Introduction to Geography Lecture 10: Land and Forest Resources in Bangladesh PDF

ENV203/GEO205: Introduction to Geography Lecture 10 North South University ENV203/GEO205  International Organization for Migration Land and Forest Resources  What are Natural Resources? Materials or substances suc...

ENV203/GEO205: Introduction to Geography Lecture 10 North South University ENV203/GEO205  International Organization for Migration Land and Forest Resources  What are Natural Resources? Materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain.  What are Natural Resources? Biotic Resources Abiotic Resources Forest Water Fisheries Land Livestock Energy & Agricultural crops Minerals resource biodiversity Forest resources Forest is a very important renewable resource in Bangladesh. It provides materials like timber, pulp, pole, fuel wood, food, medicine, habitat for wildlife and primary base for biodiversity. It also provides oxygen, controls or reduces the intensity of the cyclones and tidal surges in the coastal areas of Bangladesh, influences the rainfall, and sustained water yield in the river systems etc. In the past three decades, the stock of forest trees has declined at an alarming rate. It is estimated that the forest cover has been reduced more than 50 percent since the 1970s.  OVERVIEW: BANGLADESH FOREST OVERVIEW… About 10% of the total land is under forest cover. Estimated rate of deforestation in natural forests is 8000 Hectare annually. Per capita forestland in Bangladesh has shrunk to 0.022 Hectares considered one of the lowest in the world.  TYPES OF FORESTS TYPES OF FORESTS… State Forest Land (2.6 million hectares): Reserved Forests: Under the Forest Act 1927 managed by the Forest Department (1.6 million hectares) Unclassified State Forests (USF): Administered by the Ministry of Land through local administration and not under the Forest Act 1927 (0.73 million hectares) Private Forest land (0.4 million hectares): Village forests; tea estates; rubber plantation, etc. Forest and Forestry Forest type: Based on their ecological characters, the forests of Bangladesh can be divided into - - tropical wet evergreen, - tropical semi-evergreen, - tropical moist deciduous, - tidal, and - planted forests. Forests of Bangladesh Tropical wet evergreen forests Forests of Bangladesh Tropical wet evergreen forests Tropical semi-evergreen forests Forests of Bangladesh Tropical wet evergreen forests Tropical moist deciduous forests Tropical semi-evergreen forests Forests of Bangladesh Freshwater wetland forests Tropical wet evergreen forests Tropical moist deciduous forests Tropical semi-evergreen forests Forests of Bangladesh Freshwater wetland forests Tropical wet evergreen forests Tropical moist deciduous forests Tropical semi-evergreen forests Mangrove forests  Forests of Bangladesh 1. Tropical wet evergreen forests: Characterized by tall, straight evergreen trees The hill forests of Sylhet and some small pockets of forests in Chittagong and Chittagong Hill tracts (CHT). Multi-storied forest. The major evergreen tree species include:  Chapalish (Artocarpus chaplasha)  Jam (Syzgium spp.)  Sutrong (Lophopetalum fimbriatum )& Ramdala (Duabanga soneratioides) Associated species are :  Garjan (Dipterocarpus spp.)  Telsur (Hopea odorata)  Chandul (Tetrameles nudiflora)  Sal (Shorea robusta)  Hargoja (Dillenia pentagyna)  Simul (Salmalia spp.)  Koroi (Albizia spp.)  Forests of Bangladesh 1. Tropical wet evergreen forests: The understory is evergreen however, the tallest trees may shed their leaves between winter and spring. The undergrowth usually is a tangle of shrubs in which canes (beth), bamboo and wild banana plants are common Epiphytes are abundant and aroids, ferns, mosses, and Fruit of Chapalish: Chamkathal orchids are very common. Lawachhara Forest in Sreemongol  Forests of Bangladesh 2. Tropical semi-evergreen forests Most of the hill forests of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and CHT The three layers of this multi-storied forest are distinct at many sites The major species of top canopy are:  Garjan (Dipterocarpus spp.),  Civit (Swintonia floribunda)  Narkali (Pterygota alata)  Koroi (Albizzia spp.)  Chandul (Tetrameles nudiflora)  Champaphool (Michelia excelsa) Common and important species in the middle story are:  Tali (Palaquium polyanthrum)  Kaamdeb (Callophyllum spp.)  Chapalish (Artocarpus chaplasha)  Nageswar (Mesua ferrea)  Pitraj (Aphanamuxis polystachya)  Forests of Bangladesh 2. Tropical semi-evergreen forests The lowest story consists of  Batna (Quercus spp.)  Jam (Syzygium spp.)  Jarul (Lagerstroemia speciosa)  Chalmugra (Hydnocarpus kurrzii),  Pitali (Trewia nudiflora)  Gamari (Gmelina arborea)  Bohera (Terminalia belerica)  Horitoki (Terminalia chebula)  Jalpai (Eleocarpus robustus) Bamboo, mostly of Muli (Melocanna banbusoides) are common in this type of forests Other species of bamb0o are also found here. Mixture of the wet evergreen trees and the moist deciduous trees where the tallest trees shed their leaves either in winter or summer while the understory remain green.  Forests of Bangladesh 2. Tropical semi-evergreen forests The lowest story consists of  Batna (Quercus spp.)  Jam (Syzygium spp.)  Jarul (Lagerstroemia speciosa)  Chalmugra (Hydnocarpus kurrzii),  Pitali (Trewia nudiflora)  Gamari (Gmelina arborea)  Bohera (Terminalia belerica)  Horitoki (Terminalia chebula)  Jalpai (Eleocarpus robustus) Bamboo, mostly of Muli (Melocanna banbusoides) are common in this type of forests Other species of bamb0o are also found here.  Forests of Bangladesh 3. Tropical moist deciduous forests: The ‘Sal’ forests located in the greater districts of Dhaka, Mymensingh, Dinajpur, Rangpur and Comilla The major species is Sal (Shorea robusta), most of which have coppice growth. The trees shed their leaves for six to eight month during dry season. Other species found as associates of Sal are:  Jarul (Lagerstroemia flos)  Sidha (Lagerstroemia parviflora)  Joginichakra/Gamar (Gmelina arborea)  Kaikha (Adina cardifolia)  Chambol/Chapalish (Artocarpus Chaplasha)  Amloki (Phyllanthus emblica)  Ajuli (Dllenia pentagyna),  Polash (Butea frondosa)  Sonalu (Cassia fistula), etc.  Forests of Bangladesh 3. Tropical moist deciduous forests  Forests of Bangladesh 3. Tropical moist deciduous forests  Forests of Bangladesh 4. Freshwater wetland/swamp forests: These sites get flooded or indundated during monsoon. The reed land and the hijal-koroj forests of Sylhet haor area belong to this type. The major species are:  Hijal (Barringtonia angulata)  Koroj (Pongamia pinnata)  Borun (Crataiva murvala)  Kadam (Anthocephalous cadamba)  Indian Willow (Salix tetrasperma) Their associated woody shurbs are Asclepaid spp., Asparagus racemasus, Ficus heterophylla, Ipomea fistulosa, Lipia javanica, Rosa involucrate The common reeds area Phragmites karka, Saccharum spontaneum and Lemna spp. Forests of Bangladesh Ratargul Swamp forest Tanguar Haor  Forests of Bangladesh 5. Mangrove forests: All the coastal estuarine tidal forests including the Sunderbans The forest floor of this type of forests get inundated twice a day for about six hours during high tide. Trees have pneumatophores for gaseous exchange needed for root respiration and evergreen in nature. The most productive forest type in Bangladesh, they are situated in Khulna, Patuakhali, Noakhali and Chittagong regions along the coastal region, and constitute about 520,000 ha. Sundri (Heritiera fomes) Reference for Forests of Bangladesh: Junaid K. Choudhury (2002) An introduction to forest management for the students of environmental science. 5. Subdarban The major species are  Sundri (Heritiera fomes)  Kankra (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza)  Bain (Avicennia officinalis  Keora (Sonneratia apetala)  Gewa (Exoecaria agallocha)  Goran (Cerios decandra)  Passur (Xylocarpus moluccensis) Their associates are:  Golpata (Nypa fruticans)  Hantal (Phoenix paludosa)  Shingra (Cynometra ramiflora)  Kholshi (Aegiceras corniculatum)  Ecologically Critical Areas (ECA) As declared by the Department of Environment following areas as ECAs: 1. Sundarban 2. Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Sea Beach 3. St. Martin’s Island 4. Sonadia Island 5. Hakaluki and Tanguar Haor 6. Marjat Baor, Jhenaidaha 7. Gulshan - Baridhara Lake 8. Buriganga, Sitalakhya, Balu and Turag Rivers  Watch Forests of Bangladesh (Prokriti O Jibon) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0OxaSF ksV0  Forest distribution The total forest area in Bangladesh including unclassed state forest land is about 2.25 million ha. A large part of the area, however, has no tree cover. Over the last three decades forest cover declined by 2.1 percent annually. Table Status of the state-owned forest land (in ha). Forest Reserve Protected Vested Acquired BWDB Unclassed Total type forest forest forest forest and khas state forest Hill 594,383 32,303 2,636 11,004 --- 721,344 1361,670 Inland 68,140 2,689 19,985 31,198 --- --- 122,012 Littoral 656,579 --- --- 6 101,526 --- 758,111 Total 13,19,102 34,992 22,621 42,208 101,526 721,344 22,41,793  Medicinal Plant A medicinal plant is any plant which, in one or more of its organ, contains substance that can be used for therapeutic purpose or which is a precursor for synthesis of useful drugs.” Medicinal plants constitute an important natural wealth of a country. They play a significant role in providing primary health care services to rural people. They serve as therapeutic agents as well as important raw materials for the manufacture of traditional and modern medicine. Substantial amount of foreign exchange can be earned by exporting medicinal plants to other countries. In this way indigenous medicinal plants play a significant role in the economy of a country. Medicinal plants and their use Name Parts used Name of diseases Amloki Fruits Blood dysentery, vomiting, loss of appetite Arjun Bark Burning, dysentery, hypertension Bashok Leaves Cough, asthma Bel Fruits Gastric, flatulence Bohera Fruits Dysentery, asthma, cough Horitoki Fruits Asthma, heart disease Mehendi Leaves Skin disease, head ache, jaundice Nim Bark, leaves Fever, skin disease, diarrhea, insect biting Pathor kuchi Whole plant Cough, flatulence Tentul Fruits Loss of appetite Thankuni Whole plants Dysentery Tulsi Leaves, root Cough, cold Amra Bark, leaves Dysentery, pain at joints  Forest management Two different types of forest management: Past Forest Management Present Forest Management Past Forest Management Forests used to managed primarily for revenue collection under the control of Revenue Department. Only valuable trees were extracted from the forest to get more revenue. The Forest activities used to operate by annually developed forest management plan.  Forest management…. Present Forest Management The present forest management is almost totally different from the past one in respect of its objectives and philosophy. Present forest management objectives are not only to produce timber but also to provide clean air, water, healthy habitat for wildlife and to act as a major source of biodiversity and nature-based tourism. The present philosophy of forest management is to involve people in the management and to create an environment so that people can feel that they have also some stakes on trees growing on the forestland and to improve living standard of the people residing in the vicinity of the forests  Main causes of deforestation Increasing population; Increasing demand for cultivable land; Transfer of land for industrialization, urbanization and communication infrastructure; The unlawful taking of forest products from forest area; Encroachment and shifting cultivation, particularly in the hill-tracts region; Introduction of monoculture and exotic species; Brick Fields, Saw Mills, Tobacco Cultivation, & Policy Conflict.  RESERVED FORESTS PROTECTED AREAS INCLUDING ECOPARKS, SANCTUARIES, NATIONAL PARK, FOREST, ETC…  Protected area management to conserve Biodiversity Human beings are dependent on a variety of living resources for their survival. Biodiversity is vital for many reasons - for example, to sustain the production of food or to conserve the ecological foundations needed to sustain people's livelihoods. Over the past few decades, the loss of and threats to biodiversity have became issues of global concern.  Protected area management to conserve Biodiversity…. Protected area management emerged as an important strategy to conserve biodiversity in a sustainable way. Globally, the number of PAs has increased significantly over the last few decades in recognition of their importance for conservation. At present, there are more than 100,000 protected area sites worldwide, covering nearly 12% of the world's land surface.  Definition of Protected Area 1. Protected areas are "areas especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity and associated cultural resources, which are managed through legal or other effective means”. 2. “Designated or regulated and managed to achieve specific conservation objectives"  Biodiversity Situation & PA Approach The biodiversity situation of Bangladesh has worsened day by day mainly because of its high population pressure and extreme poverty. However, the establishment of PAs for conserving biodiversity in the country is relatively recent. In fact, majority of the PAs of the country are relatively young and being declared very recently. 3 type of protected areas were defined under the Bangladesh Wildlife Preservation Act, 1974, with the objective of conserving biodiversity and the natural environment within various forest type. The first PAs had been established in the 1960s and 1970s; a second group of PAs were declared in between 1980 and 1986, and a third group since 2000.  Types of PAs The three different types of protected area: A. National Park: a comparatively large area of natural beauty to which the members of the public have access for recreation, education and research, and in which the wildlife is protected. B. Wildlife Sanctuary: an area maintained as an undisturbed breeding ground for wild fauna and where the habitat is protected for the continued well-being of the resident or migratory fauna. C. Game Reserve: normally comprises a relatively isolated area meant for protection of wildlife in general and to increase the population of specified species.  Challenges……… Other pressures and issues: Fuel wood collection for domestic cooking is a major resource pressure impacting on sound PA management. Sawmills and brickfields located in and around PAs indirectly threaten the existence of PAs by encouraging local people in illegal logging activities.  FOREST: PLAN AND POLICIES PLAN AND POLICY… – National Forestry Policy 1994. – Forestry Master Plan (1995-2015 and 2017-2036): the both 20-year plans forge a long-term strategy to guide forest-based development in the country systematically. – Forest Department is mandated to implement the policy and the Master Plan.  FORESTRY POLICY 1994/2017 PRE-CONDITIONS… 1. Basic human needs to be fulfilled through timber, firewood, fodder and medicinal herbs. 2. Equitably sharing of benefits of forest products among people, whose livelihood is dependent on the forests. 3. Continued socio-economic growth to be ensured through peoples’ participation in the afforestation program. 4. Emphasized continued long term political commitment for a sustainable forest management.  FORESTRY POLICY 1994/2017 OBJECTIVES… 1. To meet basic needs of the present and the future generations. 2. To bring 20% of the area of the country under forest cover. 3. To create employment opportunities in the forestry sector for poverty alleviation. 4. To conserve biodiversity in the depleted forest areas. 5. To fulfill all international commitments related to forests conservation. 6. To stop forests encroachment, illegal tree felling and hunting with the help of local community. 7. To ensure participatory management of forests involving the local community. 8. To promote social forestry and to share the revenue with the local community. 9. To maintain an ecological balance.  FORESTRY POLICY 1994/2017 EMPHASIS… 1. Bring 20% forest cover by 2015. 2. Afforestation of newly accreted charlands; denuded Unclassified State Forests (USF). 3. Tree plantation in fallow and hinterland involving local UP and the local government. 4. Priority protection of national parks; wildlife sanctuaries; and the game reserves. 5. Afforestation of the USF in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).  CONTRIBUTION OF FORESTRY GRAPHICAL PRESENTATION…  FOREST FINANCING IN BANGLADESH FINANCING…  CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOREST CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS…