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Forest Cover Change Analysis Using Remote Sensing Techniques in Madhupur Sal Forest of Bangladesh

M. A. Salam*
Geology Division, SPARRSO, Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207

M. A. T. Pramanik
Forestry Division, SPARRSO, Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Deforestation, degradation, damages, transformation and over exploitation of forests are the common problem in different parts of the world. Timely monitoring and assessment of forest resources may help to address and identify the above mentioned problems and thus proper guidance may be given the forest resources manager for rational planning and management of forests. Apart from the conventional methods of forest monitoring, remote sensing with its unique capability of synoptic viewing, real time and repetitive nature offers a potential tool for monitoring and evaluation of forest resources and hence remote sensing technology has been successfully used in various studies like forest inventory, monitoring of forest cover changes and forest damage assessment. In the present research forest cover change analysis in ‘Madhupur Sal Forest’ located in central part of Bangladesh has been investigated using satellite remote sensing data and spatial analysis. Transformation of ‘Sal forest’ to other land use has been studied using the Landsat MSS (Multi Spectral Scanner) data of 1973 and Landsat 8 OLI (Operational Land Imager) data of 2015. Driving forces behind the transformation of ‘Sal forest’ has also been investigated through GPS (Global Positioning System) based ground verification and interview with the people living in the locality.

Keywords: Forest transformation, Landsat MSS/OLI, Madhupur Sal forest, Remote sensing

Location: Madhupur Sal forest region,Tangail and Mymensingh district

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Non-commodity: Remote sensing

Objectives:

The present study has been undertaken to investigate the transformation of Sal forest to other land uses and seasonal behavior of Sal forest canopy in Madhupur Sal forest. A combined remote sensing and GIS approach has been adopted for the present study.

Methodology:

Study area The study area is located in Madhupur Sal forest region that is situated in Tangail and Mymensingh district. The area extends from N 24° 32' 44" to N 24° 44' 42.7" and E 89° 59' 49.5" to E 90° 10' 34.6" and is and is about 120 km away from the capital city of Dhaka. Relatively high land in one part and lowland areas in adjacent part characterize landscape of the area. The area is fragmented into small patches and intermingled with the neighboring settlements. The forest of the study area is classified as tropical moist deciduous forest (Champion et al. 1965). Sal (Shorearobusta) is the main species in the natural forest. The climate of this area is tropical. The average rainfall of this is about 205 cm. Average temperature gradually rises from February and reaches to its maximum in April (around 35⁰ C). In January minimum temperature is recorded 15⁰ C. Data and Software Used Landsat MSS data has been collected from SPARRSO archive. Geometric distortion has been checked and image-to-image geometric correction has been performed. Landsat MSS observation of Madhupur Sal Forest and its adjacent areas Band 4, 2 and 1(R, G, B) and Band 2, 4 and 1 (R, G, B) in 21 February, 1973 have been shown in figure 2 and 3 respectively. Cloud-free Landsat data over the dry period (September-March) have been downloaded form United States Geological Survey (USGS) website. Extraction of different bands data has been done and then layer stacking of has been conducted for making the multi bands images. Landsat 8 OLI observations of Madhupur Sal Forest and its adjacent areas Band 5, 4 and 3 (R, G, B) and Band 6, 5 and 4 (R, G, B) in 12 November, 2015 have been shown in figure 4 and 5 respectively. Digital image processing (DIP) of the satellite data were carried out in ERDAS IMAGINE software. Vector layers have been prepared in Arc/Info software. On screen digitization has been performed to delineate the different vegetation classes. Global Positioning System (GPS) based ground verification has also been conducted in different vegetation classes to accurately delineate the appropriate vegetation type in the study area. The following methodology has been adapted for the present study.

Source of Information: J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 10(2): 73-78, 2017 ISSN 1999-7361

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Deforestation is one of the major problems in the world that has serious adverse effects both on environment and ecology over a region and here the Madhupur Sal forest is also facing the same threat since several decades. The Madhupur Sal forest is facing severe threat by the disturbances caused by the people who are depend or pretend o be depended on the forest resources for their livelihood. As a consequence threats there a massive depletion various environmental and ecological problems may be provoked. The land use transformation is affecting aerial extend of Madhupur ‘Sal forest’ and quantity and quality of forest cover in the area is depleting day by day. Degradation of forest and changes in forest areas in the Madhupur forest is alarming as found through the temporal study of two tomes satellite data. Natural habitations of wild animal wild pig, monkey, deer, lizard, squirrels, python, birds are depleting as a results these are coming out from the forest to locality as stated by the people living in the locality. Due to the well connectivity with the capital Dhaka an indication building infrastructure for business has been noticed along the roads although the scale is very low but which is also alarming. People living in and around the Madhupur Sal forest are not fully aware of the importance of the conservation measure regarding the Sal forests. Forest resources are being exploited the people according to their needs without thinking the sustainable way of uses. Building the awareness of nature conservation is required through the encouragement and involves the people living around for forest protection. Under this circumstances forest management efforts need to consider community-based forestry programmers involving local people in forest management activities for severely disturbed areas. But for less disturbed area afforestation practices could be done with the same species of it’s surrounding under the management and control of forest department. Thus the extinction of rare forest species will be controlled and the restoration of Madhupur Sal forest may be ensured for future. Necessary measures should be taken by the concern authority to protect these valuable forest flora and fauna of Madhupur ‘Sal forest’ of Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal