PRESENTED BY

GROUP-4
 PRESENTATION ON

FOREST RESOURCE OF BANGLADESH

ECON- 2204: RESOURCE ECONOMICS

GROUP MEMBERS: SUBMITTED TO:

[Link] SULTANA(B210401029) TAHMINA AHMED
[Link] HOSSAIN SAIKAT(B210401025) Assistant Professor
[Link] SHOALA NASRIN ANIKA(B210401028) Department of Economics
[Link](B210401031) Jagannath University, Dhaka
[Link] AKTER(B210401027)
[Link] RANI SARKAR(B210401030)
[Link] ISLAM(B210401026)
 ❑SLIDE CONTENTS
CONTENTS PAGES

❖ INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………………………… 04

❖ THE FOREST RESOURCE BASE IN BD………………….………………………………………………... 5-11

❖ SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION & MANAGEMENT ……………………………………………………………. 12-13

❖ PROBLEMS OF FOREST DEGRADATION……….………………………………………………………... 13-16

❖ CONSERVATION………………………………………………………………………………………………. 17-19

❖ CONCLUSION………………………………………………………..…………………………………………. 20

❖ REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 21
 ❑ INTRODUCTION
Bangladesh, a South Asian country marked by its rich natural resources and
diverse ecosystems, boasts significant forest resources that play a vital role in
maintaining environmental stability, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining the
livelihoods of millions.

The country’s forests cover around 11% of its land area, providing crucial
habitats for numerous plant and animal species while offering economic
benefits through timber, fuelwood, and non-timber products like honey,
medicinal plants, and bamboo

The forests of Bangladesh are not only home to the famed Sundarbans
mangrove forests but also house tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, and
deciduous forests, each with unique flora and fauna.
 ❑THE FOREST RESOURCE BASE IN BANGLADESH

❑ The forests of Bangladesh are broadly classified into Three categories based on the topographic conditions.

1. Hill forest 2. Plain Sal forests 3. Littoral Mangrove Forest

1. Hill forest
The Hill Forests are ecologically more important and constitute more than half of the forests of the [Link],
1990 and de Milde et al, 1985 categorize these forests into following seven general forest sub-types:

(i) Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests : This subtype occurs in deep valleys
with abundant moisture and shaded aspects. Artocarpus chaplasha (Chaplish),
Tetramefes nudiflora (Chundal), Pterygota alata (Narikeli) are common
wetlands support a wide variety of species of fauna and flora, both terrestrial
and aquatic. For example, Haor Basin of Sylhet and eastern Mymensingh
have special biological significance.

wetland ecosystem of outstanding international significance

(ii) Tropical Mixed Evergreen :These are tall multistoried forests on hilly
and alluvial flats. The dominant trees are about 60-65 meters high and consist
of Depterocarpus species (Garjan), Swintonia floribunda (Civit), Chundal and
Narikeli. Middle and lowerstory story of trees is present with diverse
understory.
(iii) Tropical Moist Deciduous :Such forests occur on the edge of rivers and
in low lying areas. Trees are interspersed with large open patches of grasses,
reeds and bananas. The main tree species are deciduous like Anthocephalus
chinensis (Kadam), Trewia nudiflora (Pitali) and Duabanga grandiflora
(Bandarhola).

(iv) Tropical Open Deciduous :The dry exposed slopes with a southern aspect
sustain such type of forests. Large trees occur as scattered individuals and main
species are Albizzia species (Karoi), pitali, bandarhola and Michelia champaca
(Champa).

(v) Bamboo :Bamboo is a very important non-wood forest resource

in angladesh. About 70% of bamboo resources are on private lands
in the villages. The rest of the bamboo is in forest areas but it
accounts for only about 20% of annual national supply of bamboo.
Forests in Chittagong Hill Districts are the richest in bamboo,
followed by Sylhet district.
(vi) Lowland Fresh water Swamp :The characteristic tree species is
Barringtonia acutangula (Hijal), and the characteristic grasses and reed
are Phragmites karka (which predominates near water), Erianthus
revenea (Ekhra) and Saccharum spontaneum. (Khagra). A variety of
grassland and wetland ecosystems are found in such areas like wetland
areas of Sylhet District.

(vii) Savanna :Many ecologists do not consider the Savanna as a natural

ecosystem. It is dominated by thick Impretta species (Sungrass). It is more
common in Unclassified State Forest (USF) areas in the Chittagong Hill
Tracts.
2. Plain Sal Forest
Such forests are normally present in most of the lowlands and floodplains in the central and western parts of the country.
These forests are generally categorized in following two subtypes (Pure Sal, and Mixed Sal) on the basis of soil and tree
canopy.

(i) Pure Sal :In past, these forests, even under natural conditions, had a canopy that
was nearly 100 percent Sal and grew on shallow, dry and less productive soils in the
region to the north of Dhaka and was frequently burned. Such pure Sal forests now
exist only in coppice form with sparse understory and the relatively few number of
species.

(ii) Mixed Sal :These forests are dominated by Sal in the canopy but include
many other associated species like Terminalia bellerica, Albizzia procera,
Lagerstroemia spp and Ficus species. They grow on the deeper, moister and more
productive soils of the Madhupur and Barind tract. The understory is more
complex and includes a variety of deciduous and evergreen species. The flora of
the Barind Tract in this Sal forest type includes about 271 species out of which 41
are tree species. Sal forest, Bhawal national park -Gazipur
3. Littoral Mangrove Forest
These forest areas are normally divided into following three groups (Sunderbans, Coastal Char forests, Coastal Area from
Chokoria to Teknaf) to describe the vegetation at the southern boundary of Bangladesh.

(i) Sundarbans :The Sundarbans located in Bangladesh at the southern end of

the Ganges River Delta along the Bay of Bengal, is a vast mangrove forest
spanning about 80 km inland from the sea. The outer fringe, nearest to the sea,
has mostly pure mangrove species like Goran. The Sundarbans has three salinity
zones: slightly saline in the northeast, moderately saline in the middle, and highly
saline in the south and west. The forest composition varies by zone, with species
like Heritiera fomes (Sundri), Excoecaria agallocha (Gewa), and other plants
adapted to each level of salinity.

(ii) Coastal Char Lands :The coastal area of Bangladesh west of the Sundarbans
from the Haringhata River to Sandwip Island is characterized by rapidly accreting
sand and mudflats and low lying offshore islands in the mouth of the Ganges
River. These newly accreted lands are in early successional stage of mangrove
forest following deposition of the silt and sand washed down by the rivers.
Sonneratia apetala (Keora) is the common pioneer tree specie. As these stands
decline, Gewa, Sundri, Baen and other species take over the sites.
(iii) Coastal Forest Area from Chokoria to Teknaf :The coastline of
Bangladesh to the south of Chittagong includes several estuaries and the
offshore islands of Kutubdia, Sonadia and Moheshkhali. In the past, this
area was covered with mangrove forest and provided habitat for a rich
variety of invertebrates, resident and migratory waterfowl and shore birds,
gulls and tens. Most of this forest has been cleared and is used either as
shrimp farms or for other aquaculture projects. Many of them have failed
economically or were destroyed or badly damaged by the 1991 cyclone.
 ❑SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION & MANAGEMENT

o The distribution of forests in Bangladesh is influenced by factors such as climate, topography, and soil type.
The Sundarbans occupy the southwestern coastal belt, while tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests
are concentrated in the southeastern Chittagong Hill Tracts. The deciduous Sal forests are mostly found in
the central regions, particularly around Gazipur and Mymensingh, while smaller hill and plain forests are
scattered across Sylhet and parts of northeastern Bangladesh.

Forest Management Authorities & Roles :

[Link] Forest Department (BFD) :The Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD) is

responsible for managing the country’s forests, implementing policies, and enforcing laws
to prevent illegal logging and encroachment. BFD conducts reforestation and afforestation
programs and oversees protected areas, working toward sustainable forest management
and biodiversity conservation.
[Link] and Indigenous Involvement :In the Chittagong Hill Tracts,
indigenous communities such as the Chakma, Marma, and Tripura actively
participate in forest management, utilizing traditional knowledge to promote
sustainable practices. Participatory forest management (PFM) and community-
based forest management (CBFM) initiatives have been introduced to empower
local communities, making them key stakeholders in protecting and managing forest
resources.

[Link] Areas & National Parks : Notable protected areas include Lawachara
National Park in Sylhet, Satchari National Park, and the Sundarbans Reserved Forest.
These areas offer habitats for threatened species and contribute to ecotourism,
providing economic benefits while promoting environmental awareness.
 ❑PROBLEMS OF FOREST DEGRADATION
Forest degradation is a pressing concern in Bangladesh, driven by multiple factors that threaten the country's ecological
health, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of people dependent on forest resources.

Key Causes of Deforestation

[Link] Logging: Illegal logging is a significant problem across Bangladeshi

forests, driven by demand for timber and fuelwood. The lack of effective
monitoring in remote areas has exacerbated this issue, leading to habitat
destruction and biodiversity loss.

[Link] Expansion: Agricultural expansion, particularly through shifting

cultivation, has led to extensive deforestation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Known
locally as “Jhum” cultivation, this method involves clearing forested land to grow
crops, often resulting in soil degradation and deforestation.
[Link] Development: The construction of roads, dams, and other
infrastructure has necessitated the clearing of forest areas, particularly in regions near
urban centers. The expansion of industries, settlements, and tourist facilities in areas
such as the Sundarbans and CHT forests has put enormous pressure on forest resources,
resulting in the fragmentation of habitats and increased vulnerability to climate
impacts.

[Link] Change and Natural Disasters : Climate change has amplified challenges for
forest ecosystems in Bangladesh. Rising sea levels, increased salinity, and extreme weather
events such as cyclones and floods have degraded forest health, especially in the coastal
Sundarbans. Affecting the survival of mangrove species and the ecosystems they support.
 • Increased Carbon Emissions and Climate Impact

• Biodiversity loss • Soil Erosion and Flooding • Impact on Indigenous and Local
Communities
 ❑ CONSERVATION
• Conservation efforts in Bangladesh are multifaceted, involving governmental policies, international partnerships, and
community-led initiatives aimed at preserving forest resources and promoting sustainable use.
1. Governmental Conservation Programs

❖ Afforestation and Reforestation Projects: The Bangladesh Forest Department

(BFD) has launched extensive afforestation (planting trees in non-forested
areas) and reforestation (replanting trees in deforested areas) programs.

❖ Legal Frameworks and Policies: Several legislative measures have been

enacted to protect Bangladesh’s forest resources. The National Forest Policy and
Wildlife Conservation Act are two critical policies aimed at regulating forest use
and safeguarding biodiversity. These laws prohibit activities like illegal logging
and hunting in protected areas.

❖ Social Forestry Programs: Social forestry is a program where local communities

actively participate in planting and managing trees on government or community
lands.
 2. International Cooperation and Funding

❖ REDD+ Initiatives: REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest

Degradation) is a global program that incentivizes countries to reduce deforestation
rates and protect carbon-storing forest ecosystems. . Through REDD+, Bangladesh
receives support to monitor deforestation and improve conservation practices,
particularly in carbon-rich ecosystems like the Sundarbans.

❖ Funding and Collaboration with Global Organizations: The World Bank, UNDP,
and IUCN are some of the organizations that partner with Bangladesh to fund forest
conservation projects. These projects focus on biodiversity monitoring, capacity
building, and reforestation efforts. Such collaborations enhance Bangladesh’s capacity
to tackle complex conservation challenges and promote environmental resilience.
 3. Community-Based Conservation Initiatives

❖ Co-Management Models: In co-management arrangements, local communities

work alongside the Bangladesh Forest Department to oversee forest resources. By
providing local people with alternative income sources, co-management reduces
dependency on forest exploitation, fostering a more sustainable relationship with
forest resources.

❖ Education and Capacity Building: Programs on sustainable agriculture, agroforestry,

and eco-friendly harvesting are provided to communities in forested areas. Such
programs build local capacity and ensure that conservation knowledge is passed down
within communities, helping maintain a long-term commitment to forest preservation.

❖ Ecotourism and Sustainable Livelihood Programs: The Sundarbans and Lawachara

National Park are popular ecotourism destinations, attracting visitors interested in
experiencing Bangladesh’s unique ecosystems. Through ecotourism, local communities
earn income by providing services such as guided tours, homestays, and crafts. These
initiatives not only support conservation by reducing deforestation pressures but also
educate tourists on the importance of preserving these ecosystems.
 ❑ CONCLUSION

Bangladesh’s forests are vital for biodiversity and the well-being of local communities. Despite serious challenges from
deforestation and climate impacts, conservation efforts, community engagement, and sustainable practices offer hope. With
strong policies and active local participation, Bangladesh can preserve its forests for future generations, ensuring a healthier,
greener future.
 ❑ REFERENCES

❖ [Link]

❖ [Link]

❖ [Link]

❖ [Link]

❖ [Link]

❖ [Link]

❖ [Link]

❖ [Link]