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Status, Diversity, and Traditional Uses of Homestead Gardens in Northern Bangladesh: a Means of Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation

Bishwajit Roy
Bangladesh Institute of Social Research

Md. Habibur Rahman
Bangladesh Institute of Social Research

Most. Jannatul Fardusi
Bangladesh Institute of Social Research

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A study was conducted to assess the status, ecological diversity, traditional uses, spatial arrangement, and importance of homestead garden for biodiversity conservation of the urban and rural households in Kishoreganj Sadar of northern Bangladesh. Assessment was done by means of multistage random sampling from a total of 80 households using a semistructured questionnaire. A total of 62 plant species belonging to 36 families including 5 threatened species were identified. The majority of the species were used as fruit and food (45%) followed by medicinal plants (38.71%), firewood (32.26%), and timber (29%). Ecological diversity indices indicated that the existing plant species in the homestead gardens in the study area have moderately high biodiversity and species richness. Farmers perceived importance for homestead plant species conservation was for fruit and food (85%) followed by building materials (78.75%), subsistence family income (73.75%), and source of firewood (68.75%). In addition, analysis of existing management regime indicates that growers lack scientific information, almost every household still follows traditional management systems. Finally, a specific homestead forest management plan, conservation of homestead species diversity through scientific management and obtaining training and support from government and NGOs, was found highly demandable by this study.

Keywords: Status, Diversity, Traditional Uses, Homestead Gardens, Northern Bangladesh

Location: Kishoreganj Sadar Upazila

Start Date: 00-09-2011

End Date: 00-01-2012

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Homestead Agroforestry

Objectives:

This study was conducted to evaluate and quantitatively assess the total botanical diversity and the status of homestead garden ecosystem (both rural and urban), and choice of people, spatial arrangement of different species in both urban and rural homestead areas of Kishoreganj Sadar Upazila (subdistrict) of Bangladesh. The study also tried to find out the reasons towards differences in species diversity and biodiversity conservation for both areas and then represented schematically so that we can understand what are the driving factors behind the differences in both areas (rural and urban). In the study areas, homestead gardens are substantial enterprises and play a significant role in household income.

Methodology:

2.1. Study Area Profile. Kishoreganj Sadar Upazila with an area of 193.73 km² is bounded by Nandail Upazila on the north, Pakundia and Katiadi upazilas on the south, Karimganj and Tarail upazilas on the east, and Hossainpur and Nandail upazilas on the west. The Main River is Narsunda. 2.2. Research Methods. The study was based on the primary data collected directly from the field during September 2011 to January 2012 through physical measurement. During study, multistage random sampling method was adopted for data collection. From 12 upazilas of Kishoreganj district (administrative unit), Kishoreganj Sadar Upazila was selected purposively. Out of 11 unions in Sadar Upazila, two unions from rural area and only one existing municipality in the study area were firstly selected randomly. Then, two villages from municipality area and one from rest of the unions were randomly selected. 2.3. Data Collection from Respondents. Interviews were conducted targeting primarily old-aged or local experienced persons (usually aged between 30 to 70 years). A total of 80 households, that is, 20 households (PSU, primary sampling unit) with a confidence interval of 33% from each village were selected for interviewing. A semistructured questionnaire was used for data collection based on the information collected through reconnaissance and pilot survey. All the species found in each household had been accounted for botanical survey. The final survey and eight focused group discussions (two in each PSU for crosschecked) were completed with the participation and informed consent from the members of the households. Responses to open questions were collected on a variety of demographic and socioeconomic indicators: household species composition, choice of species, cultural activities practices in homestead garden, perceived importance for conservation of species, market access of homestead garden products, and so forth. In order to explore spatial arrangement and respondents’ choice to plant trees in their homestead garden, we have divided the gardens into five different habitats, namely, (front yard, back yard, homestead boundary, that is, adjacent to the dwelling house, pond bank, and road side) for both rural and urban homesteads. On each topic, the respondents were free to express their views. 2.4. Plot Survey. All species present in each sampled homestead garden (average size of 0.05 hectare to 0.25 hectare) were identified and recorded by the botanical name or by local name. All individuals of trees, herbs, and shrubs were counted and recorded except the individuals in hedgerows. No climbers were counted due to the difficulty in differentiating stems. A botanical inventory was conducted only once in each selected home garden. Thus, the seasonal variation in floristic and structure was not assessed. Each species recorded was classified by family, habit (tree, shrub, and herb), and their origin that is exotic or indigenous, and conservation status as followed by [38–45].

Source of Information: ISRN Biodiversity; Volume 2013, Article ID 124103, 11 pages

Article Link (Online Journal): http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/124103

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

For aesthetic, environmental, and economic perspectives, species planting in homestead garden is desirable. Homestead gardening plays a significant role in both rural and urban landscape planning and management. In this study, we have observed that the homestead plant composition, diversity, and species richness were moderate in Kishoregang Sadar area. Moreover, there was a lack of scientific knowledge of the gardeners, an absence of proper planning, and no specific objectives and goals. Present study did not discuss any economic contribution and market access for homestead; thus, further study is highly recommended and needed to directly test the economic significance and influence of market access on the vegetation structure of both commercial and subsistence-oriented homestead gardens in northern Bangladesh. The moderate domination of fruit species over timber species may be attributed to the gardeners’ general perception that fruit species would bring early return as well as the multipurpose nature of fruit species. Homestead garden could provide employment opportunities for both male and female members, resulting in increased family income for better livelihood to a large population in northern Bangladesh. Till now, there is no specific management plan of homestead gardens all over the country although it has tremendous contribution to greening the nature. Considering the present state of the homestead garden of the study area, this paper suggests that there is a need to establish proper planning and management mechanisms from government for homestead garden. This can be done by providing some incentives and/or training to the owners to be more careful about conserving garden species to improve both rural and urban plant species coverage. It is also recommended that experimentation with new and diversified tree species can play an important role in enhancing the diversity and distribution of homestead garden in the Kishoreganj Sadar area.

Knowledge Management: Journal