Homestead Plant Species Diversity and Its Contribution to the Household Economy: a Case Study from Northern Part of Bangladesh

Mohammad Golam Kibria,Sawon Istiak Anik 강원대학교 산림과학연구소 2010 Journal of Forest Science Vol.26 No.1

This paper analyzes data on the plant species diversity and their contribution to the livelihoods of rural people in five villages of Domar upazila, Nilphamari district, Bangladesh. Assessment was done by means of multistage random sampling. Information collected from a total of 40 households ranging from small, medium and large categories. A total of 52 plant species belonging to 34 families were identified as being important to local livelihoods. Fruits (37%), timber (23%) and medicinal (17%) species were the most important plant use categories. Determination of the relative density of the different species revealed that Areca catechu constitutes 19.17% of homestead vegetation of the area followed by Artocarpus heterophyllus, which occupies 10.34%. Margalef index showed that there is no major difference (5.11 for large, 5.49 for medium, 4.73 for small) across the different size classes and Shannon-Weiner Index of the study area varies from 2.75 to 2.98. Results show that the average annual homestead income varied from US$108.69 to US$291.67 and contribute 6.63% of the household income.

Homestead Plant Species Diversity and Its Contribution to the Household Economy: a Case Study from Northern Part of Bangladesh

Kibria, Mohammad Golam,Anik, Sawon Istiak Institute of Forest Science 2010 Journal of Forest Science Vol.26 No.1

This paper analyzes data on the plant species diversity and their contribution to the livelihoods of rural people in five villages of Domar upazila, Nilphamari district, Bangladesh. Assessment was done by means of multistage random sampling. Information collected from a total of 40 households ranging from small, medium and large categories. A total of 52 plant species belonging to 34 families were identified as being important to local livelihoods. Fruits (37%), timber (23%) and medicinal (17%) species were the most important plant use categories. Determination of the relative density of the different species revealed that Areca catechu constitutes 19.17% of homestead vegetation of the area followed by Artocarpus heterophyllus, which occupies 10.34%. Margalef index showed that there is no major difference (5.11 for large, 5.49 for medium, 4.73 for small) across the different size classes and Shannon-Weiner Index of the study area varies from 2.75 to 2.98. Results show that the average annual homestead income varied from US$108.69 to US$291.67 and contribute 6.63% of the household income.

Wild Date Palm (Phoenix sylvestris Roxb.) Husbandry in the Rural Southern Region of Bangladesh: Production, Marketing and Potential Contribution to Rural Economy

Rahman, Md. Habibur,Fardusi, Most. Jannatul,Anik, Sawon Istiak,Roy, Bishwajit Institute of Forest Science 2011 Journal of Forest Science Vol.27 No.2

An exploratory study was conducted in Gopalganj, a southern district of Bangladesh to explore the role of wild date palm (Phoenix sylvestris Roxb.) husbandry in the rural economy. A total of 36 households in the study area were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. A multistage sampling method with 10% intensity and a semi-structured questionnaire were used for the study. Based on the land holding capacity of the households, the farmers were categorized into five groups as landless, marginal, small, medium, and large. The date palm was distributed over seven different habitats of which roadside support the highest value (31%) followed by agricultural field and orchard (25% each). Though the large category farmers own most of the palms (43%), a considerable portion (562 individuals out of 1980) of it is managed by the landless farmers, who earn a substantial livelihood from the palms. The farmers manage the palm mainly for juice production; juice is either used fresh as drink or after some sort of processing as molasses and/or alcoholic beverage. Date palm husbandry contributes 32,601 Tk., 21,107 Tk., 20,626 Tk., 29,574 Tk. and 35,335 Tk. respectively to the five group seasonally and 50,980 Tk., 77,556 Tk., 90,208 Tk., 112,560 Tk., 140,675 Tk. respectively annually (1 US$ = 70 Tk.). Date palm trees contribute 65.48% of mean annual income to landless farmers followed by 27.21% to marginal farmers. However the poor marketing system result in decreasing the annual return from palm trees. Palm husbandry could be a promising source of rural incomes in Bangladesh if the farmers' traditional management knowledge was linked to more scientific management practices.

Wild Date Palm (Phoenix sylvestris Roxb.) Husbandry in the Rural Southern Region of Bangladesh: Production, Marketing and Potential Contribution to Rural Economy

Md. Habibur Rahman,Most. Jannatul Fardusi,Sawon Istiak Anik,Bishwajit Roy 강원대학교 산림과학연구소 2011 Journal of Forest Science Vol.27 No.2

An exploratory study was conducted in Gopalganj, a southern district of Bangladesh to explore the role of wild date palm (Phoenix sylvestris Roxb.) husbandry in the rural economy. A total of 36 households in the study area were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. A multistage sampling method with 10% intensity and a semi-structured questionnaire were used for the study. Based on the land holding capacity of the households, the farmers were categorized into five groups as landless, marginal, small, medium, and large. The date palm was distributed over seven different habitats of which roadside support the highest value (31%) followed by agricultural field and orchard (25% each). Though the large category farmers own most of the palms (43%), a considerable portion (562 individuals out of 1980) of it is managed by the landless farmers, who earn a substantial livelihood from the palms. The farmers manage the palm mainly for juice production; juice is either used fresh as drink or after some sort of processing as molasses and/or alcoholic beverage. Date palm husbandry contributes 32,601 Tk., 21,107 Tk., 20,626 Tk., 29,574 Tk. and 35,335 Tk. respectively to the five group seasonally and 50,980 Tk., 77,556 Tk., 90,208 Tk., 112,560 Tk., 140,675 Tk. respectively annually (1 US$ = 70 Tk.). Date palm trees contribute 65.48% of mean annual income to landless farmers followed by 27.21% to marginal farmers. However the poor marketing system result in decreasing the annual return from palm trees. Palm husbandry could be a promising source of rural incomes in Bangladesh if the farmers’ traditional management knowledge was linked to more scientific management practices.

Ecotourism and Protected Area Conservation in Bangladesh: a Case Study on Understanding the Visitors Views on Prospects and Development

Rahman, Md. Habibur,Roy, Bishwajit,Anik, Sawon Istiak,Fardusi, Most. Jannatul Institute of Forest Science 2013 Journal of Forest Science Vol.29 No.1

Protected area based ecotourism is now the most interesting topic to the nature lover and policy maker throughout the world because of its linkage with economic benefits, protected area management and biodiversity conservation. Based on this premise our study explores the visitors' perception on the recreational potential of Kaptai National park and its potentiality in ecotourism development in Bangladesh. The field survey was carried out both in holidays and non-holidays of the week from the late winter season in 2009 to the spring season in 2010. A total of 118 visitors were interviewed with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire. Study findings revealed that about 62% male constitute the visitors group with the maximum number of visitors in the age of between 15-25 years (35.59%). The tourists were very much attracted by boat riding (93.22%) followed by scenic beauty of Rampahar-Sitapahar (85.59%). A major portion of about 57.14% tourists wished to visit the park within a year because they got a lot of pleasure from Natural and green environment (86.44%) followed by boating on Kaptai Lake (85.59%). Most of the visitors (36%) were happy about existing facilities but defined some problems such as tour guiding facility, food and drinking water supply, etc. About 71% and 66% respondents perceived that Kaptai National Park made them to be concerned and protective of nature and supports and sustains local ecosystem respectively and 43% respondents agreed that Kaptai National Park ensures the social equity and involve local people in ecotourism which are the most important elements of sustainable ecotourism. The present study results also predict that the park might be a good recreational area for enjoying with family members and group of friends through proper management and promoting the relationships among tourism, local people and biodiversity conservation.

Ecotourism and Protected Area Conservation in Bangladesh: a Case Study on Understanding the Visitors Views on Prospects and Development

Md. Habibur Rahman,Bishwajit Roy,Sawon Istiak Anik,Most. Jannatul Fardusi 강원대학교 산림과학연구소 2013 Journal of Forest Science Vol.29 No.1

Protected area based ecotourism is now the most interesting topic to the nature lover and policy maker throughout the world because of its linkage with economic benefits, protected area management and biodiversity conservation. Based on this premise our study explores the visitors’ perception on the recreational potential of Kaptai National park and its potentiality in ecotourism development in Bangladesh. The field survey was carried out both in holidays and non-holidays of the week from the late winter season in 2009 to the spring season in 2010. A total of 118 visitors were interviewed with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire. Study findings revealed that about 62% male constitute the visitors group with the maximum number of visitors in the age of between 15-25 years (35.59%). The tourists were very much attracted by boat riding (93.22%) followed by scenic beauty of Rampahar-Sitapahar (85.59%). A major portion of about 57.14% tourists wished to visit the park within a year because they got a lot of pleasure from Natural and green environment (86.44%) followed by boating on Kaptai Lake (85.59%). Most of the visitors (36%) were happy about existing facilities but defined some problems such as tour guiding facility, food and drinking water supply, etc. About 71% and 66% respondents perceived that Kaptai National Park made them to be concerned and protective of nature and supports and sustains local ecosystem respectively and 43% respondents agreed that Kaptai National Park ensures the social equity and involve local people in ecotourism which are the most important elements of sustainable ecotourism. The present study results also predict that the park might be a good recreational area for enjoying with family members and group of friends through proper management and promoting the relationships among tourism, local people and biodiversity conservation.