Conversion of dipterocarp-dominant natural forests to short rotation plantations- an unrecoverable threat to the native dipterocarps in Bangladesh

Hossain, M. K. (2005) Conversion of dipterocarp-dominant natural forests to short rotation plantations- an unrecoverable threat to the native dipterocarps in Bangladesh. [Conference or Proceeding]

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Abstract

Inland moist deciduous sal and wet-evergreen hill forests in Bangladesh were dominated by the Dipterocarp species of Anisoptera scaphula, Hopea odorata, Dipterocarpus alatus, D. costatus, D. gracilis, D. turbinatus and Shorea robusta. Deforestation and forest fragmentation accelerates the loss of native forest biodiversity, particularly the dipterocarp species at an alarming rate in Bangladesh. A deliberate biasness of planting fast growing exotics in dipterocarp-dominant forest ecosystems is also responsible for the disappearing of native Dipterocarp species in Bangladesh. Sal (Shores robusta) forest of the country is severely degraded and are being converted for other land uses and plantations of some exotic fast growing species of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Acacia auriculiformis resulting in the loss of the sal forests of the country. Slash and burn along with the encroachment and deforestation of the hill forests is detrimental to the conservation of the remaining dipterocarp forests. This paper describes the distribution, status and threats to the dipterocarps in Bangladesh and give emphasis for an urgent need of arresting the further degradation of the remnant dipterocarp forests of the country. Appropriate strategies and action plans are the immediate needs to conserve, regenerate, protect and sustainable management of the last dipterocarp forests in Bangladesh.

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