The Bangladesh Forest Department, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), has made a significant step toward forest data transparency by creating metadata, microdata, and supplementary resources from its National Forest Inventory (NFI) publicly available on the Food and Agriculture Microdata (FAM) catalogue developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This initiative marks a milestone in the country’s journey towards sustainable forest management and global environmental goals.

The FAM catalogue offers comprehensive access to essential information about Bangladesh’s NFI, including details on sampling design, data collection methodologies, quality control processes, forest zonation, land cover mapping, and the integration of biophysical, socioeconomic, and remote sensing data. This wealth of information is now accessible to researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders, promoting informed decision-making and better management of the country’s forest resources.

With the use of advanced technologies and rigorous data collection methods, Bangladesh’s forest inventory ensures accuracy and reliability, strengthening the country’s efforts to track progress toward its commitments to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The data also contribute to the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) and the National REDD+ Strategy, further enhancing Bangladesh’s role in global climate action.

In a demonstration of its long-term dedication, Bangladesh has already commenced its second National Forest Inventory (NFI), which began in 2023. Following its commitment to data transparency, the Bangladesh Forest Department plans to link the micro and metadata from both the first and second inventory cycles to the Bangladesh Forest Information System. The department also intends to continue sharing new data on the FAM catalogue as it becomes available, ensuring ongoing accessibility and transparency.

This initiative was supported by the FAO project "Building Global Capacity to Increase Transparency in the Forest Sector (CBIT-Forest)" funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project has played a crucial role in fostering greater openness and capacity building in the forest sector globally, including Bangladesh's active participation.

Through these efforts, Bangladesh demonstrates its commitment to not only improving forest data transparency but also contributing to global environmental goals, paving the way for more effective forest management, conservation strategies, and collaboration with the international community.