NTFPs have made a major contributions to the Bangladesh agrarian economy and numerous economic and socio-physiological benefits with the employment generation and security of regular earning, its has recognizable authenticity. These assets of the Sundarbans directly provides – Income generation, Employment, Poverty Elevation, Socio economic development, Macro economic benefit, Micro level economic benefit, Socio-physiological benefit, Environmental protection & Socio cultural development. For better management & implementing new policy in forest conservation and NTFPs developments and sustainable yield the above mentioned corresponding technical parameters and development criteria can be implemented and considered for the planners.
Harvesting and Management
No specific felling rule has been prescribed. It is harvested under miscellaneous permit. It demand has been increased considerably. Hantal contribute a handsome revenue to the Forest Department. Quantity and revenue.
Hogla (Typha elephantina) It grows on the swampy and newly accreted land of the Sundabans. It is one kind of grass vegetation.
Utility
- Used for making woven utensils, mat, housing and handicraft.
- Leaflet used to weave hats, umbrella, raincoat, basket, mat and bags.
- Play an important role in successional change.
Harvesting and Management: It is harvested through miscellaneous permit every year, It provides few revenue from the Sundarbans Forest Division.
Grasses
There are many important grasses in the Sundarbans, These are Sun-grass (Saccharum sp), Nalkhagra(Phragmites karka), Male(Cyperus javanicus), Ullukhar(Imperata arundinaceae), Shon(Saccharum officinalis) etc. It is found to occur in Kotka, Kochekhaly, Panirghat, Sannasir char, Talbariarchar and some other new and raised land areas.
Utility
- Mainly used for thatching materials.
- Fencing materials.
- Roof trusses.
- Broom making
- Firing and
- shade for betel leave farming
Extraction and Management
These are harvested annually through miscellaneous permit issuing by the Sundarbans Forest Division during winter season and fetches some revenue form the resources.
Shells and Oysters
Shells and Oysters are one of the most common minor produce from the Sundarbans rivers and Char land. It is collected huge quantity from the beach area from the Sundarbans.
Utility and Importance
- Used as – Lime, Fertilizer, Fishmeal.
- Export potentialities.
- Expansion of cottage industries.
- Souvenirs
Extraction
It is extracted permit basis and earns a huge revenue. of the resources annually from the Sundarbans. It provides income to local inhabitants who sell them tourists as souvenirs. Sundarbans Division has no effective control on processing and export of these NTFPs.
Crab, Shrimp and Dry-fishes
Sundarbans water supports 27 families and 53 species of pelagic fish, 49 families and 124 species of demersal fish, 5 families 24 species of shrimp, 2 families and 7 species of crab, 2 species of gastropod, 6 species of pelecypods, 8 species of locust lobster and 1 family and 3 species of turtle and 30 species of snakes.
Sundarbans inshore and offshore fishery constitutes estuarine has been known nationally and internationally.
Utility
- Food
- Medicine
- Trade expansion
- Employment
- Transportation
Annual Extraction
These are collected by local fishermen and forest department earn an good deal of revenue. The most attractive shrimp and crab fig-7 is exported to USA, Belgium, Japan, UK, Netherlands, Singapore and other countries. Bagda and Golda shrimp has revolutionized the harvesting fish from the Sundarbans. Dry fish (fig-6) collection begins from September – October and continue up to March and earns a lot of revenue.
Honey and Bee wax
Honey and Bee wax are one of the important NTFPs in mangrove forest. Khalshi (Aegiceras corniculatum), Gewa (Excoecarea agallocha), Baen (Avicennia officinalis), Goran (Ceriops decandra), Amoor (Amoora cuculata) etc. are most common honey producing plants in Sundarbans. The Bees collect honey during the month of February to June.
Utility
- It is a source of Vitamins and Minerals.
- Honey used as – Medicine, Drinks, Energetic food etc.
Management and Extraction
Honey is naturally collected in the bee hives from the Sundarbans forest in a large quantity annually. Honey permits are issued in 1st week of April and continue up to June. Annual extraction and revenue.