CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction:
Bangladesh is a small and densely populated country with limited land resources. Her population is about 137 million, averaging 928 persons per square kilometers (BBS 2005). The per capita land holding is approximately 0.15 ha and per capita annual consumption of fuel wood is .07cu m (Alam et.al 1990; Ali 1991). Forest resources in Bangladesh comprise 2.58 million hectares or around 18 percent of the total geographic area (FRP, 1993). Most of the forest land is under the control of government, which is around 87 percent and the rest is the private forest. Of the private forest 10 percent is the village homestead forest and 3 percent is the tea and rubber garden. Out of 64 districts of the country, 35 districts have no government forests. A tradition has been therefore developed of growing trees on artificially raised ground around the homesteads scattered all over the country. The increasing population is creating additional pressure on the existing tree resources to make their basic needs. Consequently, forest land is being encroached for agriculture and other purposes. According to an inventory, about 30000 ha of forest lands have already been lost and annual deforestation rate is estimated at 8000 ha (Ali, 1991).
About 85% of the population lives in rural areas and 15.4 million households spread over 68000 villages (FAO, 1986). About 55% of the rural families in Bangladesh are landless having limited homestead areas. Rural home gardens provide 48% of the total supply of saw and veneer logs, 70% of fuel wood and 90% bamboo in Bangladesh (ADB, 1993:77).
Some 10 million households, in over 85,650 villages, annually supply about 5 million m3 of wood and 0.53 million air-dry MT of bamboo, supported by tradition and conventional wisdom, these homesteads grow trees and other crops under an intensive and efficient system of agro forestry, combining multipurpose trees, food and forage plants, bamboo,murta,palms, medicinal plants and species. These homestead forests support mixed subsistence cash crop household economy. Today, homestead forests are the most important source of wood, bamboo and other non-timber forest products in the country (FMP 1993:77). They also provide cash for social ceremonies, economic hardships, the marriage of son and daughter, meeting school expenses and for buying lands and other assets (Abedin et al, 1988).
Homegardens bear significance not only for forest based production system but also for employment potential. Village surveys indicate that income of homestead production ranges from 26% to 47% of the total family income and over half of the fruits, vegetables and species grown in the homestead are sold to meet family expenses (Khandakar, 1991).
Homegardens are important both from ecological and economic point of view. Trees are the most important component of home gardens. The physiognomy and species richness of household establish ecological stability. Trees reduce soil evaporation and lowers soil surface temperature. Trees growing around the house provide shade and reduce atmospheric temperature, thus creating a favourable micro-climate for family, plants and animals during summer. The trees also help soil conservation and serve as windbreak (Alam and Mohiuddin, 1988).
Very few studies have adequately analyzed the structure, species composition, diversity and the management aspects of the home gardens (Mustafa et al, 1996). Enhancement of tree based production and employment potential of home gardens could be possible if ecology, management and utilization of home gardens are maintained scientifically to cater particular needs of rural people. Because of the high population in Bangladesh, there always exists the demand for scarce forest products. The home gardens can play a positive role in reducing this condition.
Moreover, a few decades ago, the tree cover area of Bangladesh was estimated at around 20%, which has now shrunk to around 6 percent (Gain, 1998). It is an inevitable consequence of population increase and poverty. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has estimated that the annual deforestation rate in the country is alarming – 3.3 percent compared to 0.6 percent in South Asia (FMP, 1992).
Homestead forests are therefore becoming increasingly important in supplying the nations basic forest products, which accounts for some 60-70% of the current domestic products supplied (FMP, 1992).
Saha (1998) has claimed that homestead forests are being abused through over- exploitation of the homestead forest resources and emphasized that unless a serious attention is given to arresting the abusing of the homestead forest resources, and also to enhancing production and improving its management system, the other sector of the country’s economy will be affected.
If we consider the above view points, it becomes clear to us that understanding home gardens are important for forest managers, rural development organizations as well as politicians for effective forestry planning and subjective policy making.
1.2 Objectives:
Principal objectives are
1. To find out the existing floristic composition
2. To find out the management techniques of tree resources in the home gardens.
3. To evaluate the utilization pattern of home garden.
