LIVELIHOOD AND FOOD SECURITY STATUS OF THE WORKING PEOPLE IN SAFARI PARKS OF BANGLADESH: A MULTIVARIATE REGRESSION ANALYSIS

Livelihood and Food Security Status

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the role of Safari parks on livelihood pattern and food security status of the people linked with parks. A survey was conducted among the employees in two safari parks. Different descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to evaluate the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents. Economic Security Index (ESI), Health Security Index (HSI), Food Security Index (FSI), Educational Security Index (EDUSI) and Livelihood Security Index (LSI) were constructed. Simultaneous equation system and Three Stage Least Square regression were used to detect the influential factors that affect livelihood and food security status of the people. The result shows that educational status and mode of employment were significantly associated (p<0.01).  The body mass indexes about 78% employees were normal. The findings of 3SLS are that the livelihood of the households was positively changed by their food security status where food security was significantly influenced by the mode of employment. For sustainable employment opportunities, the authorities should have to give priority on training and sufficient education to the employees. Different stakeholders can take initiatives to create a number of local jobs, namely shop keeping, hotel and restaurants, transportations, guides, daily laborers through Safari parks.