Choudury, Mohammad Fazlulkader. ROHINGYAREFUGEE CRISIS IN BANGLADESH: AN ANALYSIS OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMICAND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN BANGLADESH MYANMAR BORDER AREA.5 European Journal of Research P. 87-106 (2019).

1. IntroductionBangladesh is one of the significant country facing the problem of

refugees, migration and displacement. The emergence of Bangladesh as an

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independent country bears testimony of development andnation-buildinghas exposed the people of this country to different forms of migration anddisplacement (Ahmed; 2010).

The first most enormous refugee influxes took place in 1978, and in theearly 1990s Bangladesh witnessed a wave of a quarter of a million who fled toBangladesh due to brutal persecution by the Myanmarauthorities.Historically, the Rohingyas have been fleeing to Bangladesh,Malaysia and Thailand to escape severe repressions in their country of originMyanmar. Myanmar's military government launched violent oppression againstthe Rohingyas that led began arriving in Bangladesh in 1990, 1991-92,2012, 2016, and 2017 after experiencing various forms of persecution intheir home country. Still now, whenever any insurgency takes place inMyanmar it just hit Bangladesh with its Refugee influx. The effects of Rohingyarefugee on the place of destination are not convenient. It has enormousadverseeffects on Socio-Economic, Demographic and Environmental factors.

A series of global and national efforts were made to resolve the Rohingyarefugee crisis in Bangladesh. Nevertheless, these initiatives have not been ableto resolve the problem entirely. Today Bangladesh hosts 7,55,542 officiallydocumented Rohingya refugee till 31 July 2018, in the two camps of Kutupalongand Nayapara in its southern Cox's Bazar district (RRRC, 2018). It is knownto all that still more than 1 million Rohingyas are living outside the officialcamps and staying here and there around the country. Bangladesh is expectedto obey various types of regulations, such as maintaining rules and norms inconducting with refugee by international organisations. In doing so, Bangladeshhas been thrown in a paradoxical situation regarding Rohingya.

2.Background of the studyThe Rohingya are the Muslim minority group of Myanmar. They have

been fleeing from Myanmar due to the operation Nega Min (DragonKing) to root out people who lived in Myanmar illegally. This operationresulted in violence, arrest harassment and Departure to Bangladesh. TheGovernment of Myanmar passed citizenship status to Rohingyas. Rohingya,the minority group of Rakhine state, become stateless and excluded fromall the rights provided by the Myanmar constitution.

Source: Ahmed Imtiaz; "The Rohingya from stateless to Refugees"

Green- those who are naturalized citizens

Identification of the citizenship

status Blue- Those who are associate citizens

Pink-those who are full citizens

White-for the foreigners

Categories for citizenship status

Full Citizenship

Associate Citizenship

Naturalized Citizenship

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Figure 1. Rohingyas Identity Card Pink Card

Source: The photo was taken from the field

In order to be a full citizen of the country, one must be able to provideevidence of the birthplace and nationality of one's ancestors before theBritish annexation in 1823.

The Rohingyas did not fall under any of these above four colours. Forthe Rohingya Muslim from Rakhine state, becoming a registered citizen isalmost impossible. Instead they were forcibly pushed into Bangladesh. Asforeigners they experience discrimination in many ways (HRW; 1997&2014)Denial of citizenship rights in homeland, restriction on freedom ofmovement, and economic opportunities are the leading causes of Rohingyaexodus to Bangladesh. Rohingya women have been subjected to rape and

Source: The photo was taken from the field

White Card

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sexual violence. Forced labour was used to repress this ethnic minority.Rohingya people in Myanmar do not have property rights because thisright is only provided to the citizens of Myanmar. Government of Myanmarimposed financial coercion in the forms of extortion, arbitrary and taxationpenalties (Ahmed, 2010).

3. Objectives of the studyThis study was conducted to find out the Socio-economic and

environmental problems in Bangladesh and Mayanmar border area ofTeknaf and Ukhia.

4. Research MethodologyThis study was both descriptive and exploratory.Teknaf and Ukhia Upazila

of Coxsbazar district were selected for present study. The duration of thestudy was six months. 90 (80 surveys with interview schedule and 10 casestudies) local peoples of Teknaf and Ukhia Upazila of Coxsbazar werepurposively selected for the study from the population. Based on theobjectives of the study an interview schedule and case study was doneaccordingly. The data was collected from both primary and secondary sources.On the data collected from the survey were compiled, classified and analysedstatistically and finally presented in tabular form and figures.

5.Conceptual Issues and Theoretical ModelRefugeeAccording to the article I A (2) of the 1951 convention and 1967

protocol, the refugee shall apply to any person who:Owing to well-fouled fear of being persecuted for reasons of race,

religion, nationality membership of a particular social group or politicalopinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or owingto such fear is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country;or who not having a nationality and being outside the country of his formerhabitual residence as a result of such events is unable or owing to suchfear is unwilling to return to it (Hathaway, 1991).

RohingyaThe Rohingya are often described as the world's most persecuted minority"

many scholars assert that the word Rohingya derives from the word Rohang(Rashid, 2000:39) but prominent Bangali scholar named MohammedEnamul Haque and Abdul Karim Shalitya Bisharod argued that the wordcomes from the word 'Roang' although road is used as a Rakhaine languagefrom Tibet it is a Tibetan Burmese word.The Rohingya are, and ethnicgroup majority of whom are Muslim who has lived for centuries in themajority Buddhist. Myanmar currently, there are about 1.1 million Rohingyawho lives in the Southeast Asian country.The Rohingya speak Rohingya orRohingya, a dialect that is distinct to others spoken in Rakhine State andthroughout Myanmar. They are not considered one of the country's 135official ethnic groups and have been denied citizenship in Myanmar

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since 1982, which has effectively rendered them stateless. The Rohingyadiffer from Myanmar's dominant Buddhist groups ethnically, linguisticallyand religiously.

Border PeoplePeople living in border areas of two or few countries are called border

populations. In this study, the border people refer to all the populationsliving in the border areas of Bangladesh, Myanmar, in Cox's Bazar district.

5.1. Refugee-Host relationship ModelA Martin's (2005) conceptual model on Environmental conflict between

Refugee and Host communities is worth considering. In this conceptualwork, as he indicates, there is a growing concern that scarcity-inducedinsecurities can contribute to amplification of perceived significance ofethnic differences and inequalities creating the conditions for unproductiveconflict.

His work showed that influxes of refugees into an area could placeconsiderable stress on natural resources, leading to both environmentaland social impacts.

He further explains that resource demand can dramatically increasefollowing the creation of settlements, leading to the accelerated conversionof forest agricultural land, collection of firewood, extraction of surfaceand ground waters, fishing and hunting. That is why large number ofrefugee presence in place stress on impermanent local resources in thetaking areas and this leads to over-exploitation of common propertyresources such as wood, water, the hill plants, River and Sea resources,fossil-fuel to mention but a few.

A refugee is increasingly perceived as a burden and creates bad refugeehost-relationship at receiving area because the process of settlement incamps and outside the camps will give further impetus to the depletion offorest and other resources.

Indeed, refugees would depend on the forest to find fuel-wood forenergy and building materials. This eventually leads to severe deforestationwhich has direct and indirect consequences for the host society. Localhostpopulation had to adjust to and cope with shortages of fuel and constructionwood.

The indirect impact on the sustainability of local farming systems isequally substantial as the depletion of forest resources leads to increasedsoil erosion, pollution and damage to water resources of the host society.Hence population increase, mainly when it occurs suddenly and in aprotracted manner like refugee situations, undoubtedly places additionalstress in local resources. Moreover, finally the poorer hosts can lose fromcompetition for food, work, wages, services and common propertyresources, which already started at Teknaf and Ukhia where the Rohingyarefugees are staying.

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6. Socio-Economic and Environmental Problemsin Bangladesh MyanmarBorder Area

Bangladesh will face several problems due to the emergent Rohingyacrisis from threecentral aspect like Economic, Social and Environmental.The extent of the impact of such problems will depend on the length ofstaying of the Rohingyas.

6.1 Economic ProblemsThere are several indications of changing the structure of employment

in the local economy.The language spoken by the Rohingyas and the localpeople of cox's Bazar is almost similar which allows the Rohingyas toassimilate quickly with the local peoples. The daily wage earners alsoswitching to work with the aid agencies to work in the camps since the jobsare readily available. This creates problems for the formers since it hasnow become difficult for them to find labourers to work their farms(Khatun,2017).

Some local people have created small business to sell fish, vegetable,bamboos, sticks etc, inside the camps since shelters are mostly made ofbamboos the bamboos has become a booming business for some peoplesnot everyone, on the other hand, it was also reported that after the hugeexodus of Rohingyas the daily wage has gone down this is especially truein the camps area. It is a fund that a day labourer earnsTk.150-200 day.However, in previous it was 400-500 Tk.Per day.

Beside other respondent said that for the cost of living increase day byday and a ban on ship traffic had been implemented because of the ongoingunrest along the Bangladesh Myanmar border for that they lost morethan 5lac tourists this season.

Since Ukhia and Teknaf Upazilas of Cox's Bazar are an overcrowdedand resource-poor area, thousands of self-settled Rohingyas have beenliving in the local community for years, and hence they are perceivedmainly as a burden on already scant resources of the locality and a threat tothe local job market (Uddin, 2010). By using fake Bangladeshi passport,Rohingyas are going to Middle East, Malaysia and other countries andfor their unlawful activities Bangladesh losing its image, and for thatBangladesh losing international labour market also.

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Major Economic Problems in the Study Area

Decreased Employment

Depression of Daily wage

Increased Cost of living

Loss for Tourism

Increased commodity prices

Economic Problems

Decreased work opportunity

Table 6.1.1 Percentage distribution of Rohingya influx

Yes 73 91.250

No 7 8.750

Rohingya influx Total 80 100

Source: Field survey; 2018It was seen that around 92 percent respondents think that massive influx of

Rohingya put extra pressure on local labour market.

Table 6.1.2 Rohingyas impact on the local labour market Impact Frequency Percentage

The problem in getting work 34 42.5

Rohingyas work in few wages 30 37.5

Others

(Hard-working, barrier for day labourers,

they do agriculture-related activities)

16

20

Total 80 100.00

Source: Field level survey; 2018From the table6.1.2 we see that most of the respondents said that Rohingyas

create pressure on local people's employment and they are also responsible forthe depression of daily wage. Besides, others think that they are veryhardworking, basically they do agriculture-related activities and low pricejobs.

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6.2Social ProblemsSeveral NGO workers noted that the Rohingyas has lack awareness of

regarding family planning, it was observed that most of the Rohingya familyhas 8-10 members. The Rohingyas population in the camps is likely toincrease in the coming days, which will put further pressure on food,employment, health and other basic needs (Khatun, 2017).

During the interview of the local people, we found out that the Rohingyashad tried to get into the local villages to collect firewood. However, thevillagers did not allow them because the Rohingya were carrying dangeroustools.Some local families told that they used to receive medical care at theMSF Holland, but after the Rohingyas crisis, they are not given freeservice anymore. Moreover, previously, they were free to move around,but now they have to carry identity cards.They also said, before recentcrisis, local people had used land for grazing their cows, which is notavailable now. During the interview we also found out that local law andorder has been severely deteriorating due to the Rohingyas by theirengagement with different criminal activities.

Major Social Problems in the Study Area

Social Problems

Over Population

Health & sanitation

Breakdown Law and order

Increased illegal activities

Increased drug selling and Human Trafficking

Table6.2.1 Percentage Distribution of Rohingyas Illegal and CriminalActivities

Yes 92.5 Involvement in illegal and

criminal activities No 7.5

Total 80 100.00

Source: Field level survey, 2018Around 93 percent respondents think that Rohingya are engaged with illegal

and criminal activities.

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Table 6.2.2 Rohingyas Involvement in Illegal and Criminal Activities

Criminal activities Frequency Parentage

Human trafficking 18 22.50 Smuggling 35 43.75

Fake identity 7 8.75

Theft heist revision 16 20

Allof the above 2 2.5

Others (Collect Bangladeshi SIM cards) 2 2.5

Total 80 100.00

Source: Field survey, 2018

From the table6.2.2 we see that 22.5 percent respondents said that crimesyndicates involved in Rohingya trafficking to smugglingRohingyas whoare reluctant to stay in the camps. 43.75 percent local fear that the Rohingyasmight be allured into drug smuggling. Several respondents 8.75 percentreported that man old entrants have paid brides to third parties to gainBangladesh identification cards and other respondents concern that manyprevious female Rohingyas are involved in prostitution due to poor livingconditions, some Rohingyas possess Bangladeshi SIM cards. During thefield visit several peoples have also echoed similar concerns, especiallyregarding women trafficking to the international market for unethicalactivities.

6.3 Environmental ProblemsRohingyas are involved in destroying forests near the camps and other

areas where ever they inhabit. They also destroy the mountain causinglandslides in the nearby area.

The Rohingya refugees are blamed for the enhancement of deforestationand forest degradation in Teknaf and Ukhia of Cox's Bazar Forest divisionarea. Beside primary shelter materials in camp area are tarpaulin, aluminiumand bamboo which are non-disposable item except bamboo. Drinking waterwas supplied to the Rohingya camps through plastic container that isanother non-disposable item which is harmful for the environment.

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Environmental Problems

Deforestation

Soil erosion

Loss of drinking water

Improper waste management

Water Pollution

Unhygienic living condition and increase diseases

Hill cutting and reduction of agricultural land

Major Environmental Problems in the Study Area

Figure 6.3.1RohingyasHill Cutting Scene

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Source: The photo was taken when Rohingya peoples cutting down hill

Table: 6.3.1 Percentage Distribution of Environmental Impact

Yes 86.25

Impact on environment No 13.75

Total 80 100.00

Source: Field level survey, 2018

From the table 6.3.1 we see that almost 86 percent respondents thinkthat Rohingya refugee is putting pressure on local environment regularly.

Figure 6.3.2 Environmental Problems

Source: Field survey; 2018

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According to the survey result from the figure 6.3.2 we see that almost30 percent respondent think that several environmental problems relatedto the Rohingyas presence in local area are documented, among thosemajor problems are- Deforestation, Hill cutting and reduction ofagricultural land, Building house here and there, Sanitation problems andincrease diseases, land degradation, Eco-system and Biodiversity. All ofthose are major environmental problems accelerated by Rohingyas influxin local area.

Some people think that natural disasters are also caused due to theRohingya peoples because of over exploitation of forest and other naturalresources.And the sewerage management in the camps is not hygienic atall. In some places the sewerage directly or indirectly flows into the NafRiver, which causing water pollution and creating water borne diseasesthroughout the downstream areas.

Table 6.3.2 Because of Rohingyas local Environment and economyenormously damaged

Measurement scale Frequency Percentage

Strongly agreed 59 73.75

Agreed 12 15

Disagree 2 2.5

Strongly Disagree 1 1.25

Undecided 6 7.5

Total 80 100.00

Source: Field level survey; 2018

73.75 percent of the local respondents strongly agreed with the statementthat because of Rohingyas influx local environment and economyenormously damaged, concurrently 15 percent agreed with this statement,7.5 of the respondent neither agreed nor disagreed, and only 1.25 percentstrongly disagreed with this statement.

6.4 Challenges for Bangladesh after Rohingyas InfluxBangladesh will face several socio-economic, political, Humanitarian

and environmentalchallenges for Rohingyas influx, such as- The Rohingya population in the camps is likely to increase in the

coming days, which will put further pressure on food, employment, healthand other needs.

- After Rohingyas influx increase different illegal activities like Humantrafficking, smuggling, fakeidentify, prostitution, breakdown of law andorder etc. which damage our social environment.

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- The significantchallenges are to supply water, sanitation, a Bathingplace for women, cooking fuel etc. for Rohingyas.

- The significant political difficulty in the next few months/years as therefugees struggle to get settled, adequate shelter, medical facilities, tofeed and care for the refugee and to control the movement and locationof the Rohingya.

- The main challengewhich Bangladesh is facing it will be economic,because the Rohingya crisis is creating pressure on employment, depressinglocal labour market because the number of day-labourers is increasingday by day. It has already affected the tourism business in Cox's Bazar.

- Bangladesh economy also faces- local food and transport price hikes,food grain shortage, reduced tourism, along with increased pressure onnatural resources and various social issues.

- The humanitarian challenges for Bangladesh after massive Rohingyasinflux remain dire, with newly arrived 6,50,000 refugee since 25 August2017. At least 58 percent of them are children and they adding the pressureon the massively stretched resources on the ground.

- Significant environmental challenges for Bangladesh are-Deforestation, water pollution, land Degradation, increase chronicdiseases, Eco-system and Bio-diversity, hillcutting and reduction ofagriculture land etc.

Table 6.4.1Percentage distribution for authority steps

Yes 98.75

Authority steps No 1.25

Total 80 100.00

Source: Field level survey; 2018

It was seen that around 99 percent respondents think that governmentshould take proper steps to reduce the losses of local environment and theeconomy.

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Table6.4.2 Steps should be taken to ensure socio-economic andenvironmental security

Measurers Frequency Percentage

Governmentally list the Rohingyas and take

them a specific area

5

6.25

Enforce law and order to maintain socio-

economic and environmental security

3

3.75

Provide employment 2 2.5

Take measures as if they cannot engage with

any criminal activities

7

8.75

All of the above 59 73.75

Others (repatriation) 4 5

Total 80 100.00

Source: Field level survey, 2018

From the table6.4.2we see that almost 73.75% respondents said itsnecessary to take proper step like-Governmentally listed the Rohingyaand take them specific area, Enforce law and order to maintain socio-economic and environmental security, provide employment, and takemeasures as if, the Rohingyas cannot engage with any criminal activities.They also said Bangladesh government should arrange the Repatriationfor Rohingya with the help of neighbouring countries and internationalorganisations.

6.5 Stepsshouldbe taken to reduce the Losses of Environment and theEconomy

I) Bangladesh government must take determined steps to bring illegaltrade, human trafficking, smuggling, fake identity, arms trafficking undercontrol.

II) Bangladesh should strengthen economic relations with Myanmarand improve security measures on a strong economy.

III) Enforce law and order to stop illegal activities occurred byRohingyas.

IV) Securitymeasures in the Rohingya camps and adjacent areas,particularly in the Southern of the country have to be strengthened. Thelaw enforcing agencies have to be vigilant to stop illegal activities, drugtrade, and terrorism in the camp area.

V) Always be aware for a large population of Rohingyas settlement in alimited area, because a particular area of huge population would have aconsiderable pressure for the future consumption, production,transportationand other basic needs for livelihoods.

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VI) Sudden settlements of refugees would promote the concentrations ofsubstances in society. For example plastics, packing foods, and other cookingappliances might be used by the refugees. So we should aware of it.

VII) Besides these environmental violations, because refugees areseverally facing the fundamental needs of livelihoods.

VIII) Finally, we must be aware because the Rohingya crisis has givenrise to multi-dimensional problems for Bangladesh.

However, if Rohingyas are given shelter consideringhumanity, thenthey might be settled in the Government Khas land adjacent to theMyanmar-Bangladesh border, or any other similar types of places inBangladesh.

7. Results of the StudySeveral problems were documented as people's perception in the studied

area. Those problems are organized with the involvement of Rohingyapeoples.

Considering the economic perspective in table 6.1.1 it was seen that91.25% local peoples think that Rohingyas as a problem for the local labourmarket.

From table 6.1.2 it was seen that after Rohingyas influx several problemswas seen in local labour market 42.50% respondents think that Rohingyasare problem for local labour market because they work in few wage, andso any work at a low cost. But others 20% respondents think that they arevery hard working, any work they can do and mostly they are engaged infarm related activities.

It was seen that local day labourer face several problems and theirdaily wage has gone down. These are some reasons through which localpeople are losing their jobs due to the presence of Rohingya in theirlocality.

Table 6.2.1 it was seen that 92.5% local peoples think that Rohingyapeoples are involved in deferent illegal and criminal activities.

Many problems were documented in the studied area and Rohingyas arestrictly involved with that problem. The problems are smuggling 43.75%,Human trafficking 22.50%, fake identity 8.75%, theft heist, invasion 20%,and 2.5%, respondents think that Rohingyas are involved with all thoseproblems (Table 6.2.2). Therefore most of the people in Teknaf and Ukhiathink that Rohingya peoples are involved in all such unsocial activities.

Considering the environmental perspective, it was seen that 86.25%local peoples expressed Rohingyas are badly damaged local environment(Table 6.3.1).

According to the survey, several environmental issues related to theRohingyas presence are observed from the study area. Among those, majorproblems are deforestation, hill cutting and reduction of agricultural land.Building house here and there, sanitation problem and increased

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diseasesland degradation and water pollution, waste management,ecosystem and Biodiversity, etc.

Among 80 respondents around 27% think that deforestation activitiesoccurred by Rohigyas, 20% respondents think that Rohingya are involvedwith hill cutting and reduction of agricultural land, 14% think that Rohingyasbuilding a house here and there, 4% respondents think that Rohingyas arecrated sanitation problems and increased diseases. And 13% respondentsthink that Rohingyas are involved with all the environmentalproblems(Figure- 6.3.2).

Around73.75% respondents strongly agreed with the statement thatbecause of Rohingyas local environment and economy hugely damaged. Atthe same time 15% respondents agreed with this statement, but only 7.5%of the respondents neither agreed nor disagreed (Table-6.3.2).

98.75% think that it is high time for Government; effective steps can betaken to ensure local environmental and economic security (Table-6.4.1).

Considering the security perspective most of the local peoples suggestsit is high time to took proper steps for ensuring local environmental andeconomic security.

Almost 75% respondents think that Governmentally list the Rohingyapeoples and take them specific area Enforce law and order to maintainSocio-Economic and environmental condition of the local area, Takesteps if they cannot engage with any criminal activities, repatriated themto their own country but a few respondents 2.5% think that they have rightto get jobs (Table 6.4.2).

8. Key Findings of the Study- After Rohingyas exodus several problems such as associal, economic,

humanitarian, political and environmental etc. are increasing at Teknafand Ukhia day by day.

- It was found that most of the Rohingyas are involved in illegal andcriminal activities.

- Around 87 percent local people think that Rohingyas are hugely damagedlocal environment after their exodus major environmental problems whichincreased in the study area are deforestation, hill cutting and reduction ofagricultural land, Building house here and there, land degradation, waterpollution, waste management, Eco-system and Biodiversity etc.

- It was seen that almost 74 percent respondents strongly agreed withthe statement that Because of Rohingyas influx local environment andEconomy enormously damaged.

- Most of the local people suggest it is high time to take practical stepsfor ensuring local environmental and economic security.

9.TheFuture of Rohingya Refugee Crisis:Local people in cox's Bazarare worried about Rohingyas future as over 1 million Rohingyas havealready crossed the border into the district fleeing ethnic cleansing in

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Myanmar putting immense strain on infrastructure, services and low paidjob market even everything. Local people said that they continued assistingRohingyas, but they were concerned about their future as the massiveRohingya influx was putting extra pressure on food, shelter, sanitation,market price, local job market, natural resources, and transportation cost.Most of the respondents said, "Our future is black, as Rohingyas arecausing price hike, transport fee hike and add that the local poor wouldalso lose jobs as Rohingya labour would be cheaper. Cox's Bazar refugeerelief and rehabilitation Centre declared that they would bring all Rohingyasinto a mega camp to prevent their mingling with locals. However, UNwarning about the conflict between locals and Rohingyas, RRRC saidthat such apprehension was there, but no such situation had arisen so far.We are on alert about possible conflict.

After new waves of Rohingya influx has overcrowded Teknaf and UkhiaUpazila's health facilities and put extra pressure on water sources. Rohingyasare posing a threat to the outbreak of diseases and hampering education.Since August 25, when last round of Rohingya influx began, market priceincreased significantly, transportation costs doubled, number of patientsat health facilities tripled and Rohingyas have destroyed forest of at leastSix kilometres and living in 12-k.m2 area of reserved forests. The wayRohingyas made shelter on hill slopes and cutting down the forest, anormal landslide and cyclone could call on heavy damages to the area.Beside they hamper tourism business in beach town Cox's Bazar. Prices ofcoarse rice and flour increased significantly, and vegetable prices doubled.In the first week on October 2017 prices of all main food commodities,including rice, flour, salt, oil, potato, sugar, pulses increased. Local peoplealso expressed fear of deterioration of law and order situation in thelocality if the Rohingyas could come outside the camps and look for jobsand they might be involved in criminal activities. Also, Rohingyas areworking as agriculture labourers, fishing boat worker, and rickshaw-puller.With physical features very similar to those of Bengalis, Rohingyas caneasily mix with the Bangladeshi community and in this way; maybeRohingyas can assimilate with the people of Bangladesh in the future(Kader,2017).

10.ConclusionThe Rohingya crisis has given rise to a multi-dimensional problem for

Bangladesh. While the government of Bangladesh, Regional andinternational communities are playing the critical role to providehumanitarian and other support to the Rohingyas, major global playersare yet to take strong positions in resolving the crisis.

Though the Rohingya refugees are involved in various destructiveactivities, they have no other clear options for surviving here. Whence,they are perceived as an unwanted burden for our society. Now, the

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Rohingya issue needs a permanent solution and not incremental fixings.Any such solution needs to take the following steps: First, provide themwith full citizenship status and rights in their country. Moreover, thecondition mentioned in the 1982 citizenship rights has to be removed.Second, the government of Myanmar has to take back all the Rohingyaswho have fled to different parts of Asia particularly Bangladesh due tomilitary operations against them in their country. Third, the process offurther "Burmanisation" of Myanmar has to be stopped. Finally, althoughthe global community has come forward to provide humanitarian assistanceto the Rohingya, the world has to exert more pressure on the Myanmargovernment to end the violence against the ethnic minority (Rajon; 2017).

However, repatriation could be a solution for Rohingya refugee crisis,but this issue completely depends on the Government of both the countriesof Bangladesh and Myanmar. And before doing all these policy planningand implementation, it is also equally imperative to understand what theMyanmar government can and should do to single out this problem.

11.RecommendationsThrough my whole research, I have tried to make clear the present

situation from the perspective of the local peoples.Bangladesh is now in a dilemma where it wants to maintain national

security, social, economic, environmental balance and also humanitarianones. With a negative impact on society, environment and economy ofBangladesh is going to have this as a permanent crisis. The root of the crisisis not the kind of repatriation or the troubles in the camps of Bangladesh,the root is in Myanmar. Myanmar government wants to totally demolishthe Rohingyas from Myanmar. This is unfair.

Some may not count this is a conflict because it has not taken theapparent shape. But it should not be a wise work if we give the decision soearly. Because we the academician of conflict analysis know that conflictcrosses many stages to become an obvious one. So it might be the astutework to identify and find the possible solutions about the Rohingyas impacton local society. To do this I would like to suggest some plausiblerecommendations. The recommendations are following

- All unregistered Rohingya refugees living inside or outside should bedocumented with the help of local NGOs and government organisations.Diplomatic efforts should be made to repatriate them toMyanmar throughbilateral agreement.

- The retribution should be strict in case of the persons who are kindlesthe situation against the minority.

- Special committee should be formed to overlook the circumstances.- Everybody should be reverential to the religious belief of other.- Particular steps should have to be constituted to handle any kind of

emergency.

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- Security measures in the Rohingya camps and adjacent areas,particularly in the southern of the country have to be strengthened. Thelaw enforcing agencies have to be vigilant to stop illegal activities, drugtrade, trafficking and terrorism.

- The local people of Teknaf and Ukhia should be aware of socio-economic, demographic and environmental problems created by Rohingyas

- Most of the local people are more concerned about the hike prices ofnecessary goods and for this government should take proper steps. Somemeasures GoB will be take such as, tree plantations, stopping fuel woodcollections, stopping hill cutting activities etc.

- Keeping in line with its foreign policy, Bangladesh should take thefirst step diplomatically. As there exists a gap in terms of values and normsbetween Bangladesh and Myanmar.

- Bangladesh Government must take determined steps of bring illegaltrade, arms trafficking under control.

- Bangladesh should go to international community and regionalorganizations. It can raise the Rohingya issue to the UNHCR and otherstate and Non state organization.

- The government of Bangladesh has to continue energetic diplomacy,particularly with the regional partners to solve the problem.

- Extra-regional platforms such as ASEAN should play a role foraddressing the crisis.

- First of all, Myanmar should bring all the Rohingyas back fromBangladesh and provide citizenship to them.

- China and India should help Bangladesh because Bangladesh practicesdemocratic beliefs like India. As an emerging superpower, China shouldplay a positive role as both Bangladesh and Myanmar have goodrelationship with both India and China.

- ASEAN and SAARC can mediate between the two countries.- UNHCR should take initiatives to solve the problems related to

Rohingya refugees.- The USA and other big power can help Bangladesh as a democratic

country and one that is fighting against terrorism and urge Myanmar tochange its policies towards Bangladesh.

- As both are members of the UN, the UN can take measures to easethe relationship between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

I think to provide humanitarian and other assistance to Rohingyas arenot the real solution of this crisis. Rather we should take effective measureswith the help of Regional and international body so that this crisis can bepermanently resolved. In this case, we have to be less emotional and morerational. Because life in makeshift camps does not solve the crisis ratherprolongs the crisis.

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