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CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This section of the project is described with sections as:

Ø Description of the study area

Ø Methodology.

3.1. Description of the study area:

3.1.1. The study area:

Sunamganj District (sylhet division) with an area of 3669.58 sq km, is bounded by Khasia and Jaintia hills (India) on the north, habiganj and kishoreganj districts on the south, sylhet district on the east, netrokona and greater mymensingh districts on the west. There are many haors and beels in Sunamganj.

Sunamganj (Town) stands on the bank of the river Surma. It was established in late 18th century. It consists of 9 wards and 44 mahallas. The town has an area of 22.16 sq km. It has a population of 49373; male 52.70%, female 47.30%; density of population is 2228 per sq km. Literacy rate among the town people is 58.8%. The town has five dakbungalows.

Ø Climatic condition

Sunamganj District experiences a hot, wet and humid tropical climate. The upazila, sunamganj is within the monsoon climate zone, with Annual average temperature: maximum 33.2°C and minimum 13.6°C; annual rainfall 3334 mm. Nearly 80% of the annual average rainfall occurs between May and September. From March to May, pre-monsoon storms forming in the Bay of Bengal often cause severe damage to forest plantations. Relative humidity remains high (75-90%) most of the year, with the highest during the months of May to October. Humidity dips below 80% from November to April. (BMD, 2004)

Fig: 3.1. Map showing the study area, sunamganj range

Ø Administration:

Sunamganj mahakuma (sub-division) was upgraded to a district in 1984. This district consists of 10 upazilas, 4 municipalities, 36 wards, 139 mahallas, 82 union parishads, 1711 mouzas and 2813 villages. The upazilas are bishwamvarpur, chhatak, derai, dharmapasha, dowarabazar, jagannathpur, jamalganj, tahirpur, sullah and sunamganj sadar.

Ø Population:

1968669; male 50.89%, female 49.11%; Muslim 83.62%, Hindu 15.95%, others 0.43% ethnic nationals 6,643 (Manipuri, Khasia, Garo and Hajong).

Ø Literacy and educational institutions:

Average literacy 22.3%; male 27.5%, female 17.6%. Educational institutions: college 22, secondary school 126, primary school (government) 664, primary school (private) 312, madrasa 104, satellite school 94, community school 56, technical institute 2, PTI 1, music school 5.

Ø Occupations:

Agriculture 43.43%, fishing 3.34%, agricultural labourer 24.10%, wage labourer 5.58%, commerce 7.44%, service 3.8%, others 12.31%.

Ø Land control:

Among the peasants, 33% are landless, 26% small, 21% intermediate and 20% rich.Main crops Boro paddy. Main fruits mango, orange. Fisheries, dairies, poultries Fishery 604, dairy 105, poultry 697, hatchery 6. Cottage industries weaving. Goldsmith, blacksmith, potteries, bamboo & cane work, pearl work, tailoring, welding. Mineral resources Natural gas, limestone and stone. Main exports Paddy, fish, dry fish, orange, limestone, cement, paper pulp

The area of Sunamganj range is 17026.77 acre .Sunamganj range is divided into six beats namely Range sodor, Dwarabazar, Shaktiarkhola, Doloirgaon, Moheshkhola, Chattak In the whole range there are almost 6922.82 acre declared reserved forest and 10103.95 acre in progress to declaring reserved forest.(Table 3.1)

Table: 3.1. Forest area of Sunamganj range, Sylhet Forest Division.

Name of Range	Name of Beat	Reserved forest (acre)	Reserved forest (In progress)	Area(acre)
Sunamganj	Range sodor	-	1615.00	1615
	Dwarabazar	787.37	2079.61	2866.98
	Shaktiarkhola	2574.02	1926.12	4500.14
	Doloirgaon	-	1500.65	1500.65
	Moheshkhola	-	1535.85	1535.85
	Chattak	3561.43	1446.72	5008.15
Total		6922.82	10103.95	17026.77

Source: (Anon, 2007)

Fig 3.1: Map showing the forest zone of Bangladesh:

Fig 3.2: Map showing Sunamganj district of Bangladesh:

3.2. Methodology

The study was based on two parts namely collection of secondary information and primary data collection from the field directly through physical measurement. Then after preparing manuscript following steps were followed.

3.2.1. Reconnaissance survey

Before final survey a reconnaissance survey was conducted to get a clear idea about species composition, topography and socio-economic conditions. All relevant information and literature were collected from various books, journals from seminar library and central library of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet and beat office, range office and DFO office of Sylhet Forest Division and also from internet.

3.2.2. Sampling procedure

In the present study multistage random sampling was followed. There are six beats under Sunamganj range of which four beats were randomly selected.. The sampling intensity was 67%. From each beat ten plots were randomly selected for stock plant survey, from each plot of stock plant survey one plot were randomly selected for regeneration survey. For non wood forest products namely bamboo, cane and murta survey, ten plots were randomly selected from each beat. In case of socio economic survey 55 respondents were randomly selected from four beats in Sunamganj range.

3.2.3. Data collection

The predetermined plots were laid out in the field and data were collected by using haga altimeter, sunto, meter tape and dia tape. The data were collected according to the following:

Table: 3.4. Plot size for data collection.

Survey	Plot size
Stock plant	10m*10m
Regeneration	2m*2m
NWFP	20m*20m

3.2.4. Data analysis

After collection of field data, data were analyzed using EXCEL and SPSS software. The basal area per tree was calculated by the formula given by the Chaturvedi and Khanna (1982):

Basal area per tree = Π*r² = Π*D² /4

Where, D = Diameter at breast height in meters

Π = Constant = 3.14

The stem per hectare was calculated with the help of following formula:

For example, in an average, 12 individual was found in 1 plot (10m*10m)

Individual found in 100 m² area = 12

Individual found in 10000 m² area = (12/100)*10000