In a significant contribution to the field of rural sustainability and indigenous knowledge, the research-based volunteer organization Action and Light has proudly published a scholarly article titled “The Uses of Bio-Foul by Rural People: A Study on Dhukrakul Village of Rajshahi.” The research appears in Volume 12 (December 2024) of the Folklore Journal of Rajshahi University,ISSN: 1993-0038. a respected peer-reviewed bilingual annual journal focused on folklore, cultural practices, and rural studies.

The Research at a Glance

Authors:

• James Soren

• Dr. Sazzadul Bari

• Dr. Rowshan Jahid

• Edward Soren , Set in Dhukrakul, a small village in the Rajshahi district of Bangladesh, the paper explores how rural communities creatively utilize bio-foul—organic waste materials from household, animal, and natural sources. The study offers deep insights into how these materials are employed in everyday rural life, from agriculture and fuel to livestock management and housing.

  

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Tradition Meets Sustainability

The paper draws attention to how traditional ecological knowledge plays a central role in rural livelihoods. Through ethnographic fieldwork, the authors document a range of practices where bio-foul serves not just as a by-product, but as a valuable resource in:

• Soil fertility and crop enhancement

• Natural insulation in rural housing

• Animal bedding and feed supplements

• Fuel alternatives for cooking

These findings reveal a sustainable circular economy deeply rooted in local customs, far ahead of many formal environmental practices.

About the Authors & Action and Light

The research was conducted under the leadership of Action and Light’s research team.

• Dr. Sazzadul Bari, a well-known development researcher and Chairman of Action and Light.

• Dr. Rowshan Jahid is Professor of Department of folklore of University of Rajshahi and one of the Advisor of Action and Light, contributed to the theoretical framing from a folkloristic and socio-anthropological perspective.

• James Soren and Edward Soren, local researchers and field experts affiliated with Action and Light, led the community-level engagement and field data collection and analysis .

As a non-government, volunteer-driven organization, Action and Light has long worked in the North-Western region of Bangladesh on issues of climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and grassroots empowerment. This publication marks another step in bridging local knowledge systems with academic scholarship.

The Folklore Journal: A Platform for Indigenous Voices

Published by Rajshahi University, the Folklore Journal is a respected annual outlet that documents the oral traditions, cultural practices, and rural innovations of Bangladesh. Being bilingual and peer-reviewed, it attracts a wide readership from both academic and rural development circles.

Why This Matters

This research not only documents a disappearing tradition but also elevates it as a model of eco-conscious living. At a time when sustainability is a global priority, the findings underscore how rural Bangladeshi communities have long practiced environmental stewardship—without formal training or technology.

Final Word

With this publication, Action and Light continues its mission to empower rural voices through research, documentation, and advocacy. The organization invites researchers, policymakers, and sustainability practitioners to explore the wisdom embedded in villages like Dhukrakul—and to support the preservation and evolution of these practices for future generations.