🌿 Bangladesh’s Forest Resources, Institutions, and Sustainable Management (Part 3)

📌 8.10. Other Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs)

The forests of Bangladesh supply a wide range of other economically significant non-timber products that contribute substantially to rural livelihoods and the national economy. Examples include:

• Medicinal plants: Over 500 plant species in Bangladesh forests have recognized medicinal properties. Many rural households depend on wild medicinal plants for primary health care and local traditional medicine production.

• Resins & Gums: Various species produce valuable gums and resins, used locally and exported.

• Wild fruits & nuts: Many indigenous fruits collected from forests supplement local diets and markets.

• Ornamental plants & flowers: Villagers often collect wild orchids, creepers, and flowering plants to sell in urban nurseries.

• Fuelwood & fodder: Village forests supply the bulk of rural fuelwood and leaf fodder for livestock.

✅ 9. Protected Areas Network

Bangladesh’s protected area system covers 10.72% of its total forest area. This network includes Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks, Game Reserves, and proposed Community Conservation Areas.

🔹 Wildlife Sanctuaries

Key wildlife sanctuaries include:

• Sundarbans East, West & South Wildlife Sanctuaries — part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary (Habiganj)

• Dudhpukuria-Dhopachari Wildlife Sanctuary (Chattogram)

These sanctuaries conserve critical habitats for flagship species like the Royal Bengal Tiger, Asian elephants, hoolock gibbons, and many migratory birds.

🔹 National Parks

Prominent national parks are:

• Lawachara National Park (Sylhet)

• Kaptai National Park (Rangamati)

• Madhupur National Park (Tangail)

• Bhawal National Park (Gazipur)

National parks protect large scenic forest tracts for biodiversity conservation, public recreation, education, and research.

🔹 Game Reserves

Game Reserves aim to protect important wildlife populations while permitting some regulated tourism and research activities.

✅ 10. Forest Revenue, Local Livelihoods & Challenges

The forest sector generates revenue not only from timber sales but also increasingly from Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) and ecotourism. Coastal mangroves, for example, supply honey, fish, crabs, and Golpata thatching leaves — these resources directly benefit thousands of coastal families.

However, overexploitation, illegal logging, unsustainable harvesting of NWFPs, and encroachment continue to threaten forest sustainability. Community-based forest management and benefit-sharing arrangements are therefore critical.

✅ 11. Modern Forestry Trends: Participatory, Social, Agroforestry

✔️ Social Forestry

Bangladesh pioneered social forestry to provide fuelwood, poles, and small timber while empowering local communities with income and employment. Homestead tree planting, roadside strip plantations, and marginal land plantations now supply a significant share of domestic wood demand.

✔️ Agroforestry

Agroforestry combines agriculture and forestry — a traditional system like Taungya in hill tracts is now modernized to:

• Reforest degraded lands,

• Enhance farm incomes,

• Increase biodiversity.

Sal forest areas in Tangail, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, and Dinajpur are prime examples of successful agroforestry models.

✔️ Participatory Forestry

Bangladesh’s shift from a purely custodial to participatory approach has brought thousands of households into community forest management — ensuring that locals share the benefits and feel invested in conservation. Major projects like ADB’s Community Forestry Project and the ongoing Forestry Sector Project embody this approach.

✅ 12. Sustainable Future Directions

Bangladesh’s forests remain under pressure from population growth, land use change, climate change impacts (like cyclones and coastal erosion), and poverty-driven dependency on forest products.

Key recommendations for a sustainable forestry future:1️⃣ Expand coastal afforestation to protect the coastline and support livelihoods.2️⃣ Scale up community forestry, agroforestry, and social forestry models.3️⃣ Strengthen protected area management for critical habitats and wildlife corridors.4️⃣ Enhance forest monitoring through modern GIS & RIMS technologies.5️⃣ Develop eco-tourism as an alternative income source.6️⃣ Invest in capacity building for local communities, especially women.7️⃣ Promote sustainable harvesting and value chains for NWFPs.8️⃣ Strengthen policies for climate-resilient forest landscape restoration.

📚 References & Sources

• Bangladesh Forest Department Reports (2021–2023)

• MoEFCC National Forest Policy & Master Plan Updates (2022)

• FAO State of Forests in Asia & the Pacific (2022)

• IUCN Bangladesh country reports

• BFRI Annual Research Highlights

• ADB Forestry Sector Project Reviews

• RIMS/GIS Unit Annual Data Summaries

• Sundarban World Heritage Site Management Plan

✅ Conclusion:Bangladesh’s forests — whether the mighty Sundarbans mangroves, hill forests of Chattogram, tropical Sal forests of Madhupur, or village woodlots — remain the nation’s green lungs and natural shield against climate and disaster risks. Modern forest management rooted in community participation, scientific planning, digital monitoring, and fair benefit-sharing is key to ensuring these forests sustain both nature and people for generations to come.