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Status of Diversify of Medicinal Plants in Floodplain Basin of Northern Bangladesh

B. K. CHAKRABORTY
Project Directorate, Dept. of Fisheries Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Status of macrophyte diversity of floodplain basin, under Netrokona and Sunamgonj haor basin of Bangladesh, was conducted and a total number of 30 species of aquatic weeds were identified from the surveyed area. These macrophytes provide medicinal importance of direct human benefit and shelter to the periphyton and other aquatic insects, and act as a source of feed to the fish. Due to increasing pressure of agriculture, aquaculture and global affect, important 01 species were extinct, 04 species were endangered, 05 species were vulnerable status, 09 species were in lower risk and 11 species were not threatened position from the biodiversity viewpoint. Initiation of new technology for growth of aquatic weeds in the floodplain through community-based co-management policy, would be helped to expand growth level in the survey area.

Keywords: Diversity, Medicinal, Species

Location: Netrokona and Sunamgonoj haor basin area of Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Medicinal Plants

Objectives:

These resources in Bangladesh are under severe threat due to environmental degradation which includes human interventions through construction of flood control embankments, drainage system and sluice gates, conversion of inundated land to crop land thereby reducing water area and indiscriminate use of pesticides, pollution from domestic, industrial and agrochemicals wastes and run off have resulted in extinction of a considerable amount of aquatic plant and lives in same stretches of the open water system.

Methodology:

Aquatic weeds of different species in the present study were collected from various wetlands of Netrokona and Sunamgonoj haor basin area of Bangladesh, manually. Quadrate samplers were also used to understand the relative frequency of various macrophysics inhabiting the wetlands. The plants thus collected were photographed and also made the herbaria to keep a record. The standard keys, such as Biswas and Calder (1936), Subramanian (1962), Prescott (1980), have been followed for proper identification of a macrophyte up to species level. The number of five codes (E, EN, VU, LR and NO) of IUCN, 2000 was followed to categorize the status of the aquatic weeds and to compare the trend among different years Shannon index was followed by Shannon (1948).

Primary data were collected by direct interviews with individual respondents. Necessary explanations about questionnaire were given to the general people of the flood plain area who were interviewed wherever it was felt necessary. Secondary data were collected relevant literature and internet sites.

Source of Information: Journal of Crop and Weed, 10(2):196-204(2014)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It is a universal fact that the loss of one set of biota may be the gain for another set of biota, especially in changing ecosystem scenario. In the backdrop of such a scenario and with the emerging market for herbal medicines, the floodplains may turn into an ideal habitat for harnessing a number of useful medicinal plants. However, it needs to be understood in its right perspective and without encroaching upon the benefits of other production sectors. Evidently, integration of various farming activities together with the traditional knowledge, especially the fisheries and horticulture in the present context, could be a viable alternative from economic point of view. The marginal and exposed trimming areas of floodplain, which are generally referred to as wasteland, can suitably be used for the cultivation of medicinal plants, leaving aside the deeper aquatic zone for fishery activities. Many existing macrophytes, which have assumed the status of weeds even in deeper parts of a system, affecting the fisheries adversely, can also be gainfully utilized for getting useful chemical derivatives of medicinal importance for direct human benefit. The necessity, however, would be to draw an acceptable and viable strategy for harnessing the wetlands in their totality without any bias towards a single commodity, and also in the context of existing and emerging ecological scenario around these ecosystems. A management committee is needed to develope a working frame work on sharing of benefits, developing rules and regulations for wetland resource management including aquatic weeds. Participation of local member of the community and their active involvement played an important role in overall management of wetland resources like beel nurseries system of Bangladesh.

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