The Present Status of Protected Areas (PAs) in Bangladesh

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1 The Present Status of Protected Areas (PAs) in Bangladesh by Dihider Shahriar Kabir School of Environmental Science and Management Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB)

2 Background of Study Lack of updated information on Protected Areas (PAs) Lack of understanding on PAs management and conservation issues Lack of seriousness at the implementation level Role of PAs & ECAs to conserve Biological diversity

3 Objectives To collect and compile existing data on PAs and ECAs. To assess the present status of PAs and ECAs. To analyze all studies on PAs from a broader perspective, importance of PAs and ECAs in conservation of Tropical Forest Biodiversity. To identify gaps in PA management, coverage and recommend new areas as such for PA or ECA To identify the inter linkages between PAs and ecosystems adjacent to PAs To suggest specific studies, projects, programs towards conservation of Tropical Forest Biodiversity to the Arannayk Foundation.

4 Concept of PAs A protected area (IUCN, 1994) may be: A wetland A tropical or deciduous forest A cultivated landscape of value An alpine region or a savannah A marine area Any other types of natural or Partially modified ecosystems

5 Concept of ECAs According to BECA, 1995: ECAs are the areas, where ecosystem is considered to be threatened to reach a critical state.

6 IUCN Categories of PAs in Bangladesh IV- Wildlife Sanctuary V- National Park VI- Game Reserve

7 Number of Notified PAs Total of 16 Notified PAs 8 National Parks 7 Wildlife Sanctuaries 1 Game Reserve

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9 An overview of PAs National Park (NP) Area (ha) Bioecological Zone Total No of Flora & Fauna species Bhawal 5,022 Madhupur Tract 224 & 64 Madhupur 8,436 Madhupur Tract 176 & 60 Medha Kassapia Chittagong Hills Data insufficient Himchari 1,729 Chittagong Hills 117 & 65 Nijhum Dweep 16,325 Offshore Island 77 & 66 Lawachara Sylhet Hills 222 & 286 Kaptai 5,464 CHT Hills Data insufficient Ramsagar 52 Barind Tract Data insufficient

10 An overview of PAs (Cont ) Wildlife Sanctuary (WS) Area (ha) Bioecological Zone Total No of Flora & Fauna species Rema Kalenga 1,795 Sylhet Hills 606 & 53 Chunati 7,761 Chittagong Hills 101 & 83 Pablakhali 42,087 CHT Hills Data insufficient Char Kukri Mukri 40 Offshore Island 77 & 61 Sundarban East 31,226 Sundarban Total 66 & 375 species at Sundarban zone Sundarban West Sundarban South 71,502 36,970 Sundarban Besides,180 species Fish & Crab

11 An overview of PAs (Cont..) Game Reserve Area (ha) Bioecological Zone Total Species of Flora & Fauna Teknaf 11,615 Chittagong Hills 111 & 64

12 Tree Shrubs Palm/bamboo Climber Herbs Grass No o f sp e cie s Bhaw al Madhupur Rama Kelenga Hazarikhil chunati Himchari Teknaf Char Kukri Mukri Name of the protected area Nijhum deep

13 Name of the protected area Total No Family Tree Shrubs Palm Climber Herbs Grass Total Bhawal Madhupur Rama Kelenga Hazarikhil Chunati Himchari nil Teknaf Char Kukri Mukri Nijhum deep

14 Number of fauna and their species present in different forest zones Forest Zone Family Name Number of groups Number of Species Bhawal National Park Mammals 9 10 Birds Reptalia 6 9 Amphibians 4 6 Madhupur National Park Mammals 8 11 Birds Reptalia 5 7 Amphibians 3 4 Rema-kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary Mammals 5 6 Birds Reptalia 2 3 Amphibians 1 3 Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary Mammals Birds Reptalia 6 6 Amphibians 3 3 Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary Mammals Birds Reptalia 6 7 Amphibians 3 4 Nijhum Dweep Wildlife Sanctuary Mammals 8 8 Birds Reptalia 5 7

15 Name of ECA 10 km strip outside Sundarban RF List of ECAs District location Khulna, Bagherhat, Satkhira Area (ha) 10 km radius from the reserve forest Cox sbazar to Teknaf Cox sbazar Saint Martin s Island Cox sbazar 590 Sonadia Island Cox sbazar 4916 Hakaluki Haor Maulvi Bazar 18,383 Tanguar Haor Sunamganj 9727 Majarat Haor Jhenaidah 200 Total: 44,281 (ha)

16 Present Status of PAs Three PAs in the Cox s Bazar district severely denuded by illegal extraction, encroachment & massive degradation over the years. Lawachara and Rema-Kalenga are still better as they possess high Biodiversity than that of Cox s Bazar and Chittagong. Madhupur and Bhawal are on the brink of extinction but still having reasonably good number of floral species. Pressure on Sundarban has increased greatly over the last decade that outstripped the natural regeneration.

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23 Sources of Information Secondary Data Primary Data Personal Communication

24 Management Regime of PAs and ECAs Forest department is incharge of managing PAs. Department of Environment is incharge of ECAs Management. BECA,1995 and BECR,1997 provide with legal aspect of ECAs. Wildlife (conservation) (amendment) Order,1974 provides the legal mandate of PAs management. CBD, Fishery conservation act also provide with legal basis of PAs management.

25 The potential sites for PAs & ECAs Lauchopra Gazni Forest Charkai Sal Forest Chalan Beel Satchari Reserve Forests Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary Chanda Beel Marine Water

26 Gaps in PAs Physical boundary Lack of quantitative & qualitative information Lack of understanding of conservation issues, wildlife protection and management issues. Unsustainable harvesting of forest resources. Inadequate manpower Shifting cultivation/encroachment Silvicultural Practices and Treatments are not systematic

27 Gaps in PAs (cont ) Absence of display center, bill board & direction of trails Absence of skill guide to demonstrate the PAs Lack of Garbage disposal facilities The PA system does not cover all the bioecological zones. Lack of skilled manpower Lack of Zoning and Peoples participation

28 Recommendation of PAs Inventory, baseline surveys are needed for PAs specially newly declared PAs. Special emphasis should be placed on the protection of Sundarban Regular monitoring and study of both flora and faunal diversity Restoration program is needed soon in many PAs.

29 Recommendation of PAs (cont..) Cooking, Vehicle parking, Use of loud speaker should be regulated Establishment of documentation centre and Bill boards are needed More skilled manpower be posted Peoples participation & Ecodevelopment programs in Buffer zones are needed. More areas be declared as PAs and ECAs

30 Conclusion Conservation measure for the rapidly dwindling small patches of the forests Law enforcement Inter-planting to restore habitat/ ecosystem Forestry extension in the buffer/ adjacent areas Motivation and Awareness Campaigning

31 THANK YOU