CONSERVATION OF FORESTS

Dr Mahfuzul Haque

Issues for discussionIssues for discussion

Types of ForestsTypes of Forests Forestry Plans and PoliciesForestry Plans and Policies National Forestry Policy 1994National Forestry Policy 1994 Protected AreasProtected Areas Ecologically Critical AreasEcologically Critical Areas NishorgoNishorgo Project Project How to better manage the forests?How to better manage the forests?

Types of ForestsTypes of Forests

1.1. State Forest Land (2.2 million hectares):State Forest Land (2.2 million hectares): Reserved Forests: Under the Forest Act 1927 Reserved Forests: Under the Forest Act 1927

managed by the Forest Department (1.3 million managed by the Forest Department (1.3 million hectares)hectares)

Unclassified State Forests (USF): Administered Unclassified State Forests (USF): Administered by the Ministry of Land through local by the Ministry of Land through local administration and not under the Forest Act 1927 administration and not under the Forest Act 1927 (0.9 million hectares) (0.9 million hectares)

2.2. Private Forest land (0.4 million hectares): Private Forest land (0.4 million hectares): village village forests; tea estates; rubber plantationforests; tea estates; rubber plantation

Reserved ForestsReserved Forests

Reserve forests managed by the Forest Reserve forests managed by the Forest Department are of following 3 types:Department are of following 3 types:

1.1. Tropical evergreen or semi-evergreen rain Tropical evergreen or semi-evergreen rain forestsforests: eastern districts of Chittagong; Cox’s : eastern districts of Chittagong; Cox’s bazar; Sylhet; and CHTbazar; Sylhet; and CHT

2.2. Moist or dry deciduous forestsMoist or dry deciduous forests ( (Sal ban Sal ban in in MadhupurMadhupur

3.3. Tidal mangrove forestsTidal mangrove forests: the Sundarbans; : the Sundarbans; chittagong and Noakhali coastal beltchittagong and Noakhali coastal belt

Types of Reserved Types of Reserved ForestsForests

CHT ForestsCHT Forests

CHT Forests are tropical evergreen or semi-CHT Forests are tropical evergreen or semi-evergreen rain forests. They are of 3 types:evergreen rain forests. They are of 3 types:

1.1.Reserved Forests (24%)Reserved Forests (24%)

2.2.Protected Forests (1%)Protected Forests (1%)

3.3.Unclassified State Forests (75%)Unclassified State Forests (75%) Deforestation, rubber and tobacco Deforestation, rubber and tobacco

plantation and plantation and jhumingjhuming are the issues of are the issues of concern of the areaconcern of the area

Mangrove ForestsMangrove Forests

Categorized as the “Reserved Forests,” the Categorized as the “Reserved Forests,” the Sundarbans encompass an area of 6,017 sq Sundarbans encompass an area of 6,017 sq kms and two-thirds of the Sundarbans kms and two-thirds of the Sundarbans forests are in Bangladeshforests are in Bangladesh

There are also some patches in the coastal There are also some patches in the coastal areas of Chittagong and Noakhaliareas of Chittagong and Noakhali

Top-dyeing, natural disaster, illegal felling of Top-dyeing, natural disaster, illegal felling of trees, poaching and loss of biodiversity are trees, poaching and loss of biodiversity are the issues of concernthe issues of concern

Madhupur ForestsMadhupur Forests

Moist or dry deciduous forest known as “Moist or dry deciduous forest known as “SalSal” ” forests in Madhupur and north-eastern forests in Madhupur and north-eastern region of Dinajpurregion of Dinajpur

Issues of concern are encroachment; illegal Issues of concern are encroachment; illegal felling of trees; land use change; banana; felling of trees; land use change; banana; pineapple; and papaya plantation in the pineapple; and papaya plantation in the forest land; loss of biodiversity and wildlife forest land; loss of biodiversity and wildlife etc.etc.

Sal forests are gradually shrinkingSal forests are gradually shrinking

Plans and PoliciesPlans and Policies

National Forestry Policy 1994National Forestry Policy 1994 Forestry Master Plan (1995-2015): the Forestry Master Plan (1995-2015): the

20-year plan forges a long-term strategy 20-year plan forges a long-term strategy to guide forest-based development in the to guide forest-based development in the country systematicallycountry systematically

Forest Department is mandated to Forest Department is mandated to implement the policy and the Master Planimplement the policy and the Master Plan

Forestry Policy 1994Forestry Policy 1994Pre-conditionsPre-conditions

1.1. Basic human needsBasic human needs to be fulfilled through timber, to be fulfilled through timber, firewood, fodder and medicinal herbsfirewood, fodder and medicinal herbs

2.2. Equitably sharing of benefits Equitably sharing of benefits of forest products of forest products among people, whose livelihood is dependent on among people, whose livelihood is dependent on the foreststhe forests

3.3. Continued socio-economic growth Continued socio-economic growth to be ensured to be ensured through peoples’ participation in the afforestation through peoples’ participation in the afforestation programprogram

4.4. Continued long term political commitmentContinued long term political commitment is is necessary for a sustainable forest managementnecessary for a sustainable forest management

Forestry Policy 1994 Forestry Policy 1994 ObjectivesObjectives

to meet basic needs of the present and the to meet basic needs of the present and the future generationsfuture generations

to bring 20% of the area of the country under to bring 20% of the area of the country under forest coverforest cover

to create employment opportunities in the to create employment opportunities in the forestry sector for poverty alleviationforestry sector for poverty alleviation

to conserve biodiversity in the depleted forest to conserve biodiversity in the depleted forest areasareas

to fulfill all international commitments related to fulfill all international commitments related to forests conservationto forests conservation

Forestry Policy 1994 Forestry Policy 1994 ObjectivesObjectives

to stop forests encroachment, illegal tree to stop forests encroachment, illegal tree felling and hunting with the help of local felling and hunting with the help of local communitycommunity

to ensure participatory management of to ensure participatory management of forests involving the local communityforests involving the local community

to promote social forestry and to share to promote social forestry and to share the revenue with the local communitythe revenue with the local community

to maintain an ecological balanceto maintain an ecological balance

Forestry Policy 1994 Forestry Policy 1994 EmphasisEmphasis

Bring 20% forest cover by 2015Bring 20% forest cover by 2015 Afforestation of newly accreted Afforestation of newly accreted charlandscharlands; ;

denuded Unclassified State Forests (USF)denuded Unclassified State Forests (USF) Tree plantation in fallow and hinterland Tree plantation in fallow and hinterland

involving local UP and the local governmentinvolving local UP and the local government Priority protection of national parks; wildlife Priority protection of national parks; wildlife

sanctuaries; and the game reservessanctuaries; and the game reserves Afforestation of the USF in the Chittagong Hill Afforestation of the USF in the Chittagong Hill

Tracts (CHT)Tracts (CHT)

Forest legislationForest legislation

The Forest Act, 1927 (amended in 1990, 2000)The Forest Act, 1927 (amended in 1990, 2000) Bangladesh Wildlife (Preservation) Order, 1973 Bangladesh Wildlife (Preservation) Order, 1973

puts a ban on hunting, killing or capturing of “game puts a ban on hunting, killing or capturing of “game animal”; damage or destroy any vegetation in a wildlife animal”; damage or destroy any vegetation in a wildlife sanctuary, cause any fire or pollute the rivers and sanctuary, cause any fire or pollute the rivers and canals passing through the sanctuary etc.canals passing through the sanctuary etc.

Rules to Regulate Hunting, Shooting and Rules to Regulate Hunting, Shooting and Fishing within the Controlled and Vested Fishing within the Controlled and Vested Forests, 1959Forests, 1959

Brick Burning (Control) Act, 1989Brick Burning (Control) Act, 1989

Wildlife PreservationWildlife Preservation

Bangladesh Wildlife Preservation Bangladesh Wildlife Preservation (Amendment) Act, 1973 recognized 18 (Amendment) Act, 1973 recognized 18 Protected Areas (PAs) for Protected Areas (PAs) for in situin situ conservation under the following three conservation under the following three categories:categories:

Wildlife SanctuaryWildlife Sanctuary National ParkNational Park Game Reserve Game Reserve

Legal provisionsLegal provisions

In a In a Wildlife SanctuaryWildlife Sanctuary, no person can enter or , no person can enter or reside without permission. Cannot cultivate, reside without permission. Cannot cultivate, damage or destroy, hunt, kill or capture, damage or destroy, hunt, kill or capture, introduce exotic species or domestic animal, introduce exotic species or domestic animal, cause fire or pollute the watercause fire or pollute the water

In a In a National Park,National Park, no person can hunt, kill, no person can hunt, kill, capture wild life, cause fire or pollute the waters. capture wild life, cause fire or pollute the waters. People may access for recreation, education and People may access for recreation, education and research purposesresearch purposes

Game Reserve Game Reserve is for protection of wildlife where is for protection of wildlife where capturing of wild animals is illegalcapturing of wild animals is illegal

Wildlife SanctuaryWildlife Sanctuary

1.1. Sundarbans East Sundarbans East Wildlife SanctuaryWildlife Sanctuary

2.2. Sundarbans South Sundarbans South Wildlife SanctuaryWildlife Sanctuary

3.3. Sundarbans West Sundarbans West Wildlife SanctuaryWildlife Sanctuary

4.4. Rema-Kalenga Rema-Kalenga Wildlife SanctuaryWildlife Sanctuary

5.5. Char Kukri-Mukri Char Kukri-Mukri Wildlife SanctuaryWildlife Sanctuary

6.6. Pablakhali Wildlife Pablakhali Wildlife SanctuarySanctuary

7.7. Chunati Wildlife Chunati Wildlife SanctuarySanctuary

8.8. Hazarikhil Wildlife Hazarikhil Wildlife SanctuarySanctuary

National ParkNational Park

1.1. Modhupur National Modhupur National ParkPark

2.2. Bhawal National Bhawal National ParkPark

3.3. Himchhari National Himchhari National ParkPark

4.4. Lawachhara Lawachhara National ParkNational Park

5.5. Ramsagar National Ramsagar National ParkPark

6.6. Kaptai National ParkKaptai National Park

7.7. Nijhoom Dwip Nijhoom Dwip National ParkNational Park

8.8. Medha Kachopia Medha Kachopia National ParkNational Park

9.9. Satchhari national Satchhari national parkpark

Game ReservesGame Reserves

1.1. Teknaf Game ReserveTeknaf Game Reserve

Ecologically Critical AreasEcologically Critical Areas(under (under Environment Conservation Act 1995Environment Conservation Act 1995))

1.1. Strip of 10 km Strip of 10 km outside the outside the Sundarbans Sundarbans Reserved ForestsReserved Forests

2.2. Sea front of Cox’s Sea front of Cox’s bazar and Teknafbazar and Teknaf

3.3. St Martin’s IslandSt Martin’s Island

4.4. Sonadia Island Sonadia Island (Cox’s bazar)(Cox’s bazar)

5.5. Tangua Haor Tangua Haor (Sunamganj)(Sunamganj)

6.6. Hakaluki Haor Hakaluki Haor (Moulavi bazar)(Moulavi bazar)

7.7. Marjat Baor Marjat Baor (Jhenaidaha)(Jhenaidaha)

8.8. Gulshan Lake Gulshan Lake (Dhaka)(Dhaka)

NishorgoNishorgo Project Project

Five pilot projects of Five pilot projects of NishorgoNishorgo under US under US assistance: assistance:

1.1. Remakalenga Wildlife Sanctuary, Remakalenga Wildlife Sanctuary, HabiganjHabiganj

2.2. Satchhari National Park, HabiganjSatchhari National Park, Habiganj3.3. Lawachhara National Park, Moulavi bazarLawachhara National Park, Moulavi bazar4.4. Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary, ChittagongChunati Wildlife Sanctuary, Chittagong5.5. Teknaf Game Reserve, Cox’s BazarTeknaf Game Reserve, Cox’s Bazar

How to conserve the forests? How to conserve the forests?

The Forest Act, 1927 (amended in 1990, The Forest Act, 1927 (amended in 1990, 2000) empowers the government to 2000) empowers the government to declare any area as “Reserved Forest” declare any area as “Reserved Forest” for for in situin situ conservation. This Act and conservation. This Act and Bangladesh Wildlife (Preservation) Bangladesh Wildlife (Preservation) Order, 1973 treat everybody entering the Order, 1973 treat everybody entering the forests as “encroachers”. Can forests be forests as “encroachers”. Can forests be protected from the “encroachers”?protected from the “encroachers”?

How to conserve the How to conserve the forests?forests?

Merely, declaration of depleted areas as Merely, declaration of depleted areas as “Protected Area (PA)” is not enough. We “Protected Area (PA)” is not enough. We are to have a management plan and are to have a management plan and enforcement mechanismenforcement mechanism

NishorgoNishorgo Program for PA Management Program for PA Management treated the forest dwellers as treated the forest dwellers as “stakeholders” and “co-managers” and “stakeholders” and “co-managers” and not “encroachers”not “encroachers”

Debate Continues…Debate Continues…

Traditional ManagementTraditional Management Protection of the forest and Protection of the forest and

its resources by the FDits resources by the FD After felling, revenues go After felling, revenues go

to the governmentto the government Illegal felling of trees and Illegal felling of trees and

poaching of wildlife poaching of wildlife continuescontinues

Cases are filed by FD Cases are filed by FD against tree felling by the against tree felling by the local communitylocal community

Participatory ManagementParticipatory Management Manages the forests in Manages the forests in

a participatory way a participatory way through consultationthrough consultation

After felling of trees, After felling of trees, the stakeholders get the stakeholders get due share of the sale due share of the sale proceedsproceeds

Protection is ensured Protection is ensured till forests harvesttill forests harvest

Probable QuestionsProbable Questions

Discuss types of forests in Bangladesh. What Discuss types of forests in Bangladesh. What are their issues of concerns?are their issues of concerns?

What are the main objectives of the National What are the main objectives of the National Forestry Policy 1994? DiscussForestry Policy 1994? Discuss

For conservation of the forests and wildlife, the For conservation of the forests and wildlife, the Government of Bangladesh has declared some Government of Bangladesh has declared some areas as “Protected Areas”. What are they?areas as “Protected Areas”. What are they?

What are the challenges of conservation of What are the challenges of conservation of forests? Discussforests? Discuss

Reference MaterialsReference Materials

National Forestry Policy 1994National Forestry Policy 1994 Forestry Master Plan (1995-2015)Forestry Master Plan (1995-2015)

THANK YOUTHANK YOU