Chapter Two
Literature review
2.1. An overview of Bangladesh Forest:
Bangladesh is a tropical country. It is a rural-based developing country that lies in the northeastern part of South Asia between 20’34” East longitude. The country is bounded by India on the West, the North and Northeast, Myanmar on the Southeast and the Bay of Bengal on the South (Anon, 2003). The percentage of forest cover in relation to total land area is 10.2%; forest plantations were 625,000 ha in 2000(FAO, 2005). The area of forestland is 2.53 million ha which is 17.5% of the country’s total area (Roy, 2004). Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD) manages 1.53 million hectares of forestland (Roy, 2004). The natural forests of Bangladesh are considered as one of the richest and biologically diverse forest resources due to its unique geo-physical location (Hossain, 2001). About 5000 plant species are estimated to occur here (Sattar, 1998). The forest cover, flora and fauna, and a smoothing natural environment are mingled with our tradition. Different regions of Bangladesh manifest different natural heritage. In the southwestern region of the country there lies the great forest of Sundarbans, the Sal forest in the middle and the evergreen hill forests in the southeast. A great variation in flora and fauna develops different and distinct ecosystems in the forests of Bangladesh.
2.2. Major NWFPs in Bangladesh:
The most important NWFPs in Bangladesh are bamboo, rattans, sungrass, golpatta, medicinal Plants, hantal, murta (pati pata), hogla, honey and beeswax. Other important NWFPs include mangrove fish and wildlife resources. The Government of Bangladesh collects significant earnings from the royalties, taxes and other charges on NWFPs. Modest export earnings are derived from the sale of bamboo and shells. Sophisticated finished articles and souvenirs made from NWFPs are major exportable items that often carry with them the cultural dignity of the nation. The collection, processing and marketing of NWFP provides employment for an estimated 300,000 rural Bangladeshis (Khan 1994). Much of this employment continues throughout the year. The Sundarbans mangrove forest accounts for a major part of the NWFP produced in Bangladesh with an annual contribution of approximately Tk.717 million (US$17.9 million) to the Bangladesh economy (Basit 1995).Table-2.1 highlighted the output of various NWFPs of Bangladesh
Table-2.1. Bangladesh Forestry at a Glance
| Feature | Description |
| Total Forest Area | 240467.83 sq. km |
| Total Forest Area as % of Total Land | 16.7% |
| Hill Forest Area | 0.67 million hectare |
| Coastal Afforestation Area (1960-1999) | 0.14 million hectare |
| Plain Forest Area (Sal) | 0.12 million hectare |
| Sundarban Area | 0.60 million hectare |
| Village Forest, Tea & Rubber Garden | 0.27 million hectare |
| Forestry Share in GDP (%) 1996-97 1986-87 |
3.25% 3.81% |
| Forest Land Encroachment | 35-45% |
| Land Lost to Aqaculture, Agriculture & Homestead | 0.073 million hectare |
| Annual Deforestation Rate Bangladesh South Asian (average) |
3-4% 0.8% |
| Timber Production Decreased at a Rate (1985-96) | 11.15% |
| Fuelwood Decreased at a Rate(1985-96) | 20% |
| Output from Private Forest (Village Forest) Timber Fuelwood Bamboo |
70% 90% 90% |
Source: Forest Statistics of Bangladesh, 2000
2.3. Ecotourism in Bangladesh:
Bangladesh is a country of vast, largely unknown and unspoiled natural beauty and reserves, which are simply unique and fascinating. These natural phenomena are composed of hills and valleys, forests, rivers, lakes, sea and beaches, and the evergreen landscape embracing the country. Bangladesh emerged as an independent country in 1971 after a nine-month blood-shed war of liberation. The country, comprising an area of 144 000 km2, is situated in the northeastern side of the South Asian sub-continent. The topography is mainly flat alluvial plain, criss-crossed by the world’s three mighty river systems, the Padma (Ganges), the Jamuna and the Meghna and their innumerable tributaries. The east and the northeast of the country join India, and the southeastern part, adjoining Myanmar, is mainly hilly with dense forest. This area comprises of Chittagong and the three Hilly Districts (as they are known) of Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachari, with an average elevation of 610 m above mean see level. These folded ranges run parallel to each other in the north–south direction and the hill slopes are generally enveloped by dense virgin forest. In the south and southwest, alongside the coast of the Bay of Bengal, lies the Sundarbans, better known as a swampy tropical mangrove forest, the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger. These areas are all ideal for the expansion of ecotourism in the country. The climate of Bangladesh is subtropical with a hot and humid summer and cool and dry winter. Annual rainfall ranges from 160 to 400 cm. The best period to visit Bangladesh is November to March, when the temperature ranges between 13.30 and 26.50C (Afroze, s.d.).
2.4. Sylhet Forest Division:
The Sylhet Forest Division is extended over four districts, namely Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulovibazar, and Hobiganj under the central circle of the Forest Department. The area of the Sylhet Forest Division is between 23055’ and 25002’ North latitude and between 90055’ and 92030’ East longitude (Canonizado, 1998)The division is bounded by the Khasia and Jainta Hills of India on the North; Patharia Hills, Tripura and Assam in the East; the international boundary with Tripura State of India and Brahmanbaria District in the West.
There are about 13, 647 sq. km. of total area in the greater Sylhet District. Out of this, the Forest Department administers 784.2 km2 (about 5.5%) of area which are distributed as follows:
Table: 2.2.Area distribution of greater sylhet district.
| Type | Area (ha) |
| Reserve Forest | 46, 965 |
| Proposed Reserved | 23, 189 |
| Acquired Forest | 4, 669 |
| Total | 74, 823 |
Source: DFO Office, Sylhet.
The Proposed Reserved Forests are formerly Un-classed State Forests now under the process of reservation. There are 47 Beats dividing the reserved area for the purpose of forest management and administration. These Beats were previously administered under 9 Ranges. In recent years, the numbers of ranges have been increased to 13. Table, shows the area distribution using the original 9 Ranges (Canonizado, 1998)
Table: 2.3. Sylhet Forest Division Area (ha) by Ranges.
| Range | Reserved Forest | Proposed Forest | Acquired Forest | Total |
| 1. Juri | 9,495 | 554 | - | 10,049 |
| 2. Moulovibazar | 4,262 | 354 | 38 | 4,654 |
| 3. Rajkandi | 8,189 | 17 | - | 8,206 |
| 4. Kulaura | 2,058 | 1,217 | 4,388 | 7,663 |
| 5. Habigonj | 6,279 | 1,463 | - | 7,742 |
| 6. Raghunandan | 2,902 | 1,297 | - | 4,199 |
| 7. Satchari | 1,578 | - | - | 1,578 |
| 8. North Sylhet | 9,069 | 11,553 | - | 20,622 |
| 9. Sunamganj | 3,133 | 6,734 | 243 | 10,110 |
| Total | 46,965 | 23,189 | 4,669 | 74,823 |
There are 5 Forestry Extension Nurseries and Training Centers (FENTC), namely Habiganj, Moulovibazar, Kulaura, Sylhet, and Sunamganj, each supervised by a Forest Ranger. Besides, at each upazila there is a Social Forestry Plantation Centre (SFPC). There are one Forester and Plantation Mali in each SFPC.
2.4.1. Division of the Management Unit
The Division is organized into Ranges and Beats. When the grid system is installed, the Beat will as necessary, be subdivided into Blocks .The Division was previously divided into 9 ranges
Habigonj Satchari
Juri Raghunandan
Moulvibazar North Sylhet
Kulaura Rajkandi
Sunamganj
Recent organization changes have increased the number of ranges, splitting Juri, Hobigonj North Sylhet into 2 ranges and Sunamganj into 3 ranges making a total of 4 ranges
Ranges Habigonj -1 North Sylhet-1 Raghunandan
Habiganj-2 North Sylhet-2 Rajkandi
Moulvibazar Juri-1 Goainghat
Kulaura Juri-2 Sunamganj
Satchari Companyganj
However, for purpose of referring to the Forest Inventory results which used the older classification of Ranges, references will be made to the old ranges periodically in this text.
2.4.2.Resource Outlook
2.4.2.1. Natural Forest
The moratorium on natural forest conservation in 1990 was intended to put an end to the practice started in 1950 of replacing natural forest with more productive forest plantations. While this practice had its good economic intentions, it resulted practically in the disappearance of the natural hill forests. Today there are less than 3000 hectares of this type of forest left in the Sylhet Forest Division. Based on the results of the from forest inventory of 1996 , the productive natural forest consisting of high forest (HF) and low forest (LF) , still hold some 114 cu. M. /ha of timber for all trees 20 cm and above in diameter. The degraded type of natural forests (ST) of which there are 871 hectares left, hold only 17 cu. m. per hectare (Canonizado, 1998).
2.4.2.2. Plantation Forests
The conservation of natural forests from 19950-1990 into long rotation and short rotation plantation has resulted in the massive accumulation of timber wealth in various stages of maturity. For a wood hungry nation like Bangladesh, these plantations are great assets that must be managed well. The land available for plantations is already limited as it is with less than 20% of the country’s land area devoted to forestry. The only remaining option to increase wood production is through intensive forest management. To this end, a plan is set forth to pave the foundations for this intensive form of management to take place. This is the grid system of demarcating and characterizing every 25 hectares of forest land. This system when fully installed will permit the Forest Department to more effectively plan and monitor the status of development of forest plantations and the remaining natural forest. (Canonizado, 1998).
2.4.2.3 Bamboo Resources
There are currently some 23,600 hectares of bamboo resources both natural and plantations in the division. On a 3 year cutting cycle, yields an annual cutting area of 7,800 hectares. Based on FRMP Inventory figures, the average number mature stems per hectares is 5, 090 of Muli and 3,372 for other species. The sustained of bamboo is thus, 40 million stems of Muli and 26 million of other species per year. Bamboo production during last 5 years had been averaging at 16 million indicating that the resource is not being fully utilized.
2.4.2.4. The Supply And Demand Situation
Bangladesh has a large population and a disproportionately forest to support the timber requirements that help fuel economic growth. For 1998, the total population to be estimated to be 122 million and less than 20%of the total land area of 14.4 million hectares is devoted to forestry.
The greatest component of demand for wood is for fuel wood. The population of Bangladesh being largely rural and having limited access to the gas resources of the country for energy, it depends heavily upon the use of wood for and various domestic uses. The Bangladesh Forestry Master plan (1993) estimates 1998 national fuel wood demand at 9.0 million cu.m or roughly 0.074 cu.m per capita. Demand is projected to increase by 1.85% per year on average. Fuelwood is used extensively for industrial purposes such as brick making, tea and tobacco curing, backing, pottery, road tarring and others. It is estimated that 64% of fuel wood consumption goes to domestic uses and the rest to industrial use.
The 1998 national demand and supply of sawlogs, pulpwood, and poles were projected by the Bangladesh Forestry Master Plan (1993) as shown in the tables below:
Table: 2.4. Projected national demandfor roundlogs.
| Year | Sawlogs | Pulpwood | Poles | Total |
| 1998 | 5,148 | 321 | 285 | 5,754 |
| 2000 | 5,335 | 344 | 291 | 5,970 |
| 2005 | 5,813 | 403 | 305 | 6,521 |
| 2010 | 6,323 | 467 | 319 | 7,109 |
| Annual avg. increase (%) | 1.93 | 3.82 | .98 | 1.99 |
Based on linear interpolation of 2000, and 2010 figures.
Table: 2.5. Projected supply of round logs (1000cu.m):
| Year | Saw logs | Pulpwood | Poles | Total |
| 1998 | 1,364 | 344 | 153 | 1,861 |
| 2000 | 1,391 | 400 | 151 | 1,942 |
| 2005 | 1,495 | 487 | 177 | 2,159 |
| 2010 | 1,686 | 507 | 249 | 2,422 |
| Annual avg. increase% | 2.27 | 3.37 | 6.23 | 2.80 |
Based on linear interpolation of 2000, 2005 and 2010 figures.
Despite the higher growth rates of the supply –side versus the demand, the quantitative supply gap in each case (except pulpwood) is huge. For total round logs, supply in the year 2010 will still be 45% short of demand. Against these national projections, the supply contribution of the Sylhet Forest Division in meeting demand may be presented as follows:
Table: 2.6.contribution of Sylhet forest Division to wood supplies (volumes in cu.m.)
| Year | Roundlogs | Fuelwood | ||||
| National | SFD | SFD% | National | SFD | SFD% | |
| 1998 | 1,861,000 | 11,600 | 0.62 | 6,494,000 | 4,000 | 0.06 |
| 2000 | 1,942,000 | 63,00 | 3.25 | 6,629,000 | 11,400 | 0.17 |
| 2005 | 2,159,000 | 105,300 | 4.88 | 6,983,000 | 19,000 | 0.27 |
| 2010 | 2,422,000 | 100,000 | 4.13 | 7,616,000 | 18,000 | 0.31 |
Table: 2.7. Estimate of local demand for round logs and fuelwood (volumes in cu.m.)
| Year | Round logs | Fuelwood | ||||
| Demand* | Prod’n | Supply gap | Demand* | Prod’n | Supply gap | |
| 1998 | 337,100 | 11,600 | 325,500 | 530,000 | 4,000 | 526,000 |
| 2000 | 349,800 | 63,300 | 286,500 | 549,000 | 11,400 | 537,600 |
| 2005 | 382,000 | 105,300 | 276,700 | 597,000 | 19,000 | 578,000 |
| 2010 | 416,500 | 100,00 | 316,500 | 646,5000 | 18,000 | 628,500 |
*Demand estimates based on national per capita demand applied to local population
The division’s share in the production of roundlogs will rise from less than 1% to about 5%of national figures by the year 2010.local self sufficiency in roundlogs will not be attained as forest sources of round logs can attain only account for about 20%of local demand. Fuel wood production from forest sources will continue to be minimal compared to local demand. These figures indicate that the forestry sector’s role will be confined to helping to narrow the supply gap, and the country will increasingly find it necessary to augment local supplies with imported wood.The above supply and demand scenario indicates the figure possibility of developing private non-industrial forests as well as large scale privately owned industrial plantations. It may also be necessary in future for other type of government lands to be devoted to timber production on a leasehold basis (Canonizado, 1998).
2.4.3. Forest description:
The Sylhet Forest Division is represented by the following four types of forests due mainly to the topographical differences, influence of biotic factors, and artificial regeneration following conversion natural forests5:
A. Natural Hill Forest.
B. Fresh Water Swamp Forest.
C. Bamboo Forest.
D. Forest Plantation.
- Natural Hill Forest:
The major portion of the hill forest of Sylhet is situated on hills on the South ranges of Tippera Hill State. There are also small hill forests reserved in the northern part. The major hill reserves are: Raghunadan Hill Reserve, Tarap Hill Reserve, Hararaj Hill Reserve, and Patharia Hill Reserve. The hill forest is made up of the large crowned high forest (HF) and the small crowned high forest (LF or Low Forest).
The HF consists of dominant species such as Garjan (Dipterocapus spp.), Chandul (Tetrameles nudiflora), Sal (Shoria robusta), Hargoja (Dillenia pentagyna), Simul (Salmalia spp.), and Koroi (Albizia spp.) along with evergreen species such as Chapalish (Artocarpus chaplasha), Jam (Syzygium cumini), Sutrong (Lophopetalum fumbriatum), and Ramdala (Duabanga sonneratioides). There are currently (from FRMP inventory) some 2,376 ha of remaining HF type in Sylhet.
The LF class fill forest occupies the middle canopy and contains such species as Tilsundi (Talaruma phellocarpa), Chikrassi (Chikrassia tabularis), Gondroi (Cinnamonum spp.) Pitraj (Amoora spp.), Toon (Toona ciliata), Chaitan (Alstonia scholaris), Nageswar (Mesua ferrea), Gamar (Gmelina arborea), and Bohera (Terminalia ballerica). There are currently some 406 ha of the LF type of high forest.
A third category of natural hill forests, the ST (Scattered Tree) type, which consists of scattered and sporadic remnants of the original high forest. These forests consisting of 872 ha are of very low productivity and earmarked for conversion into long rotation plantations using some of the original species such as Garjan (Dipterocarpus spp) and Dhakijam (Syzygium spp). Apart from these there are about 2000ha of denuded forestland scattered over the jurisdiction of the Forest Division (Canonizado, 1998).
B. Fresh Water Swamp Forest/Reed lands:
There are 23, 590.08 hectares (58, 247 acres) of gazzetted reed lands in the Haors and low lying lands in the Sylhet Forest Division. These reed lands are bounded by 240 81’ – 25019’ North latitude and 91039’ – 92023’ East longitude and are scatteredly distributed over 5 thanas in Companiganj, Dowarabazar, Chhatak, Gowainghat and Jaintapur in Sunamganj and Sylhet districts of the Sylhet Civil Division. The following table shows the distribution:
Table.2.8.Reed land Areas of Sylhet Forest Division
| SL. No. | Reed lands | Gazzetted Areas | |
| Acres | Hectares | ||
| 1. | Barakhia Parua and Chatibar Pailgaon Khadanchibari Ban San Mahal | 10, 396.51 | 4, 210.59 |
| 2. | Companyganj Dastidar Estate Ban San Mahal | 6, 195.75 | 2, 509.28 |
| 3. | Ray and Chara Estate Ban San Mahal | 3, 857.17 | 1, 562.15 |
| 4. | Gauripur Nijgaon Ban San Mahal | 2, 500.00 | 1, 012.50 |
| 5. | Dhargram Bankar Mahal including Ranikhai Reserved Forest | 6, 400.00 | 2, 592.00 |
| 6. | Piyangul Bankar Mahal | 8, 566.08 | 3, 469.26 |
| 7. | Chailtabari Lengura Haor Ban San Mahal | 11, 652.93 | 4, 719.43 |
| 8. | Chailkhal Baon Haor Ban San Mahal | 8, 678.68 | 3, 514.87 |
|
| Total | 58, 247.12 | 23, 590.08 |
The reed lands are located in the Haor basin of Sylhet comprising of freshwater wetlands, a vast alluvial plain, numerous rivers and streams, and hundred of fellow freshwater lakes and marshes (Haors & Beels).
Freshwater wetlands are highly complex and dynamic ecosystem. The process of landscape formations and characteristics of wetlands are largely controlled by water. The conditions of wetlands change markedly and rapidly in response to fluctuations in climate and precipitation (BCAS, 1997).
The reed lands in the freshwater marshes (marshes are more or less permanent shallow water bodies) are dominated by reed swamp associes, locally known as pujaban, and consist of tall grasses (about 6-7 meters tall) mainly Nal (Phragmites khakra), Khagra (Saccharum spontanium) and Ekra (Eranthus ravannae); some meadow grasses such as Binna (Vetiveria zizaniodes) etc; and woody shrubs like Satamuli (Asparagus racemoses) etc. Freshwater swamp forests develop in still water areas around lake margins and on the elevated ridges between the beels or levees of the streams and consist of evergreen trees (about 10-12 m height) such as Hijol (Barringtonia acutangula), Koroch (Pongamia pinnata), Bhuri (Trewia nudiflora), Jarul (Lagerstromia speciosa) etc; woody shrubs like Baladumur (Ficus heterophylla), Chitki (Phyllanthus disticha) etc; and asclepias climber, Murta (Sitalpati) (Clinogyne diclotoma), Bet (Calamus spp), Fishes, Shingles and Boulders etc; commercially important non-wood forest products, are also the natural resources of the reed lands. These (landscape units i.e., freshwater marshes and freshwater swamp forests do not necessarily occur in individual pattern; rather often occur in combinations).
The reed land areas are rich in their faunal diversity. These are internationally important wetland habitats for migratory waterfowls, particularly for ducks and shore birds. The area is also important for passage migrants in springs and perhaps also in autumn.
Indiscriminate cutting of reeds for using as building materials, industrial raw materials, and as fuel-particularly for lime-burning, conversion of reed lands into crop cultivation, encroachments, unsustainable harvest of animal species due to indiscriminate killing by the hunters and poachers massive use of the reed lands for grazing, etc, have extensively damaged the once vast reed lands in the areas and severely depleted the stocks of reeds. The swamp forests are declining at an alarming rate and facing the threat of extermination due to over exploitation, sedimentation and conservation to agricultural land for paddy cultivation (cultivation of HYV rice induced intensive and deep tillage disturbing the seed banks of the natural vegetation and adversely affecting the species regeneration). (BCAS, 1997).
B.1.History of settlement:
The settlers of the reed land areas can be divided into 3 categories: the refuges from India, immigrants from greater Sylhet district and immigrants from other districts. The refuges came from India immediately after the partition of India in 1947. The immigrants mostly came after the independence in 1971. The immigrants of different thanas significantly differ with regard to their reasons of migration to the present place. The highest numbers of immigrants of Jaintapur came here due to poverty, Gowainghat for having support of patrons, and Chhatak and Dowara Bazar for easy access to lands. Companiganj immigrants, however, mostly inherited their position from immigrants (BCAS, 1997).
Most of the settlers don’t have registered land and they are trying for registration of land in their names at present.
B.2.History of management:
The reed lands of the Sylhet Forest Division prior to constituting as Acquired Forests with the implementation of the East Bengal State Acquisition and Tenancy Act, 1950 (East Bengal Act XXVIII of 1951) were under private ownerships. The acquired forests comprising of 23, 590.08 hectares of reed lands of the Sylhet Forest division were subsequently notified under section 4 of the Forest Act, 1927 ( Act XVI of 1927 ).
In the past no scientific management was applied to the reeds. Scientific management for reeds was prescribed in the working plans prepared by R.A. Choudhury and M.U. Choudhury. The depleted condition of the stocks of the reeds necessitated putting some cuttings of reeds and accordingly all compact areas of reeds were constituted into separate mahals which were to be worked on a system of two years rotation, being open for cutting of reeds on every second year. Rules for harvesting of reeds and measures for effective protection of reed areas were also prescribed in the working plans (BCAS, 1997).
Reed lands comprising of about 24, 000 hectares were allocated to the Sylhet Pulp and Paper Mills during the previous working plan period for supplying fibrous raw materials to the mill.
B.3.Administrative Settings of Reed lands:
The reed lands of Sylhet Forest Division are managed by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) through existing 3 Ranges and 8 Beats (Fig-2.1). For effective and efficient management, control, and protection reed lands of the division, the DFO has proposed to reorganize the existing two Ranges out of three existing Ranges-North Sylhet-1 Range and North Sylhet-2 Range – into 3 Ranges Companyganj Range, Gowainghat Range and Jaintapur Range – with 15 Beats (5 existing & 10 proposed new Beats) (Fig-2.2).
Fig.2.1: Organogram of Existing Administrative Setting for Management of Reed lands of Sylhet Forest Division.
Note: ** - Existing Beat.
* - Proposed New Beat.
Fig.2.2: Showing proposed new and existing Beats under different Ranges.
B.4.Dependency of People on Reeds and Reed lands:
About 90% of the people in and around the reed land use reed resources for family consumption. The extent of consumption varies by economic status of the people. The very well off people doesn’t live around the reed lands. This could be because reed land areas being low lying and not a very pleasant place to live in the rainy season, most wealthy people might have already migrated to other places. The vast majority of the people live on stone collection activities, cultivation (small scale) and wage labour. Almost all of these categories of people use reed resources as house construction materials, fuel and fodder. The reeds are Binna, Murta, Nal, Khagra and Ikra. A large number of people around the reed lands fish in the beels within the notified area for consumption. Reed resources don’t seem to have much commercial value because only few people sell them in market. It could be that those who use reeds do not to buy them rather they collect themselves from the forest. It may be further noted that the reeds do not provide cash benefit to the people but almost entire population depend on it for material benefits which in monetary terms will be enormous (BCAS, 1997).
B.5.Uses:
The reeds have traditionally been used for thatching construction of house wall and also for the protection of homesteads from wave erosion during the monsoonal flood, Phragmitis kakra, Saccharum spontaneum, Arundo donax and Schelerostachya fusca are used as raw material for the paper pulp. More than 90% of the lime requirement of the country comes from the reed land are as the lime burning industries made extensive use of reeds in the past. In some areas it is still used as the only fuel for burning lime. The local people directly collect Saccharum spontaneum from the area for stall filling during the rainy season while no other fodder is available in the haor areas. The livestock in the locality mostly graze in the reed land. The reeds when submersed during the rainy season acts as shelter for a number of fish, and prawn species. The reed land areas of the northest reason of Bangladesh are an important habitat for a number of globally threatened birds and mammals. Sedimentation is a major problem in the area which causes frequent changes of river courses. Reeds are important sediment trapper, although rapid sedimentation sometimes causes extensive damage to the reed vegetation itself. (BCAS, 1997).
B.6.Integrated Management Plan and Recommendation of the Reed lands of Sylhet Forest Division:
B.6.1.Criteria of Integrated Management:
The following criteria should be followed for integrated management. Careful arrangement of the multi-sectoral management issues such as:
• Biophysical characteristics of the ecosystem;
• Status of each of the components of the ecosystem separately and together as functional units of the whole.
• Present position of management of the resources.
• Institution responsible for administration and management of the resources and their present organizations and how should they be organized in future.
• Beneficiaries of the resources and products of the Reed lands.
• Potentialities of more cooperation and confrontation with user groups and local communities; and
• Improvement of management and sustainable production and optimum utilization of all the products from the Reed lands for the benefit of the nation and local people which must be addressed to attain the desired goals.
B.6.2. Strategies for sustainable development of Reed lands:
a) People’s livelihood and national economy are dependent on the continued productivity of soil, water, forest and fisheries. Without taking vigorous action to prevent further degradation of these natural resources, increase in food production and the economic development can not be sustained.
b) Any conservation programme ultimately depends upon the users of the resources who are the key to sustainable development and need to be fully involved in every programme of which they are beneficiaries.
c) The critical needs and important issues related to natural resources (forest resources) can be addressed in two phases viz. a short term-approach for one to two years and a medium to long term approach for three to ten years to be persuade in an integrated manner.
B.6.3.Strategies for sustainable land-use of reed lands:
In order to stop the decline of the reed lands, multiple uses of the lands should be developed based on the principles of sustainable development described earlier.
a) Each reed land must be managed as an integrated whole.
b) The integrated management plan should be include wood and non-wood products, agriculture (field crops and animal husbandry), fisheries, and conservation of the ecosystem for biodiversity of flora and fauna.
c) “Core buffer multiple-use zone strategy” should be used when allocating land-use in reed land area. At present, out of 23, 590.08 ha, 10, 115.36 ha of reed lands area have been declared as “Reserved Forests” under section 20 of the forest (Amendment) Act 1990. The rest of the reed lands area are declared as “Proposed Reserved Forests” under section 4 of the forest (Amendment) Act, 1990 and are under the process of reservation. The “Core” and “Buffer” zone should be confined to the existing reserved forests. The “Multiple-use” zone should surround the “Core-buffer” zone.
d) Rational land use planning for the reed land areas is likely to increase the benefit coming from the area. If the poor are given priority in the development and utilization of these resources, there are likely to be social benefits as well. . (Chowdhuri, 2006)
B.6.4.Strategies for reed lands resources management:
a) Two broad categories specially addressing the reed lands resources management:
• To identify, development management strategies that benefit both reed lands habitats, the component biota and the human population; and
• To identify key site which include those used by internationally migratory water fowls and those used by fish brood stock.
b) Special sanctuary areas should be established and the internationally important wetland containing reed land sites to create disturbance free zones for nesting and rooting birds.
c) The reed lands which are getting degraded due to high level of human exploitations should be stabilized.
B.6.5.Strategies for raising public awareness for reed lands resources management:
a) There is an urgent need for public awareness development programmers for reed lands resources management of Sylhet Forest Division. These should aim at creating awareness of:
• The functions and values of reed lands;
• The threats to reed lands site and reed lands species; and
• Sustainable use to prevent further destruction of reed lands.
b) As the rural poor living in and around the reed lands are the key actors in reed lands and their resources conservation, it is imperative to sick their cooperation and involvement in the programmes of critical local significance.
c) The curriculum of primary and secondary schools in which some components of natural resources conservation are already included, should be further strengthened by inclusion of reed land resources conservation, demonstration projects, field training and voluntary services supported by video films and graphics.
d) The news media can play an important role in disseminating information on functions and values of reed lands.
B.7.Managements of reed lands area:
a) The ecologically and socio-economically acceptable bases for managing reed lands have to be developed and applied to promote conservation of their genetic resources.
b) Considering the severely depleted stocks of the reeds, heavy dependency of the people in and around the reed lands on reed resources for family consumptions, for constructing houses, fuel and fodder for cattle, and that a total ban on the use of reeds is not likely to be acceptable to local people, “Core-buffer-multiple use zone strategy”, described earlier, should be used for managing reed lands area.
c) The “Core” area would be completely protected with restricted access, and would be managed in a way which would encourage the regenerations of reeds in suitable areas, and fresh water swamp forests in other areas, regeneration of the ecosystem and the reproduction of important fish and wildlife stocks. It is necessary for the conservation of biodiversity as well as preservation of ecological diversity to have protected areas which contain representatives of these important fresh water swamp species.
d) The “Buffer zone” would contain all the reed lands outside the core areas, reed plantations and plantation of long rotation trees, which would be managed with the participation of the local people to meet their local needs. Handcart fodder could also be extracted from the area, but free-roaming of livestock would be banned.
e) The size of the “Core” and “Buffer” zones would vary according to the size of the reed lands area being managed, and the nature of the protected area.
f) The “Multiple use” is surrounding the “Core-buffer” area would be the privately owned parts of the reed lands and the adjacent agricultural lands which border the reed lands. The “Multiple use” area should be identified as “special area for eco-development (SAED)” to reduce the dependence on the reserved forests. This would require a balanced land-use with field crops, tree crops, livestock, and fisheries in such a way as to maximize socio-economic benefits while sustaining the environment. An integrated development programme for the multiple use area, based on sound environment management practices could be taken as a pilot project to be funded by some donor agency.
g) The remaining stands of the once dense swamp forests of the reed lands have to protected by proper management and develop more swamp forests areas through afforestation, as the component trees (mostly Hijal, Coroch, Barun and also Jarul, Pitali, Kadam, etc.) providing construction materials, fuel, fodder, nesting sites for birds and other animals besides acting as controller of erosion.
h) All the compact areas of reeds would be constituted into separate Mahals and would be worked on a system of two years rotation being open for cutting of reeds on every second year. The boundaries of each Mahal should be surveyed and demarcated. The following rules should be followed for the management of reed areas:
• Removal of rhizome should not be allowed.
• Thorny bushes should be eradicated.
• Surface burning for clearance of debris should be carried out after harvesting of the crop.
• Reed plantations should be raised, preferably after the first flash flood for higher survival of seedlings.
i) The swamp forests would be managed under ‘Pollarding System’. The following rules should be followed during the operation:
• Only branches are to be cut close to the stem.
• No stems should be cut under any circumstances.
• To encourage new recruitment in the forest and thereby increase the growing stock, the inter forest would be scrupulously close to grazing during the periods from 1st November to 31st March of the year.
Techniques for afforestation of important swamp forest species like Hijal, Barun, and Coroch should be developed.
j) Key sites where biophysical conditions influence large areas have to be identified. These include sites visited by internationally migrating water fowl, fish brood stock refuses, and threatened species habitats. Disturbance-free zones for nesting and roosting birds have to be established as sanctuary. The local residence and the concerned authorities have to be sensitized towards the importance of these sanctuaries through conservation education.
k) Fish productivity of the water bodies in the reed lands areas appear to be linked with the growth and abundance of reed plants in the water. The reeds appear to contribute to increased production in two ways: (i) Periphyton growth on the submerged portion of the reed stems, the periphyton being the food of many species, and (ii) Presence of reed plants provide shelter and protection against fishing and poaching. Since the relationship between increased fish production and occurrence of reed plants has not been quantitively studied so far in Bangladesh, this study should be taken by the Forest Department.
l) Extractions of shingles, boulders and stones should be done in planned and systematic manner to stop unplanned and unauthorized extractions causing erosions of adjoining forest lands and changing the landscape and making the land unsuitable for future development. This should be done through strict regularity and control measures by the Forest Department in collaboration with other concerned authorities.
m) The present land-use survey of the sampled Mouzas reveal that 8.37% and 0.74% of the sample Mouzas areas of the reed lands have been converted into agricultural crop lands and encroached for homestead respectively. These agricultural crop cultivators and encroachers may be involved on the management and protection of the reed lands through giving proper responsibilities and arranging for accountabilities in lieu of their existing facilities, since it may not be practicable or even possible to evict these people under the present day circumstances.
n) The medium high land may be planted up with pulp wood species. The elevate areas and the fringes of the medium land may be planted up with bamboo, and cane and murta respectively (BCAS, 1997).
D. Plantations:
The Forest Department’s great step in plantation forestry has been accumulated for the last 5 decades. The current bulk of forest plantations, without doubt, are the most important forest resource of the Division. The management system of clear felling of natural forests and conversion to plantations was introduced in1950. Since that time approximately 17, 600 ha have been so treated in the Division. The (revised) 1996 FRMP inventory reports that there are 16215 ha of FD forest plantations, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI) plantations (202 ha), and rubber plantations (2, 043 ha). Of the long rotation species, Teak is the predominant species (approximately 80% of the species composition as pure and mixed stands), the rest comprising of Jarul, Garjan, Sal and Chaplish.
Previously, the short rotation plantations were composed almost entirely of Malakana (Paraserianthes falcataria), with some Eucalyptus and Acacia mangium, Acacia auriculiformis being very recently introduced. However, serious infestation problems in Malakana monoculture forced the FD to use mixtyres of other species, mainly Acacia mangium, Acacia auriculiformis, Albizia procera, and Anthocephalus cadamba in mixtures. Forest Department is no longer involved in Eucalyptus plantation. However, further review on available literature is important to conclude the Eucalyptus debate. There are also small plantations of Bamboo, Murta, Reeds and Cane. Experimental oil palm plantations (36 ha) raised earlier in Satchari have been abandoned. The plantation has only aesthetic role in the vicinity.
2.4.4. On going projects:
There are some on going projects under Sylhet Forest Division. These include Agar Plantation Project, Forestry Sector Project, and Participatory Forestry on denuded hills, Madhabkunda Eco-Park Project, Bamboo, and Cane and Murta Development Project.
- Agar Plantation Project:
Table: 2.9. Pilot Agar Plantation Project (1999-2000 to 2004-2005).
| Year of Plantation | Area (ha) |
| 1999-2000 | 57.83 |
| 2000-2001 | 95.00 |
| 2001-2002 | 70.00 |
| 2002-2003 | 70.00 |
| 2003-2004 | 20.00 |
| 2004-2005 | 11.33 |
| Total | 324.16 |
Source: DFO office, Sylhet.
Agar plantation seems to be promising. It has international market. A group of local businessmen are interested in its cultivation. A further effort to continue the programme as well as research to promote agar production is essential. Some say that the artificial introduction of agar trees in raised plantation is necessary. Agar plantation has created so much enthusiasm that people are speaking of chemical treatment method. The method developed in USA is reported to have been successfully replicated in Bhutan, Vietnam, and Taiwan.
Table: 2.10. Plantation under FSP:
| Types of plantation | Year | Area (ha) |
| Buffer zone plantation | 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 *2005-2006 | 100.00 255.00 83.00 100.00 |
| Strip plantation |
| 1244.95 Km. |
| Total | 1782.95 Km. | |
*Current year’s programme, Source: DFO office, Sylhet.
Social forestry activities outside the traditional forest areas have been dealt under FSP. Similar project will be required to raise strip plantation along roads, railways and embankments. This is helpful in village forest resources development and poverty alleviation as a measure towards MDG (Chowdhury, 2006).
- Participatory Forestry on Denuded Hills (2004-05 to 2005-06):
This afforestation programme is very successful in recovery of encroached forest land. However, the co-operation of the local Honorable Members of Parliament, political and social elites as well is the driving forces to make the programme success. The following area was recovered and planted during 2004-05 and 2005-06.
Table: 2.11. Afforestation on denuded hills.
| Plantation Type | Area (ha) |
| Short Rotation | 280.00 |
| Long Rotation | 100.00 |
| Agro-forestry | 150.00 |
- Bamboo, Cane, and Murta Development Project (2001-2002 to 2005-2006):
Under this project, different types of plantation raised in Sylhet Forest Division are as follows:
Table:2.12 Plantation of Bamboo, Cane, & Murta.
| Types | Area (ha) |
| Bamboos | 375.00 |
| Canes | 702.00 |
| Murta | 373.52 |
This is the only project that focuses on reed land development. Inspired with the success of the project Integrated Participatory Forestry Project for reed land has already been submitted by the Forest Department. (Chowdhury, 2006).
2.5. Wetland:
2.5.1 Definition of wetland
For the purpose of Ramsar Convention, as adopted in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, wetlands are defined as areas of marsh, fen, peat land or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide docs not exceed six meters (Khan et al., 1994).
Bangladesh possesses enormous wetland areas out of which the principal ones are rivers and streams, freshwater lakes and marshes including haors, baors and beels, water storage reservoirs, fishponds, flooded cultivated fields and estuarine systems with extensive mangrove swamps. There are about 700 rivers in Bangladesh, the estimated total length of which is 24,140km (Akonda, 1989).
The major wetlands are shown in Map 2.1:
Map 2.1: Major Wetlands of Bangladesh.
Globally, wetlands are amongst the most fertile and productive ecosystems and important breeding grounds for fisheries. They serve as a filtering system to clean up polluted water, protect coastlines from erosion and act as barriers against storm surges besides providing people with a wide range of staple food plants, lush grazing lands and fuel. It is the dynamic interaction of the terrestrial and aquatic systems with people that makes wetlands so environmentally valuable. Wetlands also provide habitat for a rich variety of resident and migratory waterfowl. Their scenic beauty can support the development of tourism. Their resources play a significant role in other economic activities like extraction of reeds and harvesting of food plants and those o £ medicinal importance.
2.5.2 Classification of wetlands
Wetlands of Bangladesh can be classified on the basis of their hydrological and Ecological functions and land type concept into the following categories (Dugan,1990).
Ø Saltwater wetlands:
a) Marine:
i. Permanent shallow waters at low tide, e.g., bay
ii. Coral reefs, e.g., St. Martin's reef
b) Estuarine:
i. Intertidal mud, sand or salt flats with limited vegetation, e.g., newly
accreted land.
ii. Intertidal marshes
iii. Intertidal forested wetlands including mangroves, e.g., Sundarbans.
c) Lagoonal:
i. Brackish to saline lagoons with narrow connections with the sea.
Ø Freshwater wetlands:
Riverine wetlands
i. Permanent rivers and streams including some char land.
ii. Temporary seasonal rivers and streams.
Ø Lacustrine wetlands:
There are over a thousand lakes of varying sizes in Bangladesh, the greatest concentrations being in the main delta region covering the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna. Kushlia, Jessore, Faridpur, Comilla and Noakhali. The haor basin comprising a vast alluvial plain with a mosaic of wetland habitats including haors and beels is bounded by the hill ranges of Meghalaya on the north, hills of Tripura and Mizorain on the south, and the high lands of Monipur on the east. The numerous rivers rising in these hills cause extensive flooding during the monsoon. During the dry season, most of the water drains out leaving a series of isolated beds, which are often overgrown with aquatic vegetation. As the water level recedes, the exposed alluvial soils are extensively cultivated for rice.( Table 2.13)
Table 2.13.Different types of inland water bodies and their areas (in sq km):
| Open inland waters | a) Rivers | 7,497 |
| b) Estuarine area | 6,110 | |
| c) Beels and haors
| 1,142 | |
| d) Innundable floodplains | 54,866 | |
| e) Kaptai lake | 668 | |
| Closed waters | a) Ponds | 1,469 |
| b) Baors | 55 | |
| c) Brackish water | 1,080. | |
| farms |
| |
| Total | 72,899 |
Source: (Akonda 1989 and Khan et al. 1994.)
2.5.3. Definition of different terms of wetland (FAP, 1993):
Haors: which arc bowl- shaped depressions between the natural levees of a river subject to monsoon flooding every year, are mostly found in the eastern region of greater Mymensingh and Sylhet districts, known collectively as Haor basin covering an area of approximately 24,500 sq.km.
Baors or oxbow lakes, formed by dead arms of rivers, are situated in the moribund delta of the Ganges in Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Jessore and Faridpur.
Beels arc saucer-like depressions which generally retain water throughout the year, and are mostly overgrown with marsh vegetation during the dry season, e.g. Chalan beel in the northwestern region.
True hikes: There arc only three true lakes in Bangladesh, viz. Rainkhyongkine and Bogakine in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Ashuhila beel at the northern end of the Barind Tract.
Palustrine wetlands:
a) Permanent freshwater marshes and swamps with emergent vegetation
b) Permanent peal-forming freshwater swamps dominated by Typha
c) Freshwater swamp forest, e.g., Hijol (Barringtonia acutangulala)
forests of lowland,
Manmade wetlands:
a) Aquaculture ponds (brackish and freshwater)
b) Irrigated lands and irrigation channels
c) Salt pans
d) Hydro-dams, e.g., Kaptai Lake
Kaptai reservoir
The only large artificial wetland is Kaptai reservoir formed as a consequence of a hydro-electric dam completed in 1963, and which has flooded over 76,600 ha of pristine forested valleys and cultivated land in the Chittagong Hill Tract (Akonda, 1989). Other artificial water bodies include many thousands of small tanks and fish ponds scattered throughout the country. These include also large areas of shrimp aquaculture in the coastal districts
2.5.4 Importance of wetlands:
Wetlands have great ecological, economic, commercial and socio-economic importance and values. They contain very rich components of biodiversity like flora and fauna of important local, national and regional significance. The principal functions of wetlands are (IWRB, 1992 and Dugan, 1990):
Ground water recharge, ground water discharge, storage of flood water, shoreline stabilization and reduction of erosion, sediment trapping, nutrient retention/removal, support for food chains, fisheries production, habitat for wildlife, recreation, natural heritage values, biomass production, water transport, bio-diversity preservation and micro-climate stabilization.
Wetlands in Bangladesh arc a very rich depository of vegetations, aquatic plants, reeds and algae. The floral composition is relatively uniform throughout the haors, beels and baors but the dominance varies seasonally.
Wetlands are nationally important for a variety of reasons:
۞ Biodiversity:
The large and varied wetland environment is rich in species diversity. Of more than 5000 species of (lowering plants and 1500 of vertebrates, of which approximately 750 are birds and over 500 are coastal, estuarine and freshwater fish, up to 300 plant species and some 400 vertebrate's species are judged to be dependent on wetlands for all or part of their life span (Khan et, al., 1994). Wetlands also provide habitat for a variety of resident and migratory waterfowl, a significant number of endangered species of international interest, and a large number of commercially important ones.
۞ Fisheries:
The inland capture fishery is the most important sub sector in terms of total catch, source of employment and supply of animal protein. It is based on the countries vast freshwater resources and some 270 species of fin and shell fish which inhabit them. Essential habitats for the inland fisheries comprise open and closed water habitats, including rivers, canals, floodplains, haors, heels, baors and small roadside depressions. Although discrete in the dry season, these water bodies become interconnected during the monsoon and provide critical habitats for completion of the life cycles of a large number offish species.
۞ Agricultural diversity:
There are many local varieties of rice, conservatively estimated to number in the thousands, as well as other existing or potential commercially important plants, which provide a valuable gene pool to ensure continued development of improved varieties for the future.
۞ Tourism:
It remains an infant if non-existent economic activity, but there is substantial foundation for the view that the countries natural resources could support development of richer tourism.
۞ Other economic activities:
Wetlands also support a significant range of other economic activities other than fishing, such as extraction of reed, harvesting of edible aquatic vegetation and their products, medicinal herbs, shells, etc.
2.5.5. The wetlands of the Northeast Region
Ø Physical configuration
The haors, from which the region's central basin takes its name, are back swamps or bowl-shaped depressions between the natural levees of rivers, or in some cases, much larger areas incorporating a succession of these depressions. The haors flood to a depth of as much as six metres during the rainy season and in many cases two or more neighbouring haors link up to form much larger water bodies. During the dry season, most of the water drains out, leaving one or more shallow lakes (beels). Many of these become overgrown with aquatic vegetation, and some dry out completely by the end of the dry season. The term beel is also used for oxbow lakes and other permanent water bodies in abandoned river channels; these are especially numerous along the lower courses of the Baulai and Kalni Rivers. As the monsoon flood waters recede during the dry season, rich alluvial soils are exposed around the margins of the beels, and these are extensively cultivated for rice.
The haor basin contains about 47 major haors and some 6,300 beels of which about 3,500 are permanent and 2,800 are seasonal. These wetlands vary in size from as little as a few hectares to many thousands of hectares. The principal systems are as follows:
- Baram, Banka, Habibpur, Maka, and Makalkandi haors, which unite to form a single large water body during the rainy season; the Ghulduba haors; and Ranga and Baudha beels. Located in the eastern and lowest part of the basin in Mymensingh.
- Tangua, Shanir, and Matian haors in the deep northern basin at the foot of the Meghalaya Hills. These form a single water body during the rainy season.
- Dekhar Haor, Pathar Chanli Haor, and Jhilkar and Jhinkar Haors, to the east of the Tangua system.
- The Jamaikata, Mahai, Nalua, and Parua haor system, on the eastern rim of the basin.
- Hakaluki, Chatal Bar, Haila, Kawadighi, Pagla and many smaller haors, in the central Sylhet lowlands.
- Hail Haor, between the Tarap and Banugach hill ranges in the southeast.
- Dingapota, Ganesher, Tolar, Anganer, Bara, and Humaipur Haors, in the south of the basin.
- Etna and Sania Haors, Kishorganj district.
- Khaliaghuri Haor, east Mymensingh.
Ø Current conditions
Currently, the haors, beels, and ponds support major subsistence and commercial fisheries, the seasonally flooded plains support a major rice-growing industry, and the abundant aquatic vegetation provides rich grazing for domestic livestock and a source of fuel, food and fertilizers for the local people.
The region contains all of the nation's remaining large semi-natural freshwater wetlands, a landscape once characteristic of much of the country. The wetlands are home to a very wide variety of resident and migratory waterfowl, including an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 ducks, and provide a refuge for many other species of wildlife which are becoming increasingly rare elsewhere in Bangladesh.
Fig.2.2: Map showing status of wetlands of sunamganj district of Bangladesh:
2.5.6. Tanguar Haor, Sunamganj
Tanguar Haor a large haor lies within Sunamganj district extending over 10 mauzas of Dharmapasha and Tahirpur upazilas of the district. The mauzas covering the Tanguar haor are (1) Jagadishpur, (2) Bhabanipur, (3) Lamagaon, (4) Ramsinhapur, (5) Mahajampur, (6) Maindag, (7) Mayajuri, (8) Bhangachara Purba, (9) Noagaon, and (10) Tanguar Haor. The haor consists of 120 beels of various sizes. The area of Tanguar haor including 46 villages within the haor is about 100 sq km of which 2802.36 ha is wetland.
The haor is an ideal place for the migratory birds. Every winter about 200 types of migratory birds come to this haor and make their temporary habitat here. Once upon a time the zamindars of Sunamganj area used to make cruise into this haor with large Pansi boats for hunting birds.
The haor is an important source of fisheries. More than 140 species of fresh water fishes are available here. Among them the notables are Air, Gang Magur, Baim, Tara Baim, Gutum, Gulsha, Tengra, Titna, Garia, Beti, Kakia etc. In the 1999-2000 fiscal years, government earned Tk 70, 73,184 as revenue only from fisheries of the haor.
Hijal (Barringtonia acutangula), Karach (Pongamia pinnata), Gulli, Balua, Ban Tulsi (Ocimum americanum), Nalkhagra (Phragmites karka) and some other important threatened species of freshwater wetland trees are available in this haor.
Most of the inhabitants of the Tanguar haor are landless or marginal farmer. As the haor allows single crop throughout a year, seasonal unemployment problem is very acute here. But the farmers harvest high yield because of the richness of the soil though the lands are single cropped.
The haor is cyclone prone as it located at the foothills of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills and a number of hailstorms also occur. Therefore at times crops get damaged. Except the levee or the kanda areas of the haor the other lands of the haor are used as pastureland. In the past the levees were deeply covered with trees. But afterwards the areas were deforested widely to meet the demand of additional lands for settlement and cultivation, which caused environmental degradation, and loss of biodiversity of the haor.
In the past few decades the total environmental settings of the Tanguar haor has degraded a lot. In consideration of its environmental importance and heritage, the government has decided to save the large haor by symbolizing it as an internationally critical environment area and listed the haor as a 'Ramsar area' under Ramsar Convention. In accordance with this, the government has taken massive plan to restore the natural environment and heritage of the Tanguar haor by conserving its water, improving agriculture and fish production, and making the haor secured zone for birds and animals. The government has also decided not to allow any developmental or commercial activity within the haor area that is harmful for the sensitive environment of the haor. Besides these, the government has banned on digging any well for gas or oil within the 10 km area of the haor. The natural beauty of the Tanguar haor attracts the tourists and the haor can be turned as an important tourist place (Banglapedia-2007)
Tangua Haor is of outstanding importance for its large and diverse waterfowl populations. It is perhaps the most "natural" large wetland remaining in the Northeast Region, and possesses extensive stands of emergent marsh vegetation. There is little permanent human settlement in the immediate vicinity, and there remain significant areas of higher ground between the beels which are not under cultivation and which still support some natural herbaceous vegetation.
This haor forms the core area of the northern haor system, which includes several other haors also of importance for waterfowl (such as Gurmar Haor, Kanamaiya Haor and Matian Haor). The Tangua Haor site itself consists of a group of large beels to the west of the Patnai Gang, close to the Indian border; its principal beels are Pana, Rauar, Tangua, Ainna, Arabiakona, and Samsar. Tangua Haor as a whole is unprotected from flash-flooding, although Arabiakona Beel and one or two small beels are surrounded by submersible embankments.
The presence of a complex of large and relatively undisturbed beels still in a near-natural condition at Tangua Haor is undoubtedly a key reason for the major concentrations of waterfowl found in the northern system as a whole. The northern haors mentioned above together held 71% (76,500) of all waterfowl observed in Feb/Mar 92 and 44% (13,480) of those observed in Apr/May 92. The corresponding figures for Tangua Haor itself were 24% and 11%, respectively.
Largely confined to the northern system of haors are many species of waterfowl, especially the cormorants, Oriental Darter, several species of ducks and Eurasian Coot, undoubtedly because the system provides the largest contiguous area of permanent water in the region and remains relatively thinly populated. The outstanding importance of this system for some waterfowl species is demonstrated by the results of the Feb/Mar 92 survey. The northern system is also very important for herons and egrets. It held 49% of all herons and egrets recorded during the Feb/Mar 92 survey and 68% of those during the Apr/May 92 survey. (Annon 2002)
2.6. Present status of Sunamganj range:
Sunamganj range one of the ranges of sylhet forest division full of possibility of becoming a very resourceful land and have a great potentiality. Though the in total condition of the whole range, from the forestry point of view of is very poor. The stock, the regeneration, and the socio-economic condition is very critical. the total land of the range 17026.77 acre within which 6922.82 acre are declared by the government as reserved forest, and 10103.95 acre are under processing for declaring reserved forest. In the total range the main plantation was started from 2005-06 economic years. No regular activity is going on in any beat forest (felling & plantation). Participatory forestry activities are carried out within the forest area. The entire plantation is carried out under the “Reed land integrated social forestry project” by the range office.
Historical background of management: Before 1935 there is no specific management plan belongs to sunamganj range. In 1935 the planned management of forest resources started under Sylhet forest department. But before 1962 reed land was not included in the working plan. In the working plan of 1962-63 to 1982-83 the reed land had divided into 08 mahal. In that time reed was harvested after two year interval. On the other side 10 year felling cycle was maintained in case of hijal, karach, and borun for pollarding. After then the management of reed land was handover to SPMM (Sylhet Pulp and Paper Mill). Reed forests comprising about 2400 ha were allocated to the Sylhet Pulp and Paper Mills (SPPM) for supply of fibrous raw materials In 1995 However, by the time the mill was commissioned, the reed resources had become depleted due to encroachments for settlements and cultivation. The responsibility to manage reed land came back to forest department. But. Encroachments, indiscriminate cutting of reeds for use as building and industrial raw materials and fuel, unsustainable harvest of animal species and grazing have extensively damaged the reed forests (FMP 1998)..From 2005 again the plantation started under “Reed land integrated social forestry project”. Where the maximum participants were the encroacher. Encroachments, indiscriminate cutting of reeds for use as building and industrial raw materials and fuel, unsustainable harvest of animal species and grazing have extensively damaged the reed forests (FMP 1998)..
Ø Main activities:
1. Agro forestry
2. Murta plantation
3. Cane plantation
4. Strip plantation
5. Suitable species plantation
Ø Manpower of the ranges:
Table: 2.14. Manpower of Sunamganj range, Sylhet Forest Division
| Name of post | Occupied post |
| Ranger | 1 |
| Deputy Range Officer (DRO) | 2 |
| Beat officer | 5 |
| Forest guard | 7 |
| Mali | 5 |
| Boat man | 3 |
| Total | 23 |
Source: Range office, 2008
Ø Utilization of forest land (acre):
The table shows the overall utilization area of the study area, in which we can see the total tree plantation including (agro forestry, strip plantation, and suitable plantation) are 595.97 acre, murta plantation 518.92 acre, cane plantation 93.90 acre. And the total amounts of encroached land are 15916.78 acre (Table 2.15)
| Items | Area (acre) |
| Tree plantation | 595.97 |
| Murta plantation | 518.92 |
| Cane plantation | 93.90 |
| Encroached | 15916.78 |
Table 2.15: Utilization of forest land (acre)
Ø Last 10 years plantation area
Except the 99-00 plantation of Akashmoni and manjium all the plantation are held from 2005-07, within which the chattak beat possesses the highest area of plantation followed by soktiarkhola and moheshkhola.( Table2.16)
| Year | Name of Range | Name of Beat | Area (ha) |
| 1999-2000 | Sunamganj | Chattak | 38.20 |
| 2005-2006 | Sunamganj | Chattak | 80 |
| 2006-2007 | Sunamganj | Chattak | 121 |
| 2006-07 | Sunamganj | Moheshkhola | 70 |
| 2006-07 | Sunamganj | Doloirgaon | 40 |
| 2006-07 | Sunamganj | Soktiarkhola | 100 |
| 2006-07 | Sunamganj | Sunamganj sadar | 40 |
Table2.16: Last 10 years plantation area
Ø Last 5 years revenue earnings:
Table shows the last 5 years revenue earnings, which are comes from mainly from fouti produce and seized produce.Though there is no productive plantation in he range so there is no revenue collected from the timber or stock.( Table2.17)
Table2.17: Last 5 years revenue earnings
| Year | Taka |
| 2002-2003 | 20,84,351 |
| 2003-2004 | 24,81,587 |
| 2004-2005 | 27,03,466 |
| 2005-2006 | 21,95,804 |
| 2006-2007 | 28,78,329 |
| Total | 1,23,43,537 |
Range office, 2008
Ø Dispute regarding stealing, robbery, case etc and seized produce:
From 1998-99 to 2007-08 total no of dispute are 1115, within which in 2006-07 the highest no of dispute (330) happened, followed by the year 2005-06 (254), 1998-99 (117).the less no of dispute happened in the year 2004-05(32).
In the category of dispute stealing timber wildlife, parts of sawmill, robbery, illegal establishment of sawmill etc are common feature.
Approximately 2000-3000 CFT of timber are collected as seized produce each year.(table 2.18)
Table2.18: No of dispute according to year
| Year of the cases | Number of cases (nos) |
| 1998-99 | 117 |
| 1999-00 | 87 |
| 2000-01 | 33 |
| 2001-02 | 83 |
| 2002-03 | 59 |
| 2003-04 | 42 |
| 2004-05 | 32 |
| 2005-06 | 254 |
| 2006-07 | 330 |
| 2007-08(running) | 78 |
| Total | 1115 |
Source: Range office, 2008
Ø Foutimahal:
In sunamganj range there is a number of river distributed all over the Range.These Rivers are come from India or the origin of the river are the hills of India. The part of these river’s are passed through sunamgonj.In rainy season and in other season due to rain, flood and other natural calamities the broken tree, log and other drift timber are come from India to Bangladesh by floating. Some of people lease the part of the river called”fautimahal” having a specific range within the river. They collect the timber and deposit in a depot. And they claimed to forest department for being owned the timber. Forest department declared the ownership of the collected timber by checking and prepare chart of the detail information about the log. Then FD call an auction for selling the materials and after that “Mahaldar” give a percentage of selling money to forest department according to list of revenue. That’s how revenue is collected from fautimahal (Range office, 2008)
Ø List of fouti mahal
There are 13 fautimahal
6. Jaliachora River
7. Lalaichora River
8. Isamoti River
9. Old Bagrai River and its sub river
10. Khasimara River
11. Dholaibirampur River
12. Jhalkhali River
13. Thanalia jadukata patnai River
14. Moheshkhali River
15. Shela river
16. Morapatnai River
17. Lohajuri River
18. Kalaura River
Ø Last 10 years fouti product:
Table 2.19. Last 10 years fouti product
| Year | Timber Cft | Revenue(taka) |
| 1998-99 | 34584.42 | 1163496.66 |
| 1998-00 | 212426.81 | 4651905.52 |
| 1999-01 | 41702.34 | 535244.79 |
| 2000-02 | 97521.18 | 2845043.56 |
| 2002-04 | 83337.71 | 2923612.61 |
| 2004-06 | 130449.56 | 3581504.28 |
| Total | 600022 | 15700807.42 |
Range office, 2008
