Forest Ecosystem Diversity of Bangladesh

Prepared By:

Md. Mahamudur Rahman Khan Papon B.Arch / M S EnvironmentPrincipal Architect: Eco Design Consultant (EDC)Mob. No: 01912467242

IntroductionIn Bangladesh Forests is one of the major biodiversity areas.• The total area of forest land

is 2.53 million hectares• 17.5% of the country's

area.• Bangladesh Forest

Department manages 1.53 million hectares of forest land.

Description According to the Department of Environment, Bangladesh,• 24% of its land area was forested in

1947. (Closed forest area)

• This has been reduced to only 6.5 percent in 1980 as estimated by the World Resources Institute.

• The reduction of forest cover in Bangladesh between 1947 and 1980 is thus estimated to be 75%.

Fig. Closed forest area

The neighboring countries in South and Southeast Asia are relatively better off in this respect. • Nepal is 13% • India 16% • Sri Lanka 26%• Bhutan 45%• Myanmar 47%

The proportion of area under closed forest would be only 5.8% of the total area of Bangladesh in 1991 with an estimated annual deforestation rate of 8000 ha.

Description

Ecological harmony necessitates a certain balance between resource endowment and population. Viewed in this context, the situation in Bangladesh is extremely critical. Based on the forestry figure of 1980 and population figure of 1980-90, per capita availability of closed forests is estimated to be persons are endowed with one hectare of forest have to share one hectare:• In Nepal, 10 persons• India, 17 persons• Bangladesh, 125 persons

Description

Types of Forest in BangladeshTropical Wet Evergreen and Semi-Evergreen Forests.• Chittagong and Sylhet • 6,70,000 hectares

Tropical Moist Deciduous (Sal Forests)• The largest belt is known as

“Madhupur Garh” , Garoh hills, northwest part of the country.

• 1,20,000 hectares

Types of Forest in BangladeshMangrove Forests• The mangrove forest, the

Sundarbans in the southwest of Bangladesh.

• The largest natural mangrove forest of the world.

• Area is 6,01,700 hectares

Freshwater Swamp Forest• Ratargul Swamp Forest located in

Gowainghat, Sylhet, Bangladesh.• Banyan Tree is very common in the

forest.

Homestead Forest• 0.45 million hectares of cultivable

lands• 25.53 million Homesteads in

Bangladesh that fulfill basic needs of the people such as fruit, food, shelter, fodder.

Plantation Forests• It was initiated at early 1980s with

support from the World Bank

Types of Forest in Bangladesh

Ecological Function • Produce of O2 and regulate

CO2

• Regulation of climate and

temperature

• Reduction of Warming

• Control of water flow

• Improvement in fertility of Soil

• Conservation of Soil

Ecological Importance Watershed: • Almost all water ultimately comes from rivers and lakes and from forest-derived

water tables. Some rivers running through forests are also kept cool and from drying out.

Habitat and Ecosystems:• Serve as a home (habitat) to millions of animals. Economic benefits:• Plantation forests provide humans with timber and wood, which is exported and

used in all parts of the world.

Climate Control: • Trees and soils help regulate atmospheric temperatures through a process

called evapotranspiration. This helps to stabilize the climate. • They enrich the atmosphere by absorbing bad gases and producing oxygen.

Aesthetical Important:Aesthetically it is also good. It’s provide tourism income to inhabitants when people visit to see the best of nature. 

Species ……….. (Flora) • 5000 species of angiosperm plants

occur is Bangladesh.

• There are 750-800 tree species including indigenous, exotic and naturalized ones.

• The number of shrubs and woody climbers is 1500-2000 species and the remaining are herbs.

• Bangladesh has approximately 15% tree, 35% shrub and woody climber, and 50% herb species.

Some notable flora species of Bangladesh: Sundari (Heritiera fomes), Bain (Avicennia tomentosa), Amur (Amoora cucullata), Bali (Hibicus tiliaceus), Bhara (Rhizophora mucronata), Bonjam (Clerodenron inerme), Dabur (Cerbera odallam), Garan (Ceriops roxburghianus), Gewa/Geoa (Excoecaria agallocha), Pasur (Carapa abovata), Sondal (Afzelia bijuga) and Kankra (Bruguiera gymnorhiza) etc.

Species ……….. (Flora)

Some Faunal Species:

• Tiger (Panthera tigris)

• Spotted deer (Cervus axis),

• Barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak),

• Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta),

• Jungle cat (Felis chaus),

• Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis),

• Otter (Lutra perspicillata),

• Estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) etc.

Species ……….. (Fauna)

Causes for depletion• Indiscriminate hunting;• Poaching of animals;• Export of animals;• Habitat destruction;• Lack of people’s awareness;• Poor management of protected areas and reserved

forests;• Lack of a plan for compatible forest and wildlife

management;• Inefficient implementation of law for wildlife

conservation;• Natural calamities like flooding, tidal surge, etc.

Threats • Change of land use (High population growth

and natural resource consumption) • Fragmentation and loss of habitat • Change in hydrological regime • Pollution • Uncontrolled tourism • Unsustainable agricultural practices • Monoculture Plantation • Invasive alien species • Climate change

Possible ways for overcome of problems• Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest

degradation• Increase area of forest plantation• Promote sustainable management• Encouraging substitutes• Strengthen government and non-government

institutions and policies• Participatory forest management and rights• Increase investment in research, education and

extension• Promote ecotourism• Establish programs that promote sustainable use

Conclusion

This can be further addressed by community based forest management which builds on political goodwill and strong community institutions. New challenges from climate change require urgent action to explore and protect the local value of forests for livelihood even more. These renewed activities will safeguard traditional ways of life and the environmentally important forest ecosystems of the world.

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