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Deforestation, Land Conversion and Illegal Logging in Bangladesh: the Case of the Sal (shorea Robusta) Forests

K Islam
Graduate School of Bioresources and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Hakozaki, Higashi, 812-8581 Fukuoka (Japan)

N Sato
Graduate School of Bioresources and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Hakozaki, Higashi, 812-8581 Fukuoka (Japan)

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Bangladesh, with a forest cover estimated at 17.08% of all land surface area, has experienced massive degradation of its natural resources and a considerable change in its land cover. While deforestation in Bangladesh is obviously a complex issue, one important aspect emerges from previous research findings in explaining deforestation: industrialization. This study focuses on the causes of deforestation in Bangladesh, particularly in tropical moist deciduous Sal forests, using multi levels factor analysis framework. Data were collected through questionnaire surveys, formal and informal discussions with local people, expert interviews and literature reviews. The main findings of deforestation framework show that illegal logging and forest land conversion were the ultimate causes of Sal forests deforestation in Bangladesh. Illegal logging is a complex phenomenon and is being patronized by a local syndicate, functioning from behind the scenes. On the other hand, land conversion into different commercial activities has direct influence on national policy and the predisposing conditions of this country. Therefore, the immediate task of the nation would be to stop illegal logging and land conversion of Sal forests. This can be done by involving all relevant stakeholders in the form of effective forest policy formulation and execution of strict environmental protection law.

Keywords: Sal Forests, Deforestation, Land Tenure, Forest Policy

Location: Gazipur, Dhaka, Mymensingh and Tangail districts

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Plant

Objectives:

Deforestation in Bangladesh is obviously a complex issue and, moreover, scanty scientific studies have been carried out to identify its deep causes, particularly in Sal forests, which is the most threatened ecosystem of the country.

Methodology:

Study area

Sal forests constitute about 10% of the total forest land (a total of 0.12 million ha) of Bangladesh. Until the beginning of the 20^th century, these forests existed as a continuous belt from the central and northern parts of Bangladesh. Nowadays, they exist mainly in the central part of this country, which is mainly located in the Gazipur, Dhaka, Mymensingh and Tangail districts. The Sal forests ecosystem supports a rich and diverse variety of flora and fauna, though Sal tree (Shorea robusta) is the dominant tree species (more than 80% in volume). Out of four categories of forest type in Bangladesh, plain land Sal forests are the most endangered and threatened one, having already faced severe deforestation problems. Therefore, this study was conducted at the Central Sal forests of Bangladesh.

Data Collection

The study was based on different sources and methods for collecting primary and secondary data, i.e., several data collection techniques. For primary data we used formal and informal discussion with local people, expert interviews, a case study and direct field observations. On the other hand, secondary/literature review were collected through field documents and project reports, peer-reviewed journals, making use of Bangladesh Forest Department library, exploring reliable relevant online sources and related books. A random sample of 120 forest dependent people was selected (for case study) in equal number for each of the twelve Beats (lowest administrative unit of Forest Department) under the five Ranges (a range has one to several Beats) of the Madhupur Sal forest. Two ethnic minorities (Garo and Koch) have been living all over the Madhupur Sal forest area from time immemorial. So, the sample population consisted of 60 ethnic and 60 non-ethnic forest dependent people of various ages, ranging from 22 to 65 years. Of the respondents engaged in the case study, about 85% were illiterate and only 10% were female. The majority of the respondents (about 63%) were day laborers and subsistence agriculture farmers. Further, this study covered the opinions of four “Range Officers” and the Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) in Madhupur Sal forest, together with eight scientists working on Sal forests (selection based on their published books/article/research on Sal forests). The whole study was conducted during the months of July-October 2010, and the case study was conducted in September-October 2010 by a research team consisting of three members (two enumerators) and using a semi-structured questionnaire whose purpose was to collect information regarding socio-economic aspects of the households and causes of Sal forests deforestation in the study area. Socio-economic questions consisted of mainly structure format (e.g., answers via multiple choice, yes/no or category). On the contrary, causes of deforestation and respondents opinion were identified through open-ended questions. A total of 29 questions were included in the pretested questionnaire, and the language used during the interview was Bengali. Finally, the primary and secondary data were processed and interpreted according to the framework of this study.

Source of Information: iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry, Volume 5, Issue 3, Pages 171-178 (2012)

Article Link (Online Journal): doi: https://doi.org/10.3832/ifor0578-005

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

This study has attempted to develop a complete scenario of the causes of Sal forests deforestation in Bangladesh. The findings of this study clearly indicate that illegal logging and forest land conversion into different commercial activities are important sources for deforestation. These two agents have been immensely influenced by local corruption and politics along with weak government policies and institutional weakening. However, the predisposing conditions of this country also have an influential effect to the deforestation, and this would be implemented by sustainable alternative livelihood approaches, which provide immediate benefits to poor households. At the same time, Sal forests management will need to be modernized through a long-term forest master plan, including all relevant stakeholders in this process. Granting land rights to the ethnic minorities and taking rigorous measures for enforcing the forest law are also important tasks for the government to protect deforestation. This study also concludes that commercial interferences which are destructive to forest lands should be strictly banned, and an effective policy should be adopted. In addition, there is an urgent necessity to strengthen the forest department through appointing well-trained and motivated forestry professionals, allocating sufficient budget, and developing infrastructures. Finally, the future survival of the Sal forests in Bangladesh depends on the development and effective implementation of forest laws and sustainable forest management plan.

Knowledge Management: Journal