AN ASSIGNMENT

ON

Forest Biodiversity and its Management and

Conservation in Bangladesh

Course No: FWT-4207

Course Title: Forest Biodiversity and Protected Area
Management

Submitted To:

Dr. S. M. Feroz

Professor Submitted by:

Forestry and Wood Technology Tanvir Islam
Discipline Student ID: 190509
Khulna University, Khulna 4th Year, 2nd Term
Forestry and Wood Technology
Discipline
Khulna University, Khulna

Date of Submission: 27thSeptembar, 2023 1

Table of Content
1. Forest Biodiversity in Bangladesh ..................................................................................................... 5
2. Habitat Management .......................................................................................................................... 6
• Wilderness creation......................................................................................................................... 6
• Size, isolation and continuity.......................................................................................................... 6
• Disturbance...................................................................................................................................... 6
• Retaining Old Habitats ................................................................................................................... 6
• Grazing............................................................................................................................................. 6
• Fire control ...................................................................................................................................... 7
• Flood control.................................................................................................................................... 7
• Habitat restoration.......................................................................................................................... 7
3. ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT ...................................................................................................... 7
• Ecological Integrity ......................................................................................................................... 7
• Holistic Perspective ......................................................................................................................... 7
• Adaptive Management.................................................................................................................... 8
• Resilience ......................................................................................................................................... 8
• Sustainability ................................................................................................................................... 8
• Stakeholder Engagement ................................................................................................................ 8
4. Species management ........................................................................................................................... 8
5. Forest Biodiversity Management Activities Taken by the Bangladesh Forest Department ......... 9
• Protected Area Management .......................................................................................................... 9
• Biodiversity Surveys and Research ............................................................................................... 9
• Wildlife Conservation ..................................................................................................................... 9
• Habitat Restoration ........................................................................................................................ 9
• Community-Based Forest Management ....................................................................................... 9
• Anti-Poaching and Law Enforcement ........................................................................................... 9
• Education and Awareness ............................................................................................................... 9
• Eco-Tourism Development ........................................................................................................... 10
6. Importance and problems of forest biodiversity conservation in Bangladesh ............................ 10
• Importance of forest biodiversity conservation in Bangladesh ................................................. 10
 Food and nutrition .................................................................................................................... 10
 Medicine and other non-timber forest products..................................................................... 10
 Climate change mitigation and adaptation: ........................................................................... 10
 Water quality and supply ......................................................................................................... 10

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  Recreation and tourism ............................................................................................................ 10
• Problems of Forest Biodiversity Conservation in Bangladesh .................................................. 10
 Deforestation: ............................................................................................................................ 10
 Habitat fragmentation: ............................................................................................................. 10
 Climate change: ......................................................................................................................... 11
7. Biodiversity conservation initiatives in Bangladesh....................................................................... 11
• The Ecosystem Approach ............................................................................................................. 11
• In situ conservation ....................................................................................................................... 11
 Nature Reserves......................................................................................................................... 11
 Protected Areas.......................................................................................................................... 11
 Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) ............................................................................................. 11
 Protected Areas: ........................................................................................................................ 11
 Wildlife Sanctuary .................................................................................................................... 12
 National Park: ........................................................................................................................... 12
 Game Reserve ............................................................................................................................ 12
 Eco parks and Safari park ....................................................................................................... 12
• Ex situ conservation ...................................................................................................................... 12
8. Major policy, legislation, and activities relating to biodiversity conservation in Bangladesh.... 12
• National Conservation Strategy (NCS) ....................................................................................... 12
• National Environment Management Action Plan (NEMAP) .................................................... 13
• Sustainable Environment Management Program (SEMP) ....................................................... 13
• The Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 and Environment Conservation Rules
1997: ....................................................................................................................................................... 13
• National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) ........................................................ 13
• Nishorgo Support Project (NSP).................................................................................................. 13
• Bangladesh Wildlife (Preservation) (Amendment) Act, 1974.................................................... 13
9. Biodiversity-related Research Initiatives in Bangladesh ............................................................... 14
• Coastal and Wetland Biodiversity Management;....................................................................... 14
• Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)- ........................................................................ 14
• Management of Aquatic Ecosystem through Community Husbandry (MACH) .................... 14
• Sundarbans Biodiversity Conservation Program- ..................................................................... 14
• Towards sustainability .................................................................................................................. 14
• Eco-tourism ................................................................................................................................... 14
• Payment for environmental services (PES) ................................................................................ 14
• Carbon trading: ............................................................................................................................ 15

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11 Threats and challenges of Forest Biodiversity Conservation in Bangladesh ............................... 15
• Deforestation: ................................................................................................................................ 15
• Illegal Logging ............................................................................................................................... 15
• Climate Change ............................................................................................................................. 15
• Habitat Fragmentation:................................................................................................................ 15
• Overharvesting:............................................................................................................................. 15
• Invasive Species ............................................................................................................................. 15
• Pollution:........................................................................................................................................ 15
• Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade ............................................................................................ 15
• Lack of Enforcement .................................................................................................................... 15
• Population Pressure ...................................................................................................................... 15
12 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 16
11 Reference............................................................................................................................................ 16

4
 Forest Biodiversity and its Management and Conservation
in Bangladesh

1. Forest Biodiversity in Bangladesh

Biodiversity is a global concern due to its rapid reduction, particularly affecting the poorest people
in developing countries who depend on local ecosystems for their livelihoods. Various programs
and strategies have been implemented at national and regional levels to conserve this threatened
biodiversity. Bangladesh, the world's largest deltaic region, is unique in its geography, with an
estimated 5,700 species of angiosperms, 113 species of mammals, over 628 species of birds, 126
species of reptiles, 22 species of amphibians, 708 species of marine and freshwater fish, 2,493
species of insects, 19 species of mites, 164 species of algae, and 4 species of echinoderms.
However, Bangladesh's biodiversity is entering a critical period, with 12 wildlife species already
extinct. IUCN (2000) listed 40 inland mammal species, 41 bird species, 58 reptiles, and 8
amphibians under various degrees of risk, and the Bangladesh National Herbarium reported 106
vascular plant species at risk of extinction. Governments worldwide have been strengthening their
conservation capacity through various policies, legislation, and innovative approaches.
The importance of forest biodiversity in Bangladesh transcends its ecological significance. These
forests have profound socio-economic implications for the nation's populace, a substantial
proportion of whom are directly dependent on forests for their livelihoods. Forest resources, such
as timber, non-timber forest products, and medicinal plants, contribute significantly to the local
and national economy. Moreover, forests in Bangladesh serve as watersheds, helping to regulate
river flows and reduce the impacts of floods and droughts, thereby providing a crucial ecosystem
service to its people.

However, the forests of Bangladesh face various challenges that threaten their biodiversity and
sustainability. Rapid deforestation due to agricultural expansion, urbanization, and illegal logging
poses a severe threat to the country's forest ecosystems. Additionally, climate change-induced
events, such as cyclones and sea-level rise, endanger the coastal mangroves, including the world-
famous Sundarbans. Despite these challenges, Bangladesh has made commendable efforts to
conserve and manage its forest biodiversity. The government has established protected areas and
wildlife sanctuaries to safeguard critical habitats and species. Initiatives to promote community-
based forest management have empowered local communities to take an active role in forest
conservation. Furthermore, Bangladesh has demonstrated global leadership in addressing climate
change by actively participating in reforestation and afforestation projects and advocating for
international climate agreements.
This comprehensive approach to forest conservation and management underscores the critical role
of forest biodiversity in Bangladesh's sustainable development and its commitment to global
environmental stewardship. This essay will delve deeper into the various facets of forest

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biodiversity in Bangladesh, exploring its ecological, economic, and cultural significance, as well
as the challenges it faces and the initiatives taken to ensure its continued vitality in an ever-
changing world.

2. Habitat Management

Once protected, areas must often be managed in order to maintain the threatened species within
them. Management may involve the removal of alien species. It can also involve restoring natural
ecological processes to the area. Original fire and flooding regimes are examples of such processes,
and they are often controversial because human actions can alter them significantly.

Wilderness creation
The philosophy of minimizing human influences on natural habitats is increasingly accepted,
aiming to restore natural processes and create a sense of wilderness. However, this approach has
faced criticism, as natural processes like fires and floods are often considered unacceptable by
some. For example, National Park in North America allowed natural fires to persist, reestablish
Wolves Canis lupus, and no longer cull Elk Cervus Canadensis. This policy has been successful,
but has also led to heavy grazing and heavy grazing of willow Salix communities.

Size, isolation and continuity

Many species can only survive in large sites, with small sites facing high risks of insufficient
suitable habitat due to factors like floods, droughts, or changes in management. Larger sites are
more likely to have sufficient suitable habitats, and small populations are more prone to local
extinction due to environmental, demographic, and inbreeding factors. Small areas with large
edges, with a high proportion of individuals near the edge, may also lead to extinction.

Disturbance
The popular belief that most areas were covered in permanent climax vegetation, particularly
forests, is mistaken. Many species, including herbaceous plants and invertebrates, depend on early
successional stages.. The ideal way to create early successional habitats is to allow natural
processes like floods, tree falls, and fires to occur, creating a patchwork of different successional
stages.

Retaining Old Habitats

Many species are restricted to old habitats and many of the most important areas for conservation
are old habitats. However these areas are often under considerable threat, especially old woodland
due to timber extraction and old grasslands due to intensified agricultural management by
rotovating, fertilizing and reseeding.

Grazing
Grazing is often a key part of maintaining the required species for a habitat. Many wish to create
natural ecosystems as occurred before man had obvious impacts. However, it is also clear that the
spread of man resulted in the extinction of numerous mammals. The choice is often now between
recreating an incomplete ecosystem or artificially grazing, for example with cattle, sheep or goats,
as substitutes for the missing species.

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 Fire control
Despite the often valid reasons for suppressing wildfires, the practice can change vegetation
dramatically and sometimes harm species in the process. As previously noted, human activities
have changed fire regimes across large areas of the planet, including some biodiversity hot spots.
Getting the fire regimes right can be essential for conserving species.

Flood control
Human actions, similar to suppressing fire regimes, also control water levels, which can have
significant consequences for endangered species. The Cape Sable seaside sparrow (Ammodramus
maritimus mirabilis) is an example of a species affected by these changes. The Everglades, once a
natural water flow, has been flooded for many years, drying out in only the driest years, and
flooded for only a few months each year. The sparrows nest in these drier prairies from mid-March
until the water floods their nests in summer. However, water-management actions have diverted
water flow to the west of its natural path, making the western part of the Everglades unnaturally
wet during the bird's nesting season.

Habitat restoration
Once a habitat has been destroyed, the only remaining conservation tool is to restore it. The
problems involved may be formidable, and they must include actions for dealing with what caused
the destruction. Restorations are massive ecological experiments; as such, they are likely to meet
with different degrees of success in different places. Restoration of the Everglades, for example,
requires restoring the natural patterns of water flow to thousands of square kilometres of southern
Florida.

3. Ecosystem Management

Ecosystem management is an approach to environmental stewardship that seeks to balance the

conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems to ensure their long-term health and functionality.
This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of living organisms, their habitats, and the
physical and biological processes that support them. The principles of ecosystem management are
guidelines that help inform decision-making and actions to achieve these goals effectively. Here
are some key principles of ecosystem management:

Ecological Integrity:
The primary goal of ecosystem management is to maintain or restore the ecological integrity
of ecosystems. This means preserving the structure, composition, and functioning of
ecosystems in a way that allows them to sustain their natural processes and biodiversity.

Holistic Perspective
Ecosystems are complex and interconnected systems. Ecosystem management takes a holistic
perspective, considering all ecological components, from species and habitats to ecosystem
services and processes. It recognizes that changes in one part of an ecosystem can have cascading
effects on others.

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 Adaptive Management
Ecosystem management is an adaptive process that acknowledges uncertainty and the need for
continuous learning. Managers should monitor ecosystem responses to their actions and adjust
strategies as necessary based on new information and changing conditions.

Resilience
Resilience refers to an ecosystem's ability to withstand disturbances and recover to its pre-
disturbance state. Ecosystem management aims to enhance or maintain the resilience of
ecosystems, allowing them to recover from natural or human-induced disruptions.

Sustainability
Ecosystem management seeks to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, such as timber,
water, and wildlife, without depleting them to the point of irreversible harm. This involves setting
limits on resource extraction and adopting practices that allow for regeneration and renewal.

Stakeholder Engagement
Ecosystem management recognizes the importance of involving diverse stakeholders, including
local communities, government agencies, NGOs, and industry, in decision-making processes. This
inclusivity helps ensure that various perspectives and interests are considered and can lead to more
effective and socially acceptable management strategies.

4. Species management
Species management is an admission of failure. It is obviously much more satisfactory to provide
the correct habitat management or harvesting regime so that there is no need to resort to
manipulating individual species. Species management is particularly important when a species is
in rapid decline or the population is very small. For plants the techniques include pollinating,
weeding to remove competitors, fencing to exclude herbivores, creating new individuals from
tissue culture, collecting seed, planting out seed or seedlings, preventing excessive harvesting,
preventing invasive species, controlling exotic species and preserving endangered and threatened
native species. Most exotic invasive species have proved to be impossible to eradicate and are
extremely costly to treat. Bangladesh has enacted various laws and regulations to protect its
wildlife and their habitats. The Wildlife (Preservation and Security) Act, 2012, is one such
legislation that provides the legal basis for the conservation and protection of wildlife. This
framework establishes protected areas, regulates hunting and trade in wildlife, and defines
penalties for illegal activities. Bangladesh has established a network of protected areas, national
parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and conservation areas to safeguard critical habitats and provide safe
havens for endangered and vulnerable species. These areas are managed to minimize human
disturbance and maintain suitable conditions for wildlife.

Bangladesh is home to several endangered and critically endangered species, including the Bengal
tiger, Asian elephant, clouded leopard, and Ganges River dolphin. Conservation programs are
designed specifically for these species, including habitat preservation, anti-poaching efforts, and
population monitoring.

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 5. Forest Biodiversity Management Activities Taken by the
Bangladesh Forest Department
The Bangladesh Forest Department plays a pivotal role in managing and conserving forest
biodiversity within the country. Their activities encompass a wide range of initiatives aimed at
protecting ecosystems, wildlife, and plant species. Here are some of the key forest biodiversity
management activities undertaken by the Bangladesh Forest Department:

Protected Area Management

areas, including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and conservation areas. These areas are
designated to safeguard critical habitats and conserve biodiversity. Management activities within
these areas include habitat restoration, anti-poaching measures, and ecological monitoring.

Biodiversity Surveys and Research

The Forest Department conducts biodiversity surveys and research to assess the health and status
of various ecosystems and species. These studies provide valuable data for informed decision-
making and conservation planning.

Wildlife Conservation
Efforts are made to conserve endangered and vulnerable wildlife species, such as the Bengal tiger,
Asian elephant, and various species of deer and primates. The Forest Department collaborates with
local and international organizations to implement conservation programs, including habitat
protection, population monitoring, and anti-poaching initiatives.

Habitat Restoration
Restoration of degraded habitats is a priority. The Forest Department engages in afforestation and
reforestation programs to restore natural habitats and increase forest cover. Native tree species are
often planted to enhance biodiversity.

Community-Based Forest Management

Bangladesh has embraced community-based approaches to forest management. The Forest
Department empowers local communities to participate in the management and conservation of
nearby forests. This approach not only helps protect ecosystems but also provides livelihood
opportunities to local residents.

Anti-Poaching and Law Enforcement

Preventing illegal hunting and trade in wildlife and their products is a critical aspect of biodiversity
management. The Forest Department works to strengthen law enforcement mechanisms, including
the establishment of anti-poaching units and collaboration with law enforcement agencies.

Education and Awareness

The Forest Department conducts educational and awareness programs to engage the public and
local communities in biodiversity conservation efforts. These programs aim to promote
responsible behavior and garner support for conservation initiatives.

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 Eco-Tourism Development
Sustainable eco-tourism initiatives are developed to promote responsible tourism in forested areas.
This not only generates revenue for local communities but also raises awareness about the
importance of conserving these habitats.

6. Importance and problems of forest biodiversity conservation in

Bangladesh

Importance of forest biodiversity conservation in Bangladesh

Forest biodiversity is critical to the well-being of Bangladesh and its people. Forests provide a
wide range of goods and services, including:
 Food and nutrition: Forests provide a variety of edible fruits, nuts, vegetables, and other
foods. They also support the production of many important crops, such as rice and tea.
 Medicine and other non-timber forest products: Forests provide a wide range of
medicinal plants and other non-timber forest products (NTFPs), such as bamboo, rattan,
and honey. NTFPs are an important source of income and food security for many rural
communities.
 Climate change mitigation and adaptation: Forests play a vital role in mitigating climate
change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They also help to reduce the
impacts of climate change, such as floods and droughts, by protecting watersheds and
preventing soil erosion.
 Water quality and supply: Forests help to regulate the water cycle and maintain clean
water supplies. They filter rainwater and prevent runoff, which helps to protect rivers and
lakes from pollution.
 Recreation and tourism: Forests provide opportunities for recreation and tourism, which
can boost local economies.
Problems of Forest Biodiversity Conservation in Bangladesh
Despite its importance, forest biodiversity in Bangladesh is under threat from a number of factors,
including:
 Deforestation: Deforestation is the clearing of forests for other land uses, such as
agriculture, urban development, and infrastructure development. Bangladesh has one of the
highest rates of deforestation in the world, and has lost over half of its forest cover in the
past 50 years.
 Habitat fragmentation: Habitat fragmentation is the breaking up of large forests into
smaller, isolated fragments. This can make it difficult for plants and animals to move
around and find food and mates. Habitat fragmentation is a major threat to forest
biodiversity in Bangladesh, as the country's forests are becoming increasingly fragmented
due to deforestation and development.
Overexploitation of forest resources: Overexploitation of forest resources, such as timber,
fuelwood, and NTFPs, can also damage forest biodiversity.

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  Climate change: Climate change also threatens forest biodiversity in Bangladesh. Sea
level rise and extreme weather events, such as cyclones and floods, are already having a
negative impact on forests.

7. Biodiversity conservation initiatives in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has signed the five major conventions and agreements related to biodiversity
conservation (ie., CBD, CITES, CMS, RAMSAR, WHC) (Brown and Durst, 2003). As a signatory
party of these conventions, the government has undertaken various initiatives to conserve the
biodiversity in both ecosystem and species level. Again as a CBD-COP the country is bound to
adopt the Ecosystem Approach to conserve biodiversity.
The Ecosystem Approach
The Ecosystem Approach is a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living
resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. An ecosystem
approach is based on the application of appropriate scientific methodologies focused on levels of
biological organization, which encompass the essential structure, processes, functions and
interactions among organisms and their environment. It recognizes that humans, with their cultural
diversity, are an integral component of many ecosystems. The ecosystem approach requires
adaptive management to deal with the complex and dynamic nature of ecosystems and the absence
of complex knowledge or understanding of their functioning.

In situ conservation
In situ conservation is carried out in the following areas: nature reserves, protected areas (i.e.
national parks, wild life sanctuaries and game reserves), world heritage sites and Ramsar sites etc.
According to FRA-2005 about 20.9% forests (out of 8.71 million ha) of the country are primarily
managed for conservation purpose (FAO, 2006). There are some eco-parks and safari parks in the
country where both ex sit and in situ conservation measures have been practiced.
 Nature Reserves - The objectives of a nature reserve are to protect communities and
species and to maintain natural processes in order to have ecologically representative
examples of the natural environment. However, in Bangladesh there are no nature reserves.
 Protected Areas - Protected Areas are, "areas especially dedicated to the protection and
maintenance of biological diversity and associated cultural resources, and managed
through legal or other effective means". Globally the number of protected areas has been
increasing significantly over the last few decades and currently about 12% of all forests are
officially protected for conservation values.
 Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) - The Director General of the Department of
Environment have the provision for declarations of ECA in certain cases where the
ecosystem is considered to be threatened to reach a critical state. The critical areas are
Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Sea Beach, St Martin's Island, Sonadia Island, Hakaluki Haor,
Taqnguar Haor, Marjat Baor, Gulshan Lake, Strip of 10 km. outside the Sundarbans
Reserved Forest
 Protected Areas: With the objective of conserving biodiversity (flora as well as fauna)
and the natural environment within various forest types, the following three types of

11
 protected area under different IUCN protected area management categories are defined in
the Bangladesh Wildlife Preservation Act, 1974:
 Wildlife Sanctuary: an area maintained as an undisturbed breeding ground for wild fauna
and where the habitat is protected for the continued well-being of the resident or migratory
fauna.
 National Park: a comparatively large area of natural beauty to which the members of the
public have access for recreation, education and research, and in which the wild life is
protected.
 Game Reserve: normally comprises a relatively isolated area meant for protection of
wildlife in general and to increase the population of specified species.
 Eco parks and Safari park- Government has established and declared several eco parks
and one safari park to conserve biodiversity and genetic materials for research and other
purpose. Both in situ and ex situ conservation strategies have been adopted here to maintain
and keep biodiversity in sound condition.
Ex situ conservation
In contrast to in situ conservation, ex-situ conservation includes any practices that conserve
biodiversity (or genetic materials) outside the natural habitat of the parent population. In
Bangladesh, these types of efforts are mainly limited to Bangladesh Forest Research Institute
(BFRI) and it includes Mirpur Botanical Gardens with an area of 85 ha, with 255 tree species (total
28,200 plants), 310 shrub species (8,400 plants), and 385 herb species (10,400 plants). The total
number of families of trees, herbs and shrubs is 114, Baldha Garden with area of 1.15 ha with
18,000 trees, herbs and shrubs from 820 species and 92 families, BFRI has established five
preservation plots at different hill forest areas and 27 at the Sundarbans (mangrove) forest, The
BFRI has established two clonal banks, one at Hyako, Chittagong (4 ha) and another at Ukhia,
Cox's Bazar (4 ha) and 1.5 ha are has been established at the BFRI campus contains 27 bamboo
species including 6 exotic species in the arboretum.

8. Major policy, legislation, and activities relating to biodiversity

conservation in Bangladesh

Here are several legislative policies and initiatives that provide provisions for regulating,
harvesting, and protecting plants and animals in Bangladesh. Those are;

National Conservation Strategy (NCS)

The need for a National Conservation Strategy was first emerged in September 1986. Its primary
goal was to provide a national strategy for conservation of all concerned sectors. It provides
specific strategies for sustainable use of natural resources as well as sustainable development in
18 different sectors. The National Conservation Strategy Implementation Project I (1994-1999)
was a five-year project implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, with financial
and technical support from NORAD and IUCN.

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 National Environment Management Action Plan (NEMAP)
The MoEFprepared the NEMAP, which is based on a comprehensive participatory planning
process ranging from grassroots up to national level. Inputs were provided from local communities,
government agencies, non- governmental organizations, professional groups, academics,
parliamentarians, lawyers and journalists.

Sustainable Environment Management Program (SEMP)

The Sustainable Environment Management Program supported by the UNDP and implemented by
MOEF for a five year periods (1998-2002) was the response evolved from the concerns, needs and
actions identified through the National Environment Management Action Plan (NEMAP) process.
It focuses on community-based resource management in wetlands. In the NEMAP several major
priority areas of environmental concern were identified, and the SEMP has been designed to
address these priorities.

The Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 and Environment

Conservation Rules 1997:
The Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act of 1995 was enacted for environmental
conservation, environmental standard development and environmental pollution control and
mitigation. ECA 1995 is currently the main legislative framework relating to environmental
protection in Bangladesh. The Environment Conservation Rules, 1997 (ECR 1997), are the first
set of rules which have been promulgated under the ECA 1995.

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)

As a signatory party of CBD Bangladesh has prepared a NBSAP with 24 different conservation
components which has been implemented and executed by different government and
nongovernmental conservation organizations. The NBSAP provides a framework for
conservation, sustainable use and sharing the benefits of biodiversity of the country. A major focus
of the plan is to ensure cross-sectoral linkages, reflecting the fact that in Bangladesh, more so than
most other countries, biodiversity conservation is dosely inter-woven with social and economic
development.

Nishorgo Support Project (NSP)

This pilot protected area management program is a Forest Department's Project and has been
financed by USAID under a Strategic Objective Grant Agreement. This is a five year project
(2005-2010) and has been primarily implemented in five PAs of the country. The overall objective
of this project is conservation of biodiversity within the PAs. The project has worked to achieve
six separate but closely related objectives in support of this overall objective.

Bangladesh Wildlife (Preservation) (Amendment) Act, 1974

The Bangladesh Wild life (Preservation) Order, 1973 was promulgated under Presidential Order
No. 23 in 1973 and was subsequently enacted and amended as the Bangladesh Wildlife
(Preservation) (Amendment) Act, 1974. The law provides for the preservation, conservation and
management of wild life in Bangladesh. According to the Act the term wildlife or wild animals'
means 'any vertebrate creature, other than humans beings and animals of usually domesticated
species or fish, and include the eggs of birds and reptiles' only.

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 9. Biodiversity-related Research Initiatives in Bangladesh

The Government of Bangladesh has undertaken and implemented several biodiversity-related

programs and projects, under the financial assistance of various international donor countries and
organizations. Some of the noteworthy ones are described below ;

Coastal and Wetland Biodiversity Management; Bangladesh has completed a

Pre-Investment Feasibility (PRIF) study in the "Coastal and Wetland Biodiversity
Management Project" funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). It was a
preparatory initiative to develop a project proposal to implement a reserve, and a multiple-
use management program for the protection, sustainable management, and integration of
at least three-priority biodiversity sites in Bangladesh.
Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)-In December 2000 the Minister
of Water Resources announced the Government's intention to develop an ICZM policy.
Among other objectives, the ICZM policy will attempt to rationalize and coordinate more
effectively a number of environment and development initiatives taking place in the coastal
zone. A number of donors, including the World Bank and the Netherlands Government,
will be supporting the development of the policy over the coming years.
Management of Aquatic Ecosystem through Community Husbandry
(MACH) - Government of Bangladesh and the United States of America have jointly
developed a program called MACH. An agreement to implement this program was signed
in May 1998. Its goal is to ensure the sustainable productivity of all wetland resources such
as water, fish, plant and wildlife over an entire wetland ecosystem.
Sundarbans Biodiversity Conservation Program- The Asian Development
Bank funded the project "Biodiversity Conservation in the Sundarbans Reserved Forest."
The objective of the project was to stablish an effective system for the participatory and
sustainable management of the ecosystem of the Sundarbans Reserved Forest. The scope
of the project included biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource management,
community development, participatory resources management program, development of
ecotourism infrastructure, and establishing a new multi-sectoral management agency that
will work for an integrated conservation and development approach.
Towards sustainability:future potentials of biodiversity conservation in Bangladesh
The followings are some prosperous sector in the field of biodiversity in Bangladesh that
can contribute both in development and conservation of biodiversity in the country,
Eco-tourism: Nature or forest-based tourism is a key category of eco-tourism, one of
the fastest growing sectors in the world (Landell-Mills and Porras, 2002). However in
Bangladesh this promising sector is poorly utilized. From a source it has been found that,
less than 10,000 foreign visitors entered in the country in 1992, domestic tourism on the
other hand appear to be a strongly flourishing sector of the market (Vantomme et. al 2002).
Payment for environmental services (PES): In Bangladesh forests have been
provided various environmental services like; watershed protection, protection from tidal
surges and cyclones, air purification, carbon sequestration, erosion control etc.

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 Government can check the feasibility of payments schemes (e.g., tax) for these
environmental services
Carbon trading: Bangladesh forests still absorbs more carbon than the total carbon
produced in the country. As a signatory party of Kyoto Protocol' the country can ask for
compensation from the developed countries for this extra carbon absorbed by country's
forest.

10.Threats and challenges of Forest Biodiversity Conservation in

Bangladesh

Deforestation: One of the primary reasons for forest biodiversity depletion is

deforestation. Forests are cleared for agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure
development, leading to habitat loss for many species.
Illegal Logging: Illegal logging activities continue to threaten Bangladesh's forests.
Trees are cut down for their valuable timber, which not only reduces biodiversity but also
disrupts forest ecosystems.
Climate Change: Climate change has a significant impact on forest biodiversity. Rising
temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events can disrupt the natural
habitats of many species and lead to shifts in distribution.
Habitat Fragmentation: The fragmentation of forests due to human activities such as
road construction and agriculture creates isolated patches of habitat. This can lead to a
decline in species that require large, continuous habitats to survive.
Overharvesting: Unsustainable harvesting of non-timber forest products, such as
medicinal plants and mushrooms, can deplete important resources for both wildlife and
local communities.
Invasive Species: Invasive species, introduced through human activities, can
outcompete native species and disrupt local ecosystems. They often have no natural
predators, allowing them to proliferate and further threaten native biodiversity.
Pollution: Pollution from agricultural runoff, industrial activities, and waste disposal can
contaminate forest ecosystems, affecting both flora and fauna.
Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade: Poaching for bushmeat, traditional medicine,
and the illegal wildlife trade put immense pressure on forest species, including endangered
animals like tigers and pangolins.
Lack of Enforcement: Weak enforcement of environmental laws and regulations can
make it easier for illegal activities to persist without consequences.
Population Pressure: The growing human population in Bangladesh exerts pressure
on forests as more land is needed for housing and agriculture, leading to further habitat
destruction.

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 11.Conclusion

As peoples of Bangladesh, depends chiefly on various natural resources for centuries, it is essential
to demonstrate the linkages between biodiversity/ecosystem services, livelihoods and socio-
economic structure. Another requirement is to delineate and restore country's unique habitats
(including existing protected areas) and adopt measures to ensure that these areas are conserved.
An essential way of achieving this objective is through collaborative management regimes which
has already found effective in some regions of the country. The involvement of local communities
in preventing over-exploitation and poaching is essential to long-term conservation. Finally a
separate national body or institution is fundamental to ensure conservation; sustainable use and
equitable sharing of benefits arisen from biodiversity.

12. Reference
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