Professional Documents
Culture Documents
on
Biological Diversity
Department of Environment
Ministry of Environment and Forests
Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Fifth National Report
to
the Convention on Biological Diversity
Department of Environment
Paribesh Bhaban
E-16, Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar
Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
Ph -88-02-8181800
Fax-88-02-8181772
E-mail: dg@doe.gov.bd; haider.doe@gmail.com
www.doe.gov.bd
November 2015
Minister
Ministry of Environment and Forests
Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
MESSAGE
It is my great satisfaction that Bangladesh presents the Fifth National Report to the Secretariat
of the Convention on Biological Diversity, (Biodiversity National Assessment 2015), which fulfils
an important national commitment under the Convention. The Report results from broad
consultations carried out with the various sectors of people working on biodiversity. I am very
pleased with the publication that depicts an update on biodiversity status, trends, and threats
and implications for human well-being, progresses made on implementation of NBSAP and its
mainstreaming as well as progress towards achieving Aichi Biodiversity Targets and Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs).
Bangladesh is biodiversity rich a country. Our people have traditionally been conserving
biodiversity generations-after-generations. Maintaining the richness in biodiversity is very
important for supporting the economy of Bangladesh with food supply and livelihoods. To this
end, Bangladesh has taken various development initiatives on management of areas important
on biodiversity of the country. Bangladesh has been enhancing its support for the conservation
and sustainable use of its biodiversity with remarkable outcomes, such as, increase of
conserved areas of wetlands, expansion of vegetation cover and reduction of deforestation, as
well as, generation of knowledge on biodiversity. At the same time, our citizen’s living standards
are improving significantly through effective efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger. As one of
the parties to CBD, Bangladesh remains committed to develop and implement policies and
solutions to integrate the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources into
sustainable development strategies.
Let us make our all-out effort that will enable us to do everything possible towards conservation
and sustainable use of biodiversity.
MESSAGE
It is indeed a great pleasure for us to see the publication of Fifth National Report to the
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, (Biodiversity National Assessment 2015).
The report updated pictures of biodiversity that could be a useful document not only to the
decision makers but also to the academicians and students who may use it as an education
material.
It is widely acknowledged that the current status of biodiversity in Bangladesh is under stress.
Population pressure that makes over-dependence on ecosystem’s goods and services,
pollution, habitat destruction through land use change, invasive of alien species and, above all,
climate change is taking a huge toll on our biodiversity.
The indomitable force of our people living in harmony with nature has been jeopardized by the
frequent disasters of climate change. Despite all these odds and obstacles, we never followed
do-nothing policies. Bangladesh signed CBD in 1992 and ratified in 1994. We ratified Cartagena
Protocol on Biosafety in 2004. We’ve also signed Nagoya Protocol on Access-Benefit Sharing
in 2011. To the cause of biodiversity conservation, we developed National Biodiversity Strategy
and Action Plan (NBSAP) in 2004 and National Biosafety Framework (NBF) in 2006. Towards
protection and improvement of environment and biodiversity, our government in 2011 inserted
the Para 18A in the constitution as fundamental principles of our state governance. The Para
provides that the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment, preserve and
safeguard the natural resources, biodiversity, wetlands, forests and wildlife for the present and
future citizens.
The status and trends portrayed in the report have the impetus on implementing stronger efforts
towards conservation of biological diversity, ensuring the sustainable use of its components and
the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
Being bio-rich a country, Bangladesh has to adopt adequate measures to halt further
degradation of our precious biological resources.
I strongly believe that our efforts towards biodiversity conservation would re-energize with the
publication of the report.
FOREWORD
I am pleased to observe the publication of the Fifth National Report. I am happy to note that the
Biodiversity National Assessment 2015 has been prepared following consultative process
involving a wide range of stakeholders and I wish to thank all of those who contributed to the
process of development of the report. This report provides an opportunity to share experiences
of Bangladesh with rest of the world.
The report reveals that our biodiversity is under huge pressure of population and the onslaught
of extreme events of climate change. Yet, Bangladesh made a tremendous progress in terms
of taking development initiatives towards conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Bangladesh has already increased its protected areas and ecologically critical areas. The
alternative income generating activities has already been taken in various wetlands and forest
communities to conserve biodiversity. However, the initiatives are proving inadequate because
of our resource constraints. We have to work towards fast-track mobilization of adequate
financial as well as technological resources from developed world to halt the further degradation
of biodiversity in the developing countries like Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has taken development activity towards updating and mainstreaming NBSAP in
line with Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Mainstreaming of biodiversity in different sectors would also
be taken into account in the process of NBSAP updating activity.
The report opens our eyes that we have great challenges ahead, but we are determined to
achieve success in conserving biodiversity.
Let us all work together and forge a network of cooperation to reverse the challenges of ensuring
conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of its components.
Director General
Department of Environment
Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
PREFACE
Fifth National Report has been prepared in accordance with Article 26 of the Convention and
decision X/10 of the Conference of the Parties. The structure of the report is based on the
Guidelines for the Biodiversity National Assessment 2015 published by the secretariat of CBD.
The report has been prepared by the Department of Environment with the gracious support of
the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Thanks go to all the relevant stakeholders who
contributed through workshops, written submissions and inputs.
The report presents different aspects of biodiversity in Bangladesh in three chapters addressing
the status and trends of biodiversity, progresses on implementation of National Biodiversity
Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the Millennium
Development Goals (MDG). The content of the report could be an important reference material
to update the country’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).
The Department of Environment has taken various initiatives towards conservation and
sustainable use of biodiversity. Various policies, acts and rules-regulations have been
formulated, development projects are implemented. Media campaigns to raise public
awareness on biodiversity were taken by various government and non-government
organizations. In addition, citizen’s actions on biodiversity and nature conservation have
increased. The academic institutions are being actively engaged in incorporating biodiversity in
their curricula and research on various components of biodiversity.
Yet, the present situation of biodiversity gives strong signals that we need concerted efforts to
protect the remaining biological resources. Without active participation of the people from all
walks of life, biodiversity conservation would be an unattainable task by the Government or any
individual organization. On behalf of the Department of Environment, we always welcome
collaboration of nature-loving people in our every initiative. We expect that the findings of the
report will help formulating future conservation strategy and action plan on biodiversity.
Director (Planning)
Department of Environment
and
Project Director
Updating and Mainstreaming of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)
Acknowledgements
Fifth National Report (Biodiversity National Assessment 2015) is an outcome of a
comprehensive consultation involving diverse range of stakeholders including representatives
of relevant government agencies, NGOs, academia and development partners.
Development of this important piece of work would never have been possible without active
participation of renowned individuals and experts dealing with biodiversity issues. On behalf of
the Department of Environment, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of the
People's Republic of Bangladesh, I would like to thank the distinguished individuals,
researchers, authors, experts, representatives of various ministries, agencies, research
institutes and universities, as well as, the representatives of the NGOs and the private sectors
who have actively participated in the process of developing the report. Without their valuable
contribution to the report it would have never taken a shape. Representatives of the local
communities and various NGOs participated in the stakeholder meetings and national
consultation, taking trouble to come to Dhaka from the distant areas of the country, I am
indebted to them for their spontaneous support in the development of the report.
My sincere appreciation goes to the Chair and members of National Steering Committee and
members of the review committee for their thoughtful opinions and guidances.
I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Secretary, Ministry of
Environment and Forests for taking his personal interest, providing valuable and pragmatic
guidelines in preparation of this report.
I would like to acknowledge Mr. Md. Raisul Alam Mondal, Director General, Department of
Environment, for his constant support, guidance and contribution in generating this report.
Thanks go to all my colleagues in the Department of Environment. Dr Sultan Ahmed, Director
(NRM and Research) in particular for providing all kinds of supports in the process of
development of the report.
I appreciate the engagement of IUCN team with the Department of Environment towards
drafting the report.
We are grateful to Dr. Sainer Alam (Department of Fisheries), Prof. Badrul Amin Bhyuian
(Chittagong University), Dr. Md. Tariqul Islam (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute),
Dr. Mohammad Khalequzzaman (Bangladesh Rice Research Institute), Prof. Mohammad
Zabed Hossain (University of Dhaka), Dr. Md. Mahabub Hussain (Bangladesh Jute Research
Institute), Mr. Md. Tariqul Islam and Begum Fatima Tuz Zohora (Bangladesh Forest
Department), Mr. Md. Manzoorul Kibria (University of Chittagong), Prof. Md. Niamul Naser
(University of Dhaka), Dr. N.R. Sarker (Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute),
Dr. Md. Sarder Nasir Uddin (Bangladesh National Herbarium) and and Dr S. M. A. Rashid
(CARINAM) for their excellent contribution to the report.
Finally, we are thankful to Global Environment Facility (GEF) for the generous support to
accomplish the report.
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Table of Contents
Message ............................................................................................................................................................... iii
Foreword .............................................................................................................................................................. v
Preface ................................................................................................................................................................. vi
Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................................. vii
List of Tables.......................................................................................................................................................... ix
List of Figures ......................................................................................................................................................... x
List of Boxes ........................................................................................................................................................... x
List of Tables in Annex........................................................................................................................................... xi
Acronyms & Abbreviations....................................................................................................................................xii
Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................................xiii
1. An Update on Biodiversity Status,Trends and Threats in Bangladesh and Implications for Human
Well-being ......................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 1
1.2 Biodiversity Status and Trends ........................................................................................................... 3
1.2.1 Ecosystem Diversity.................................................................................................................. 3
1.2.1.1 Terrestrial Ecosystem ................................................................................................... 3
A. Forest Ecosystem.....................................................................................................3
B. Agro Ecosystem ..................................................................................................... 10
C. Homestead Ecosystem...........................................................................................10
1.2.1.2 Inland Water Ecosystem ............................................................................................ 12
1.2.1.3 Coastal and Marine Ecosystem .................................................................................. 17
1.2.2 Species Diversity.................................................................................................................... 20
1.2.2.1 Floral Diversity ........................................................................................................... 20
1.2.2.2 Faunal Diversity ......................................................................................................... 22
1.2.2.3 Status and Trends of Threatened Species.................................................................. 28
A. Flora ..................................................................................................................... 28
B. Fauna .................................................................................................................... 30
1.2.3 Genetic Diversity..................................................................................................................... 37
1.2.3.1 Crop Diversity ........................................................................................................... 38
1.2.3.2 Wildlife and Fish Diversity ........................................................................................ 42
1.2.3.3 Domesticated Biodiversity........................................................................................ 43
1.3 Status of Conservation of Ecosystems .............................................................................................. 47
1.4 Threats to Biodiversity ...................................................................................................................... 55
1.4.1 Main Threats to Biodiversity .................................................................................................. 55
1.4.2 Threats to Major Ecosystems ................................................................................................. 60
1.5 Importance of Biodiversity and its Implications for Human Well-being ........................................... 66
1.5. 1 Agriculture............................................................................................................................. 67
1.5.2 Fisheries ................................................................................................................................. 67
1.5.3 Livestock ................................................................................................................................ 72
1.5.4 Forestry .................................................................................................................................. 73
1.5.5 Nature-Based Tourism............................................................................................................ 74
2. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan: Progress of Implementation and Mainstreaming.............75
2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 75
2.2 Implementation of NBSAP................................................................................................................. 75
2.3 Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Sectoral and Cross-sectoral Policies, Strategies and Programmes 89
2.4 Challenges for implementing NBSAP................................................................................................. 91
3. Bangladesh's progress towards Aichi Biodiversity Targets and Millennium Development Goals................92
3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 92
3.2 Achievements towards Aichi Targets ................................................................................................ 92
3.3 Contribution to the Millennium Development Goals........................................................................ 97
4. Concluding Remarks .................................................................................................................................99
References .................................................................................................................................................100
Annex – Tables .........................................................................................................................................106
List of Tables
Table 1 Area of Forests Managed by the Bangladesh Forest Department 3
Table 2 Forest Area under Different Management Categories 4
Table 3 Total Forest Areas of Bangladesh by National Land Use Classes. All area 4
is in hectares
Table 4 Tree Cover in Bangladesh 4
Table 5 Coastal Plantation During 1965-2013 5
Table 6 Activities and Investment of the Project EKTEE BARI EKTEE KHAMAR. 11
Table 7 Hydrological Regions of River System in Bangladesh 12
Table 8 Changing Trend of Species Diversity in Tanguar Haor, Sunamganj 15
Table 9 Floral Diversity in Bangladesh 20
Table 10 Tree Species Mostly Used in Plantations in Bangladesh 21
Table 11 Faunal Diversity in Bangladesh 22
Table 12 List of Invertebrates so far Recorded from Bangladesh 23
Table 13 Zooplanktons Reported from Freshwater and Marine Environment of Bangladesh 25
Table 14 Marine Fauna Present in Bangladesh 27
Table 15 Number of Threatened Species in Major Vascular Plant Groups According to the
Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh 28
Table 16 Group-Wise Distribution of Species Recorded and to be Assessed 31
Table 17 Possibly Nationally Extinct Riverine Fishes of Bangladesh 32
Table 18 Cryopreservation of Sperm of Some Indiegenous Fish Species in Bangladesh 32
Table 19 Rice Genetic Resources in the BRRI Gene Bank 38
Table 20 Ecosystem-wise Genetic Diversity of Rice Germplasm 38
Table 21 Jute and Allied Fibre Germplasm Stored in the Gene Bank 41
Table 22 Status and Trends of Genetic Diversity of Sugarcane 41
Table 23 The Domesticated Indigenous Fishes of Bangladesh 43
Table 24 Different Genotypes of Indigenous Farm Animal Genetic Resources 44
Table 25 Exotic Species, Type and Breed of Farm Animal Genetic Resources 45
Table 26 Different Crossbred Genotypes of Livestocks 45
Table 27 Wild Relatives of Farm Animal Genetic Resources in Bangladesh 46
Table 28 Genotypes of Cow in Bangladesh 46
Table 29 List of Fodder Germplasms Available at BLRI Germplasm Bank. 46
Table 30 Protected Areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Special Biodiversity
Conservation Area and Marine Protected Area) of Bangladesh 47
Table 31 Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs) of Bangladesh 50
Table 32 Botanical Gardens, Safari Parks and Eco-Parks 52
Table 33 Hilsha (Fish) Sanctuaries in Bangladesh 53
Table 34 Floral Diversity in Six Protected Areas 54
Table 35 Number of Wildlife Species in Seven Protected Areas 54
Table 36 Exotic Fish Species and the Countries they are Imported from 57
Table 37 Negative Impacts of Exotic Fishes on the Indigenous Fishes 58
Table 38 Fisheries Production in Different Water Bodies (2012-13) 69
Table 39 Number of Livestock and Poultry 72
Table 40 Production of Milk, Meat and Egg 72
Table 41 Progress of Implementing the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
(2010-2015) 75
Table 42 Analysis of Biodiversity Related Major National Policies 90
Table 43 Achievements under Strategic Goals of Aichi Biodiversity Targets 2020 93
Table 44 Current Status and Challenges in Attaining Targets of MDG 7 98
List of Figures
Figure 1 Basin Map of the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna Rivers Showing the 1
Location of Bangladesh
Figure 2 Map of the Oriental Realm 2
Figure 3 Sundarban Reserved Forest, Bangladesh 7
Figure 4 Marine Reserve of Bangladesh 18
Figure 5 Possible Land Accretion Sites at the Meghna Estuary 19
Figure 6 Relative Abundance of Tigers in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh 33
Figure 2 Protected Areas of Bangladesh 49
Figure 3 Ecologically Critical Areas of Bangladesh 51
Figure 4 Map Showing the Routes, Corridors and Human-Elephant Conflict Areas in 56
Chittagong Region
Figure 5 Degree of Threats in 55 Compartments of the Sundarban 60
Figure 6 Contribution of Fisheries Sector to the GDP of Bangladesh during 2006−2013 68
Figure 7 Fish Production During 1960-2013 from Culture and Open Water Sources 68
Figure 8 Total Inland and Marine Hilsa Catch of Bangladesh 2001-2011 70
Figure 9 Hilsa Migration Route in Bangladesh 71
Figure 15 Trends in Production of Milk Products 72
1.1 Introduction
Bangladesh stretching from 20°34ʹ to 26°38ʹ N and from 88°01ʹ to 92°41ʹ E has the boundary
with India on the west and north, India and Myanmar on the east and the Bay of Bengal on
the south. With a total area of 147,570 square kilometers, the country is a delta located on the
Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system - one of the largest river systems of the world
(Figure 1). The north-east and south-east portions of the country are hilly, with some hills rising
&
NBSAP
of Implementation
ofNBSAP
over 1,000 meters above mean sea level. About 80% of the country is floodplain, 12% is hills,
and
and about 8% is terrace or uplifted blocks (BBS, 2011). As per the recent (2012 & 2014)
decisions of the International Arbitral Tribunal, Bangladesh currently has 118,813 square
Implementation
Mainstreamingof
kilometers of marine area.
Mainstreaming
Bangladesh is very rich in biodiversity. The rich genetic diversity in crops, livestock, fish, trees
Progress
and wildlife directly and indirectly support the lives and livelihoods of the people of the country
by supplying wide range of provisional, regulatory and cultural services.
CHINA
Targets
Biodiversity Targets
Progress Towards
PAKISTAN
Aichi Biodiversity
Aichir
MYANMAR
Concluding Remarks
WEST BENGAL
Figure 1 Basin Map of the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna Rivers Showing the Location of
Bangladesh
Although Bangladesh is the eighth most densly populated country in the world with about 160
million people, the country’s demographic indicators have recorded considerable
References
improvements in recent years. The country has made significant progress in reducing annual
population growth rate to 1.37% over the last two decades (1991-2010) (GED, 2012a; BBS,
2011). Besides Bangla-speaking majority, a good number of minor anthropological
communities also lives in different parts of the country, especially in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
(CHT).
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Biogeographically, the country is located at the cross roads of the Indo-Himalayan and Indo-
Chinese sub-regions under the Oriental region (Figure 2). Thus, this country acts as an
important merging and sharing habitat, land bridge and biological corridors of the flora and
fauna between these sub-regions. This strategic location makes Bangladesh as one of the
most ecologically significant and biologically diverse landscapes in terms of migratory species,
stepping stones, staging ground and flyways for wildlife movements of the region.
Consequently, a large number of plant and animal species traverses in widespread of habitats
and thereby maintain a wide range of gene pool.
Figure 2 Map of the Oriental Realm (Corbet and Hill - Navigation AnthroScape: Human Biodiversity
Forum)
On the basis of both biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems, the world is divided into
five Global Ecological Domains and 20 Global Ecological Zones (GEZs) (FAO, 2001).
Bangladesh belongs to two of these zones, viz. Tropical Rain Forest GEZ (33%) and Tropical
Moist Deciduous Forest GEZ (67%) of the Tropical Domain of the Global Ecological Domains.
The central, north-eastern and south-eastern forests belong to Tropical Rain Forest GEZ
(Altrell et al., 2007). A portion of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in the southeast Bangladesh
is part of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot (Myers et al., 2000). Bangladesh is divided into
25 bio-ecological zones on the basis of biological and physical parameters (Nishat et al.,
2002). The atlas showed the distribution of common 395 plant species under 100 families over
the bio-ecological zones (except the Coastal Marine Water). Although this categorization
might not let these bio-ecological zones to be truly analogous to habitats, the existence of 25
different bio-ecological zones in a small country indicates its rich biodiversity. Additionally,
Bangladesh has been divided into 30 Agro-Ecological Zones which also indicates country’s
richness in ecosystem diversity. This zoning is based on topography, climate, hydrology,
natural resource status, food security and other related physical development potential factors
(Sarkar, 2012).
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1.2 Biodiversity Status and Trends
An Update on Biodiversity
Bangladesh is endowed with rich biological diversity. It is, however, noticed that there is a
declining trend in species diversity in general and mega fauna in particular. This alarming trend
is mainly due to tremendous anthropogenic pressure and the adverse impacts of climate
change. The ecosystem, species and genetic diversity that exist in the country are discussed
in the following sub-sections highlighting their status and trends.
Keeping in mind the main biophysical characteristics, the ecosystems of Bangladesh are
broadly clustered as: (a) Terrestrial, (b) Inland Water, and (c) Marine and Coastal. The status
and trends of specific ecosystems under these broad clusters are discussed in the following
sub-sections.
A. Forest Ecosystem
Forests are one of the major biodiverse areas in Bangladesh. Based on the classification of
forest types of Indo-Pakistan Sub-continent, ecologically there are mainly four types of forests
Concluding Remarks
in Bangladesh. The main forest types and the area are shown in Tables 1 and 2.
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Table 2 Forest Area under Different Management Categories
Category of Forest Area (million hectares) % of total land
Managed Forests 1.53 10.54
(Bangladesh Forest
Department)
Unclassed State Forests 0.73 5.07
(Ministry of Land)
Village Forests (private) 0.27 1.88
Total 2.53 17.49
Source: BFD, 2012
A recent survey on Bangladesh forests (Altrell et al., 2007), however, presents a bit different
data. Of the total forest area, 84% has been classified as natural forest and 16% as plantation
forest (Table 3).
Table 3 Total Forest Areas of Bangladesh by National Land Use Classes. All area is in
hectares
Forest Area Category and National Land Use Classes and Area % of total
area forest land
Hill Forest 551,000 38.2
Natural forest Sal Forest 34,000 2.3
12,04,000 Mangrove Forest (salt water) 436,000 30.2
Bamboo or mixed Bamboo/ 184,000 12.7
Broadleaved forest
14,42,000
Long rotation forest plantation 131,000 9.1
Forest Short/medium rotation forest 54,000 3.8
plantations plantation
237,000 Mangrove plantation 45,000 3.1
Rubber plantation 8,000 0.5
Source: Artrell et al., 2007
Distribution of tree cover in Bangladesh as given by Altrell et al. (2007) is shown in Table 4.
However, the Perspective Plan of Bangladesh (2010-2021) entitled 'Making Vision 2021 a
Reality' (GED, 2012a), reported that the recorded state-owned forest land (not necessarily
supporting tree cover), and potential forest/tree growing areas, has been identified as 7 million
acres, which is 20% of the land area. Trees are reported to cover 12% of the land where
considerable prospects for improvement exist. The coastal plantation has been established
using various plant species during 1965−2013 covers approximately 209,140 hectares (Table
5).
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Table 5 Coastal Plantation During 1965-2013
Plantation types (hectares)
An Update on Biodiversity
Forest Strip
Division Non- Nypa Bamboo
Mangrove Coconut Arica plantation
mangrove plantation & Cane
(km)
Bhola Coastal 39,203.30 1075.10 271.38 1603.17
Patuakhali
26,607.00 546.50 2601.50 3426.90
Coastal
Noakhali
77,684.952 2377.25 3593.84
Coastal
Barisal Social 8.50 1911.77
Chittagong
Coastal
48,891.41 4680.68 10 40 280.0 1591.45
(including
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Feni Social 491.46 10.0 185.0
12127.13
Total 192,395.24 8689.53 2872.88 10 40 280
(4850.85 ha)
Source: Hassan, 2013
As a whole, the various types of forests in Bangladesh could be categorized in six types
which are discussed briefly in Case Box 1.
Progress Towards
form of hilly forests in Bangladesh. Tropical evergreen and semi evergreen forests are extended over
the eastern part of the country lying within the divisions of Chittagong and Sylhet totalling 6,70,000
hectares, which is 4.54% of total landmass of the country and 44% of national forest land. The
difference between evergreen and semi-evergreen forests are minor and primarily of the presence
of few deciduous species in the top canopy layer.
Concluding Remarks
Sal (Shorea robusta) is the main species in these forests with 70 to 100% upper canopy coverage
as reported in the Fourth National Report.
3) Mangrove Forests
The largest single tract of natural mangrove forest in the world is the Sundarbans. It consists of a
total of 6,01,700 hectares in the Bangladesh part (the rest 40% is in India) which is 4.07% of total
land mass of the country and 40% of total forest land. The Sundarban harbours 528 species of trees,
shrubs, herbs and epiphytes and 269 species of wild animals.
5) Homestead Forests
Approximately 5% area (0.45 million hectares) of total 8.4 million hectares of cultivable land is
occupied by homesteads (Alam et al., 2008). There are 25.53 million homesteads in Bangladesh
(BBS, 2011) that fulfill basic needs of the people such as fruit, food, shelter, cash etc and high species
diversity of the homestead help to reduce the environmental deterioration. Planting trees near
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homesteads is a traditional land use system in Bangladesh. Multi-layered vertical stratification,
species diversity, and diversity of economic plants rather than number of individuals per species are
characteristic features of Bangladesh homestead forests (Alam et al., 2008).
6) Plantation Forests
In response to the degradation of natural forests and open woodlands, Bangladesh Forest
Department has taken comprehensive plantation programme in the form of social forestry coastal
plantation and community forestry. During early 1980s, the Department with support from The World
Bank organized massive plantation programme on the newly accreted islands at the buffer between
the Bay of Bengal and Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna region. The purpose of this plantation was to
enhance tree cover to stabilize the land and make a green belt along the coast to minimize the
adverse impacts of cyclonic storm and tidal surges. The social forestry added a new dimension to
the forestry practice in Bangladesh having participation of local community and sharing benefits with
the communities. In addition, plantation programme was implemented along the roads, highways,
railways and river banks. Later on, the social forestry practices have been furthered by the NGOs
and the local government organizations throughout the country.
This was declared as ‘Reserved Forest’ during 1875-76, and was placed under the Forest
Department for management. The Sundarban Reserved Forest is internationally recognized
as an important mangrove ecosystem of high biodiversity value. About 1,400 square
kilometres of the forest was declared as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1997, of
which 490 square kilometres is water. The Sundarbans has also been recognized as wetlands
of international importance (Ramsar Site) under Ramsar Convention in 1992). Different
assessments since 1903 reported as high as 504 angiosperms from the Sundarban along with
24 fern species (Rahman, 2015).
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An Update on Biodiversity
Progress of Implementation &
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Aichi Biodiversity Targets
Progress Towards
Concluding Remarks
A recent compilation (Hussain, 2014) reported 448 species of vertebrates from the Sundarban
including 10 amphibians, 58 reptiles, 339 birds and 41 mammals. Many of these are either
Endangered or Critically Endangered globally; namely, Bengal Tiger, Fishing Cat, Hoary-
bellied Himalayan Squirrel, Ganges River Dolphin, River Terrapin, Olive Ridley Turtle, Masked
Finfoot, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, White-rumped Vulture, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Greater Spotted
References
Eagle and Lesser Adjutant. This ecosystem is also country's largest natural fish and
crustacean reserve. To date, 225 finfish, 24 shrimp, 12 crab and 48 mollusks along with a
number of unidentified species have been found in the Sundarban (Bernaecsek, 2001; Huda
and Haque, 2003).
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Although most of the previous studies emphasized mega-fauna and flora and their economic
importance, microscopic flora and fauna which is the basis of whole ecosystem were often
overlooked. Rahaman et al. (2013) studied the phytoplankton of three major river systems
flowing through Sundarbans and found 134 species.
The mouza forest or Village Common Forest (VCF) is a traditional forest conservation practice
in the CHT. It is estimated that there are still over 300 VCFs existing in the CHT – which
provide livelihood support to the communities and work as micro-watersheds in the area.
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An Update on Biodiversity
CASE BOX 2 - Village Common Forests in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
Village common forests are natural
forests other than the government
reserve forests around the households
of the indigenous communities and is
managed to fulfill their daily demands
(Baten et al., 2010; Roy, 2000).
Historically, indigenous people practice
jhum (shifting cultivation) and
traditionally keep a patch of forest
Progress Towards
of the CHT, namely Sitapahar and Rampahar. Harun-Ur-Rashid and Chowdhury (2013)
recently added 43 taxa (38 dicots and 5 monocots) to the plant list of Sitapahar Reserved
Forest. The total number of angiosperm species from Sitapahar (373 hectares area) now
stands 375. A survey conducted between 2001 and 2008 found 89 monocot (Uddin and
Hassan, 2012a) and 500 dicot species from Rampahar area (648 hectares). Uddin and
Hassan (2012b) also reported 41 pteridophyte species under 26 genera of 13 families from
the Rampahar-Sitapahar area, which constituted 21% of total 195 species of fern flora of the
country.
Sal Forest
Concluding Remarks
The plain land forests of Bangladesh, commonly known as Gazari or Sal forests are located
in the Gazipur, Tangail and Mymensingh districts in the central region and in the greater
Dinajpur, Rangpur, and Rajshahi districts in the northern region. The Sal forests originally
comprise an area of 120,255 hectares of notified forests under the control of Bangladesh
Forest Department, out of which 104,616 hectares (87%) are located in the central region and
15,639 hectares (13%) in the northern region.
Most of the Sal forests are now severely degraded and poorly stocked. These are, in fact, the
worst hit of all the forests in the country and the last National Forest Resources Assessment
reported that the Sal forests areas of Bangladesh is now only 34,000 hectares (Altrell et al.,
2007). Madhupur National Park is one of the last remaining patches of old-growth Sal forest
left in the country. The associates of Sal include Mallotus philippensis, Schleichera oleosa,
Protium serratum and Dillenia pentagyna. About 7,314 acres of Madhupur Sal forests areas
References
were converted to rubber gardens, e.g. Pirgacha rubber garden, Chandpur rubber garden,
Sontoshpur rubber garden and Kamalapur rubber garden. Besides, there are a number of
exotic species planted in the national park area, for example Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia
mangium, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Tectona grandis. At present, most of the forest land
in Madhupur has been denuded, degraded or encroached upon or taken over for the
9|P a g e
commercial production of pineapples, bananas, the industrial plantation of rubber and exotic
fuel-wood species (Gain, 2004, in Hossain et al., 2013). Changes in soil properties due to
deforestation have been reported in the Sal forests (Hossain et al., 2010)
B. Agro-Ecosystem
Farming practices in Bangladesh are complex and diverse and are largely controlled by
physical, biological, climatological and socioeconomic factors. These different environments
are suitable for different crops and cropping patterns under irrigated and non-irrigated
conditions. In Bangladesh, more than 300 different crops are presently cultivated many of
which are endemic.
Bangladesh has been divided as thirty agro-ecological zones and 88 subzones on the basis
of physiography, soil properties, soil salinity, depth and duration of flooding which are relevant
for land use and for the assessment of agricultural potential. The general agroecological
variations of Bangladesh range from below sea level-basins to small hills. People of this land
have come from various socio-ecological positions of the sub- continent as well as from other
continents of the world. People over the centuries have been cultivating, preserving, and using
more than 1,364 plant species coming from both endemic and exotic origins, for about 85
diverse uses.
Farming practices largely depend on the cropping seasons in Bangladesh. There are two
distinct cropping seasons in a year: Kharif (monsoon) and Rabi (winter). The major crop of
Kharif season is paddy and jute, while crops grown in Rabi season are much more diverse
and comprise of paddy, vegetables, wheat, pulses, oilseeds, spices, potatoes and others.
Among all the crops, rice is the most dominant because of its adaptability in diverse ecological
conditions prevailing in the country.
There are about 1,000 species of medicinal herbs. Ethnic groups distributed in different areas
have been involved, over centuries, in collecting and preserving the highly rich biodiversity to
meet their regular needs. Many varieties of rice, jute, sugarcane, cotton, linseed, mustard,
cucumber, beans, gourds have also been selected and raised by the people who have been
living in this area for about 8-10 thousand years. Women cultivate a fairly large number of flora
in their homesteads and cultivated lands to meet family needs
C. Homestead Ecosystem
Most of the homestead ecosystems in the floodplains consist of a small pond, backyard
jungles, bushes and kitchen gardens. Homesteads in the hilly terrain are usually tiny hillocks
with its valley and hilly streams. Homestead ecosystems in the coastal zone having backyard
mangroves with inter-tidal cannals and ditches. Despite the conversion of natural features in
the homestead ecosystems, a wide range of wild flora and fauna are still occurring in good
abundance. In addition, in most of the villages there are common property resources, like
fallow land, lakes and beels. Notable among these, Ram Sagar, Nil Sagar, Durga Sagar and
Alta Dighee are good examples of community-based freshwater reservoir with high
abundance of aquatic biodiversity.
10 | P a g e
An Update on Biodiversity
Progress of Implementation &
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Homestead at Ruma, Bandarban by Hossain Sohel
Homesteads of Bangladesh have a long heritage of growing timber and fruit trees, along with
other perennial shrubs and herbs. Species composition and number of species in the
homesteads of Bangladesh are variable. Abedin and Quddus (1990, in Islam et al., 2013)
reported that the number of plant species (excluding vegetable species) in the coastal areas
Progress Towards
Rangpur (21 species) districts. Homestead gardens are significant sources of fruits, timber,
fuelwood, swan, veneer logs and bamboo of Bangladesh. In this way, the homesteads of the
country are vital sources of livelihood for many farmers and serve as the safety net during the
time of hardship and natural disasters.
Concluding Remarks
started in fiscal year 2010-2011 with BDT 11970 millon i.e US$ 153 million for 9,640 villages
that scaled upto 17,300 villages Table 6 Activities and Investment of the Project
with BDT 14920 million i.e US$ 191 EKTEE BARI EKTEE KHAMAR.
million and finally the project has Investment
revised on July 30, 2013 with BDT Number of
Sl. No. Small Farm (BDT
31630 million i.e US$ 400 million for Farms
Million)
40,527 villages. This programme 1 Fisheries 92,100 1290
has been contributing largely to
2 Poultry 182,800 1830
increase homestead vegetation
through nursery and kitchen 3 Livestock 186,600 3350
gardening and also to the increase 4 Nursery 43,600 440
animal stocks through fisheries, 5 Kitchen 48,400 580
poultry and livestocks and hence gardening
References
11 | P a g e
1.2.1.2 Inland Water Ecosystem
Bangladesh is a land of water bodies. Wetlands constitute more than 50% territory of the
country and play important role in social and economic livelihood of the population. The
wetlands in Bangladesh encompass a wide variety of ecosystems including: the main rivers
(the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna) and their 700-plus tributaries and
distributaries; about 6,300 beels (permanent and seasonal shallow lakes in floodplain
depressions); at least 47 major haors (deeply flooded depressions in the north-east), baors
(oxbow lakes); vast areas of seasonally flooded land; and fish ponds and tanks. The inland
water ecosystems of Bangladesh are categorized as follows:
Floodplain
Floodplain occupies a greater part of the landscape and offers important habitats of species
of wild flora and fauna. The total area of floodplain of Bangladesh is 28,26,792 ha (DoF, 2015).
The country has taken a number of initiatives to conserve floodplain biodiversity.
Mentionworthy some of them are Padma-Jaumuna floodplain at Manikganj district; Surma-
Kushyiara Floodplain at Sunamganj district; Madhumati Floodplain at Goplaganj district
(IUCN, 2005); and Jamuna floodplain at Pabna district (Aziz et al., 2014). In all these areas
the' community-based wetlands conservation model was replicated creatively and are success
cases of conservation and wise-use of wetlands biodiversity. At these sites, hreatened species
of flora and fauna were conserved successfully and the common species having economic
value were used sustainabily with a tremendous improvement of livelihoods of the local
communities.
Rivers
Bangladesh is a riverine country criss-crossed with numerous rivers and their tributaries. Three
mighty rivers: the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna along with their innumerable
tributaries form one of the richest habitats of fishes in the Indian Subcontinent. The other main
rivers are the Karnafuli, the Matamuhuri, the Halda and the Sangu rivers in the southern
Chittagong sub-region, the Surma, the Kushiara, the Kangsha and the Someshwari in the north-
east region and the Tista, the Korotoa, the Atrai, the Bangalee, the Mohananda in the north-
west. Annual flooding of these rivers inundates about 70% of the total land surface. The total
annual discharge passing through this river system into the Bay of Bengal reaches up to 1,174
billion cubic metres (Banglapedia, 2004). According to BWDB (2005), 57 of the rivers are
trans-boundary - 54 originate from India and 3 from Myanmar. The river system of Bangladesh
is divided into six hydrological regions as shown in Table 7.
The rivers of Bangladesh have a great importance in respect of fisheries and other
hydrological and navigation benefits. Rivers are the migratory routes of fishes with adjacent
12 | P a g e
floodplains and vice-versa. Many riverine fishes migrate to upstream (floodplain) in order to
spawn in nutrient-rich water.
An Update on Biodiversity
Beels
The beel is a static waterbody that accumulates surface run-off water through an internal
drainage channel (Banglapedia, 2004). This type of shallow, seasonal waterbody is common
in low-lying floodplain areas throughout Bangladesh. The total area of beel in Bangladesh was
estimated to be 114,161 hectares, occupying 27% of the inland freshwater (Ahmed et al.,
2007).
The most famous beel in the country is Chalan Beel located in the north-west region. The
other major beels in this region are Hilna, Kosba, Uthrail, Manda, Sobna and Beel Mansur. In
the central region, Arial Beel and Balai Beel now lost their importance as natural fish habitat.
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
many beels in the south and south-west and the notable are Chapaigachi, Garalia,
Panjiapatra, Chenchuri and Dakatia Beels.
Haors
The haors are back swamps or bowl-shaped depressions between the natural levees of rivers,
or in some cases, much larger areas incorporating a succession of these depressions. The
haors vary in size from as little as a few hectares to thousands of hectares. There are
altogether 411 haors (47 major and large sized) comprising an area of about 8,000 square
kilometres dispersed in the north-eastern Sylhet and Mymensingh districts. In greater Sylhet,
the most prominent haors are Shonir, Hail, Hakaluki, Dekar, Maker, Chayer, Tanguar and
Progress Towards
Government of Bangladesh has decided to conserve Tanguar Haor (9,500 hectares) by
symbolizing it as an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) under the Environment Conservation Act
1995 and registered as a wetland of international importance (Ramsar site, site no. 1031,
declared in 2000) under the Ramsar Convention. Hakaluki Haor is also declared and managed
as an ECA.
Baors
In the southwest region of Bangladesh there are a number of meandering rivers changed their
courses, part of the old course got silted up and cut-off from the main course. As a result horse-
Concluding Remarks
shoe shaped oxbow lakes, known as baor, were created. A baor apparently looks like a lake, but
unlike lakes, it remains connected with original river through channels during monsoon. This
way, the baors annually receive fresh supply of riverine water carrying fry, fingerlings and adult
fishes and other aquatic animals. Baors are very important wetlands of Bangladesh and support
a wide range of aquatic flora and fauna. There are more than 87 baors in Bangladesh covering
an area of 5,488 hectares (DoF, 2008). Most of the larger baors are in the south-western
Jessore region. The important baors of the country are Arial, Bahadurpur Baluhar, Bookbhara,
Harina, Habullah, Rustampur, Ichhamati, Jaleshwar, Jogini Bhagini, Joydia, Kannadah,
Kathgara, Khedapara, Marjat, Pathanpara, Rampur, Sagarkhali, Sirisdia and Sonadia Baors.
13 | P a g e
(Nishat et al., 2002). The ecosystem is a typical freshwater wetland forest that remains dry in
winter, but inundated to a depth of about 8 feet during monsoon. Chowdhury et al. (2004)
reported 73 species of flora and 230 species of fauna from Ratargul.
It is a two-storied forest of which the top story is mostly Pongamia pinnata (Koroj), sporadically
mixed with Barringtonia acutangula (Hijol), Ficus religiosa (Ashwathwa) and Syzygium
fruticosum (Jam). In the past, these areas used to be managed through 'pollarding' wherein
the branches and a few tops used to be cut as harvest at 4-year cycle to yield katha (structures
made of bamboo and tree branches to provide protection for fish in the sancturay). The local
fishermen use these kathas to create a micro-habitat by plunging them into the water to attract
fishes and harvest them later. The bottom story is composed mostly of Schumannianthus
dichotomus (Patipata or Murta). Its height is from 2 to 2.5 metres. The cover of patipata is
quite dense.
a b
Ratargul Swamp Forest by M.Z. Hossain (a) and M.M. Feeroz (b)
Species diversity is very rich in this swamp. Mentionworthy flora of the swamp are :
Barringtonia acutangula,, Pongamia pinnata, Crateva religiosa, Salix tetrasperma,
Schumannianthus dichotomus, Phragmites karka, Rosa clinophylla, Saccharam spontaneum,
Phyllanthus reticulatus,, Ficus religiosa, Ficus benghalensis, Asclepias curassavica, Oryza
latifolia, Oryza rufipogon, Cyperus iria, Cyperus malaccensis, Nymphaea rubra, Nymphaea
pubescens, Euryale ferox, Trapa bispinosa, Monochoria hastata Hemarthria protensa,
Hygrorhyza aristata, Vallisneria spiralis, Echinochloa colona, Echinochloa stagnina and
Polygonum plebeium. This forest also carries a number of medicinal plants such as Asparagus
racemosus, Centella asiatica, Crataeva magna, Hemidesmus indicus and Mimosa pudica.
Calamus guruba (Rattan) plantations have been raised at suitable locations of this forest.
Indian strawberry (Duchesnea indica), the wild rose of Bengal (Rosa clinophylla) and Jhara
Dhan (Oryza rufipogon) are three threatened species (as cited by Sobhan et. al 2012) of the
country are still available in the area.
Ratargul is rich in faunal diversity as well. Nine amphibians (1 bufonid, 2 microhylid, 4 ranid
and 2 rhacophorid), 20 reptiles, 4 snakes (Bungarus caeruleus, Bungarus fasciatus, Naja
kaouthia and Naja naja), 175 species of birds and 26 species of mammals are found in this
forest. Important wild fauna are: Swamp butterflies, Spiders, Honey Bees, Leech, Swamp
frogs, Tree frogs, Cricket Frogs, Microhyla, Lizards, Vine Snake, Golden Flying Snake, Water
Snake, Rat Snake, Cobras, Green Pit Viper, Spotted Pond Turtle, Indian Roofed Turtle,
Shikra, Fish Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Black Kite, Peregrine Falcon, Spotted Greater Whistling
Teal, Northern Shoveller, Northern Pin-tail, Green-winged Teal, Red-crested Pochard,
Eurasian Wigeon, Great Egret, Little Egret, Pond Heron, Night Heron, Marsh Warbler,
Watercock, Water Hen, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Common Moorhen, Purple Moorhen,
Whiskered Tern, Painted Snipe, Little Cormorant, Oriental Darter, Rhesus macaque, Bengal
14 | P a g e
Fox, Flying Fox, Vampire, Smooth-coated Otter, field rats, and shrews. The site is also
important feeding and breeding grounds of several rare fish and mollusk species.
An Update on Biodiversity
Tanguar Haor
Tanguar Haor has outstanding conservation value, being natural fresh water wetlands in the
north-eastern region, seasonally harboring more that 60,000 individuals’ of migratory water
birds belonging to 60 species. This wetland is an important fish habitat comprising about 140
species. In 2000, Tanguar Haor became the 2nd Ramsar site of the country. It is currently
managed by the MoEF. Since December 2006, the MoEF is implementing a community-based
management project in Tanguar Haor through IUCN with support from the Swiss Agency for
Development and Cooperation.
The biodiversity of Tanguar Haor has recently been documented in several compilations
covering amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals and swamp flora (Sobhan et al., 2012).
Concluding Remarks
Table 8 compares species diversity of Tanguar Haor in 20 years interval.
Ferns 2b 4a
Monocots 29b 32 a
Dicots 49b 68 a
Sources: aSobhan et al., 2012; b MoEF, 2001
15 | P a g e
Hakaluki Haor
Hakaluki Haor is one of the
major wetlands of Bangladesh.
With a land area of 18,386
hectares, it supports a rich
biodiversity and provides direct
and indirect livelihood benefits to
nearly 190,000 people. In
Hakaluki Haor, there are 289
interconnecting beels, 387
canals, 24 rivers, and a huge
area of floodplains. Miah (2010)
observed that the 83% of beels,
94.45% of rivers and 97% of
canals became degraded at Fishing in Chokya Beel, Hakaluki Haor by Mahbubul Alam Miah
different levels. A total of 115 fish were documented under 72 genera and 27 families of which
107 were indigenous and eight exotics. Number of Critically Endangered species was 8,
Endangered 21, Vulnerable 13, Not Threatened 50, Data Deficient 13, and Not Evaluated
species 10. Among the small fishes Gudusia chapra was the most dominant species (43.93%),
whereas Glossogobius giuris was the lowest (1.37%) by weight. Among the major carps,
Labeo rohita was the most dominant species (28.75%) and the lowest was the Labeo calbasu
(16.69%). Fish production was found maximum in floodplain (5,590.44 metric tons) followed
by beels (1,603.04 metric tons) and rivers and khals (282.94 metric tons), and the total fish
production was 7,476.42 metric tons during study period in Hakaluki Haor (Miah, 2010).
Chalan Beel
Chalan Beel is the largest and most important watershed in the north-central Bangladesh. It
comprises of a series of depressions interconnected by numerous channels to form more or
less one continuous sheet of water during monsoon covering an area of about 375 square
kilometres. The watershed serves about five million people predominantly through fisheries
and agriculture. Though far from its past glory, Chalan Beel is still an abode of large variety of
fish with a huge importance in local economy and people’s livelihood. During the dry season,
the water area decreases down to 52-78 square kilometres and looks like a cluster of small
beels of different sizes. Besides being a giant junction of a number of water ways, the beel
also served a springboard where many rivers flowed further south and east to meet finally with
the River Padma and the Brahmaputra (Iqbal, 2006).
Most of the rivers and small beels of Chalan Beel are at the risk of partial or total degradation
due to manifold reasons like agricultural encroachment, siltation along with other
anthropogenic activities. The critical dry out condition (0-5% of the monsoon size) was
observed in 83% of the rivers and 68% of the beels in the lean season (Hossain et al.2009).
Recently, 114 fin fish species belonging to 29 families were recorded from Chalan Beel
(Hossain et al., 2009).
Kaptai Lake
There are three true natural lakes in Bangladesh; Rainkhyongkine and Bogakine located in
the CHTand Ashuhila Beel, tremendously disturbed and deteriorated by human activities, in
the north-west part of Dhaka. The largest man-made lake in South Asia is Kaptai Lake of
68,800 hectares (surface area - 58,300 hectares). The H-shaped Kaptai Lake, the only major
reservoir in Bangladesh was created from the construction of dam across the river Karnafuli
near Kaptai town in 1961. It has drowned almost the whole of the middle-Karnafuli valley and
the lower reaches of the Chengi, the Kasalong and the Rinkhyong Rivers. Shoreline and the
16 | P a g e
basin of Kaptai Lake are very irregular. The volume of the lake is 524,700 cubic metres with a
mean depth 9 metres (maximum depth is 32 metres and mean water level fluctuation is 8.14
An Update on Biodiversity
metres). Although the lake was created primarily with a vision to generate hydroelectric power,
it substantially contributes to the national economy through freshwater fish production,
navigation, flood control and agriculture. The lake is confined within the hill district of
Rangamati and embraces sub-districts of Rangamati Sadar, Kaptai, Nannerchar, Langadu,
Baghaichhari, Barkal, Juraichhari and Belaichhari.
In 2007-08 fish production in Kaptai Lake was 8,248 metric tons with an average of 120
kiliograms per hectare. At the early stage of the creation of lake, Indian major carps were the
dominant species of about 60% of total catch, which is reduced to 5.69% in 2007-08. Presently
the major catches in
the Kaptai lake are
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
soborna) and chapila
(Gudusia chapra), both
contributing equally to
60% of the total catch.
Halder et al. (2002)
recorded 66 species of
indigenous fish in the
lake. The major
Cypriniforms available
in the lake are Catla
catla, Cirrhinus
Progress Towards
L. calbasu, L. goinus
and Puntius sarana. Fishing in Chokya Beel, Hakaluki Haor by Mahbubul Alam Miah
Concluding Remarks
Box 4).
Bangladesh is a part of the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) which is one
of world’s 64 large marine ecosystems. It comprises the coastal waters of the Maldives, Sri
Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. It is reported that
more than 400 million people in this region depend upon the 6.2 million square kilometres
marine ecosystem for their foods, livelihoods and security (Christie and Ole-Moiyoi, 2011).
Therefore, the conservation imperative is very high in this region in terms of the marine
resources.
The eastern coast of Bangladesh is comparatively stable whereas the central coast is very
dynamic with highest rate of accretion and erosion. The western coast is dominated by
mangrove forest system. The status and trends of the mangroves is detailed out under the
References
The central coast has been identified as the stepping stone, staging ground and wintering
ground of more than 100 species of migratory shore birds belonging to East Asia-Australasian
and Central Asian flyways. Bangladesh coast supports more than 10 globally threatened
17 | P a g e
migratory shorebirds, including Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Asian Dowitcher, Spotted Redshank,
Nordman’s Greenshank, Goliath Heron and Indian Skimmers.
The east coast of Bangladesh is an important breeding ground for three species of marine
turtles (Rashid and Islam 2005). The only coral community is located on the east coast in
association with high diversity and moderate density of marine algae and mollusks. The west
coast, on the other hand, supports breeding ground for Batagur baska, Masked finfoot, the
Bengal Tiger, Saltwater Crocodile, King Cobra, White bellied Sea Eagle, and Ganges River
Dolphin to name a few.
Batagur (River Terrapin) captive breeding and re-introduction in the coast of Bangladesh by ABM
Sarowar Alam
The main ecosystems of the coastal zone are: (a) Coral-associated Island, (b) Sandy beach,
(c) Small islets, (d) Sand dunes, (e) Inter-tidal mudflats, (f) Grasslands, (g) Reed lands, and
(h) Mangrove forest. Bangladesh coastal zone is well-connected with a vast network of
estuaries of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river systems.
The Department of Fisheries declared a marine reserve in the year 2000 under section 28 of
the Marine Fisheries Ordinance, 1983 (Ordinance No. 35 of 1983). The area of the reserve is
estimated to be 69,800 hectares (or 698 square kilometres) (Figure 4).
MPA ID BGD0012
Country Bangladesh
Sub-national Unit
International
Status
Legal / Gazetted
Code
IUCN Category
No Take Zone
Habitat Types
latitude 20.98841700
Longitude 91.44010900
Figure 4 Marine Reserve of Bangladesh (area surrounding red pin in the centre)
18 | P a g e
An Update on Biodiversity
CASE BOX 4 - Maritime Boundaries in Bangladesh
On 14 March 2012, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) delimited the maritime
boundary of Bangladesh in the Bay of Bengal with Myanmar in an equitable manner (MoFA, 2012).
Before this verdict, undisputed sea area of Bangladesh was around 50,000 square kilometres. That
has been increased by another 50,000-60,000 square kilometres along with the maritime resources.
Two years later, on 7 July 2014, the Arbitral Tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The
Hague, declared its verdict on the matter of the Bay of Bengal maritime boundary between
Bangladesh and India. On the basis of the Tribunal’s delimitation line, an adjustment was made to
the provisional equidistance line (The Arbitral Tribunal, 2014). This adjustment increased
Bangladesh’s maritime area by 19,467 square kilometres. As a result the area appertaining to
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Both verdicts have now settled long-pending maritime boundary disputes between Bangladesh and
its two neighbours. It also opened up the opportunity to explore marine resources in and under the
water in a planned way, including marine biodiversity.
Progress Towards
opinions and published a map
originally prepared by the Institute of
Water Modeling, Bangladesh (IWM)
(Figure 5).
Concluding Remarks
reported that according to experts the
gross gain of land in the Meghna
estuary and the sea was bigger in size
than the gross land loss had been
taking place over the last 50 years.
Figure 5 Possible Land Accretion Sites at the Meghna Estuary (Source: IWM, collected from Newage
website, accessed on 25 July 2015)
The marine biome in the Bay of Bengal bordering maritime boundary with Myanmar, Sri Lanka
and India is an important biodiversity area as far as the cetaceans and shorebirds are
concerned. Whale, dolphin and porpoises species are recorded recently from the Swatch of
no-Ground numbering over 15,000 individuals. Government of Bangladesh has declared the
References
Swatch of no-Ground of the Bay of Bengal as marine protected area on 27 October 2014
(Table 30).
The newly accreted low-lying inter tidal islands in the estuary, coast and at Bay are very rich
ecosystem in terms of its biomass productivity. In addition to having the mudflats as the
wintering ground of migratory shorebirds, the channels in the central coast are plentiful in
19 | P a g e
macro-benthos and other invertebrates. Among them crustaceans, nematodes and
helminthes are found in super-abundance. Inter tidal creeks having luxuriant growth of
different types of algae which are the major food source of wild ducks and geese that used to
visit the area in large numbers. The islands and its surroundings are also comprised of various
types of habitats, such as network of inter tidal creeks inside mangroves, massive mudflats,
grassland, reed land, sand flats, sand beaches, sand dunes and deeper channels. This area
also shows abundance in crustaceans and estuarine fish populations. The channels around
the newly accreted lands are good abode of River Terrapin, Marine Turtles, Ganges River
Dolphin and Irrawaddy Dolphin. Several kilometers of inter tidal sand flats at the southern tip
of Nijhum Dweep facing the Bay of Bengal is the most high-ranking staging ground of 10,000
to 20,000 migratory birds during winter quarter (Khan, 2012).
In case of other plant groups, the Encyclopedia reported 3,002 algal taxa (including
Cyanobacteria) under 424 genera and 127 families. Being microscopic, there exists
tremendous possibility to discover new algal species in Bangladesh. For example, a four-
season sampling of a couple of waterbodies in the tea gardens of Srimangal, Moulvi Bazar
district revealed 421 algal taxa of which 130 were found for the first time in Bangladesh and 3
were new to the biologists (Irfanullah, 2013). Continuous new records of both macroscopic
and microscopic flora justify the need for a complete inventory of Bangladesh flora in order to
have a good understanding of the biodiversity trend.
20 | P a g e
pteridophytes). Similarly, Uddin and Hassan (2012b) also reported 41 pteridophyte species
belonging to 26 genera under 13 families from the Rampahar-Sitapahar area. This examplifies
An Update on Biodiversity
the richness of Bangladesh flora, especially in the CHTs. A summary of some noteworthy
studies that collected information on forest species is provided in Annex: Table 3.
Additionally, major species that are used in plantations in Bangladesh are shown in the
Table 10. In 1978 and onwards, extensive trials of Eucalyptus and Acacia species started to
find out the very fast growing exotic species for some difficult sites. Later on, a trend of planting
Eucalyptus and Acacia were getting preferences in plantation programmes. But a Government
ban on Eucalyptus prevented its large scale plantation programmes. However, individual
interest on Eucalyptus is still observed in planting around homesteads and marginal lands
(Hossain and Hoque, 2013).
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Sl.No. Scientific name Common name
1. Acacia auriculiformis Akashmoni
2. Acacia nilotica Babla
3. Albizia lebbeck Kala koroi
4. Albizia procera Sada Koroi
5. Artocarpus chaplasha Chapalish
6. Chukrassia tabularis Chikrassy
7. Dalbergia sissoo Sissoo
8. Dipterocarpus turbinatus Tellya Garjan
9. Eucalyptus camaldulensis Eucalyptus
Progress Towards
11. Hevea brasiliensis Rubber
12. Hopea odorata Telsur
13. Lagerstroemia speciosa Jarul
14. Leucaena leucocephala Ipil-ipil
15. Michelia champaca Champa
16. Neolamarckia cadamba Kadam
17. Falcataria moluccana Malakana koroi
18. Pinus caribaea, P. oocarpa Pine
19. Senna siamea Minjiri
Concluding Remarks
20. Swietenia macrophylla Mahogony
21. Syzygium grande Dhaki jam
22. Tectona grandis Teak
23. Toona ciliata Toon
24. Xylia xylocarpa Lohakat
Source: Hossain, 2014
and Fauna of Bangladesh (Volume 3 & 4), there are 50 species of brown algae (Order:
Laminariales, also known as kelp), 82 species of red algae (Class: Rhodophyceae), and 26
species of green algae (Class: Cholorophyceae). Almost all seaweed species are found in St.
Martin's Island. In Bangladesh, 5 seagrass species have so far been reported from
21 | P a g e
Bangladesh coast, namely Halodule uninervis (Forsskal) Ascherson, Halophila beccarii
Ascherson, Halophila decipiens Ostenfeld, Halophila pinifolia (Miki) Den Hartog and Ruppia
maritima L. (Kamal and Short, 2009). Seagrass beds are unique ecosystems harbouring
marine biodiversity, providing significant ecosystem services. However, given sporadic and
limited occurrence, studies on seagrass are limited in Bangladesh.
There is a positive change noticed in the protected areas in terms of increased diversity in
species of wildlife and their population numbers. The avifauna species number, for example,
which was 149 in 2000, had increased to 249 in 2003 and 270 in 2014 (SRCWP, 2014).
22 | P a g e
Several new mammalian and avian species were recorded in the protected areas after 2010
indicating proper management of these areas (Feeroz, 2013; Feeroz et al., 2011, 2012).
An Update on Biodiversity
Progress of Implementation &
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Migratory ducks at Tanguar Haor by ABM Sarowar Alam
Bangladesh is a host of wide range of invertebrate diversity. Table 12 reflects a partial state
of species diversity of invertebrate fauna and Table 12 in Annex shows the recorded species
of insect fauna.
Progress Towards
recorded
1 Protozoa 175 Kabir et al., (eds.), 2008
2 Prorifera 29 Kabir et al., (eds.), 2008
3 Cnidaria 102 NCS Report, 1997
Kabir et al., (eds.), 2008
4 Ctenophora 10 Kabir et al., (eds.), 2008
5 Rotifera 76 Kabir et al., (eds.), 2008
6 Gastrotricha 04 Kabir et al., (eds.), 2008
7 Platyhelmithes 126 Kabir et al., (eds.), 2008
8 Nematoda 176 Kabir et al., (eds.), 2008
9 Annelida 98 Kabir et al., 2009
10 Echinodermata 46 NCS Report 1997
Concluding Remarks
Kabir et al., 2009
11 Acanthocephala 28 Kabir et al., 2009
12 Bryozoa (Minor Phyla) 07 Kabir et al., 2009
13 Kinorhyncha (Minor Phyla) 02 Kabir et al., 2009
14 Chaetognatha (Minor Phyla) 03 Kabir et al., 2009
15 Mollusca 470 Siddiqui et al., (eds.), 2007
16 Crustacea 164 Bhouyain and Asmat (1992); Ahmed et al. (2008)
(Zooplankton)
17 Crustacea (Crabs) 39 Shafi and Quddus, 1982; Chowdhury and Hafizuddin,
1991; Ameen, 2001; Siddiqui and Zafar, 2002; Ahmed
et al., 2008
18 Arthropoda Crustacea (Shrimps 62 Ahmed et al., 2008; Hossain, 2013
&Prawns)
References
23 | P a g e
Among the fauna, insects play a vital role in regulating the ecosystem and contribute to
sustainability of the biodiversity. Feeroz et al. (2011) recorded 43 butterfly species and 11
species of other groups of insects from Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary in Shatchari, Sylhet.
Forty-four species of butterflies were recorded from Butterfly Research Park in Bhawal
National Park in 2012 (Bashar, 2014). In the same year, researchers reported more than 100
species of insects of various groups including butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies, bees,
wasps, beetles, mantids, grasshoppers and others from Dudpukuria-Dhopachari Wildlife
Sanctuary of Bandarban. They also listed 70 butterflies, 25 dragonflies & damselflies, and 10
species of grasshoppers from Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary in 2013. Bhuiya (1983-2014)
recorded nearly 450 species of parasitic Hymenoptera from Bangladesh. In 2004, a total of
311 butterfly species was recorded from Bangladesh; Larsen (2004) reported 236 species,
whereas another 75 species were recorded by previous researchers (Alam, 1962a, 1962b;
Ameen and Chowdhury, 1968; Begum and Begum, 1986; Alam and Ullah, 1995, in IUCN
2014). Another 12 species were reported in 2013 and 2014 making the total 323 species
(Khandaker et al., 2013; Neogi et al., 2014; Shahadat et al., 2014. Four new species of
butterflies were recorded from Kaptati National Park (Case Box 6).
Four new species of butterflies were recorded from the Kaptai National Park during a recent survey
in October 2013 to November 2014 by the research team of Monitoring and Conservation of Wildlife
in Kaptai National Park of Bangladesh project under the SRCWP Project supported by Bangladesh
Forest Department and the World Bank. These four species are Dark Pierrot, Banded Ace, Indian
Ace and Short-horn Ace. Three of them belong to family Hesperiidae and one to family Lycaenidae
(Khan, 2014, personal communication).
24 | P a g e
Marine fauna in Bangladesh includes prawn, shrimp, crab, lobster, mollusks, turtles and
zooplankton. Brief description of these groups is given as follows. Hossain (2013) updated the
checklist and documented 62 prawn and shrimp in Bangladesh territory. Under the on-going
An Update on Biodiversity
Updating Redlist of Bangladesh Project of IUCN, a total of 125 prawn, shrimp, crab, and
lobester species and 37 zooplankton species (Table 13) have been listed for assesing the
current conservation status. There are about 336 molluscs and 3 starfish/echinoderms have
also been reported from the Bangladesh territory (Hossain et al., 2014).
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
5 Brachionus bidentata (Anderson, 1889) Brachionidae Rotifera
6 Brachionus havanaensis (Rousselet, 1913) Brachionidae Rotifera
7 Brachionus plicatilis (Mueller, 1786) Brachionidae Rotifera
8 Brachionus rubens (Ehrenberg, 1838) Brachionidae Rotifera
9 Ceriodaphnia reticulata (Jurine, 1820) Daphniidae Crustacea
10 Cryptocyclops bicolor (Sars, 1863) Cyclopidae Crustacea
11 Diacyclops nanus (Sars, 1863) Cyclopidae Crustacea
12 Cyprois occidentalis (Sars, 1926) Cyclopidae Crustacea
13 Daphnia lumholtzi (Sars, 1885) Daphniidae Crustacea
Progress Towards
15 Diaptomus gracilis (Sars, 1862) Diaptomidae Crustacea
16 Diaptomus pygmaeus (Pearse, 1906) Diaptomidae Crustacea
17 Filinia longiseta (Ehrenberg, 1834) Filiniidae Rotifera
18 Filinia terminalis (Plate, 1886) Filiniidae Rotifera
19 Hexarthra mira (Hudson, 1871) Hexarthridae Rotifera
20 Keratella cochlearis (Gosse, 1851) Brachionidae Rotifera
21 Keratella quadrata (Muller, 1786) Brachionidae Rotifera
22 Keratella tropica (Apstein, 1907) Brachionidae Rotifera
23 Lepadella imbricata (Harring, 1916 Lepadellidae Rotifera
Concluding Remarks
24 Macrocyclops distinctus (Richard, 1887) Cyclopidae Crustacea
25 Macrothrix laticornis (Jurine, 1820) Macrothricidae Crustacea
26 Mesocyclops dybowskii (Lande, 1890) Cyclopidae Crustacea
27 Thermocyclops inversus (Kiefer, 1936) Cyclopidae Crustacea
28 Moina brachiata (Jurine, 1820) Moinidae Crustacea
29 Moina macrocopa (Straus, 1820) Moinidae Crustacea
30 Moina reticulata (Daday, 1905) Moinidae Crustacea
31 Monostyla lunaris (Ehrenberg, 1832) Lecanidae Rotifera
32 Paracyclops fimbriatus (Fischer, 1853) Cyclopidae Crustacea
33 Platyias patulus (Mueller, 1786) Brachionidae Rotifera
34 Polyarthra vulgaris (Carlin, 1943) Synchaetidae Rotifera
References
25 | P a g e
Shrimps and crabs - (Clock-wise) - Nymph Snapping Shrimp, Mud Spiny Lobster, Mangrove Horseshoe crab, Blue
swimming crab, Field crab, Ghost crab and Common Squillid Mantis Shrimp (photo by Mostafa A R Hossain, M.
Enamul Hoq and Mohammed Noman)
Molluscs are the single largest marine animal group (phylum), making up almost one-forth of
all known species (Benkendorff, 2010, in Hossain et al., 2014). Although studies on marine
molluscs started in the Bangladesh territory in the early 1940s (Commans, 1940, in Hossain
et al., 2014), comprehensive studies on these groups had always been limited. In 1990, an
extended list was produced by Ahmed (1990, in Hossain et al., 2014) containing 301 species
from the Bangladesh coast.
Hossain et al. (2014) recorded 317 molluscs’ species from Kutubdia, Moheshkhali and
Sonadia off-shore islands. Out of these species, 141 belonged to gastropods (including 20
identified up to genus level) and 176 were bivalves (including 51 identified up to genus level).
A total of 181 (57% of 317 species) were recorded for the first time from Bangladesh. In
26 | P a g e
another study (2013-2014) on the molluscs of St. Martin's Island, 41 species were recorded
for the first time from St. Martin's (Sarker et al., 2014). Nevertheless, the total number of
mollusc species recorded in this study was 70, much less than previous two studies 113
An Update on Biodiversity
(Ahmed, 1990) and 132 (MoEF, 2001) (in Sarker et al., 2014). Both studies show that much
of Bangladesh's marine mollusc diversity remains unexplored and the coastal ecosystems are
changing rapidly.
Table 14 summarizes marine faunal species number. There is an overall reduction in the
number of bony fish species over a period of 12 years since 2001, whereas the shrimp species
number doubled. Also, lobster count decreased and molluscs increased considerably. In
addition to habitat change, study methods used may also have influenced these numbers.
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Islam (2003) Ahamed et al. (2012)
(2001)
Bony fish 475 475 442
Cartilaginous (soft-boned) fish 50 – –
Shrimp 25 24 56
Crab 15 50 16
Lobster 5 – 3
Mollusc 301 (6) 301 (3) 336
Starfish/Echinoderms 3 – 4
Marine Turtles 5 5 5
Whale/Dolphin 11 – –
Concluding Remarks
common while
Hawksbill, Loggerhead
and Leatherback
turtles are rare. Due to Marine Turtle by Sayam U. Chowdhury
serious degradation and manifold threats in off-shore and in-shore areas over the last three
decades, turtle nesting is now confined only to some undisturbed sandy beaches in St. Martin
Island, long sandy beach from Sahporirdwip to Cox’s Bazar Sahporirdwip including Teknaf
Bordal Kochopia, Inani Monkhali, Sonadia Island, Kutubdia Island, Sandwip, Egg Island,
Mandarbaria, Dubla Island and sandy beaches of Sundarban area (Rashid and Islam, 2005).
Out of five sea turtles, only three species have been found to nest, including Hawksbill Turtle
in St. Martin's and other nesting rookery only supported Olive Ridley and Green Turtles in
some areas (Rashid 1997). The nesting populations are extremely small comparing the size
References
of rookeries resulted by the indiscriminate loss of nesting ground through development and
disturbance, mortality of population stock in the sea by commercial shrimp trawl net and gill-
net (Sea Turtle Project, Bangladesh).
27 | P a g e
1.2.2.3 Status and Trends of Threatened Species
A. Flora
It has been widely recognized long since that many plant species are threatened in
Bangladesh. Lists of threatened plants have been produced since early 1990s (Irfanullah,
2011). Khan et al. (2001) published the first volume of Red Data Book of Vascular Plants of
Bangladesh apparently following IUCN Red List categories. Although this book listed 106
species, only four can be identified as threatened as per the IUCN Red List categories:
Aldrovanda vesiculosa (Malacca jhangi), Corypha taliera (Talipalm), Knema bengalensis
(Khude Barala) and Licuala peltata (Chata Pat/Kurud) (Irfanullah, 2011).
According to the Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh (2007-2009; Volumes 5-12),
486 vascular plants are threatened in Bangladesh (Irfanullah, 2011) (Table15). The second
volume of Red Data Book of Vascular Plants of Bangladesh includes 120 species as
threatened following IUCN's latest Red List categories and assessment process (Ara et al.,
2013) (Table 8 in Annex ). M.A. Rahman (2013, personal communication) also assessed 13
angiosperm families containing 520 species and categorized 235 species into different
threatened categories. Challenge remains to have a clear, acceptable and comprehensive
evaluation of the flora of Bangladesh following latest guidelines of the IUCN Red List.
Table 15 Number of Threatened Species in Major Vascular Plant Groups According to the
Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh
Total no. Critically Total no. of
Vascular plant Endangered Vulnerable
of Endangered threatened species
groups (EN) (VU)
species (CR) (% of total species
Pteridophytes 195 0 0 36 36 (18.46)
Gymnosperms 7 0 1 0 1 (14.29)
Angiosperms 3,611 30 126 293 449 (12.43)
Dicotyledons 2,623 8 80 179 267 (10.18)
Monocotyledons 988 22 46 114 182 (18.42)
Total 3,813 30 127 329 486 (12.75)
Source: Irfanullah, 2011
A1. Boilam
Boilam (Anisoptera scaphula (Roxb.) Kurz) is a very tall resinous tree with a straight bole
attaining a height of 30-45 metres and a girth of 3.0-4.5 metres. Deforestation and
overexploitation significantly reduced the species in natural forests and at present at the
highest risk of extinction. The species is native to Bangladesh and occurs sporadically in the
high forests of Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tract and Cox’s Bazar forest areas. However,
currently few individuals of the species is only found in Saplapur, Silkhali and Swankhali beats
of the Cox’s Bazar South Forest Division; Bengdepha and Bhomarioghona of Cox’s Bazar
North Forest Division; Hazarikhil of Chittagong North Forest Division; Dudpukuria-Dopachari
Wildlife Sanctuary and Tonkabati Forest Beat of Chittagong South Forest Division. In natural
forests, the scattered populations are either in lone individuals or as stands of 2 or 3 boilam
trees in some pockets of the forests. Small scale plantations of young boilam are also
established in some forests areas.
28 | P a g e
A2. Civit
Civit (Swintonia floribunda) is one of the threatened tree species once found abundant in the
An Update on Biodiversity
hill forests of Bangladesh. Once the species was considered as D-class (not good timber) and
available in association with some other hardwood tree species in hill forests. But now this
species is becoming rare because of indiscriminate felling and use by the plywood industries.
It is commonly used for veneer, plywood and boat making. It also yields a high quality pulp
and fibre.
The individuals of this species are disappearing due to forest fragmentation, deforestation,
illegal felling, jhum, clearing of land for agriculture and so on. However, very few planted trees
are also found in Satgaon Tea Estate in Sri Mongal, Hyanko Rubber Estate and Sitakunda
Eco-Park. Inadequate natural regeneration has been observed in the Satgaon Tea Estate and
natural stands of Tankawati and the recruitment is also very poor. Pablakhali of Bagaichari
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
trees those are now not available. White Wing Wood Duck, an indicator species, has
disappeared due to loss of habitat and nesting places indicating the importance of conserving
the native flora before complete extinction.
Except the Rajghat and Bhomorioghona Forest Beats of Cox’s Bazar North Forest Division,
civit is found scattered in single to a few individuals. According to the Forest Officials, Sangu
Reserve supposed to have some good stock of civit along with some other native hardwood
tree species.
A3. Talipalm
Concluding Remarks
growing in a village near Shantiniketan in
Birbhum district in West Bengal, India,
was cut down in 1979. Another plant in
wild was reported to grow in Birganj
Upazila in Dinajpur district about 35 years Tali palm by Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury
ago and was also cut down immediately after flowering. The last known individual of the
species in the Dhaka University campus between the Jagannath Hall and Isa Khan Staff
quarters was discovered in the early 1950s in a scrub Jungle. The plant produced flowers in
September 2008 and died in 2010 after ripening numerous fruits.
At present no known mature individual exists either in the wild or under cultivation in the world.
However, a number of person and institutions collected ripen fruits from that plant for raising
References
seedlings. Department of Botany of the University of Dhaka and Endangered Plants and
Animals Conservation Foundation, Bangladesh have raised more than a thousand of
seedlings and planted in different places/ institutions/ botanic gardens/ parks of 64 districts of
the country. Those seedlings seemed to be growing successfully.
29 | P a g e
A4. Banspata
Banspata (Podocarpus neriifolius) is a large, glabrous evergreen tree with whorled branches.
It is a medium large canopy tree (up to 30 metres high) with cylindrical straight bole (60-100
centimetres girth) or sometimes markedly fluted. This species belongs to the family
Podocarpaceae. Banspata, a native gymnosperm of Bangladesh once naturally occurred in
the forests of Chittagong Hill Tracts (Publakhali) and Cox’s Bazar (Ukhia), Lawachara Forest
of Sreemongal, Kassalong and Massalong Reserve in Bagaichari. Coppicing of this
gymnosperm were found in the Ukhia natural forest of Cox’s Bazar South Forest Division.
However, due to deforestation of the natural forests, this species has become endangered in
its natural habitat.
A total of 111 Banspata trees/ saplings were explored through an extensive field visit from the
forests and botanical gardens of the country (Table 7 in Annex). Of them, only 10 trees were
found in the natural forests and the remaining 101 trees/ saplings are planted for research or
aesthetic purposes (Bhuiyan et al., 2014).
B. Fauna
Bangladesh has already lost at least 13 wildlife species, most of which are large mammals.
Many of the wildlife species have been facing continuous threat of extinction. Bengal tiger
(Panthera tigris) once found all over the country, but now restricted to the Sundarban. Wild
Asian Elephants of the country are also facing threat of extinction due to habitat loss and
increased human-elephant conflicts. No confirmed record of Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) is in
the country for the last two decades. Primates of the country are also facing different level of
threats. Apart from natural habitat some of the primate species are also found in and around
human settlements which is causing increased interaction between human and primates and
ultimately increasing risk of bidirectional disease transmission (Feeroz, 2013, personal
communication).
The Red List of Threatened Animals of Bangladesh remains the only published document on
threatened animals of the country (IUCN Bangladesh, 2000). This improtant document is now
being updated (Case Box 7). Status of inland and resident vertebrates of Bangladesh
according to Bangladesh National Criteria has been unchanged to a total of 201 of threatened
and 323 data deficient species (IUCN Bangladesh, 2000, in MoEF, 2010).
30 | P a g e
CASE BOX 7– Red List of Animals in Bangladesh
An Update on Biodiversity
In 2013, Bangladesh Forest Department took a project named SRCWP in collaboraton with IUCN
Bangladesh with the financial support from the World Bank to update the Red List of Animals of
Bangladesh. A rigorous assessment process has been developed in consultation with experts from
Bangladesh and around the globe. A total of 1,608 species of different animal groups are now being
assessed since 2014 as per the assessment guidelines of IUCN (Table 16).
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
website of IUCN Bangladesh’s Fishes 653 255
Red List seeking public Amphibians 34 49
validation and feedback. Once Reptiles 154 173
the validation process is Birds 650 566
completed, the updated Red List Mammals 121 122
is expected to be published by Total 1,608
the end of 2015. The project
aims at publishing six volumes Source: Updating Red List project of IUCN Bangladesh, 2015
on mammals, birds, amphibians
& reptiles and fishes (in English) and an introductory volume both in English and Bangla.
Bangladesh has a number of species that has been iconic to the species’ biodiversity globally
Progress Towards
flagship species, keystone species and bio-indicator species. However, these species are all
threatened; as their common attribute. The following section will give a snapshot of the status
and trends of a number of such faunal species.
The open water fish diversity of Bangladesh has been negatively impacted by a series of
natural and anthropogenic actions. These range from siltation of waterbodies to over-
exploitation of natural fisheries to changing the habitats from small- to large-scale
development interventions. As a result, many fish species, like Hemibagrus menoda, Barilius
Concluding Remarks
barila, Botia dayi, Raiamas bola, Psylorhynchus sucatio, Scistura corica, Labeo pangusia,
Labeo angra, Botia lohachata, Barilius barila, Chagunius chagunio, Gogangra viridescenes,
Silonia silondia, Setipinna phasa, Laguvia shawi and Crossocheilus latius have become locally
endangered.
According to the Red Book of Threatened Fishes of Bangladesh (IUCN Bangladesh, 2000),
54 indigenous riverine fishes of Bangladesh are threatened at various degrees. However,
there have been massive changes in riverine fish diversity in the first decade of this century.
According to a survey conducted by the Fish Museum & Biodiversity Centre (FMBC) of
Bangladesh Agricultural University during 2000-13, more than 100 riverine fishes are presently
under threat and 25 fish (Table 17) were not observed in Bangladesh for more than last 20
years, thus could be extinct from Bangladesh waters (FMBC, 2013).
References
31 | P a g e
Table 17 Possibly Nationally Extinct Riverine Fishes of Bangladesh
Common English
No. Family Scientific name Bangla name Habitat*
name
Cypriniformes
1 Balitoridae Balitora brucei Grays Stone Loach R
2 Schistura dayi R
3 Cobitidae Neoeucirrhichthys maydelli Goalpara Loach R
4 Pangio oblonga Java Loach Panga R
5 Cyprinidae Salmostoma acinaces Silver Razorbelly Chela R
Minnow
6 Danio dangila Moustached Danio Nipati R
7 Esomus lineatus Striped Flying Barb Darkina R-E
8 Garra annandalei Annandale Garra Ghorpoiya R
9 Labeo dero Kalabans Kursa R
10 Labeo nandina Kulta Labeo Nandina R
11 Osteochilus hasseltii Silver Sharkminnow R
12 Raiamas guttatus Burmese Trout Bhol R
Siluriformes
13 Amblycipitidae Amblyceps laticeps Indian Torrent Catfish R
14 Erethistidae Laguvia shawi Kani Tengra R
15 Laguvia ribeiroi Painted Catfish Kani Tengra R
16 Schilbeidae Ailia punctata Jamuna Ailia Kajoli R-E
17 Siluridae Pterocryptis gangelica R
18 Sisoridae Nangra bucculenta Gang Tengra R
19 Nangra nangra Gang Tengra R
20 Nangra ornata Gang Tengra R
21 Pseudecheneis sulcata Sucker Throat Catfish R
Perciformes
22 Ambassidae Ambassis nalua Scalloped Perchlet Nalua Chanda R-E
23 Channidae Channa barca Barca Snakehead Pipla R
24 Osphronemidae Pseudosphromenus cupanus Spiketail Paradisefish Koi R-E
Beloniformes
25 Hemiramphidae Dermogenys Gangetic Halfbeak Ekthuita E-R
brachynotopterus
Source: FMBC, 2013; *R-Riverine and E-Estuarine
32 | P a g e
B2. Tiger
Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is listed as Critically Endangered in Bangladesh (IUCN
Bangladesh, 2000). These were once widespread in Bangladesh. There were reports of tigers
An Update on Biodiversity
in the mixed evergreen Chittagong Hill Tracts, namely valleys of Kassalong-Sajek and Sangu-
Matamuhuri both fall within the Tiger Restoration Landscape, (Sanderson et al., 2006, in
Ahmed et al., 2009). Currently, the largest remaining population of tigers is in the Sundarban
- the largest mangrove forest in the world (Ahmad et al., 2009).
Although some noteworthy works have been published on the Sundarban tigers since the
1970s, relatively little is
known about their
status and ecology
compared with other
Progress Towards
High relative
GPS collars, tiger abundance Tiger track sets/km of khal
determined the home 0-1
1-2
ranges of two female 10 0 10 20 Kilometers 2-3
3-4
tigers in the south-east
of the Sundarban. The Figure 6 Relative Abundance of Tigers in the Sundarbans of
small home ranges (<20 Bangladesh (reproduced from Barlow et al., 2008; in Ahmad et al., 2009)
kilometre squares) of those two tigers indicated a very high tiger density compared to other
tiger habitats. Even if tiger home ranges were twice this size in other areas of the forest, the
Bangladesh Sundarban could still support 100-150 breeding females or 300-500 tigers
Concluding Remarks
(Barlow, 2009; in Ahmad et al., 2009). Other methods tried to determine minimum population
size of the tiger. During 2005-2007, camera traps were used to estimate the minimum
population size of the Bengal Tiger for the Bangladesh Sundarban (Khan, 2012). The results
were extrapolated from the core study area (Katka-Kochikhali, southeastern Sundarbans) to
five additional sites using indices of abundance. Tiger density in the core study area was
estimated 4.8 tigers per 100 kilometres square. By combining the estimates of this absolute
density with indices of abundance, the average tiger density for the Sundarban was estimated
3.7 tigers per 100 kilometre squares. Bangladesh Sundarban (5,770 square kilometres),
therefore, harbours at least 200 tigers. In a recent assessment taken by BFD through camera
traps came out that tiger population in the Sundarban is 83-130 (BFD, 2015).
References
33 | P a g e
B3. Asian Elephant
Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), listed as ‘Endangered’ globally, is categorized as a
critically endangered species for Bangladesh (IUCN Bangladesh, 2000). In Bangladesh,
elephants were once distributed in the moist deciduous forest of Mymensingh Forest Division,
semi-evergreen forests of Sylhet, and evergreen forests of Chittagong and the CHT. Currently,
elephant populations are highly fragmented inhabiting within small isolated pockets of south-
eastern part of Bangladesh. More specifically under the Forest Divisions of Chittagong
South, Cox’s Bazar
North and South,
Rangamati North and
South, Rangamati
pulpwood, Lama,
Bandarban central,
Bandarban
pulpwood, Sylhet and
Mymensingh (IUCN
Bangladesh, 2004).
However, the
elephants of
Mymensingh Forest
Division are
transboundary
migrating herds
moving seasonally
from Meghalaya and
Assam states of India
in search of food Elephant roaming in Himchari National Park in Cox’s Bazar by Sultan Ahmed/IUCN
(Motaleb et al., 2011). Bangladesh
B4. Primates
Bangladesh is the home of 10 species of primates of which eight species are threatened in
different categories and remaining two are data deficient (IUCN Bangladesh, 2000). Some of
the research on primate distribution, population structure, home ranges, human primate
interaction, and human-primate disease transmission have been conducted in the last five
years (Hasan et al., 2011, 2013, 2014; Feeroz et al., 2012, Feeroz, 2013, personal
34 | P a g e
communication). Recent studies focused on morphological studies of Rhesus macaques of
Bangladesh and found a different lineage from its other geographical population (Feeroz,
2010, personal communication).
An Update on Biodiversity
Progress of Implementation &
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Phayre’s Langur, Source: Feeroz et al., 2011
Progress Towards
1970s (Haque, 1976). Several post-graduate level researches on this species were conducted
at the University of Dhaka and Jahangirnagar University. Under the Sustainable Environment
Management Programme of the MoEF (1998-2005), IUCN and BCAS worked on dolphin of
Chandar beel area.
Concluding Remarks
In a suvey conducted at eight sites over 79 km in the Padma, Jamuna and Hurashagar-Baral
rivers of Pabna district during February to August 2011, a total of 174 dolphins were reported
from the land in 72 hours (Rashid et al., 2015). They also reported an average sightseeing
rate of 2.68 dolphins per hour from the land. Since 2014, IUCN has been monitoring the post-
project impact on the biodiversity, including dolphins, of these habitats. In December 2013,
References
BFD has declared three dolphin sanctuaries in the River Jamuna in the district of Pabna for
conservation purposes. Earlier, in 2012, the Government of Bangladesh declared Dhangmari,
Chandpai and Dudhmukhi areas of eastern Sundarbans as dolphin sanctuaries.
35 | P a g e
Wildlife Conservation Society, in 2009, reported nine species of cetaceans from Bangladesh,
of them seven are dolphins (Pan Tropical Spotted Dolphin, Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella
brevirostris), Indo-pacific Bottlenose Dolphin, Indo-pacific Humpback Dolphin, Spinner
Dolphin, Rough-toothed Dolphin and False Killer Whale), one is porpoise (Finless Porpoise),
and one species of whales (Bryde’s Whale). In terms of population size, Bangladesh has the
largest population of Irrawaddy dolphins (Smith et al., 2006) - a globally vulnerable cetacean.
The Government has established the country’s first marine protected area ‘the Swatch of No
Ground Marine Protected Area’ on 27 October 2014 that may safeguard whales, dolphins, sea
turtles, sharks, and other oceanic species. As a result, it is expected that in future there will
be a better understanding of the trend of biodiversity of cetaceans where population
distribution and territorial spread could be better identified.
36 | P a g e
B6. Masked Finfoot
An Update on Biodiversity
In Bangladesh, Masked Finfoot (Heliopais personatus) was recorded only from the
Sundarbans. It appears to have declined dramatically and is now known from few sites,
occurring at low densities everywhere.
Globally, the population may now
number as low as 1,000 individuals. It is
a nationally (IUCN Bangladesh, 2000)
and globally Endangered species. In
Bangladesh, the systematic research
was initiated in early 2000s (Khan, 2005).
Neumann-Denzau et al. (2008) later
studied the breeding behaviour of the
species. In 2011-12, a project entitled
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Conservation of the Endangered Masked
Finfoot in Bangladesh’ was supported by
The Rufford Small Grants Foundation.
Masked Finfoot by Sayam U Chowdhury
Progress Towards
East and South Asia, including
Bangladesh. A rapid deterioration in
the conservation status of the Spoon-
billed Sandpiper was first detected in
2000 when breeding-season surveys
of sites monitored during the 1970s
indicated that a marked decline in the
population had taken place (Bird et al.,
2010). No further statistics on trends
were published. However, there are
Concluding Remarks
projects operational since 2014 from
which positive trend results are
expected in near future. The Spoon-billed Sandpiper by Sayam U Chowdhury
Government of Bangladesh is
protecting the population at its wintering ground in the coastal wetlands and monitoring their
migration pattern through using modern radio telemetry devices.
(BRRI), Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI), Bangladesh Tea Research Institute
(BTRI), Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear
Agriculture (BINA) and public universities have been conducting studies on respective aspects
of genetic diversity of flora and fauna of Bangladesh. Some noteworthy work to give a
snapshot of the status and trends of genetic biodiversity is described below.
37 | P a g e
1.2.3.1 Crop Diversity
Agricultural crops show large diversity within species. This diversity present in a species
indicates the potentials of crop improvement. The agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of
Bangladesh possess diverse germplasm of cultivated plants, their wild relatives and
naturally occurring species. Plant Genetic Resources Centre (PGRC) of the BARI acts
as a national repository for the BARI-mandate crops, namely cereals (except rice),
pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, spices, tuber crops, flower and ornamentals,
medicinal and aromatic plants.
Historically Bangladesh is a unique habitat Table 19 Rice Genetic Resources in the BRRI
of rice and considered as center of origin Gene Bank
of indica rice probably due to its Variety/Line Registered in
geographical position, diverse land type, accession
topography, rainfall, solar radiation, day- Indigenous indica
length and temperature variation leading Local landraces 5202
Pure line selection 1030
to seasonal disparity that contributed to Exotic indica landraces (IRRI, 790
huge variation in rice biodiversity. China, USA, Turkey etc)
Worldwide, 27 rice species have been
Exotic/breeding lines 968
recognized of which 5 are domesticated in Wild Rice of Bangladesh 42
Bangladesh with dominant of Oryza sativa. (Oryza rufipogon, O.
Various types of land races has been officinalis, O. nivara and Oryza
adopted across the country those are sativa f. spontanea)
Wild rice from IRRI 12
unique for inheriting one or more special Total 8044
characters such as pest resistance, Source: BRRI, 2015
nutrient efficient, tolerance to drought,
stagnant, salinity, heat and cold, high yielding, photoperiod sensitivity, floating ability and so
on (Table 19).
38 | P a g e
low GI rice (BR16, BR25 and BRRI dhan46), GABA rice (BRRI dhan31), anti-oxidant rich rice
(BR5).
An Update on Biodiversity
Progress of Implementation &
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Aichi Biodiversity Targets
Rice diversity in Bangladesh, Source: BRRI, 2015
Progress Towards
The PGRC currently maintains 10,085 accessions of 137 different agri-horticultural crops
in the gene bank and in the field gene bank. Among them, 1,727 accessions are cereals,
3,460 pulses, 455 oilseeds, 3,902 vegetables, 199 spices, 170 fruits, 92 roots a nd tuber
crops, and 60 fibre, narcotic and other crops. The centre also maintains 20 medicinal
and aromatic plants at the field gene bank.
In addition, 9,975 accessions of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, tuber crops, vegetables, fruit
plants, spices are maintained at five crop research centres, namely the Pulses Research
Centre (PRC), the Oilseed Research Centre (ORC), the Horticulture Research Ce ntre
(HRC), the Tuber Crops Research Centre (TCRC) and the Spices Research Centre
(SRC) of the BARI. A good number of cereal crops germplasm are maintained at the
Concluding Remarks
Wheat Research Centre (WRC) and the Plant Breeding Division of the BARI. The
accessions contain landraces (traditional varieties), primitive cultivars, breeding lines,
and wild and weedy relatives. The BARI so far released 446 high-yielding varieties: 67
varieties are cereals, 32 pulses, 43 oilseeds, 90 vegetables, 73 fruits, 25 spices, 93 tuber
crops, 16 flowers, 6 fibres and 1 narcotic. A good number of wheat, maize, potato,
pulses, oil seeds, and vegetable varieties have been developed from exotic germplasm,
which enriched the agro-biodiversity.
The agro-biodiversity of 281 crops are maintained as ex situ or in situ conservation in
seven crop research centres, six regional agricultural research stations and 30 sub -
stations of BARI located all over Bangladesh. In general, the diversity of landraces for
almost all crops is decreasing with the increase of modern varieties. Data reveal that
there is decreasing trend of diversity in most landraces. Based on collections of different
References
crop accessions, the status and trends of diversity of BARI mandate cro ps are shown in
(Annex Table 13).
39 | P a g e
Hyacinth bean diversity in Bangladesh, Source: PGRC, BARI, 2015
There are 46 under-utilized native and naturalized fruit tree species which may be used for
food, fibre, animal fodder, oil, medicine and many other potential purposes have been
documented at the Bangladesh Agricultural University (Rahim et al., 2011).
Jute is a tropical bast fibre crop, next to cotton in use, with high socio-economic importance in
Bangladesh. It is now in great threat of genetic erosion and replacement by modern
agricultural system. Therefore, emphasis has been given since 1970 with an approach to
collect and conserve the genetic resources of jute (Corchorus species), kenaf (Hibiscus
cannabinus) and mesta (H. sabdariffa) germplasm including their wild relatives for utilization
in genetic improvement programme. Thus, the activities of collection, conservation,
characterization, evaluation and documentation have been started since the establishment of
the gene bank at BJRI in 1982. Initially, it started with an old stock of 1,662 accessions of land
races, obsolete cultivars, genetic stocks and mutants which are being maintained in the gene
bank.
40 | P a g e
However, a wide gap has been observed between the conserved germplasm of jute and allied
fibres and the existing global diversity. There is an urgent need of collection of these invaluable
resources occurring in wild conditions which are facing continuous threat of extinction.
An Update on Biodiversity
Table 21 Jute and Allied Fibre Germplasm Stored in the Gene Bank
Initial stock (1982) Present stock (2014)
Species name Number of Number of Number of Number of
species accession species accession
Deshi Jute 01 1025 01 2400
(C.capsularis)
Tossa Jute 01 460 01 1498
(C.olitorius)
Wild Corchorus 04 - 13 282
Total Corchorus 06 1485 15 4180
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Mesta (H. sabdariffa) 01 79 01 476
Wild Hibiscus - - 20 310
Total Hibiscus 02 177 22 1461
Allied genera - - 15 252
Interspecific hybrid - - - 119
derivatives
Grand Total 08 1662 52 6012
Source: BJRI, 2014
The BJRI along with the earlier scientists engaged in jute agricultural research since 1904
Progress Towards
C. capsularis (White), six of C. olitorius (Tossa), three of H. cannabinus and two of H.
sabdariffa are now under commercial cultivation. Most of the varieties were developed through
pure line selection and some of them were developed through hybridization followed by
pedigree selection. Three varieties of C. capsularis, namely Atom Pat-38, BINA Deshi Pat-2
and BINA Pat Shak-1 were developed through mutation breeding by the BINA.
Bangladesh has a long history of cultivating sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum). Both local
and exotic varieties are cultivated in the country. As per the Bangladesh Sugarcane Research
Institute (BSRI), a total of 1,132 varieties are reported in Bangladesh indicating rich diversity
of the species in the country (Table 22).
Concluding Remarks
Table 22 Status and Trends of Genetic Diversity of Sugarcane
Species Number Trend Present status
Saccharum Field Gene Bank
officinarum
Exotic 321 Gradually Deteriorating Field Gene Bank
Indigenous 177 Gradually Deteriorating Field Gene Bank
Institute Bred 591 Gradually increasing Field Gene Bank
S. spontaneum (Wild) 43 Slowly increasing Field Gene Bank
Total 1132
References
41 | P a g e
Tea (Camellia sinensis) is a popular drink in Bangladesh. A brief description on the genetic
diversity of this crop is given in Case Box 8.
Studies on genetic diversity in wild fauna are limited in Bangladesh. One of the early studies
was on Hilsa Shad (Tenuolosa ilisha) identifying two gene pools such as marine population
and inland and estuarine population (Rahman and Nævdal, 2000). Hasan et al., (2012) studied
genetic diversity in frog (Anura) in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, 35 frog species are currently
recognized (Kabir et al., 2009; Howlader, 2011; in Hasan et al., 2012). An analysis of
mitochondrial 16S rRNA collected from 107 frog samples revealed the presence of at least
eight undescribed frog taxa in Bangladesh. This number is very high for a plain country like
Bangladesh. The results also suggest that the number of frog species has so far been
underestimated. Study on Rhesus macaques of Bangladesh (Feeroz et al., 2008, personal
communication) observed unique polymorphisms. In other study, it was evident that the
movement of monkeys and associated simian foamy virus involved with human-aided
movement throughout the country (Feeroz, 2013, personal communication). In a detail study
on mitochondrial DNA of R. macaques in its geographic range including Bangladesh found
that Rhesus macaques of the country are different from Indian and Chinese counterparts, and
they dispersed to India from southeastern part of Bangladesh (Hasan, 2014, personal
communication). It was also evident from the genetic study that monkey performers collect
their monkey from 13 monkey habitats of the country (Hasan, 2015, personal communication).
Findings of those studies could contribute to the management of this species.
The River Halda originates from the Haldachhara of Patachhara Hill Ranges (GPS: 22°55’39.98”
north & 91°46’16.92” east, Patachhara union) in Ramgarh upazila under Khagrachhari district, flows
through Manikchhari, Fatikchhari, Bhujpur, Hathazari, Raozan upazilas and Chandgaon thana of the
Chittagong Metropolitan City, and falls into the River Karnaphuli near the Kalurghat Bridge. A total of
19 main canals and 17 hilly streams (chhara) flowing down into the River Halda from the CHT. Its
total length is about 98 kilometres, of which 29 km up to Nazirhat are navigable by big boats
throughout the year; small country boats can ply further up for 16 to 24 kilometres to Narayanhat.
Currently, the River Halda has been adversely affected by different anthropogenic and natural factors
like construction of rubber dam and sluice gates on feeder canals, illegal dredging, encroachment
42 | P a g e
and brood fish kiling, water pollution, river bank erosion, loop cutting, and saline water intrusion. The
Government has acknowledged the value of ecosystem services; habitat protection and
rehabilitation; nutrient cycling; and the interactions of aquatic organisms – in maintaining the
An Update on Biodiversity
productivity of Halda fisheries. The Government thus recognizes the need to conserve and
rehabilitate habitats cost-effectively through an ecosystem approach and is trying to reverse these
longstanding negative impacts through rehabilitation of riverine habitats.
Fish
Domestication of wild fishes in most cases benefits both the farmer and the environment. In
Bangladesh, to date, about 20 fish species have been domesticated and their breeding and
rearing protocols have been developed. Around 50% of the domesticated fishes are
cypriniforms and now under nation-wide aquaculture (Table 23). Though there is high
Progress Towards
Raek Cirrhinus reba Small scale, sporadic
Mohashol Tor putitora Breeding protocol developed
Sarpunti Puntius sarana Breeding protocol developed
Gutum Lepidocephalichthys guntea Breeding protocol developed
Bou Botia dario Breeding protocol developed
Osteoglossiformes (Featherbacks)
Chitol Chitala chitala Small scale, sporadic
Foli Notopterus notopterus Small scale, sporadic
Siluriformes (Catfishes)
Boali pabda Ompok bimaculatus Small scale, sporadic
Modhu pabda Ompok pabda Small scale, sporadic
Concluding Remarks
Gulsha Mystus vittatus Small scale, sporadic
Nuna tengra Mystus gulio Breeding protocol developed
Guzi air Sperata seenghala
Synbranchiformes (Freshwater eels)
Baim Mastacembelus armatus Breeding protocol developed
Tara baim Macrognathus aculeatus Small scale, sporadic
Cuchia Monopterus cuchia Breeding protocol developed
Perciformes (Perches)
Koi Anabas testudineus Breeding protocol developed
Boro kholisa Colisa fasciata Breeding protocol developed
Source: Hossain et al., 2014
Livestock
References
Bangladesh is rich in farm animal genetic resources (FAnGR). The common FAnGR are cattle,
buffalo, goat, sheep, horse, chicken, duck, geese, pigeon and pigs. Some wild relatives of
FAnGR, like wild pig, Red Jungle Fowl, wild quail and Goyal (Bos frontalis) live in specific
forest areas. Most of these species are indigenous, except some exotic breeds of cattle,
buffalo, goat, sheep and chicken and their crossbred progenies. Livestock population of
43 | P a g e
Bangladesh consists of 24.688 million of large ruminants, 28.332 million of small ruminants,
293.235 millions of chicken and duck (MoF, 2013). The following Tables (24 to 28)
described the present status of species, types, breeds and varieties of animal genetic
resources at present.
44 | P a g e
Table 25 Exotic Species, Type and Breed of Farm Animal Genetic Resources
Breed name / local Type/breed/
An Update on Biodiversity
Species Distribution Utility
name variety
Holstein Friesian Breed Government Farm For crossbreeding
Jersey Breed Government Farm & For crossbreeding
Cattle
BMPCUL
Sahiwal Breed Government Farm For crossbreeding
Nili-Ravi Breed Government Farm For crossbreeding
Buffalo Migrated Indian River type Central part Dairy
buffaloes
Jamnapari Breed Western part For crossbreeding
Goat Beetal Breed Western part For crossbreeding
Sirohi Breed Western part For crossbreeding
Progress Towards
black and western part
Source: FAnGRBD, BLRI, 2015
Concluding Remarks
Buffalo Nili-Ravi cross In the coastal area in the south Dairy
Jamnapari cross In the western part Meat production
Goat Beetal cross In the western part Meat production
Sirohi cross In the western part Meat production
Sheep Muzaffarabadi cross In the western part Meat production
Fayoumi X RIR In the western part Meat production
Chicken
Commercial layer hybrids All over the country Egg production
Commercial broiler hybrids All over the country Meat production
Source: FAnGRBD, BLRI, 2015
References
45 | P a g e
Table 27 Wild Relatives of Farm Animal Genetic Resources in Bangladesh
Population
Species Local name Distribution Utility
status
Bos frontalis Goyal In the forest of Meat production, Endangered
Bandarban district in the Cultural and social
south east ceremony
Sus scrofa Wild pig In the forests in the south Meat production -
scrofa east and north east
Gallus domesticus Red Jungle In the forests in the south Meat production Normal
murgi fowl east and north east and
in Sundarban
Coturnix Wild quail In the forests in the south - -
coromandelica east and north east
Source: FAnGRBD, BLRI, 2015
BLRI has taken an initiative for conservation, multiplications and distribution of high yielding
fodder germplasm to the farmers. There are several potential fodder germplasm which have
been widely accepted by the farmers not only to feed their animals, but also to cultivate those
species as agri-business. The highly potential fodder species are available in the BLRI. A list
of fodder germplasm available with the BLRI is given in Table 29.
46 | P a g e
1.3 Status of Conservation of Ecosystems
Bangladesh government has been declaring and conserving various areas of biodiversity
An Update on Biodiversity
importance as PAs, ECAs, Botanical Gardens, Safari Parks and Eco-Parks, Fish
Sanctuaries. Status of such areas is described below:
Bangladesh currently has 40 PAs. Among the PAs, 6 were established before Bangladesh
became party to the CBD, whereas the remaining was established after the signing of the
Convention (Table 30). A total of 21 PAs (7 National Parks, 12 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 1 Marine
PA and 1 Special Biodiversity Conservation Area) have been declared by the government to
conserve wildlife and their habitats since 2010, after the submission of the Fourth National
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
forest PAs now cover about 10.55% of total forest area which is 1.8% of the total area of the
country. The forest PAs managed by Bangladesh Forest Department are shown in figure 7
(two Marine Protected Areas are not shown on the map).
The two Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), one in ‘Swatch of No-ground’ of Bay of Bengal,
declared under Bangladesh Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012 and another in
‘Middle Ground and South Patches’ of Bay of Bengal, declared under the Marine Fisheries
Ordinance 1983 together comprise 243,600 hectares (2436 sq. km) constituting 2.05% of the
Progress Towards
Table 30 Protected Areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Special Biodiversity
Conservation Area and Marine Protected Area) of Bangladesh
Sl. Area
National of Protected Areas Location Established
No. (hectare)
A) National Parks
1 Bhawal National Park Gazipur 5022.00 11-5-1982
2 Madhupur National Park Tangail/
8436.00 24-2-1982
Mymensingh
3 Ramsagar National Park Dinajpur 27.75 30-4-2001
Concluding Remarks
4 Himchari National Park Cox's Bazar 1729.00 15-2-1980
5 Lawachara National Park Moulavibazar 1250.00 7-7-1996
6 Kaptai National Park Chittagong Hill
5464.00 9-9-1999
Tracts
7 Nijhum Dweep National Park Noakhali 16352.23 8-4-2001
8 Medhakachhapia National Park Cox's Bazar 395.92 8-8-2008
9 Satchari National Park Habigonj 242.91 15-10-2005
10 Khadimnagar National Park Sylhet 678.80 13-04-2006
11 Baroiyadhala National Park Chittagong 2933.61 06-04-2010
12 Kuakata National Park Patuakhali 1613.00 24-10-2010
13 Nababgonj National Park Dinajpur 517.61 24-10-2010
References
47 | P a g e
Sl. Area
National of Protected Areas Location Established
No. (hectare)
B) Wildlife Sanctuaries
18 Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary Hobigonj 1795.54 7-7-1996
19 Char Kukri-Mukri Wildlife
Bhola 40.00 19-12-1981
Sanctuary
20 Sundarban (East) Wildlife
Bagerhat 31226.94 6-4-1996
Sanctuary
21 Sundarban (West) Wildlife
Satkhira 71502.10 6-4-1996
Sanctuary
22 Sundarban (South) Wildlife
Khulna 36970.45 6-4-1996
Sanctuary
23 Pablakhali Wildlife Sanctuary Chittagong Hill
42087.00 20-9-1983
Tracts
24 Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary Chittagong 7763.97 18-3-1986
25 Fashiakhali Wildlife Sanctuary Cox's Bazar 1302.43 11-4-2007
26 Dudpukuria-Dhopachari Wildlife
Chittagong 4716.57 6-4-2010
Sanctuary
27 Hajarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary Chittagong 1177.53 6-4-2010
28 Sangu Wildlife Sanctuary Bandarban 2331.98 6-4-2010
29 Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary Cox's Bazar 11615.00 24-03-2010
30 Tengragiri Wildlife Sanctuary Barguna 4048.58 24-10-2010
31 Dudhmukhi Wildlife Sanctuary Bagerhat 170.00 29-01-2012
32 Chadpai Wildlife Sanctuary Bagerhat 560.00 29-01-2012
33 Dhangmari Wildlife Sanctuary Bagerhat 340.00 29-01-2012
34 Sonarchar Wildlife Sanctuary Patuakhali 2026.48 24-12-2011
35 Nazirganj Wildlife (Dolphin)
Pabna 146.00 01-12-2013
Sanctuary
36 Shilanda-Nagdemra Wildlife
Pabna 24.17 01-12-2013
(Dolphin) Sanctuary
37 Nagarbari-Mohanganj Dolphin
Pabna 408.11 01-12-2013
Sanctuary
C) Marine Protected Area
38 Swatch of No-Ground Bay of Bengal 173,800 27-10-2014
39 Marine Reserve* Bay of Bengal 69,800 2000
D) Special Biodiversity Conservation Area
40 Ratargul Swamp Forest Sylhet 204.25 31-05-2015
Source:; * Marine Fisheries Ordinance No. 35 of 1983, DoF, 2000, Bangladesh Forest Department
(http://www.bforest.gov.bd/index.php/protected-areas; accessed on 29 December 2014);
*http://www.thedailystar.net/swatch-of-no-ground-declared-protected-zone-48550
48 | P a g e
Figure 7 Protected Areas of Bangladesh (two MPAs are not shown) (Source: CREL - BCAS, 2015)
49 | P a g e
References Concluding Remarks Progress Towards Progress of Implementation & An Update on Biodiversity
Aichi Biodiversity Targets Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs)
Bangladesh has declared 13 wetlands areas of biodiversity importance as ECAs under the
section 5 of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995. Table 31 describes the
ECAs and Figure 8 shows the location of ECAs in the country. The total area of ECAs
managed by Department of Environment is 384,529 hectares or about 2.60% of the total
country.
50 | P a g e
Figure 8 Ecologically Critical Areas of Bangladesh (Source: CREL - BCAS, 2015).
51 | P a g e
References Concluding Remarks Progress Towards Progress of Implementation & An Update on Biodiversity
Aichi Biodiversity Targets Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Botanical Gardens, Safari Parks and Eco-parks
The Bangladesh Forest Department administers a couple of botanical gardens, safari parks
and several eco-parks in different parts of the country (Table 32). Although these sites are
mostly used for recreational purposes, they also harbour a diverse community of flora and
fauna. A numbers of captive breeding programme is being implemented in the Safari Parks,
including threatened species like Crocodiles, Gharials, Batagur turtles, Vultures, Hog deer,
Sambar, Goat antelope and Clouded leopard. The total area of Botanical gardens and eco-
parks is 9,434.18 hectare which is 0.06% of the total country.
Fish Sanctuaries
There are five sites in the coastal areas of the country those are declared as hilsa fish
sanctuaries under the Protection and Conservation of Fish Act 1950. The total hilsa
sanctuary area is about 350 km long, covering 22 upazilas of five districts, namely, 100
kilometres of the lower Meghna estuary; 90 kilometres area of the Shahajpur River; nearly 100
kilometres of the Tetulia River; whole 40 kilometres of the Andharmanik River; and 20
kilometres stretch of the lower Padma. These sanctuaries are described in Table 33
52 | P a g e
Table 33 Hilsha (Fish) Sanctuaries in Bangladesh
Sl. Hilsa sanctuary area Ban period
An Update on Biodiversity
No.
01 Shatnal (Chandpur district) to Char Alexander (Laxmipur district) (100 km of lower
Meghna estuary)
02 Madanpur/Char Ilisha to Char Pial (Bhola district) March to April
(90 km area of Shahbajpur river, a tributary of the Meghna river)
03 Bheduria (Bhola district) to Char Rustam (Patuakhali district)
(about 100 km area of Tetulia river)
04 Andharmanik river (Kalapara Upazila, Patuakhali district) November to
(Entire 40 km stretch of the river) January
05 Lower Padma (Naria-Bhedarganj, Shariatpur) March to April
(Entire 20 km stretch of the river)
Other than the PAs and ECAs and Hilsha Sanctuaries, there are a number of Community
Conserved Areas (CCAs) in Bangladesh those are managed locally by the ethnic community,
Progress Towards
CASE BOX 10- Nijhum Dweep National Park
Nijhum Dweep is located within Hatiya upazila in Noakhali district, at the confluence of the Meghna
estuary on the Bay of Bengal. In 2001, Nijhum Dweep was declared as a National Park by the
Government of Bangladesh.; especially for the migratory birds in Bangladesh.Nijhum Dweep National
Park is the only habitat of the world’s largest population of Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) along
with 76 migratory bird species of the country (Feeroz and Uddin, 2015, personal communication).
Nijhum Dweep is also located under Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA 11) named as Ganges-
Brahmaputra and Meghna delta. List of IBAs are shown in Annex (Table 5).
Concluding Remarks
A total of 152 plant species representing 55 families have been recorded from Nijhum Dweep Island.
Among the species, 66 are tree species, 15 are shrubs, 58 are herbs and 13 are climber species.
The Island has been divided into several zones based on common vegetation types. Since 1971,
trees such as Keora, Baen and Gewa have been planted in this island In a recent study, six species
of amphibians and 22 species of reptiles (turtle: 5 species (3 sea turtle), lizard: 7 species, snake: 10
species) were recorded. A total of 193 species of birds (76 migratory species) and 17 species of
mammals were also recorded. Apart from these species, a total of 61 species of invertebrates and
14 fish samples were collected from this island. The current estimation of the spotted deer population
in Nijhum Dweep was less than 2,000 (Feeroz and Uddin, 2015, personal communication)., Nijhum
Dweep, on the central coast of the Bay of Bengal, is the cross-road of two global migratory birds’
flyways: the East-Asia-Australasia and the Central Asia. More than half a dozen of globally threatened
migratory bird’s winter in Nijhum Dweep, including Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Asian Dowitcher,
Nordman’s Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Goliath Heron, Grey Lag Geese and Bar-headed
References
Geese.
53 | P a g e
CASE BOX 11 - Floral Diversity of the Selected Protected Areas of
Bangladesh
Floral study in Bangladesh is often sporadic and in most cases is purpose oriented. However, initiatives have
been taken recently by the BFD, development agencies and academics for the indepth assessment and
monitoring of both flora in selected protected areas. As shown in Table 34, among the PAs, the Chunati Wildlife
Santuary is found to show the highest floral diversity.
Other than the floral diversity in the protected areas (Case Box 17), there have been
inventory of faunal (wildlife) diversity in seven PAs (Table 35).
54 | P a g e
1.4 Threats to Biodiversity
An Update on Biodiversity
Biodiversity, in its all aspects, is under continuous threat of degradation. Direct threats to
biodiversity include landuse change, habitat destruction, introduction of invasive alien species,
and human-wildlife conflicts. On the other hand, indirect threats include economic system and
policy of the state, unsustainable exploitation of resources and weak management system
such as gaps in spatial information or lack of public awareness. In the following sections, the
major threats to biodiversity in Bangladesh are listed based on Bangladesh's Fourth National
Report to the CBD (MoEF, 2010). It first gives a brief update on the direct and indirect threats
to overall biodiversity followed by direct and indirect threats to a few major ecosystems and
species.
1.4.1 Main Threats to Biodiversity
Progress Towards
protected areas of Bangladesh.
Concluding Remarks
Change in Hydrological Regime
Reduction in upstream flow of the rivers is one of the major concerns for the country. Changes
in land use and construction of various flood management infrastructures have also changed
the hydrological cycle. These changes in hydrological regime in the river floodplain are the
threats not only to the fisheries resources but also to other aquatic lives through changing
migration routes and breeding grounds.
encroachment, fuelwood collection, landuse change, hill burning, and non-timber forest products
collection were the most pressing issues concerning the PAs. It was also found that almost half of
these PAs have very limited management capacity to tackle the pressure on the ground. The
management effectiveness of all 19 PAs was not found satisfactory – most lacks limited budget,
capacity, and infrastructure to carry out effective management.
55 | P a g e
Degr ee
Degree
50
100
150
200
250
00
50
100
150
200
250
56 | P a g e
Hunting
Hunting
Logging
Logging
AAccess Road
c c es s R oad Use
Us e Right
Right
Sand Collection
Sand Collection
Soil
Soil Erosion
Erosion
Water Security
Water Security
Fuel wood
Fuelwood
Encroachment
Encroachment
Roads
Threat
Roads
Threat
Refuges
Refuges
Landuse change
Landuse change
Degree of Pressures & Threats on Protected Areas
Grazing
Degree of Pressures & Threats on Protected Areas
Grazing
Natural Disester
Natural Disaster
Tourism
Tourism
Invasive Alien Species
Invasive Alien Species
Admin
Figure 9 Map Showing the Routes, Corridors and Human-Elephant Conflict Areas in Chittagong
Admin
Firing / hill burning
Firing / hill burning
Pollution
Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are polluted by discharges of untreated industrial effluents,
An Update on Biodiversity
domestric organic and inorganic wastes and agro-chemicals, i.e pesticides, insecticides,
herbicides and organic fertilizers. Mechanized fishing boats, trawlers, goods and human
carriers and ship breaking industries also release oil and other wastes into the rivers causing
pollution. Air pollution due to unsuitable traffic and industrial machineries is a threat to plants
and animals including insects responsible for pollination. Indiscriminate dumping of all forms
of waste, both solid and liquid, is also a threat to aquatic and terrestrial habitats and organisms.
Over-exploitation
Over-exploitation of natural resources, like fishes, freshwater mollusks, corals, turtles, frogs,
snakes, birds, and swans is also a threat to biodiversity.
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Unplanned tourism is becoming a major threat to the biodiversity at hot spots. The biodiversity
of St. Martin’s Island, Lawachara National Park, Madhabkundu Ecopark and Sunderbans, for
examples, have been facing continuous threat from unmanaged or poorly managed tourism
industry.
Progress Towards
major threats to the biodiversity of many indigenous fishes in this country.
Table 36 Exotic Fish Species and the Countries they are Imported from
Year of
Common name Scientific Name Source
introduction
Siamese gourami Trichogaster pectoralis Singapore 1952
Goldfish Carassius auratus Pakistan 1953
Tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus Thailand 1954
Guppy Poecilia reticulata Thailand 1957
Common carp Cyprinus carpio India, Nepal 1960
Mirror carp Cyprinus carpio var specularis India, Nepal 1979
Scale carp Cyprinus carpio var communis India, Nepal 1965
Concluding Remarks
Leather carp Cyprinus carpio var nudus India, Nepal -
Grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella Hong Kong, 1966
Silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Hong Kong 1969
Nilotica Oreochromis niloticus Thailand 1974
Thai sarpunti Barbonymus gonionotus Thailand 1977
Bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis Nepal 1981
Black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus China 1983
African magur Clarias gariepinus Thailand 1990
GIFT (genetically improved Oreochromis niloticus Philippines 1994
farmed tilapia)
Genetically improved scale Cyprinus carpio var communis Vietnam 1995
carp
Thai pangas Pangasius hypophthalmus Thailand 1990
Giant pangas Pangasius gigus Thailand -
Mosquito fish Gambusia affinis India -
Sucker mouth catfish Hypostomus plecostomus Hong Kong, -
References
Singapore
Red piranha Pygocentrus nattereri do 2003
Pirapatinga Piaractus brachypomus do 2003
Source: Modified from Rahman (2005)
57 | P a g e
Several introduced species are highly carnivorous and predatory and eat other species
including the small indigenous fish. Several exotic species also compete with the small
indigenous species and gradually occupy their niches. The ecological, economic and
biodiversity consequences of the introduction of exotic fish species have not been taken into
consideration. Some of the negative impacts of exotic species on indigenous fishes are given
in Table 37.
Climate Change
Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to global climate change. The
consequences of the predicted climate change are likely to affect the coastal ecosystems
including the Sundarbans as well as the agricultural lands adjacent to the coastal belts through
increased sea level. Effects of global climate change are briefly described in Case Box 13.
58 | P a g e
CASE BOX 13 –Impacts of Climate Change on Bangladesh’s Biodiversity
An Update on Biodiversity
Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate changes, variability and extreme
climatic events. Survival, breeding and life cycle of many wildlife, fishes and invertebrates depends
upon temperatures. On the other hand, flowering, pollination, seed formation, seed germination and
plant growth depends on temperature. Changes in temperature and shifting or loss of seasons have,
therefore, direct impact on the country’s biodiversity. Rainfall pattern is expected to change the
water regime of the country under climate change regime. This will directly affect any life forms,
virtually all, that directly or indirectly depend upon the timing, frequency and amount of rainfall. Being
a sub-tropical country, temperature and rainfall plays a major role in making this country biologically
diverse. Changes in climate will directly change the terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity alike over a
shorter period of time, coupled with current anthropogenic interventions. It has been reported that
climate change has already caused shifts in the distribution of some species, for example
amphibians, grasses, migratory birds and butterflies.
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
good portion of the country. Effects of such inundation on coastal vegetations and wildlife have been
much talked about, but without organized investigation. Higher water temperatures, loss of brackish
waters and reduced flows from upstream could harm coastal fisheries.
Extreme weather events, like floods, cyclones and tidal surges, to which Bangladesh is already very
vulnerable, are expected to increase in frequency and intensity under climate change regime.
Cyclone Sidr has shown its devastation on Sundarbans. Salt-water intrusion after storm-surges
damages coastal ecosystems and biodiversity drastically, which takes many years to revive. Under
changing climate such revival may not be possible.
B. Indirect Threats
Concluding Remarks
adequate trained manpower and logistic supports for the proper management and
conservation of biodiversity in Bangladesh.
Varieties. Out of more than 10,000 local rice varieties once used to be cultivated in
Bangladesh, only 22 are now mostly used. Increased use of agrochemicals is another potential
cause of the loss of genetic diversity. Monoculture of few fast-growing exotics has accelerated
the loss of native forest genetic resources. Akashmoni (Acacia auriculiformis) is getting priority
59 | P a g e
in forests plantations (≈ 75%) that accelerates the loss of native forest plant diversity in an
alarming rate (Hossain, 2014).
The impact of enhanced shrimp farming along Bangladesh coast has induced a very high
demand on natural shrimp fries that exhibit better performance over the hatchery fries. This in
turn generated the tremendous pressure on shrimp fry collection from the Sundarban waters,
which has become a major concern. A rough estimate indicated that these shrimp fry collectors
alone chop off over one million saplings, mostly good and straight looking ones, annually from
this forest.
Legend
Sundarbans’ Compartment
Rivers and Canals
Threat Level
Very Low
Low
Medium
High
Very High
Navigational Threat
Canals Poison Fishing
0 20 40
km
Bangladesh
Bay of Bengal
60 | P a g e
Based on the ecological similarities and dissimilarities, the whole Sundarban has been divided
into 55 compartments (Figure 10). Number of discussions with communities and government
officials at various locations around Sundarban and large number of focused group
An Update on Biodiversity
discussions that were held by IUCN Bangladesh on the periphery or buffer zone of the
Sundarban surfaced a long list of compartment-wise threats to the Sundarban. Some of the
threats are given below.
Destruction of Habitats
There is a noticed trend that population pressure in the form of encroachment and greater
dependency on the ecosystem goods and services has been occurring along the buffer zone.
Along with demographic increase, further surplus labour from agriculture due to shrimp
cultivation started becoming dependent on forest resources.
Over-exploitation of Resources
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
especially number of stems per unit area. In general, the understanding with the common
people is that the number of stems per unit area has declined by about 10% to 15% than what
it was 15 to 20 years back. Over-exploitation, mostly illegal collection of timber from the
Sundarban by the communities is the main cause of such depletion.
Poison Fishing
In many of the small creeks and canals the fishermen pour in huge amount of poisons,
Concluding Remarks
particularly insecticides, to catch fishes. This is done mostly in areas wherein entries are
prohibited, like the sanctuaries.
threats to the Sundarban. Noise pollution from the mechanized vehicles is also causing
problems for the wildlife in these forests.
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Top-Dying of Sundri
Top-dying of Sundri (Heritiera fomes) trees has become a serious threat to the Sundarban
ecosystem. Though the exact reason of this threat is yet to be pin pointed, siltation coupled
with the reduced flow of freshwater from transboundary upstream rivers is thought to be one
of the main causes of this situation.
Poor Regeneration
In many areas, regeneration in some plants has declined. There are various reasons for this.
Climate change may be one of the causes associated with this threat along with other complex
changes that is affected by human made shocks, like air and water pollutions.
Over-exploitation
A very small areas of swamp forests are now present due to extensive exploitation over the
past decades. Natural regeneration of the forest species is facing problem in the wetlands.
The reed beds are significantly reduced from over-harvesting for fuel and converting land into
agricultural fields.
Soil Erosion
Soil and river bank erosion is a major concern in haor and riverine areas, respectively. Soil
erosion is also causing degradation of soil quality in the agricutural field.
Water Pollution
Excess use of chemicals in agricultural fields is a major reason for water pollution, which in
turn negatively affects the aquatic ecosystems. Fuel oil, released by the mechanized vehicles,
is also responsible for water pollution.
Unplanned construction
Construction of unplanned dams, embankments, sluice gates, bridges, roads etc. is a major
threat to aquatic lives and their natural habitats.
Although information on specific threat to the designated marine reserve is not available,
however, threat like destructive fishing is common using set bag-nets in river mouths and
estuaries and catch fry and juveniles of marine fauna resulting in restriction of growth of
commercially important species (IUCN, 2012).
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C. Hilly Forest Ecosystem
An Update on Biodiversity
Although severely degraded, hill ecosystems still harbour patches of natural forests of the
country. The major threats to the Chittagong Hill Tracts (Khan, 2013) and surrounding forests
are given below.
Horticultural Practices
In the hill ranges, cultivation of tuber crop like ginger and turmeric, is increasing, and causing
destruction of natural forest and top-soil erosion. These practices are inviting chemical
Tobacco Cultivation
Recent introduction and expansion of profit-driven tobacco cultivation have direct and indirect
effects on the remaining natural ecosystem and traditional knowledge systems (Motaleb and
Irfanullah, 2011).
Concluding Remarks
Hill Cutting
Hill cutting causes landslide which in turn compromises the physical integrity of the hills,
devastates housing infrastructures and often kills humans and livestocks.
Construction of Infrastructures
Barrier to the free flow of water by construction of embankments, dams and over-withdrawal
of surface water are responsible for the damage of the natural watersheds and habitats of
aquatic biodiversity.
References
63 | P a g e
CASE BOX 14- Zoonotic Diseases
Bangladesh’s rich biodiversity coupled with the country’s dense human populations provide the ideal
conditions for cross-species disease transmission. After 2010, several pathogens of public health
and animal conservation significance have been reported in human and animal populations
including: H5N1, H9N2, Newcastle virus, Dengue, Nipah virus, Simian Foamy Virus, diverse Picorna
viruses and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB).
Several infectious agents have already been detected in human and animal populations in
Bangladesh, but most of these studies have failed to establish long term, longitudinal sampling and
monitoring of the affected populations. The few notable programmes that have focused on
longitudinal sampling are: (a) An ongoing project to monitor changes in the diversity and prevalence
of Avian Influenza viruses in selected poultry markets; and (b) a study that characterized the genetic
changes of simian viruses in zoonotically infected humans as well as changes of the virus in
naturally infected monkey populations. These illustrate the importance of monitoring viruses over
an extended period of time, as each has identified changes in the viral pathogen landscape.
Over the next five years Bangladesh need to focus on selected infectious agents and devote a
concentrated effort to their detection, characterization and monitoring. Specific suggestions that
came from the earlier mentioned reports are: (1) Avian influenza in local, wholesale and poultry
breeding farms be continuously monitored. Additionally, during seasonal migrations wild birds from
key locations around the country should be screened for Avian Influenza; (2) Bats have been
identified as the reservoir for Nipah virus in Bangladesh and other countries in Asia, however, there
have been no research programmes that have focused on long-term surveillance of the virus. It was
suggested that multiple sites containing established roots both near date palms as well as in areas
without date palms be identified and monitored; (3) New advances in the detection of MTB using
non-invasively collected buccal swabs will allow for the screening of diverse animal populations
including primates, cattle and elephants, all taxa that have been shown to be infected with MTB. It
was suggested to identify key populations of these animals in areas with a high prevalence of MTB
in the human population as well as populations with less contact in order to develop a comparative
study on the transmission of MTB; and overall, (4) In order to detect and monitor disease
transmission it is critical that programmes be established that focus on the human-animal interface
and the pathogens that are moving across this boundary. Such programmes will require a
collaboration between multiple disciplines including zoologists, epidemiologists, physicians,
veterinarians, microbiologists, specialists in GIS, data management and bioinformatics in order to
successfully collect and analyze the data. (M.M. Feeroz, 2015, personal communication)
D. Agro-Ecosystem
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Impact of Fertilizer and Pesticides
Due to excessive use of fertilizer, more than 65% of the total agricultural land is suffering from
An Update on Biodiversity
declining trend of soil fertility while it is also reported that almost 85% net area suitable for
cultivation has a level of organic matter below the minimum requirement. As a side-effect of
the application of pesticides and insecticides, beneficial organisms are killed breaking the
complex interacting system between pests and active soil organisms and causing
deterioration of soil fertility
Concluding Remarks
References
65 | P a g e
1.5 Importance of Biodiversity and its Implications for Human
Well-being
Being a natural resources dependent economy, biodiversity plays very important role to the
life and livelihoods of the people here in Bangladesh. The globally important ecosystems, such
as the forests, freshwater wetlands, and marine fishing area indeed make up a significant
portion of ecosystem services and national economy. Well-functioning ecosystems and
human well-being are directly related, where biodiversity contributes significant value to
services given by any ecosystem. This phenomenon is observable in many spheres of human-
nature interactions. In the following sections, these interactions are briefly discussed in the
context of agriculture, fisheries, livestock, forestry, water resources and tourism sectors of
Bangladesh. Importance of biodiversity and ecosystems in disaster resilience is stated briefly
in Case Box 15.
Wetland ecosystem (e.g. haor) play a significant role in reduction of flash flood. The haors are large
subsided lands that can hold the water from the flash flood. This is a major support function from the
ecosystem. Another major regulatory function is the replenishment of groundwater table through
these large water bodies. As an impact, these wetlands are thought also to work as a natural defense
against droughts.
It has been extensively suggested that the impact of Cyclone Sidr in 2007 would have been much
devastating in terms of lives and asset loss if the Sundarban was not there to cushion the blow. It is
notable that biodiversity remains as one of the major footholds for such complex ecosystems like the
mangroves. This understanding has revitalized the afforestation programme on the coast of
Bangladesh as a means of adaptation to climate change.
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1.5.1 Agriculture
An Update on Biodiversity
Agriculture is the single largest producing sector of the economy and it contributes about
17.22% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 45.6% of labour force engaged in this
sector (BBS, 2012) in Bangladesh. The agricultural sector is heavily dependent on soil fertility.
However, the fertility is based on the diversity of microorganism present in the soil, among
other factors. Biodiversity underpins the agriculture productivity. Agricultural biodiversity
includes all components of biodiversity – at genetic, species and ecosystem levels – that are
relevant to food and agriculture and that support the ecosystems in which agriculture occurs.
Therefore, its maintenance is essential for the production of food and other agricultural goods
and the benefits they provide to humanity, including food security, nutrition and livelihoods.
Indicators for jhum land selection: Traditionally give emphasis on slope, soil texture,
vegetation cover & earthworm burrows.
Fire management in jhum field preparation: Fire starts from the top of the hill.
Three-phase seed sowing techniques in Jhum: First broadcast the small sized seeds
(Ocimum, Capsicum), after one week sown the seeds of rice, cotton, maize, vegetable crops,
Progress Towards
Evil-spirit and insect repellency by planting colourful flower plants in Jhum: Pungent smell of
ginger, onion, mint, and pepper and bright colour of flowers reduce insect attack.
Slope differentiation of hills for crop selection: Farmers differentiate slopes for different crop
cultivation.
Local climate as an indicator for crop selection: Crop selection according to hill altitude.
Seed collection and germplasm management: Use healthy and disease free plants for seed
collection.
Indigenous seed storage method: Different methods used for different seeds.
Agro-biodiversity conservation through community based seed distribution: Community-
based seed sharing system still exists among the Marma peasants for conserving and
maintaining the indigenous rice varieties (more than 10 varieties in the CHT).
Concluding Remarks
An integrated approach that encodes the indigenous knowledge with scientific knowledge may be
a sustainable solution of agriculture for the CHT area.
1.5.2 Fisheries
Many aspects of Bangladeshi culture, economy and tradition are based on fishing and fish
culture activities. This sector, therefore, plays a vital role in the country’s economy through
employment generation, animal protein supply and foreign currency earning and eventually
poverty alleviation. Fisheries, contributed nearly 3.30% to the GDP in 2013-2014 fiscal year
in current prices and 3.69% in constant price (at 2005-2006 base year) in Bangladesh (BBS,
2014). Figure 11 shows contribution of fisheries sector to the GDP of Bangladesh over a period
References
67 | P a g e
5.00
4.00
% Contribution fo GDP
3.00
2.00
1.00
0.00
06-07 07-08 09-10 10-11 11-12 12-13
2000
2000
2000
1600 Culture Open Water
1600 1600 Culture
Culture Open Water
Open Water
1200
'000 MT
12001200
800
'000 MT
'000 MT
800
800
400
400
400 0
0 60-61 65-66 70-71 75-76 80-81 85-86 90-91 95-96 00-01 05-06 10-11 11-12 12-13
60-61 65-66 70-71 75-76 80-81 85-86 90-91 95-96 00-01 05-06 10-11 11-12 12-13
0 Year
Figure 1260-61 65-66 70-71
Fish Production (000 75-76 80-81
MT) During 85-86 90-91
1960-2013 95-96and
from Culture 00-01
Open05-06
Water 10-11
Sources11-12 12-13
(Source:
DoF, 2014a)
Year
Figure 12 Fish Production (000 MT) During 1960-2013 from Culture and Open Water Sources (Source:
DoF, 2014a)
However, the sub-sector contributes 23% of gross agriculture products and 5.71% to the total
export earnings (DoF, 2008). It accounts for about 63% of animal protein intake in the diet of
the people of Bangladesh (DoF, 2005). Table 38 summarises the production of fisheries in
2012-13 under different inland and marine ecosystems. Figure12, on the other hand, highlights
the production trends over the last more than five decades in culture and open water catches
(Box 17). The fisheries sector provides full-time employment to an estimated 1.2 million
fishermen and an additional 17.1 million people, i.e. more than 11% of total population directly
or indirectly dependant on fisheries sub-sector (DoF, 2014b). Another 10% poor and middle
class people are engaged in part-time fishing, aquaculture, fish seed production and collection
of shrimp and prawn seed, fish handling, processing and marketing, net making, and input
supply.
68 | P a g e
An Update on Biodiversity
Progress of Implementation &
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Estuarine Fishing by ABM Sarowar Alam
Progress Towards
28.19
Beels (water body)
114,161 87,902 770
Kaptai Lake
68,800 9,017 131
Floodplain
2,702,304 701,330 260
Culture - Closed
782,559 1,859,808 -
waters
Ponds & Ditch
371,309 1,446,594 3,896
Seasonally cultured
130,488 200,833 1,539 54.54
Concluding Remarks
waters
Baor (Ox-bow lake)
5,488 6146 1,120
Shrimp/Prawn Farm
275,274 206,235 749
Trawler fishing -
- 73,030
17.27
Aritasanal fishing -
- 515,958
Country Total 3,410,254 100
Source: DoF (2014b)
The wide variety of small indigenous species of fishes, such as Amblypharyngodon mola,
Aspidoparia jaya, Aspidoparia morar, Chela laubuca, Rohtee cotio and others are the vital diet
References
and source nutrition of poor people. In Bangladesh, some fish species are also used in
traditional medicine.
69 | P a g e
CASE BOX 17 - Inland Fisheries in Bangladesh – Production and Demand
Trend
From a global perspective, Bangladesh is ranked third largest in inland fisheries in Asia, behind China
and India (Ghose, 2014). The rich aquatic biodiversity of the country with more than 650 fish species
has been attributed to the world’s one of the largest wetlands (Bengal Delta) and three large river
systems (the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna) that flow from the Himalayas into the Bay
of Bengal. An analysis of the last 50 years showed that although open water fisheries increased
significantly over that period, almost 10 times increase has been recorded in culture fisheries over
the last two decades (Figure 11). This recent acceleration of production in culture fishery, however,
has yet to ease fishing pressure on the wild fish diversity in large rivers and other water bodies.
Hilsa or Indian Shad (Tenualosa ilisha) is one of the most important commercial fish in the
Indo-Pacific Region. In Bangladesh, it is regarded as national fish indicating its deep-rooted
cultural value. Annual average Hilsa production in Bangladesh is 215,000 metric tons worth
US$ 380 million and contributing 1% to the national GDP (Ahsan et al., 2014). Essentially a
marine species, Hilsa migrates through three major river systems - the Ganges, the
Brahmaputra and the Meghna - to breed. Trend of hilsha production over year is shown in
figure 13.
Figure 13 Total Inland and Marine Hilsa Catch of Bangladesh (2001-2011) (reproduced from Ahsan et
al.)
Recently, a joint study was conducted by a group of experts from Bangladesh and India
(Ahsan et al., 2014). They studied the habitat quality along the migration path (Figure 14) and
spawning grounds. Four suitable spawning grounds have been identified near the estuary
near the north shore of the Bay of Bengal at Char Tojumuddin, Mirsorai, Kolapara and
Kutubdya. Hilsa catch is banned in these areas during the peak spawning period (15-24
October).
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Figure 14 Hilsa Migration Route in Bangladesh (reproduced from Ahsan et al., 2014)
71 | P a g e
References Concluding Remarks Progress Towards Progress of Implementation & An Update on Biodiversity
Aichi Biodiversity Targets Mainstreaming of NBSAP
1.5.3 Livestock
Livestock plays an important role in the national economy of Bangladesh. The livestock sub-sector
that includes poultry offers important employment and livelihood opportunities particularly for the
rural poor, including the functionally landless, many of whom regard livestock as a main livelihood
option. The contribution of livestock to GDP is 2.5% (Bangladesh Economic Review, 2013) and
the overall trend of the livestock in Bangladesh has also been increasing (Table 39). Moreover,
the products from livestock; like milk, meat and egg have also shown increasing trend of production
(Table 40). The Figure 15 shows the trends of milk products. However, there is no data available
indicating whether the genetic diversity itself has been increasing or decreasing.
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
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1.5.4 Forestry
Forests have a widely realized contribution to human well-being. Besides providing timber and
An Update on Biodiversity
other Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) for human consumption, forests also provide
cultural values, like education and aesthetic beauty, which are realized through research and
tourism, respectively. It is comparatively easier to estimate the value of goods, for example,
the worth of a forest in terms of total timber it has, but not the ecosystem services or cultural
services it offers. Some attempts have, however, been made. The contribution of forest and
related services to GDP is about 1.43% (BBS, 2014).
Reported in Haque and Aich (2014), Shah Uddin et al. estimated the value of provisioning and
cultural services of the Sundarban US$ 1.39 per hectare per year, whereas, the Net Present
Value of the Sundarban is worth USD 9 billion (BFD, 2010) under the SEALS Project of the
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
the Sundarban generates a range of US$ 456 to US$ 1192 per hectare per year worth of
ecosystem services (Haque and Aich, 2014). This means a US$ 273 to US$ 714 million per
year for the entire Sundarban.
The value of a forest ecosystem is immense and only a handful of rigorous research has been
done to realize the value of such ecosystems. It is imperative to argue that the biodiversity
existing in these forests make it possible for the forest to be a functional and “alive” entity.
Without the floral and faunal diversity, these forests would cease to exist and so would the
different goods and services that we use for our well-being.
Medicinal plant is an important wealth in Bangladesh. A large number of people in the country
Progress Towards
useful to human well-being and considered as a national wealth. About 747 plants with
therapeutic value has been identified as reported by Yusuf et al. (2000; in Motaleb et al., 2013).
In Bangladesh, there are about 297 Unani, 204 Ayurvedic and 77 Homeopathic drug
manufacturing industries where the medicinal plants are extensively used in both raw and
semi-processed forms of medicine in various pharmaceutical dose formulations. These plants
also serve as important raw materials for many modern medicinal preparations. The market
value of drugs produced by these industries from medicinal plants is about BDT 3 billion.
Besides, village Kobiraj, street vendors and indigenous people also use a large number of
medicinal plants for the treatment of various diseases. Motaleb et al. (2013) reported that this
practice reflects rich traditional heritage and that it plays a significant role in the general welfare
of the upland communities of the CHT.
Concluding Remarks
Acacia auriculiformis was used to be extensively planted by the Bangladesh Forest
Department in agroforestry, community forestry, and fuelwood plantation programmes
(Hossain, 2014). This trend has, however, been changed in recent years (Box 18).
Till 2012, monoculture was very common while establishing forestry plantations. In the terrestrial
areas, the use of Akashmoni (Acacia auriculiformis) was rampant. Everywhere, the Bangladesh
Forest Department as well as the participants were planting Acacia auriculiformis (about 75% of all
the plantations). At present, however, a change is being noticed. Since 2013, the Forest Department
is implementing a US$ 35 million project administered by the World Bank and funded from the
References
Bangladesh Climate Change Resilient Fund. This project has started to go for multiple species
plantation instead of monoculture. It has transpired that in many of the nursery locations the
Bangladesh Forest Department has raised seedlings of over 20 different species and planting a large
number of various indigenous species of seedlings in all the new plantation sites. This will help
restoration of biodiversity and its enhancement in the country.
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1.5.5 Nature-Based Tourism
The National Tourism Policy framed in 2010 emphasizes ecotourism development as well as
preservation and conservation of natural and cultural products. In 2014, direct, indirect and
induced contributions of tourism to GDP were 2.3%, 1.3% and 0.9%, respectively; whereas,
generating 1.8% of total employment in the country. These figures remained more or less the
same since 2010 (WTTC, 2014).
Around the country, the number of eco-tourists travelling to enjoy nature and various cultures
are increasing. Cox's Bazaar, St. Martin's Island, the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the Sundarban
and other protected areas are the prime sites visited by the tourists. Choudhury (2013)
reported that, between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011, 207,930 tourists visited the Sundarban
alone, whereby the Government earned revenue of Taka 8.622 million. According to the
WTTC, Bangladesh’s tourism industry directly contributed around Taka 2.23 trillion (2.1%) to
the country’s GDP in 2013 (WTTC, 2014), implying immense potential of ecotourism in
Bangladesh.
However, in cross-country comparison, the WTTC reports that Bangladesh does poorly overall
in the tourism sector. The total contribution to GDP (4.4%) compared to the Asia-Pacific is less
than half in 2013 (8.9%) – and nearly 4 and 5 times less than Malaysia (16.1%) and Thailand
(20.2%), respectively. The employment contribution is also in the same lines (WTTC, 2014).
Despite this limited performance, experts show a lot of hope in developing the sector. The
strong backward and forward linkages are thought to be an underlying reason why, developing
the eco-tourism sector with clear targets and medium and long term goals, will accelerate the
sector to reach its foreseen potential and contribute significantly in livelihood options and
human well-being.
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2. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan: Progress
of Implementation and Mainstreaming
An Update on Biodiversity
2.1 Introduction
With the development of the NBSAP (MoEF, 2006), Bangladesh has progressed remarkably
towards fulfilling the global commitment of the country to the CBD. The Bangladesh NBSAP
has identified 16 strategies, including 128 action programmes those are further categorized
as short term (0-3 years), medium term (4-7 years) and long-term (8-10 years) programmes
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
implementing the NBSAP since its formulation. This chapter further summarizes the progress
of NBSAP implementation during 2010-2015 by comparing with the original NBSAP actions
and the progress reported in the Fourth National Report to the CBD (MoEF, 2010).
Progress Towards
Activities reported in the
NBSAP Accomplishment during the Fifth
Actions in NBSAP Fourth National Report
Strategy National Report (2010-2015)
(MoEF, 2010)
1. Recognize Short term (0- 3 years)
the value and • Document existing Encyclopaedia of Flora and Bangladesh National Herbarium has
importance of ecosystems, species and Fauna of Bangladesh recently published the Volume 2 of Red
biodiversity genetic pools of published by Asiatic Society Data Book of Threatened Vascular
for the Bangladesh, including of Bangladesh describing Plants of Bangladesh that include 120
Bangladesh their status and the current status of different threatened species (Ara et al., 2013).
people and extension, with specific taxonomic groups;
document emphasis on ecosystems IUCN is currently implementing a project
properly its such as forests, coastal Valuation of wetland to update the Red List of threatened
components, and marine
Concluding Remarks
ecosystem under CWBMP; animals of Bangladesh originally
distribution environments, inland published in 2000 (IUCN Bangladesh,
and value. water, agriculture and MACH project in Hail Haor 2000). Details of this project can be
fisheries; species executed by Winrock found on www.iucnredlistbd.org
including flora, fauna, international and CNRS to
microorganisms, conserve biodiversity of the Economic valuations of different
underutilized species wetland; ecosystems have been conducted
and insects. sporadically, e.g., Sundarban (Haque
• Determine values in Scattered actions under and Aich, 2014) and Teesta River
economic terms of the various projects on (2014) (unpublished).
different goods and livelihood/ Value Chain
services provided by the development in IPAC; Values of Protected Areas (PAs) as well
different biodiversity as the documentation of biodiversity of
components to the Co-management project of each PAs have been conducted by
benefits of the country’s Tanguar Haor, executing by Arannayk Foundation since 2010. Four
economy and its people. IUCN Bangladesh books have already been published,
References
75 | P a g e
Activities reported in the
NBSAP Accomplishment during the Fifth
Actions in NBSAP Fourth National Report
Strategy National Report (2010-2015)
(MoEF, 2010)
Medium term (4-7 Char livelihood program to
years) promote and conserve
• Understand the biodiversity in Charlands
economic values of funded by DFID;
biodiversity and
empower local Wetland management
communities to achieve initiative under SEMP
economic gains by executed by CNRS, BCAS
developing suitable and NACOM;
market linkages and
strategies. CBRMP project of Local
• Conduct village-based Government Engineering
inventory of flora and Department (LGED) is
fauna, including their currently working for
traditional uses. restoration and conservation
of wetlands ecosystems;
Long term (8 -10 years)
• Develop a National Various other institutions
Biodiversity Information such as CEGIS/
System that acts as the SPARSSO/CDMP/BARC
National Clearing House are working to develop
Mechanism on databases on natural
biodiversity. resources to assist
conservation activities.
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Activities reported in the
NBSAP Accomplishment during the Fifth
Actions in NBSAP Fourth National Report
Strategy National Report (2010-2015)
(MoEF, 2010)
the people by: promoting Co-management has been initiated in
cultivation of nutritional various forest PAs, Wetlands ECAs
crops and drought- through IPAC followed by CREL project.
resistant varieties;
setting up community Jaflong-Dawki River has been declared
seed banks; provision of ECA by the DoE. Management
access to nutritious food; initiatives have been taken in some
and raising awareness of ECAs through CWBMP and the CBA-
addressing spells/cycles ECA projects. Halda River is also in the
of hidden and transient process to be declared as ECA.
hunger.
Under the SRCWP, some initiatives
Long term (8 -10 years) have been taken by the Bangladesh
• Support sustainable Forest Department to study spoonbill
harvesting of biodiversity sandpiper and marine turtle monitoring
and management of in the coastal ECA of the country.
biological resources.
• Conserve the genetic Bird colonies: In North Bengal, more
pool of plants and than 40 colonies are being managed by
animals, both in ex-situ different stakeholders along with the
and in-situ conditions, Bangladesh Forest Department.
through appropriate local
actions.
Establishing assurance colonies of
• Promote indigenous Batagur baska was initiated by
methods of conservation
CARINAM in 2009 with support from the
and management of
BFD at Bhawal National Park, currently
jhum agrobiodiversity
being managed by IUCN-Bangladesh
with appropriate
incentives.
A good number of Community
• Promote sustainable
Conservation Areas have been
agriculture through
establsihed in the CHT under different
diversification of crop
initiatives.
production and
introducing broader
diversity in crops as well
as innovative techniques
such as participatory
plant breeding.
• Incorporate
ecosystem conservation
efforts into the national
disaster management
plan implementation.
3. Restore Short term (0- 3 years)
ecosystems • Support rehabilitation Protected Area System (In IUCN Bangladesh is updating the
and of the rare, threatened last 5 years three new animal Red List for
rehabilitate and endangered native, national parks and one new Bangladesh. Details of this on-going
endangered wild and domesticated wildlife sanctuary have been project is available on
species. species. designated); www.iucnredlistbd.org
• Implement plans for River around Dhaka city
management of species have been declared as Two Vulture Safe Zones have been
under the rare, Ecologically Critical Area to declared by the Forest Department in
threatened and safe guard its biodiversity; December 2014 in the Sylhet and
endangered categories. CWBMP, IPAC and Tangua Khulna regions (IUCN Bangladesh,
• Develop action plans haor management plan have 2015).
for reducing levels of taken ecosystem approach
pollution – both in rural to protect the habitat; Captive breeding of globally Critically
and urban areas to Tangua haor management Endangered turtle Batagur baska is
support conservation plan and CBRMP have been going on in Bhawal National Park since
efforts. working to restore wetland 2010. A new breeding center for this
• Support development and swamp forest species has been established in the
of assessment, ecosystems. Sundarban in 2014.
management and
monitoring plans both at Elephant habitat improvement: 240 ha
(south-east of Bangladesh (SRCWP);
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Activities reported in the
NBSAP Accomplishment during the Fifth
Actions in NBSAP Fourth National Report
Strategy National Report (2010-2015)
(MoEF, 2010)
ecosystem and species Common Langur conservation
levels. (SRCWP); Crocodile breeding at
• Create and launch Koromjal (Bangladesh Forest
initiatives for restoration Department); and Olive Riddley Turtle:
of degraded ecosystems. MarineLife (SRCWP).
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Activities reported in the
NBSAP Accomplishment during the Fifth
Actions in NBSAP Fourth National Report
Strategy National Report (2010-2015)
(MoEF, 2010)
Long term (8 -10 years)
• Develop mechanisms
for private sector
investment into
sustainable use of
biodiversity by revision of
appropriate policies and
provision of incentives
for such investments.
• Promote development
and commercialization of
under-utilized crops and
species.
• Institute rewards and
incentives for the
conservation of
indigenous crops,
genetic materials, and
best practices of
resource use.
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Activities reported in the
NBSAP Accomplishment during the Fifth
Actions in NBSAP Fourth National Report
Strategy National Report (2010-2015)
(MoEF, 2010)
Environmental Clearance CHT. Arannayk Foundation is working
Certificate more involving local people of several areas of
efficiently. the CHT, viz Dighinala, Komolchari,
• Provide institutional Wagga, Rongchari, Lama and Kafrulpara
support for conserving for conserving biodiversity of these areas.
homestead forestry.
• Build capacity in local The Government is implementing a
communities, especially project on Biodiversity Conservation and
those that live around the Eco-tourism Development in
PAs to serve as tour Bangladesh.
guides where market
research demonstrates a
viable ecotourism In 2014, a Committee was formed under
potential. the Ministry of Cultural Affiars to
• Curriculum establish Bangladesh Natural History
development and training Museum.
of the trainers (ToT) on
biodiversity. Under Padma Bridge project, a
biodiversity/natural resources museum is
Long term (8 -10 years) being established.
• Build capacity of local
communities to monitor Establishment of Botanical Garden at
and report on the status Chittagong has been initiated by BFD.
of biodiversity, threats,
and underlying causes. Awareness programmes: Extensively
• Integrate conservation going on elephant, tiger, hanuman,
and sustainable use into common lengur, vulture, migratory birds,
both formal and non- etc through GO-NGO initiatives.
formal education
programmes through the
provision of education
opportunities that
particularly target the
poor and natural
resource dependent
communities, e.g. those
living in PAs.
• Establish regional
herbaria and botanical
gardens and the
Bangladesh Museum of
Natural History.
• Integrate biodiversity-
based curricula into the
formal education system
and update regularly.
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Activities reported in the
NBSAP Accomplishment during the Fifth
Actions in NBSAP Fourth National Report
Strategy National Report (2010-2015)
(MoEF, 2010)
indigenous food and enumeration and
other economic plants photographs of 700
medicinal plant used by the
Long term (8 -10 years) different indigenous tribal
• Promote forestry communities live in the
activities with a focus CHTs area and the total
sustainable harvesting pharmacology of 301
and management of fuel diseases treated by tribal
wood and Non-Timber kabiraj/Boidhyas.
Forest Products (NTFPs)
by supporting activities Under IPAC programme
such as Joint Forest sustainable NTFPs
Management and management programme
development of have been outlined
Community Wood lots
etc. (creating equitable
access among gender,
class and caste to forest
resources)
• Promote the adoption
of People’s Biodiversity
Registers throughout the
country
• Integrate traditional
knowledge in local level
planning
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Activities reported in the
NBSAP Accomplishment during the Fifth
Actions in NBSAP Fourth National Report
Strategy National Report (2010-2015)
(MoEF, 2010)
9. Enhance Short term (0- 3 years) Actions are underway Assessments on elephant corridors have
Protected • Identify key habitats through various project been done under IUCN's elephant
Area that ensure ecosystem activates to establish PA projects under the SRCWP. Other
Management, integrity and connectivity system and integrating co- projects include wildlife habitats are
recognizing (corridors, migratory management approach in USAID's tiger conservation project by
the benefits flyways of birds, etc) and Biodiversity Conservation of WildTeam, CREL project, and GIZ's
of support actions to the Ecologically Critical and projects.
collaboration maintain and promote Protected Areas.
with local such connectivity Bangladesh National Bangladesh joined East Asian-
communities between the earmarked Herbarium has identified a Australasian Flyway (EAAF) partnership
in their critical and sensitive number of key habitats that for protection of Wetlands and
management areas ensure ecosystem integrity Migratory Water Birds. Five PA
(Co- but the management of management plans are deveveloped
management) Medium term (4-7 those habitats is not under under the SRCWP and another five are
years) BNH. In this case BNH can on-going now.
• Develop suitable provide only technical
measures to promote co- supports. After successful implementation of
management of PAs and Nishorgo and IPAC projects, CREL
designate community project is now being implemented since
conservation areas 2013 by taking climate-resilience
• Reorganize the building approach in biodiversity-rich
structural pattern of the areas.
Forest Department and
strengthen the capacity Village Conservation Group (VCG) and
of personnel for PA Village Conservation Areas (VCA)
management Committees are established in various
PAs and ECAs.
Long term (8 -10 years)
• Identify, create and Infrastructures for Co-Management
manage National Committees (CMCs) progressed well.
Biodiversity
Conservation Areas,
Protected Areas (PAs)
and biodiversity hot
spots and suggest
appropriate actions to
promote environmental
sustainability
• Establish a well-
managed and
representative protected
area system, which is
responsive to the local
needs of communities, in
addition to supporting
conservation of
biodiversity
• Establish a biosphere
reserve in the hilly parts
of Chittagong and the
CHTs
10. Ensure Short term (0- 3 years) Except a few initiatives for A good number of projects have been
wise use of • Identify key habitats the conservation of and are being implmented by different
wetland that ensure ecosystem wetlands, the vast area in agencies, namely Tanguar Haor project
resources. integrity and connectivity the country still deserve a of MoEF funded by SDC; CBA-ECA of
(migratory flyways of huge attention in terms of DoE; Wetland Biodiversity
birds, fish passes, etc) sustainable use through Rehabilitation Project funded by GIZ
and support actions to provisioning of alternative and SRCWP of BFD and CREL project
maintain and promote livelihood and so many other funded by USAID.
such connectivity measures to minimize
between the earmarked resource exploitation. Committees formed at different tiers in
case of some ecosystems,e.g. Cox's
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Activities reported in the
NBSAP Accomplishment during the Fifth
Actions in NBSAP Fourth National Report
Strategy National Report (2010-2015)
(MoEF, 2010)
critical and sensitive Bazaar-Teknaf Peninsula ECA,
areas. Hakaluki Haor ECA, and Tanguar
• Develop community- Haor.
based wetland and
aquatic resources IUCN recently published a book on
management migration, breeding and conservation
Medium term (4-7 of Hilsa Shad in Bangladesh and India
years) (Ahsan et al., 2014).
• Promote and ensure
income generation
activities during the fish Valuation of ecosystem services of
breeding season for selected ecosystems (wetland, hills and
people those are coast) are underway under the
dependent on fishing updating and mainstreaming of NBSAP
only. project (2015).
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Activities reported in the
NBSAP Accomplishment during the Fifth
Actions in NBSAP Fourth National Report
Strategy National Report (2010-2015)
(MoEF, 2010)
identifying the roles and
responsibilities of
government agencies
and departments.
• Develop capacities as
well as understanding on
issues of conservation,
management and use to
relevant stakeholders
• Further develop the
finance strategy
suggested under the
NBSAP to include ways
of cooperating with
private sector and
business community.
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Activities reported in the
NBSAP Accomplishment during the Fifth
Actions in NBSAP Fourth National Report
Strategy National Report (2010-2015)
(MoEF, 2010)
environment, emerging
international trends in
environmental law
• Establish a
information sharing
mechanism on
environmental justice
and related provisions
13. Establish Short term (0- 3 years)
an open and • Develop tools and Bangladesh Government Bangladesh developed and submitted
transparent techniques for monitoring has introduced environment both 4th and 5th NR to CBD secreteriate.
monitoring and implementation of conservation award to Both the reports were developed in
and reporting NBSAP encourage public initiatives consultative process and participatory
system status • Prepare biodiversity towards environment manner.
and trends of baseline report and conservation.
implementing develop reporting tools.
the principles • Identify options for
of CBD. participatory
implementation of
NBSAP
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Activities reported in the
NBSAP Accomplishment during the Fifth
Actions in NBSAP Fourth National Report
Strategy National Report (2010-2015)
(MoEF, 2010)
An Update on Biodiversity
options for actions under
NBSAP
• Encourage private
sector partnership on
financing implementation
with appropriate
monitoring mechanisms
15. Address Short term (0- 3 years)
issues of • Review and revise CDMP is working on The National Plan for Disaster
synergies with national disaster integrating biodiversity Management (2010-15), has not
other management plans that issues into disaster included elements of contribution from
Multilateral include elements of management programmes. biodiversity.
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Environmental contributions from
Agreements biodiversity into NAPA and BCCSAP have NAP updated under UNCCD has
Implementation and
(MEAs) and implementing such been developed by the considered conservation of Biodiversity
process that plans. Government of Bangladesh Bangladesh Delta Plan under
deal with to address climate change preparation has also given importance
climate Medium term (4-7 risks. Both this policy to biodiversity and natural resources
change, years) document have got specific conservation.
disaster • Develop local elements to address
management, activities on issues of climatic impacts on
livelihoods, adaptation and Biodiversity
food security mitigation.
and • Develop a portfolio of
sustainable actions on ‘anticipatory
development. research’ to address the
future offsets of climate
Progress Towards
Long term (8 -10 years)
• Identify options for
carbon markets that are
linked to quality carbon
sequestration
• Integrate elements of
conservation of
biodiversity and
development planning
into National Adaptation
Programmes of Action
(NAPAs).
Concluding Remarks
• Support development
of policies that address
issues of mitigating the
impacts of trade,
globalization and IPRs
on local livelihoods as
well as conservation.
• Promote sustainable
use practices and market
linkages by developing
policies and regulations
through cooperatives
and other appropriate
mechanisms
• Promote sustainable
agricultural practices by:
References
providing incentives to
farmers for following
sustainable practices;
supporting use of
modern and traditional
technology blends;
supporting effective
87 | P a g e
Activities reported in the
NBSAP Accomplishment during the Fifth
Actions in NBSAP Fourth National Report
Strategy National Report (2010-2015)
(MoEF, 2010)
Public Distribution
System.
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2.3 Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Sectoral and Cross-
sectoral Policies, Strategies and Programmes
An Update on Biodiversity
Mainstreaming is the important aspect of ensuring conservation of biodiversity, sustainable
use of its components or addressing the main drivers of the losses of biodiversity.
Mainstreaming should be taken place at the institutional, systemic and individual level. Despite
the formulation of the NBSAP in 2006, an absence of long-term comprehensive programme
in achieving implementation of the biodiversity strategies in various sectors is a setback
towards mainstreaming.
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
development mandates to achieve rather having focus on biodiversity conservation or
Implementation and
ensuring sustainable use. For example, the Ministry of Agriculture is setting priority at food
grain production by introducing high-yielding varieties. The Department of Fisheries also
wants to see fish production in terms of as many tons as possible with limited focus on fish
biodiversity conservation. The National Shrimp Policy 2014 is, however, an encouraging
example of integrating biodiversity conservation in economic development. Ministry of Water
Resources aims at extending geographical coverage of flood control drainage and Irrigation
schemes that caused serious hindrance to floodplain biodiversity.
Mainstreaming of the Bangladesh NBSAP requires concerted efforts and actions from all
relevant stakeholders to achieve the common goal of biodiversity conservation. Considering
the aim and spirit of the NBSAP, the priority areas are mainstreaming NBSAP into institutional
Progress Towards
(2015-16 to 2020-21) of the Government of Bangladesh has proposed to mainstream updated
NBSAP in line with the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
The noteworthy environment and biodiversity related policies in Bangladesh are Bangladesh
Environment Policy 1992, The Forest Policy 1994, The Water Policy 1999, National Landuse
Policy 2001, National Fisheries Policy 1998, and National Environment Management Action
Plan (NEMAP) 1995 that hold strong elements of biodiversity conservation. The level of
mainstreaming of the NBSAP into individual policies and strategies so far achieved in
Bangladesh may be said satisfactory. But the integration and harmonization among the
policies to achieve the common goal in respect to biodiversity conservation is still a big gap to
Concluding Remarks
fill-in. Inter-sectoral conflicts still remain as challenges towards mainstreaming biodiversity in
the country.
Bangladesh has made some progress in implementing the NBSAP objectives by developing
new rules and acts. In some cases, existing legislative mechanisms are reviewed and
updated, e.g. the Wildlife Protection Act 1974 has been updated to Bangladesh Wildlife
(Conservation and Security) Act, 2012. The traditional form of government-owned wetland
leasing out systems has already been updated in 2005. Community based management
approaches instead of traditional leasing system in some government-owned wetlands has
been introduced in some cases. The Forest Policy of 1994 has explicit aim of bringing 25%
lands of the country under forest cover by 2015. Similar development initiatives have taken
place in Bangladesh in recent times that could be treated as the success in achieving NBSAP
References
principles. The Government, in dealing with climate change induced threats to biodiversity,
also puts sufficient emphasis to uphold the principles of CBD while developing and updating
National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) and Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and
Action Plan 2009 (BCCSAP).
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The conservation efforts in some areas are undertaken by involving local stakeholders and
communities, especially in the wetland ecosystems of the country. Biodiversity issue is
intricately related with various development policies and programs of the government. In the
context of Bangladesh, if we look at various policies in the interface of biodiversity, we find
that policy regime has to go a long way towards mainstreaming. In this regard, integration of
Biodiversity in various policies and implementation of those policies is very vital. An analysis
of relevant policies with mainstreaming gaps is given in Table 42.
2 -Do- Forest Policy1 1994 Biodiversity has been mentioned in this policy in a very
sketchy manner. None of the 29 statements of this policy
has incorporated biodiversity.
3 Agriculture National Biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of land and water
Agriculture resources, IPM, integrated crop cultivation and collection,
Policy 2013 conservation and use of genetic resources are emphasized.
Emphasis has been given to balanced use of fertilizer as
well as to popularize organic fertilizer.
5 Fisheries National Fisheries The 5th objective has mentioned about the maintenance of
Policy ecological balance and conservation of biodiversity. This is
1998 enough to induce ‘biodiversity’ in the fisheries sector.
National Fisheries Strategy 2006 has been formulated,
during policy revision this may be considered as well.
6 -Do- National Shrimp While emphasizing on shrimp farming, it has some mention
Policy of “Environment Friendly” practices. Under item 2d of the
2014 policy it has stated to conserve biodiversity in shrimp
cultivation area. Statement 5.3.5 of the policy has explicitly
stated to prohibit deforestation of mangroves for shrimp
farming, which may indirectly help conserve biodiversity.
7 Land Jalmohal (water- This policy has mostly dealt with the leasing authorities of
body) Management government and control on water bodies depending on its
Policy 2009, size. It has a mention of declare some of the government
amended in 2012. owned waterbodies as fish “reserve”. Section 35 of this
policy has given an absolute authority to the Ministry of Land
to decide on these issues.
8 -Do- Landuse Policy It has mentioned that the agricultural land was 22.6 million
2001 acres which declined to 20.2 million acres in 1997. It has
expressed concern on the conversion of agricultural lands to
other uses. It has mentioned about the conservation of forest
land. It has suggested for land zoning and promulgation of a
‘zoning law’. It stated that proper implementation of
environment policy 1992 and forest policy 1994 will bring in
overall improvement of the situation. Regarding wetland it
has opined that the present day production of 14 million tons
of fish from 4.3 million hectares of wetland can be enhanced
to 20 million tons. It has however expressed concern over
the decline of wetland in the country. It has suggested for
afforestation as well as settlements, on newly accreted
lands. It has suggested developing a ‘land data bank’ as
well. It has suggested to go for ‘certificate of land ownership’.
9 -Do- Khas Land There are two sets of policies (used as rules) namely
Settlement Policy ‘Agriculture Khas land management and settlement policy,
1995 & 1997 1997’ and ‘Non-Agriculture Khas land management and
1The “Wildlife Conservation and Security Act” declared in 2012, has all the required provisions towards biodiversity conservation, especially through
creation of protected areas. It has the provisions to go for conservation areas even on privately owned lands.
90 | P a g e
Sl. Name of the Name Conservation
No sector or ministry of the policy elements and gaps
settlement policy 1995’. None of these has any
An Update on Biodiversity
consideration of biodiversity.
10 -Do- Khas Land It has no mention of biodiversity.
Settlement Policy
for Hotel Motel
1998
11 -Do- Salt Mohal It has no mention of biodiversity
Management Policy
1998
12 Water Resource National Water It has indication on minimum stream flow and mention of
ministry Policy 1999 preservation of the environment. But it has no explicit
mention of biodiversity conservation.
13 -Do- Coastal Zone It has incorporated the biodiversity aspects but under a
Policy 2005 complex umbrella of many sectors. Thus it is completely
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
ineffective.
Implementation and
It has incorporated too many diverse issues as policy and
made it too complex, completed and confusing. It is a fact
that the coastal areas have too many elements to look into,
and a large number of national sectoral policies are in force
in this zone. The Coastal Zone Policy 2005 is too big as a
policy document. The identification of 19 districts as 'coast
zone' is an appreciable outcome of this document.
Progress Towards
Inter-sectoral communication and coordination.
Importance on conservation of biodiversity and its sustainable use.
Ill-understanding on ecosystem goods and services and their economic values.
Implementation of existing legislative mechanism or framework to halt the
conversion of biodiversity rich ecosystems into commercial, industrial and
settlement purposes.
Climate change induced hazards are taking heavy tolls on conservation
initiatives.
Concluding Remarks
Spatial information gap regarding biodiversity and ecosystems related issues
Raising awarness about Biodiversity
Inadequate financial, technical and technological capacity of respective
organizations is a barrier for implementing the NBSAP in Bangladesh.
References
91 | P a g e
3. Bangladesh's progress towards Aichi Biodiversity Targets
and Millennium Development Goals
3.1 Introduction
The 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the CBD held during 18-29
October 2010 adopted a revised and updated 'Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020'. This
plan provides an overarching global framework on biodiversity conservation after mixed
achievements of the implementation of the '2010 Biodiversity Targets'. This Strategic Plan
includes Aichi Biodiversity Targets 2020 − a total of 20 targets set out under five Strategic
Goals (A-E) (Table 43).
In the light of the Startegic Plan and its Targets, Bangladesh has started updating its NBSAP
in 2014. Bangladesh NBSAP was originally prepared in 2006 (MoEF, 2006). Implementation
of NBSAP was assessed and shared with the CBD through Fourth National Report (MoEF,
2010). In tune to the spirit of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets Bangladesh is formulating its
national Targets through evidence-based approach. This approach entails indepth research
with a participatory, peer-reviewing process through multi-stakeholder and expert
consultations. In order to be effective, the Department of Environment under the Ministry of
Environment and Forests along with other government agencies attempted to integrate these
learnings into the Seventh Five Year Plan of Bangladesh.
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Table 43 Achievements under Strategic Goals of Aichi Biodiversity Targets 2020
Strategic Goal A: Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across
An Update on Biodiversity
government and society- Aichi Biodiversity Targets 1 to 4
Target Target Statement Achievement until 2015
No
01 By 2020, at the latest, people are aware A commendable progress has been made at the
of the values of biodiversity and the steps community awareness level around Protected Areas and
they can take to conserve and use it Ecologically Critical Areas through various project
sustainably. activities.
Some of the personnels of Biodiversity related agencies
are aware of the values of Biodviersity.
University level students and academia of relevant
discipline are aware of values of biodiversity through
education and research programmes.
A large number of people are aware on the issues of
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
biodiversity conservation through celebrating the World
Implementation and
Environment Day, the World Wetlands Day, the World
Migratory Birds Day, the Earth Day, the World Wildlife Day,
the international Tiger Day, the Vulture Day, the World
Ocean Day, World Water Day and the International Day for
Biodiversity to name a few. Greater mass awareness on
those significant days are yet to be devices.
02 By 2020, at the latest, biodiversity values In policy and planning processes, importance of
have been integrated into national and biodiversity has already been incorporated to the some
local development and poverty reduction extent (e.g. Constitutional inclusion, the Poverty Reduction
strategies and planning processes and Strategy Paper & National Strategy for Accelerated Poverty
are being incorporated into national Reduction and the latest 7th Five Year Plan).
Progress Towards
and reporting system.
03 By 2020, at the latest, incentives, Positive incentive in terms of price reduction of non-urea
including subsidies, harmful to fertilizer in order to discourage over-use of nitrogen or
biodiversity are eliminated, phased out fertilizer.
or reformed in order to minimize or avoid The Government of Bangladesh is encouraging integrated
negative impacts, and positive incentives pest management in order to minimize excess use of
for the conservation and sustainable use fertilizer, pesticides and insecticides.
of biodiversity are developed and Reduced subsidy in chemical fertilizer is in place. Initiatives
applied, consistent and in harmony with has been taken to conserve biodiversity by introducing
the Convention and other relevant financial systems, for example, micro-capital grant,
international obligations, taking into endowment fund (both under the CBA-ECA project) and
account national socioeconomic alternative income generation activities (in numerous
conditions. projects).
Diclofenac has been banned and Ketoprofen is in the
Concluding Remarks
process of banning to save critically endangered vulture
population. Two Vulture Safe Zones were declared in
December 2014.
04 By 2020, at the latest, Governments, Bangladesh Bank (Central Bank) has established green
business and stakeholders at all levels banking programme to support financing for energy
have taken steps to achieve or have efficient and environment-friendly industrial activities.
implemented plans for sustainable Corporate social responsibility is coming into the scene to
production and consumption and have meet the environmental standards.
kept the impacts of use of natural
resources well within safe ecological
limits.
References
93 | P a g e
Strategic Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use- Aichi Biodiversity
Targets 5 to 10
Target Target Statement Achievements until 2015
No
05 By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural No updated information on the rate of degradation and loss
habitats, including forests, is at least of natural habitat.
halved and where feasible brought close The rate of Degradation of forests has been addressed
to zero, and degradation and through expansion of Protected Area
fragmentation is significantly reduced. Protected Areas, Ecologically Critical Areas and fish
sanctuaries have been established; the drivers of
degradation have not been addressed at its full range.
Ministry of Land is implementing land zoning at local level
(upazila or sub-district level).
Biological zoning approach has been adopted in some PA
to ensure the protection of wildlife species and floral
habitats.
06 By 2020 all fish and invertebrate stocks Department of Fisheries has introduced fishing area
and aquatic plants are managed and restriction, seasonal fishing ban and banned bottom
harvested sustainably, legally and trawling.
applying ecosystem based approaches, Sustainable management of aquatic resources has been
so that overfishing is avoided, recovery practiced in a limited scale at important ecosystems, e.g. in
plans and measures are in place for all the Sundarban and Tanguar Haor.
depleted species, fisheries have no Fisheries stock survey – is regularly on-going in certain
significant adverse impacts on habitats.
threatened species and vulnerable Marine fisheries stock survey has been planned under the
ecosystems and the impacts of fisheries economy action plan of the government.
on stocks, species and ecosystems are A large area has been brought under sanctuary
within safe ecological limits. management and operationalized by the local fisher
communities.
Hilsa management plan is in place (2000, 2006).
07 By 2020 areas under agriculture, Policies and programmes are in place for fisheries and
aquaculture and forestry are managed aquaculture; but not adequately implemented as of now.
sustainably, ensuring conservation of No specific policy and strong programme are available for
biodiversity. agriculture and aquaculture in terms of biodiversity
conservation.
Forests are now managed sustainably, no extraction of
trees from natural forests, only sustainable extraction is
allowed from plantations of the reserved forests
Some Protected Areas and wetlands have management
plans pertaining to biodiversity conservation promoting co-
management of forest and wetland resources.
Fertilizer Management guidelines are in place.
08 By 2020, pollution, including from excess Activities like, Environment Impact Assessments,
nutrients, has been brought to levels that installation of effluent treatment plants, monitoring and
are not detrimental to ecosystem enforcement, damage assessment and integrated pest
function and biodiversity. management have been undertaken widely.
09 By 2020, invasive alien species and Quarantine system has been established at the ports of
pathways are identified and prioritized, entry. However, there is space to enhance the capacity of
priority species are controlled or manpower and logistics, in order to increase functionality
eradicated, and measures are in place to of the system.
manage pathways to prevent their
introduction and establishment.
10 By 2015, the multiple anthropogenic Some initiatives to reduce anthropogenic pressures on
pressures on coral reefs, and other mangrove ecosystem and inland wetlands have been
vulnerable ecosystems impacted by taken. For example, CREL project is being implemented
climate change or ocean acidification are with the aim to improve the livelihoods of local communities
minimized, so as to maintain their dependent on vulnerable and critical ecosystems, like
integrity and functioning. corals in the St. Martin’s Island.
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Strategic Goal C: To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic
diversity – Aichi Biodiversity Targets 11 to 13
Target Target Statement Achievements until 2015
An Update on Biodiversity
No
11 By 2020, at least 17 per cent of 38 forest PAs now cover 1.8% of the total area of the country
terrestrial and inland water areas, and and about 10.55% of the total forest area. 13 ECAs declared
10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, in the wetlands areas covering 384,529 ha which is 2.60%
especially areas of particular of the total country. The total marine protected area is 2,436
importance for biodiversity and sq. km which is 2.05% of total marine area (118,813 sq. km)
ecosystem services, are conserved of Bangladesh.
through effectively and equitably
managed, ecologically representative
and well connected systems of
protected areas and other effective
area-based conservation measures,
and integrated into the wider
landscapes and seascapes.
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
12 By 2020 the extinction of known Red List of animals prepared by IUCN Bangladesh is in
Implementation and
threatened species has been prevented place (2000). This is currently being updated by IUCN
and their conservation status, Bangladesh under the SRCWP project of Bangladesh
particularly of those most in decline, has Forest Department.
been improved and sustained. Implementation of Tiger Action Plan (2009-2017)
13 By 2020, the genetic diversity of A good number of germplasms of cultivated crops and
cultivated plants and farmed and commercially viable plant species are preserved in
domesticated animals and of wild government research institutes and universities. Limited
relatives, including other socio- private sector involvement is present currently.
economically as well as culturally
valuable species, is maintained, and
Progress Towards
diversity.
Strategic Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services- Aichi Biodiversity
Targets 14 to16
Target Target Statement Achievements until 2015
No
14 By 2020, ecosystems that provide Significant progress has been made in this area. Major
essential services, including services ecosystems, like Tanguar Haor, Hakaluki Haor, Hail Haor,
related to water, and contribute to Sonadia Island, Lawachara Forest, Teknaf Forest, Chunati
health, livelihoods and well-being, are Wildlife Sanctuary, Modhupur National Park, and
restored and safeguarded, taking into Community Conserved Areas in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
account the needs of women, are examples of steps taken to restore and safeguard
indigenous and local communities, and focusing co-management and community-based natural
the poor and vulnerable. resource management approaches.
Concluding Remarks
Substantial portion of plain land forest Ecosystems has
already been restored through implementing social forestry
system with the involvement of women, poor and vulnerable
people of local communities as beneficiaries.
15 By 2020, ecosystem resilience and the Carbon stock of 15 Protected Area including Sundarbans
contribution of biodiversity to carbon has been assessed already.
stocks has been enhanced, through More than 15% of the plain land forests have been restored.
conservation and restoration, including Government has taken initiatives to restore the ecosystems
restoration of at least 15 per cent of of hill forests through massive enrichment plantation, natural
degraded ecosystems, thereby regeneration and introduction of Social Forestry in the hilly
contributing to climate change districts of Bangladesh.
mitigation and adaptation and to
combating desertification.
16 By 2015, the Nagoya Protocol on In September 2011, Bangladesh signed the Nagoya
Access to Genetic Resources and the Protocol to the CBD.
Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Bangladesh has finalized Bangladesh Biological Diversity
References
Arising from their Utilization is in force Act which addressed access benefit sharing issues.
and operational, consistent with
national legislation.
95 | P a g e
Strategic Goal E: Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity
building- Aichi Biodiversity Targets 17 to 20
Target Target Statement Achievements until 2015
No
17 By 2015 each Party has developed, Updating of the NBSAP is underway by Department of
adopted as a policy instrument, and has Environment since 2014.
commenced implementing an effective, Consultation at different levels is in progress for updating the
participatory and updated national NBSAP by 2016.
biodiversity strategy and action plan.
18 By 2020, the traditional knowledge, Traditional knowledge related to biodiversity has been
innovations and practices of indigenous documented, like the Aurvedic practices, including an
and local communities relevant for the establishment of a university.
conservation and sustainable use of A book entitled ‘Traditional use of ethnomedicinal plants of
biodiversity, and their customary use of
biological resources, are respected, the Chittagong Hill Tracts’ has been published by the
subject to national legislation and Government of Bangladesh.
relevant international obligations, and Hill communities’ traditional medicinal knowledge and
fully integrated and reflected in the practices have been documented in many research papers
implementation of the Convention with and books.
the full and effective participation of
indigenous and local communities, at all
relevant levels.
19 By 2020, knowledge, the science base Research on commercially important crop genetic resources
and technologies relating to are being carried out by national agricultural research
biodiversity, its values, functioning, institutes on rice, jute, tea and many agricultural and
status and trends, and the horticultural crops.
consequences of its loss, are improved, DNA bar-coding initiated in taxonomic identification of
widely shared and transferred, and species.
applied. Study is being conducted on state of research and
assessment of technological needs.
20 By 2020, at the latest, the mobilization NBSAP updating process included activity on developing
of financial resources for effectively resource mobilization strategy.
implementing the Strategic Plan for
Biodiversity 2011-2020 from all
sources, and in accordance with the
consolidated and agreed process in the
Strategy for Resource Mobilization
should increase substantially from the
current levels. This target will be subject
to changes contingent to resource
needs assessments to be developed
and reported by Parties.
96 | P a g e
3.3 Contribution to the Millennium Development Goals
An Update on Biodiversity
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were adopted by 147 Heads of State and 189
States in the United Nations (UN) global conferences of the 1990s. The United Nations
Millennium Declaration of the year 2000 marked a strong commitment to many dimensions of
poverty and to sustainable human development. Progress of Bangladesh in achieving the
eight MDGs were published in the latest report entitled The Millennium Development Goals:
Bangladesh Progress Report 2015 (GED, 2015).
The Government of Bangladesh has the latest report on MDG in 2015 detailing the
achievement of the following goals:
1. Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
2. Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education
Implementation and
3. Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
4. Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality
5. Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health
6. Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability
8. Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development
Progress Towards
Sustainability) in Bangladesh.
Concluding Remarks
References
97 | P a g e
Table 44 Current Status and Challenges in Attaining Targets of MDG 7
Target 7.A: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs and
reverse the loss of environmental resources
Target 7.B: Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss
7.1: Proportion of land area 9.0 11.3 13.40 (DoF 2014) 20.0
covered by forest, % (Tree density>30%) (Density
(tree coverage) >70%
7.2: CO2 emissions, total, per capita and per $1 GDP (PPP)
7.2a: CO2 emissions, metric 0.14 0.21 0.23 (2nd National -
tons per capita Communication, 2012)
7.3: Consumption of ozone- 202.1 816.4 64.88 65.39
depleting substances in ODP (DoE, 2013)
ODP tonnes tonnes
Through this section, a view on the complementarity between the MDGs and Aichi Targets is
seen. It is important to note that the eight MDGs and five Strategic Goals of the Aichi Targets
are mostly complementary in nature. Nevertheless, it can be said that the Aichi Strategic Goals
address specifically the importance of biodiversity in the environmental pillar of sustainable
development concept and the 7th Goal of the MDG. Thus, Aichi Strategic Goals can be
envisioned as goals that, if achieved, would continue to fulfill the relevant Goals of SDG that
is adopted after the era of MDG.
98 | P a g e
4. Concluding Remarks
Biodiversity National Assessment 2015 or the Fifth National Report of Bangladesh to the CBD has
An Update on Biodiversity
been prepared as a part of Bangladesh's commitment to the CBD and in the light of the guidance
provided by the CBD Secretariat. The report first captured the present status and trends of
biodiversity of Bangladesh at ecosystem, species and genetic levels. It has shown better
understanding of some species and ecosystems since the submission of the Fourth National
Report in 2010. Despite the unfathomable importance of biodiversity in achieving and maintaining
human well-being, the multifaceted threats to biodiversity continued to rise asking for further
concerted efforts.
The implementation and mainstreaming of the NBSAP made up the second part of this national
report. An analysis of the biodiversity conservation efforts between 2009-2014 captured the
implementation of the NBSAP since submission of the last National Report to the CBD.
Bangladesh has made some good progress in some areas by implementing some development
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
projects. Progress, however, is not so satisfactory in many areas. Moderate progress has been
Implementation and
seen in most of the cases as outlined in the NBSAP. Mainstreaming of the NBSAP has progressed
at limited scale. Analysis showed that most of the pertinent policies is yet to integrate biodiversity
into the document. Some good examples have been created in recent years in some sectors where
a balance between economic development and biodiversity conservation has been envisaged.
The report also states achievements towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets 2020 and the progress
of implementing MDG's environmental targets in the light of biodiversity conservation in
Bangladesh. The country is in the process of developing national biodiversity targets for 2020 in
the light of Aichi Targets. In this report, however, a progress is given against the global Targets
Progress Towards
as a role model in attaining the MDGs. Overall progress against the MDG7−Ensure Environmental
Sustainability − is moderate with some systemic and institutional challenges.
Although the report has been prepared to meet Bangladesh's commitment to the CBD, it has given
Bangladesh a great opportunity to take stock of its biodiversity and conservation efforts over the
period of 2009-2014. It has also given space to check how the Government and other agencies
are performing to fulfill the Aichi Biodiversity Targets 2020. Such an exercise brings together
relevant stakeholders to discuss, to debate and to contribute to this periodic national assessment.
Bangladesh is currently updating its NBSAP originally prepared in 2004. The revised NBSAP would
give country the opportunity to give a momentum in biodiversity conservation. A new set of national
targets in the light of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets 2020 would help Bangladesh to identify areas
to focus on, especially by mainstreaming biodiversity in all pertinent sectors and national efforts.
Concluding Remarks
On a global scale, a new set of 17 goals have recently been approved in September 2015 in the
General Assembly of the United Nations as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These
goals have 169 targets and aim to carry out sustainable development in the post-MDG era until
2030. Biodiversity has been exclusively upheld in the Goals 14 and 15, focusing on marine and
terrestrial ecosystems separately. It is believed that coherence between the MDG and Aichi
Biodiversity Targets 2020 will continue in the SDG era.
The Sixth National Report to the CBD is due in a few years time. The lessons learnt from the whole
exercise of developing national biodiversity assessment report trigger some important way
forwards:
The preparation of such report has to be done by DoE itself with maximum efforts of DoEs
own manpower and resources.
DoE has to gather relevant information into in a continuous basis so that when submission
References
99 | P a g e
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Annex
105 | P a g e
Annex – Tables
Annex : Table 1 Government Revenue from Forestry
Source: SEALS
106 | P a g e
Annex : Table 2 Major Wildlife found in Different Forests
Scientific Name English Name Evergreen Deciduous Mangroves
Elephas maximus Elephant
An Update on Biodiversity
X
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Cervus unicolor Sambar X
Implementation and
Axis axis Spotted Deer X
Progress Towards
Ophiophagus hanna King Cobra X X
References
Calotes versicolor Garden Lizard X
Hylarana leptoglossa X
Hylarana nigrivittata X
Chiromantis doriae X
Oxydozyga borealis X
Annex
Kalaula taplonanica X
107 | P a g e
Annex : Table 3 Review on the Status of Plant Species in Different Forest Areas
Year Author Study area Status of species
1925 Heinig ,R.L. Chittagong and Chittagong Compiled 1,559 species in the area
Hill Tracts (CHT)
1955 Sinclair,J. Cox’s Bazaar Listed 700 plant taxa in the area
1988 Alam, M.K. Sylhet forests 790 woody taxa (excluding monocots and
gymnopserms, 400 are tree species
1990 Khan, M.S. Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary 477 plant species in the area
2001 Das, D.K. and Alam, Overall Bangladesh Briefly describe 342 tree species of
M.K Bangladesh
2001 Khan, M.S. and Hoq, Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary 422 plant species
A.M.
2002 Khabir et al. Sal Forest, Comilla 738 tree stems/ha; 23,708 regeneration
(seedling, sapling and coppice)/ha
2002 Rahman, M.L. and Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary 59 medicinal plant species
Hossain, M.K.
2004 Hossain et al. Chittagong (South) Forest 64 regenerating tree species
Division
2007 Alamgir,M. and Al- Bamerchara and 39 species under 18 families
Amin, M. Danerchara forests
2007 Motaleb, M.A. and Tankawati natural forest, 29 regenerating tree species
Hossain, M.K. Chittagong
2007 Yusuf et al. Rangamati and 69 medicinal plant species under 40 families
Bandarban districts
2008 Ahmed et al. Bhawal National Park 20 regenerating species
2009 Motaleb, M.A. and Tankawati natural forest, 62 naturally growing tree species
Hossain, M.K. Chittagong
2010a Malaker et al Lawachara natural forest 159 plants species
2010b Malaker et al. Madhupur Sal Forest 174 plant species under 54 families
2010 Uddin, M.Z. and Lawachara natural forest 374 angiosperm under 84 families
Hassan, M.A.
2011 Rahman et al. Khadimnagar National 55 regenerating tree species
Park & Tilagar Eco-Park,
2011 Sobuj, N.A. and Khadimnagar National 74 plant species of which 26 tree species, 17
Rahman, M. Park shrubs and 31 herbs
2011 Uddin et al. Satchari National Park 245 plant species under 72 families
2012 Uddin, M.Z. and Rampahar Reserve Listed 89 monocot (Liliopsida)
Hassan, M.A. Forest, Rangamati
108 | P a g e
Annex : Table 4 Community Conserved Areas as Village Conservation Forests (VCF)
Area in acre Year of Name of No. of
Name of th VCF
(approx.) establishment Community household
An Update on Biodiversity
Langadu Upazila, Rangamati
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Pangkhoua Para 70 2008 Pangkhua 95
Bilaicharimon Hajachara 200 1980 Chakma 70
Implementation and
Sap Chari 300 1965 Chakma 64
Barkal Upazila, Rangamati
Progress Towards
200 1987 Chakma 75
Sangrokkhon Sommittee
Tripuachara Paribesh O Grammen Bon
200 1982 Chakma 44
Sangrokkhon Sommittee
Rajasthali Upazila, Rangamati
Kukkyachari 35 2008 Khyang 35
Arhachari 100 2008 Khyang 26
Dhonuchari 120 1970 Khyang 23
Headman Para 50 1965 Tripura 22
Rose Para 80 1982 Khyang 32
Boli Para 100 1982 Tripura 48
Bora Para 100 1980 Khyang 18
Kistha Para 100 2008 Tripura 33
Bandarban District
References
Bijoy Para, Roangchari 175 1962 Tanchangya 40
Paglachara, Roangchari 100 1960 Tanchangya 27
Suanglu Para Roangchari 15 1985 Bowm 40
Kham Thang Pransa Para Roangchari 100 2008 Khyang 25
Ranglai Chairman Para 22 1993 Mro 48
Emphu Para 50 1960 Mro 34
Renikhyang Bagan Para 40 1995 Mro 29
Chini Para 31 1993 Mro 38
Annex
109 | P a g e
Annex : Table 5 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) of Bangladesh
Site Name Site Name
Aila Beel Pablakhali Wildlife Sanctuary
Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta Patenga Beach
Hail Haor Rajkandi Reserved Forest
Hakaluki Haor Rampahar-Sitapahar Wildlife Sanctuary
Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary
Himchari National Park Sangu Matamuhari
Jamuna-Brahmaputra river Sonadia Island
Lawachara / West Bhanugach Reserved Forest Sunderbans (East, South, West Wildlife Sanctuaries)
Madhupur National Park Tanguar Haor and Panabeel
Muhuri Dam Teknaf Game Reserve
Source: www.birdlifeinternational.org
110 | P a g e
SOS SOS
Gazzette
Sl. Bangla IUCN MMGNT LMGNT
Scientific name English name notificati
No Name redlist fishermen fishermen
on
catch catch
An Update on Biodiversity
19. Carcharhinus Grey shark
NT
amblyrhynchos
20. Atelomycterus catshark
NT
marmoratus
21. Galeorhinus galeus VU
22. Mustelus (Myrmillo)
DD
manaz
23.. Carcharhinus
DD
amboinensis
24. Hangor / Carcharhinus White cheek shark
NT
Kamot dussumieri
25. Carcharhinus Snaggletooth
elliotiHemipristis shark
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
VU
elongata
Implementation and
26. Thuta Carcharhinus macloti Hardnose shark
NT
Hangor
27. Kamot / Glyphis gangeticus Ganges shark
CE
Hangor
28. Glyphis glyphis Speartooth shark EN
29. Triaenodon obesus Whitetip reef
NT
shark
30. Eusphyra blochii Slender
NT
Hammerhead
31. Julia Sphyrna lewini Scalloped
EN
Mongor Hammerhead
Progress Towards
33. Mobula mobular Giant Devil Ray EN
34. Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose Ray NT
35. Pristis pectinata Smalltooth
CE
Sawfish
36. Sobuj Pristis zijsron Long comb Green
Korati Sawfish CE
Hangor
Source: Hoq et al., 2011
References
Annex
111 | P a g e
Annex : Table 7 Present Status of Banspata (Podocarpus nerifolius) in Natural Forests and
Plantations
Sl. Tree
Forest/ Plantation areas Status/Health of the individuals Remarks
No. no.
1. Massalong reserve in 06 Naturally occurring, over mature and Extremely depleting
Bagaichari, Rangamati vulnerable trees
2. Korerhat, Chittagong North 01 Planted in guest house premises Pole stage
Forest Division
3. Near Padua Rest house, 01 Planted in guest house premises Pole stage
Chittagong
4. Hazarikhill Forests 03 Planted near Silviculture office Trees
5. Ukhia Forests 02 Naturally occurring Coppice was found
6. Lawachara Forests 04 Planted and Natural Trees
7. Duapalong Beat office of 02 Planted Poles
Ukhia Range
8. Lawachara 02 Planted near Silviculture research Sapling
office
9. Sitakunda Eco-park, 05 Planted at Eco-park Pole stage
Chittagong
10. Silviculture nursery, 03 Planted at BFRI premises Sapling and Pole
Bangladesh Forest Research stage
Institute, Chittagong
11. Institute of Forestry and 03 Planted at IFESCU Campus Pole stage
Environmental Sciences,
University of Chittagong
12. Botanical Garden &Soil 02 Planted at CU Campus Pole stage
Research Institute, University
of Chittagong
13. Baldha Garden, Wari Dhaka 01 Planted Tree
14. National Herbarium 01 Planted Tree
15. Mirpur Botanical Garden, 51 Planted Saplings, poles and
Dhaka trees
16. Ukhia, Cox’s Bazar 15 Planted in office compound and Seedlings, saplings
homesteads and poles
17. Bangladesh Agricultural 05 Planted in the Botanical Garden Tree, Pole and
University, Mymensingh Sapling
18. Jahangirnagar University 03 Planted in the Botanical Garden Pole and sapling
19. Keochia Silviculture Research 01 Planted by the side of Silviculture Pole stage
Station, Chittagong office
Total 111
Source: Bhuiyan et al., 2014
112 | P a g e
Annex : Table 8 Threatened Vascular Plants of Bangladesh (Ara et al., 2013); CR: Critically
Endangered, EN: Endangered, VU: Vulnerable
An Update on Biodiversity
Threatened
No. Scientific name Local name Family Habit
categories
1 Acanthus leucostachyus Kastacha Acanthaceae Herb EN*
2 Achyrospermum wallichianum Nk Lamiaceae Herb EN
3 Agrostophyllum khasianum Nk Orchidaceae Herb VU
4 Alphonsea ventricosa Noga Kola Annonaceae Tree EN
5 Amorphophallus excentricus Nk Araceae Herb CR
6 Ancistrocladus wallichii Nk Ancistrocladaceae Small tree CR
7 Angiopteris sylhetensis Sylheti Rajdheki Angiopteridaceae Fern CR
8 Antidesma khasianum Khasia Jam Euphorbiaceae Shrub/
VU
Small tree
9 Antidesma montanum var. Nk Euphorbiaceae Shrub/ Small
VU
salicinum tree
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
10 Ariopsis peltata Nk Araceae Herb CR
Implementation and
11 Aspidopterys oxyphylla Nk Malpighiaceae Climbing
EN
shrub
12 Asplenium phyllitidis Simon Aspleen Aspleniaceae Epiphyte CR
13 Atalantia monophylla Ban Kamola Rutaceae Tree EN
14 Begonia alaecida Nk Begoniaceae Herb CR
15 Beilschmiedia roxburghiana Nk Lauraceae Tree EN
16 Bhesa robusta Salkachra Celastraceae Tree VU
17 Boesenbergia islamii Nk Zingiberaceae Herb EN
18 Brownlowia elata Moos Tiliaceae Tree VU
19 Bulbophyllum protractum Nk Orchidaceae Herb EN
20 Canscora andrographioides Nk Gentianaceae Herb EN
21 Carex caespititia Nk Cyperaceae Herb CR
Progress Towards
23 Careya sphaerica Nk Lecythidaceae Tree CR
24 Casearia kurzii Shokshi Gach Flacourtiacaeae Tree EN
25 Castanopsis castanicarpa Huria Batna, Fagaceae Tree
Lumba Kanta VU
Batna
26 Caulokaemperia linearis Nk Zingiberaceae Herb EN
27 Chisocheton dysoxylifolius Nk Meliaceae Tree VU
28 Chonemorpha assamensis Nk Apocynaceae Climbing
EN
shrub
29 Cleisostoma appendiculatum Nk Orchidaceae Herb EN
30 Colocasia mannii Nk Araceae Herb EN
31 Colocasia virosa Nk Araceae Herb CR
32 Crepidium biauritum Nk Orchidaceae Herb EN
33 Cryptocarya amygdalina Bhuiya Gachh Lauraceae Tree EN
References
34 Cryptocarya andamanica Nk Lauraceae Tree CR
35 Cucumis hystrix Bandor Shasha Cucurbitaceae Climber EN
36 Curcuma amada Amada Zingiberaceae Herb EN
37 Curcuma latifolia Nk Zingiberaceae Herb EN
38 Cyclobalanopsis oxyodon Batna Fagaceae Tree EN
39 Cyperus thomsonii Nk Cyperaceae Herb VU
40 Dalhousiea bracteata Goddhi Pata Fabaceae Shrub EN
41 Dehaasia kurzii Modon-mosto Lauraceae Tree VU
42 Dendrobium ruckeri Nk Orchidaceae Epiphyte CR
43 Diospyros benghalensis Lohamori, Khalta Ebenaceae Tree VU
44 Diospyros ramiflora Oori Gab, Goolul Ebenaceae Tree EN
45 Dolichandrone spathaecea Gorshingiah Bignoniaceae Tree EN
46 Dryptes assamica Ban Bokul Euphorbiaceae Tree EN
47 Elaeocarpus petiolatus Nk Elaeocarpaceae Tree EN
Annex
113 | P a g e
Threatened
No. Scientific name Local name Family Habit
categories
53 Garcinia anomala Thechu Clusiaceae Tree EN
54 Garcinia lanceifolia Cow, Thisuru Clusiaceae Tree VU
55 Gardenia resinifera Dikamali Rubiaceae Tree CR
56 Glochidion heyneanum Nk Euphorbiaceae Tree
EN
114 | P a g e
Threatened
No. Scientific name Local name Family Habit
categories
106 Stichoneuron membranaceum Nk Stemonaceae Herb CR
107 Symplocos macrophylla Nk Symplocaceae Tree VU
108 Syzygium reticulatum Nk Myrtaceae Tree EN
An Update on Biodiversity
109 Tarenna scandens Gujer-kota Rubiaceae Shrub EN
110 Tectaria simonsii Simontari Dheki Dryopteridaceae Herb CR
111 Tetradium glabrifolium Ban-Neem Rutaceae Shrub/ Tree EN
112 Tetraphyllum bengalense Nk Gesneriaceae Herb CR
113 Tetrastigma dubium Kuanria Vitaceae Climbing
EN
shrub
114 Thelypteris loyalii Loyal fern Thelypteridaceae Fern CR
115 Thottea tomentosa Nk Aristolochiaceae Herb CR
116 Trivalvaria dubia Nk Annonaceae Tree VU
117 Turpinia cochinchinensis Tauk Shama Staphyleaceae Tree VU
118 Typhonium gracile Nk Araceae Herb VU
119 Wendlandia heyneana Dhali Rong Rubiaceae Shrub/ Tree
CR
Gach
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
120 Xerospermum laevigatum Ban Lichu Sapindaceae Tree VU
Implementation and
Annex : Table 9 Germplasm Conservation of Forest Tree Species During 2000-2012 in
Different Silviculture Research Stations, BFRI
Sl. BFRI Silviculture Research Stations
Species name
No. HQ Keochia Lawachara Charaljani Charkai
1 Agar (Aquilaria agallocha) - √ - √ √
2 Arjun (Terminalia arjuna) - - - √ -
3 Banderhola (Duabanga grandiflora) √ - - - -
Progress Towards
5 Barun (Crataeva magna) - - √ - -
6 Bazna (Zanthoxylum rhetsa) - - √ - -
7 Bhutum (Hymenodictyon orixensis) √ - - - √
8 Bohera (Terminalia bellirica) - √ - - -
9 Boilam (Anisoptera scaphula) √ √ - - -
10 Bon-amra/Amra (Spondias pinnata) - - - - √
11 Chalmugra (Gynocardia odorata) - - √ - -
12 Chapalish (Artocarpus chaplasha) √ √ - - √
13 Chhatim (Alstonia scholaris) - √ - - -
14 Chickrassy (Chukrasia tabularis) √ √ - - -
References
15 Civit (Swintonia floribunda) √ √ √ √ √
16 Dewa/Borta (Artocarpus lakoocha) - - √ - -
17 Dhaki-jam (Syzygium grande) - √ - - -
18 Dholi-garjan (Dipterocarpus gracilis) - √ - √ √
19 Dharmara (Stereospermum
- √ √ √ √
personatum)
20 Dhup (Canarium resiniferum) √ √ √ - -
21 Dudh-kuruch (Wrightia arborea) - √ - - -
22 Gandhi-gazari (Miliusa velutina) - - - √ √
23 Gila-batna/Khami (Castanopsis
- - √ - -
Annex
tribuloides)
24 Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) - √ - - -
25 Golab-jam (Syzygium jambos) - √ - - -
26 Gurja-batna (Lithocarpus
- - √ - -
pachyphyllus)
115 | P a g e
Sl. BFRI Silviculture Research Stations
Species name
No. HQ Keochia Lawachara Charaljani Charkai
27 Haldu (Haldina cordifolia) √ √ √ √ -
28 Hargaza (Dillenia pentagyna) - - √ - -
29 Hartaki (Terminalia chebula) - - - - √
30 Jat-batna (Castanopsis lancifolia) - - √ - -
31 Jawa /barela (Holigarna caustica) - - √ - -
32 Joyna (Schleichera oleosa) - - √ - -
33 Kalo-jam (Syzygium cumini) - √ - - √
34 Kanak (Schima wallichii) - - √ - -
35 Kannyari (Gardenia coronaria) √ √ √ √ √
36 Kainjal-bhadi (Bischofia javanica) - - - √ -
37 Kanaidinga/Thona (Oroxylum indicum) √ √ - - √
38 Kerung (Pongamia pinnata) - √ - - -
39 Khayer (Acacia catechu) √ - - - √
40 Lal-awal/ goda/awal (Vitex
- - √ - -
peduncularis)
41 Lohakat (Xylia xylocarpa var. kerrii) - √ √ - -
42 Mahua (Madhuca indica) - - √ √ -
43 Melaleuca (Melaleuca leucadendra) - √ - - -
44 Menda (kalo)- (Litsea monopetala) √ √ √ - -
45 Moos (Brownlowia elata) - √ - - -
46 Nageswar (Mesua ferrea) - √ - - -
47 Parul (Stereospermum suaveolens) √ - - - -
48 Pitraj (Aphanamixis polystachya) - √ - - -
49 Putranjiva (Putranjiva roxburghii) - - - - √
50 Raktan (Lophopetalum fimbriatum) - √ √ - -
51 Shidha-jarul (Lagerstroemia parviflora) - - √ √ -
52 Sil-batna (Castanopsis indica) - √ - - -
53 Sil-bhadi (Garuga pinnata) - - √ - -
54 Simul (Bombax ceiba) - √ - - -
55 Sonalu (Cassia fistula) - - - √ √
56 Telsur (Hopea odorata) √ √ - - √
57 Tali (Palaquium polyanthum) - - √ - -
58 Teli-garjan (Dipterocarpus turbinatus) √ √ √ √ √
69 Toon (Toona ciliata) - - √ - -
60 Udal (Firmiana colorata) - √ √ √ √
61 Uriam (Mangifera sylvatica) √ √ - √ -
Source: Islam, 2003
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Annex : Table 10 Species Taken Under Conservation Programme in the Campus of
University of Chittagong During 2011-2014
An Update on Biodiversity
Sl. No Scientific name Local name
1 Anisoptera scaphula Boilam
2 Artocarpus lacucha Borta, Dewa
3 Bischofia javanica Kanjalbhadi
4 Brownlowia elata Moos
5 Calophyllum inophyllum Ponyal
6 Canarium resiniferum Dhup, Pairag
7 Cassia fistula Sonalu
8 Castanopsis indica ShilBatna
9 Chukrasia tabularis Chikrassy
10 Cinnamomum iners Tez-bohu
11 Couroupita guianensis Naglingom
12 Dipterocarpus alatus Dhullya-garjan
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
13 Dipterocarpus costatus BaittyaGarjan
Implementation and
14 Dipterocarpus turbinatus TeliGarjan
15 Duabangag grandiflora Bandarhaula
16 Elaeocarpus tectorius Titpai
17 Firmiana colorata Ujal, Pata-gota
18 Gardenia coronaria Konnari
19 Haldina cordifolia Haldu
20 Hopea odorata Telsur
21 Hydnocarpus kurzii Chalmugra
22 Hymenodictyon orixensis Bhutum/ Bhuikadam
23 Lagerstroemia parvifloia SidhaJarul
24 Lithocarpus acuminata Kala Batna
Progress Towards
27 Mangifera sylvatica Uri-Aam
28 Oroxylum indicum Kanaidinga
29 Palaquim polyanthum Tali
30 Podocarpus neriifolius Banspata
31 Pongamia pinnata Kerung, Karanja
32 Protium serratum Gutgutya
33 Pterospermum acerifolium Muchakunda
34 Pterospermum semisagittatum Lana-Assar
35 Pterygota alata Narikeli
36 Sapindus saponaria Rita
37 Saraca asoca Ashok
38 Scaphium wallichii Shampan
39 Schima wallichii Kanak
References
40 Schleichera oleosa Kusum
41 Shorea robusta Sal
42 Spondias pinnata Bon Amra
43 Sterculia foetida Box badam
44 Sterculia villosa Udal
45 Stereospermum tetragonum Dharmara
46 Stereospermum chelonoides Parul
47 Swintonia floribunda Civit
48 Syzygium grande Dhaki Jam
49 Tabebuia chrysantha Tabebuia
50 Terminalia bellirica Bahera
51 Terminalia chebula Haritaki
52 Toona ciliata Toon
53 Vitex glabrata Goda, Horina
Annex
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Annex: Table 11 Seedling Seed Orchards Established at the University of Chittagong
Campus
Site Plantation Age No. of Area
Location Remarks
No. year (yrs.) seedlings (ha)
01 West of Marine Science building 2011 03 903 0.361
02 West of Marine Science building 2012 02 455 0.182
03 East of Nasir Colony 2012 02 697 0.436
04 Near Director Building, IFESCU 2013 01 300 0.12
05 Jungalia Hill 2013 01 4355 3.92
06 Jungalia Hill Mixed plantation 2013 01 760 0.684
07 Jungalia Hill 2014 0.2 4659 2.912
08 Jungalia Hill (BFRI source) 2014 0.2 2540 1.02
Total 14,669 9.635
Annex: Table 12 Review on the Number of Insect Species Reported from Bangladesh
Collection
Number of species
Sl No. Order References & Comments Depository+
identified/recorded
(no. of specimen)
1 Thysanura 03 Kabir, et al. (2008) IMDZCU (3)
2 Collembola 07 Islam, et al. (1973); Bhuiya et al. (1990); IMDZCU (5)
Ahmad et al. (2009); Mazumdar (2014)
3 Ephemeroptera 05 Kabir, et al. (2008) --
4 Neuroptera 06 Ahmed, et al. (2009) IMDZCU (3)
Alam, et al. (1964); Ahmed (1987); Gapud
5 Diptera 270 (1992); Ahmed, et al. (2009); Masuduzzaman IMDZCU (111)
(2012); Bashar, et al. (2010); Bhuiya, et al.
(2014)
Alam, et al. (1964); Gapud, 1992; Ahmed, et
6 Lepidoptera 366 (Moths) al. (2009); Islam, 2013; Chowdhury & Hossain, IMDZCU (117)
320 (Butterflies) 2013; Bashar, 2014; Rajia & Bhuiya, 2015
(unpulished list on Moths); Monwar Hossain,
Total=686 2015 (IUCN Red List Lead Assessor on
Butterfly; pers. comn).
7 Coleoptera 255 Alam, et al. (1964); Gapud (1992); IMDZCU (65)
Anonymous, 1973 -2013; Ritchie (1995)
8 Orthoptera 67 Kabir, et al. (2008); Alam, et al. (1964); Gapud IMDZCU (45)
(1992)
9 Phasmida 05 Bhuiya (2015) personal collection IMDZCU (5)
10 Dermaptera 27 Kabir, et al. (2008) IMDZCU (5)
11 Dictyoptera 15 Kabir, et al. (2008) IMDZCU (10)
12 Odonata 168 Kabir, et al. (2008); Mollah, et al. (eds) (2003);
Chowdhury & Miah (1988); Chowdhury & IMDZCU (35)
Mohiuddin (2011); Bashar, et al. (2014)
13 Isoptera 60 Alam, et al. (1964); Gapud (1992); Kabir, et al. IMDZCU (25)
(2008)
14 Mallophaga 05 Kabir, et al. (2008) IMDZCU (2)
15 Siphunculata 05 Kabir, et al. (2008) IMDZCU (2)
16 Hymenoptera 466 Alam, et al. (1964); Bhuiya and Sufian (1984 –
1985); Bhuiya and Miah, (1990, 2007); Boucek
and Bhuiya, (1991); Bhuiya, 1998, 2001; Miah IMDZCU (506)
& Islam (2012); Bhuiya, et al. (1999, 2000,
2003, 2005, 2007, 2014); Islam (1984-2014);
Ahmed, et al. (2009).
17 Homoptera 147 Alam, et al. (1964); Gapud (1992); Ahmad, et IMDZCU (55)
al. (2008)
18 Hemiptera 128 Alam, et al. (1964); Gapud (1992); Ahmad, et IMDZCU (53)
al. (2008)
19 Thysanoptera 31 Alam, et al. (1964); Gapud (1992); Ahmad, et IMDZCU (15)
al. (2008)
20 Siphonaptera 04 Ferdousi, et al. (2004), in: Ahmed, et al. (2009) IMDZCU (2)
21 Others Record uncertain --------- IMDZCU
(unidentified)
Total Number 2360 (Estimated Total Record)
Source: Bhuiya, 2015* (personal communication)
*Number of species within different orders may be added in due course as they are recorded.
+
IMDZCU = Insect Museum Department of Zoology Chittagong University.
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Annex: Table 13 Status and Trends of Crop Diversity
An Update on Biodiversity
Crop Type Scientific name Status of diversity Trends of diversity
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Maize Zea mays 104 20 Increasing
Implementation and
Barley Hordeum vulgare 55 6 Increasing new varieties
Buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum 6 Decreasing
Triticale Triticosecale spp. 5 2 Remaining the same
Pearl millet Pennisetum 2 Increasing
americanum
Teff Eragrostis abyssinica 2 Remaining the same
Oat Avena sativa 1 Remaining the same
Finger millet Eleusine coracana 1 Decreasing
Total- 12 1,727 0 67
Progress Towards
breeding lines
Chickpea Cicer arietinum 760 800 9 Increasing new variety,
landraces and breeding lines
Lentil Lens culinaris 414 900 7 Increasing new variety, and
decreasing landraces
Blackgram Vigna mungo 68 980 3 Increasing breeding lines and
decreasing landraces
Pigeonpea Cajanus cajan 83 80 Remaining the same
Mungbean Vigna radiate 99 600 6 Increasing
Horse gram Macrotyloma uniflorum 32 Decreasing
Cowpea Vigna unguiculata 31 100 2 Remaining the same
Field Pea Pisum sativum 158 350 1 Increasing new variety,
landraces and breeding lines
References
Fababean Vicia faba 13 60 Increasing
Rice bean Vigna umbellata 6 Remaining the same
‘Bazari’ Unknown 1 Not known
Total-12 3,460 4,220 32
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Crop Type Scientific name Status of diversity Trends of diversity
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Crop Type Scientific name Status of diversity Trends of diversity
An Update on Biodiversity
accession acc. variety
at PGRC other
than
PGRC
Jack bean Canavalia ensiformis 2 1 Increasing
Cheena kopi Brassica chinensis 5 1 Increasing breeding lines
String bean Phaseolus vulgaris 10 1 Increasing
Lettuce Lactuca sativa 17 1 Increasing landraces and
breeding lines
Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. 21 Increasing breeding lines
botrytis L.
Water melon Citrullus lanatus 26 1 Increasing new variety
Teasle gourd Momordica dioica 32 Increasing
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Capsicum Capsicum annum 36 1 Increasing new variety and
Implementation and
breeding lines
Garden pea Pisum sativum 37 3 Remaining the same
Carrot Daucus carota 43 Increasing landraces and
breeding lines
Pointed gourd Trichosanthes anguina 61 2 Increasing
Drum stick Moringa oleifera 15 1 Decreasing
Total-47 3,902 2,176 90
Progress Towards
Banana Musa sp. 2 80 5 Increasing
Ber Ziziphus mauritiana 4 105 4 Increasing new variety and
decreasing landraces
Bilimbi Averrhoa bilimbi 1 2 Not known
Bread fruit Artocarpus altilis 1 Remaining the same
Bullock's heart Annona reticulate 1 10 Decreasing
Burmese grape Baccurea sapida 34 1 Increasing
Butter tree Sclerocarya birrea 1 Not known
Calabash tree Crescentia cujete 1 Not known
Carambola Averrhoa carambola 15 2 Decreasing
Caranda Carissa congesta 2 3 Not known
Cashewnut Anacardium 4 Not known
occiedentale
References
Cherry Cerosus vulgaris 2 Not known
Coconut Cocos nucifera 13 2 Increasing
Cowa Garcinia indica 1 2 Not known
Custard apple Annona squamosa 1 10 Decreasing
Date palm Phoenix sylvestris 1 5 Not known
Indian dillenia Dillenia indica 2 2 Not known
Dragon fruit Hylocereus undatus 2 2 2 Increasing
Durian Durio zibethmus 2 Not known
Elephant’s foot Feronia limonia 2 20 Not known
apple
Fig Ficus carica 1 2 Not known
Flacourtia Flacourtia jangomas 5 Not known
Giant grandilla Pessislora 1 Not known
Annex
quadrangularia
Golden apple Spondias dulcts 41 2 Increasing
Grape Vitis vinifera 4 Not known
Guava Psidium guajava 2 50 3 Increasing
Hogplum Spondias pinnata 5 Not known
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Crop Type Scientific name Status of diversity Trends of diversity
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Crop Type Scientific name Status of diversity Trends of diversity
An Update on Biodiversity
at PGRC other
than
PGRC
Orion Allium cepa 1 30 5 Increasing
Betel leaf Peper betel 24 2 Remaining the same
Coriander Coriandrum sativum 31 18 1 Increasing
Ginger Zinger officenale 18 1 Not known
Garlic Allium sativum. 15 2 Not known
Cumin Cuminum cyminum 12 Not known
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare 1 10 Not known
Bay leaf Pimenta achris 1 5 Remaining the same
Ajowan Trachyspermum ammi 1 4 Not known
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Celery Apium graveolens 4 Not known
Implementation and
Fenugreek Trigonella foenum- 4 3 2 Not known
graecum.
Plum Prunus dumestica 3 1 Increasing
Long pepper Pepper longan 3 Not known
Cinnamon Cinnamomum verum 1 2 Not known
Curry leaf Murraya koenigii 2 Not known
Pandan wangi Pandanus amarylliflious 2 Not known
Chui jhal Pepper chaba 2 Not known
Black cumin Nigella sativa 7 1 1 Not known
Lemon grass Cymbopogon citratus 1 Remaining the same
Black pepper Pepper nigrum 1 1 Increasing
Progress Towards
Amada Curcuma amada. 1 Not known
Aromatic ginger Kaempferia glagalanga 1 Not known
Bitter fenel Foeniculum vulgare 1 Not known
Bunching onion Allium fistulosum 1 1 Increasing
Camphor Cinnamomum camphora 1 Not known
Cardamom Amomum subulatum 1 Not known
(large)
Cardamom Elettaria cardamomum 1 Increasing
(small
Clove Syzygium aromaticum 1 Increasing
Culantro Eryngium foetidum 1 Not known
Shallot Allium ascalonicum 1 Not known
Tarragon Artemesia drucunculus 1 Not known
References
Vanilla Vanilla planifolia 1 Not known
Polaw pata 1 Not known
Bos 1 Not known
Pesta badam Prunus dulcis 1 Not known
Dill Peucedanum officinale 1 Not known
Postodana Papaver somniferum 1 Not known
Long coriander Eryngium foetidum 1 Not known
Total-42 199 252 25
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Crop Type Scientific name Status of diversity Trends of diversity
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Crop Type Scientific name Status of diversity Trends of diversity
An Update on Biodiversity
accession acc. variety
at PGRC other
than
PGRC
Conifers 2 Not known
Ananas Ananas spp. 2 Not known
Spider plant Chlortophytum 2 Not known
comosum
Money plant Epipremnum qureum 2 Not known
Philodendron Philodendron bipinnatifidium 2 Not known
Mussaenda Mussaenda 2 Not known
erythrophylla
Perennial tree 16 Not known
Mainstreaming of NBSAP
Perennial shrub 11 Not known
Implementation and
Total -47 449 16
Progress Towards
swallow
Wild basil Ocimum americamum 1 Not known
Asparagus Asparagus racemosus 1 Not known
Granadilla Cissus quadrangularis 1 Not known
American life Kalanchoe pinnata 1 Not known
plant
Deuils cotton Abromaq augusta 1 Not known
Indian Birthwort Aristolochia indica. 1 Not known
Rati crab's eyes Abrus precatorius 1 Not known
Spiral ginger Costus speciousus 1 Not known
Chaste tree Vitex negundo 1 Not known
Total-18 20
References
Fibre, narcotics and others
Tobacco Nicotiana tabacum 26 1 Decreasing
Jute Corchorus capsularis 19 Not known
Mesta Hibiscus sabdariffa 7 Not known
Sunhemp Sesbania aculeat 5 Not known
Yam bean Pachyrhizus erosus 1 Decreasing
Cotton Gossypioieae spp. 6 Increasing
Coffee Coffea arabica 2 Not known
Total -7 60 7
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