XI WORLD FORESTRY CONGRESS

Antalya, Turkey, 13 to 22 October 1997




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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