VOLUME 3, TOPIC 15
A. K. Mukerji1
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCTS OF
THE SUNDARBAN RESERVED FOREST: AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
Laskar Muqsudur Rahman1
The Sundarban Forests of Bangladesh is the largest single tract of mangrove forest in the
world having an area of 577,000 ha that has the distinction of being the first mangrove forest in the
world to be brought under scientific management. Until recently the Sundarbans had been seen
primarily as a wood-producing unit and other products were usually referred to minor forest products.
Now time has come to set objectives for strategies aimed at improving production of not only timber
but also non-timber products in a sustainable manner. Nypa palm, fish and honey have been
given substantial attention but more from the point of view of revenue earning potential than in terms
of improving sustainable production for the benefit of underprivileged local people.
Existing management systems do not make sufficient provision for such management and at present there
is a serious imbalance in institutional arrangements, structures, research, monitoring, staff
training and control mechanisms. The collection and processing arrangements are primarily done by
two sectors, viz. The Government primarily through the Forestry Department (FD) and small scale
private entrepreneurs. The Forest Department has no specialized section for handling non-wood
forest products. It is done as an additional responsibility. Some steps have been taken by private
sector entrepreneurs on a very small scale and on a necessary purely commercial basis. Attention
by responsible authorities is now necessary.
Keywords: Mangroves, Tourism, Management, Sustainable
1 Assistant Chief Conservator of Forests Forest Department Bana Bhaban Gulshan Road; Mohakhali,
Dhaka-1212 BANGLADESH
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