A.Z.M. Shamsul Huda
Conservator of Forests
Forest Department
Ministry of Environment and Forest
INTRODUCTION
Bangladesh Forest Department is responsible for the management of 1.52 million hectares of forest area out of a total 2.52 million hectares. Forests and trees are the source of a number of essential products like timber, fuel-wood etc. The forestry activities contribute nearly 3 percent to the GDP. Moreover forests are important in protecting watersheds, in reclaiming land from the sea and in the protection of coastal areas from cyclone and tidal surge. Forests have important influence on the environment and can influence water availability in soil, reduce soil erosion, conserve wildlife, provide flood control etc. Keeping in view, the economic and ecological importance of forests, considering the depletion of forest under population pressure, and recognizing the land use and socio-economic constraints being faced, forest resource development planning trends has changed in Bangladesh.
Forestry planning is the responsibility of the Forest Department. This has been done in full consideration of, and with a view to supporting, the national goals of socio-economic development. The major objectives of forestry planning include conservation of natural forests and wildlife resources, establishment of large-scale forest plantations, promotion of people's participation in forestry activities and support to homestead forestry, efficient utilization of forest products to meet domestic needs, promotion of non-wood forest products for providing off-farm employment and income to the rural communities, provision of forestry extension services, and development of in-country capacity for forestry development in terms of skills and technology.
The planning capability of the Bangladesh Forest Department (FD) is not adequate and needs strengthening, through increase of manpower at the FD's Planning Cell and also improvement of the planning, monitoring and evaluation capability of the manpower employed for the purpose. Integrated and coordinated planning process is still at the infant stage. Further more revolution of information technology at the beginning of new millennium compelled all sectors to be oriented with computer networking, computer aided planning process. In this case forestry sector of Bangladesh is just at the doorstep.
FOREST RESOURCES
In Bangladesh there are mainly three types of forests, namely, mangrove forest, inland sal forest, hill forests and village forest.
The mangrove forest originally covered a vast area of coastal Bangladesh. They account for at least half of the remaining area of natural forest of Bangladesh. Sundri (Heritiera fomes) is the characteristic species of the mangrove forest; among others gewa (Excoecaria agallocha), goran (Ceriops decandra) golpatta (Nypa fruticans), baen (Avicennia officinalis), passur (Xylocarpus mekongensis), kakra (Bruguiera gymnorhiza) and keora (Sonneratia apetala) are important mangrove species.
Inland sal (Shorea robusta) forests originally covered most of the lowlands and floodplains in the central and western parts of the country. This forest has been dramatically reduced in area and now exists only in a number of widely scattered and degraded patches. Mixed subtype is dominated by sal in the canopy, and includes many other associated species such as Terminalia bellerica, Albizzia procera, Lagerstroemia flos-resinae.
The hill forests consist of moist tropical evergreen and semievergreen forests, which extend from northeast to southeast of the country. Principal species are garjan (Dipterocarpus spp.), civit (Swintonia floribunda), kadam (Anthocephalus chinensis), pitali (Trewia nudiflora) and bandarhola (Duabanga grandiflora). Besides, bamboo is found in abundance throughout several of the Forest Reserves.
These forests consist of mixed fruits, fuelwood, shade and other multipurpose trees and bamboos in homesteads and villages throughout Bangladesh.
Large areas of forestland in Bangladesh will inevitably be converted to agricultural use in coming decades. Logging and cutting for fuelwood will continue.
INFORMATION SYSTEM IN THE FOREST DEPARTMENT
Information on resources status is most important aspect of its scientific management. Though the information system depends on the kind of resources and the objectives of management system. Forest resources today have been identified as one of the vulnerable and economically important resources. At the same time it is the prime ecosystem of the environment, degradation of which is considered as a threat to the existence of the earth. In case of tropical forest in particular today one can not think of forestry in isolation of the people or avoiding the issues relating to the environment. Only the poor people live in or near forests and are dependent for food, fodder, timber and income. Forests therefore, are the most important resources, and extremely important component of the environment and plays a vital role in the improvement of the socio-economic condition of the people.
Timely acquisition and management of data on resources is important for its sustainable management. Previously forest was managed for commercial purpose only. Social and Environmental aspects were given due importance. But one can not think of forestry in isolation of the people or avoiding the issues relating to the environment.
The growing importance of forestry demands quick appraisal of status, peoples socio-economic condition and the parameters responsible for the environmental degradation. To keep pace with the present modernization in the forest management technology, Forest Department has adopted a computer based Resources Information Management System (RIMS).
RIMS was introduced under a World Bank Project. The system produces reports relevant to all aspects of the management plan, silvicultural prescriptions and provides information on present and predicted yields from relevant operations. Thus this provides the basis for quantitative management planning and control. This is designed as an aid intensive forest resources management of a Forest Division through a management plan and also in perspective planning in forestry.
Thus the RIMS is a two-way information system. The raw data are supplied to the computer from the field divisions. The processed information containing activities including cutting, planning, tending operations etc. are sent back to the field Divisions from the RIMS Unit. After performing operations the data on new situation are fed to the computer for updating the data base through prescribed formats.
With the development in technology, data management and analysis for spatial information is possible through a Geographical Information System (GIS). GIS is a system of hardware and software which is designed of support the "Capture, management, manipulation, analysis, modulation and display of spatially referenced data" in order to solve complex planning and management problems. GIS provides the means to capture a certain area with all kinds of spatially related data for that area (e.g. data on forest types and growth, administration, demography, socio-economy, environment, infrastructures etc.) Once spatial and associated tabular data have been entered into the computer, it can be used as a tool for management purposes such as production of thematic maps, area calculation, visualization of different scenarios etc. At present the World Bank financed Forest Resources Management Project (FRMP) is supporting the development and integration of GIS with the existing RIMS.
It was mentioned earlier that RIMS database deals only with the stand related information based on mappable management units. The restriction with the RIMS database is that the link to the mappable units-normally forest sub-blocks-is not available in a suitable computerized form.
The combination of RIMS with a suitable GIS would provide the missing link between database and maps. The integration could enhance the capabilities as follows:
enhance mapping process and map products by inclusion of non-forest features like topography, infrastructure and administrative boundaries based on a consistent projection system.
allow up-to-date map presentation of current state of the forest.
enable simulation of different management scenarios and present them in map form.
allow inclusion of non-forest data, which is of importance for forest planning and management (e.g. thana-wise or village demographic data, socio-economic data, location and characteristics of consumers and markets for forest produce)
produce thematic maps on higher level (e.g. division level), which can serve as overview map for general decisions and forest policy,
provide means for a reporting system, suitable to keep records at FD HQ up-to-date in order to provide them with a decent data and map base for forest policy and forest management decisions.
REVIEW OF THE CURRENT AND PAST FOREST PLANNING PROCESS
PAST PLANNING PROCESS
Forestry planning process in Bangladesh is still traditional. Forestry is one of the major sub-sectors of agriculture in Bangladesh and is considered a revenue-earner. The Government has been devoted to the development of its forest resources by implementing many development projects through the Forest Department. These projects were carefully appraised and approved by several concerned authorities for implementation, which has caused delays in implementation. Approved development projects are included in the Annual Development Plan (ADP), which is again formulated as per target of Five Year Plan. The Fourth Five Year Plan (1990-95) is the last successfully completed planning document of Bangladesh. Right from independence to Fourth Five Year Plan a total of ninety-one development projects costing Tk. 5830.0 million have been implemented under forestry sub-sector.
SHORTFALL AND IMPLEMENTATION PROBLEMS: A REVIEW (1972-1997)
During the First Five Year Plan period and the follow up Two Year Approach Plan period the objectives and the strategies pursued were merely traditional ones. The development activities could hardly associate the people and little attention was given to the private sector, especially to improve the village wood lots, planting in marginal wastelands etc.
During the Second Five Year Plan Period the strategy was to maximize production through development of forest resources in government forest and to develop the homestead wood lot, particularly through fast growing species and fruit trees and also to develop strip plantations along roads, highways, railways, canals & embankment sides. The programme to stabilize newly accreted land in the coastal areas through afforestation with mangrove species gave new dimension of activities to the forestry sub-sector.
During the second plan great emphasis was laid on the development of rural or village forestry. During the Third Five Year Plan period emphasis was on conversion of the existing low-yielding into high yielding forests, afforestation of degraded and denuded forest lands and newly accreted lands in the coastal areas; replenishment of village forests by supplying seedlings for planting in the homestead as well as in marginal and coastal land.
During the Third Five Year Plan period the village forests were subjected to heavy exploitation to meet the growing demand and more so after imposing moratorium on felling of natural forest. The rural forestry programme during the plan period lagged much behind its target. In addition to all these depletion of the village groves were accelerated due to increased demand for varied construction works, after creation of upazilla system, at the upazilla headquarters.
During the Fourth Five Year Plan period the main emphasis was to expand forest and provide increased supply of timber and wood. Besides, qualitative improvement of natural forest through artificial regeneration was also given priority. During the Fourth Five Year Plan expansion of forest resources and afforestation of the newly accreted lands continued. Major thrust was people's participation and private sector investment in the management and development of forest.
During 1995-97 the main objective of the forestry sub-sector was to expand forest resources, make the forests adequately productive, develop institutional capabilities including human resource and involve local people as much as possible in forestry activities. People oriented programmes covering forestry on marginal lands, char lands, roadsides, etc. got momentum during these years. Coastal afforestation programme was also carried out during this period in support of land reclamation.
Present Planning
The ongoing Fifth Five Year Plan (1997-2002) identified necessary short falls of the past planning process and incorporated new ideas for future development. Future planned activities have been discussed in this paper. Different development projects are formulated following present policy and target of the government. Already seven development projects have been implemented within this planned period and another nineteen development projects are under implementation. Out of these nineteen development projects sixteen are ongoing projects and three are new projects included within this fiscal year.
The Fifth Five Year Plan is more competent planning document of the government and formulated on the basis of past experiences and present need. Within this Fifth Five Year Plan linkage in and around level, growth and changes in forest resources, land use, allied sub-sectors, protected areas etc. are considered during planning.
Participation of Stakeholders in Planning
Participation of stakeholders in forest planning has now been practiced in Bangladesh. However it was absent in the past. Different workshops/seminars are being arranged in the divisional level to view the grass root level ideas and share local experiences in forest planning. People's participation through RRA has been practiced for forest planning. Leaders of the society, rural elites, NGO representatives and other stakeholders are invited to the workshop to have better participation in the forest planning process. Effort has been made to introduce different alternative means to have more participation of peoples from the grass root level in the present forest planning.
Forest Department has been implementing social forestry projects in which social survey for data collection has been made, benefit-sharing module has been developed and people's participation has been encouraged. NGOs are also associated in the forestry planning and implementation process. Forest Department also consults with allied agencies like BFIDC, Pulp and Paper industries, and Match Industries during its planning process.
In Bangladesh, at present most of the major projects are funded by donor agencies such as ADB and World Bank. It is a fact that the donor agencies are also important stakeholders. To get the fund release terms and condition imposed by them are to be followed in the planning of projects. Sometimes their conditions are so rigid and difficult to implement in our country. As a result the project suffers. The donors in many cases fund the project according to their own policy, which is contradictory for sustainable forest management.
PRIORITIZATION OF ALTERNATIVES FOR PLANNING
Earlier investment so far made in the forestry sub-sector and its management objective was to ensure higher revenue earning for the government. But this outlook has been changed. At present, the planning process considers various other issues such as environment, wildlife conservation, soil conservation, watershed management, biodiversity conservation, conservation of genetic resources, socio-economic improvement through people's participation, forest-based small-scale and wood-based large-scale industries, employment opportunities, women employment, rural development, poverty alleviation, ecotourism etc. The guiding factors for priority setting in forest planning alternatives are the National Forest Policy, national goals, international treaties and convention.
People's participation in tree growing and forest management has been the main theme of future forestry development in the country as tree growing and forest management can contribute to poverty alleviation. Community forestry and social forestry has been promoted by giving priority to poorer communities and peoples specially the poorer section and women employed on priority basis in nurseries, plantations, silvicultural practices and harvesting. Attentions has been given to the production of non-wood forest products and their processing specially bamboo, rattan, murta, medicinal and aromatic plants as these will generate employment opportunity in the rural areas.
Charland stabilization through afforestation will be continued which will also protect the property and human life in the hinterland against natural calamities. The stabilized charlands, where mangrove vegetation cannot be sustained any more will be planted with economically important species like coconut and other suitable upland tree species.
Farmlands especially in the northern districts will be managed through development of appropriate farming system by applying agroforestry technology. Tree crop combination in such farmlands can contribute towards economic growth of the concerned area and the people.
Denuded areas in the state owned forest including the scattered tree areas will be rehabilitated through afforestation of appropriate tree species especially with indigenous ones. Major thrust will be provided in the afforestation of denuded Unclassified State Forest (USF) areas in the greater district of Chittagong Hill Tracts through multiple approaches.
Plain land sal (Shorea robusta) forest areas will be managed and developed through participatory approaches. Economically viable, environmental friendly and sustainable modules will be developed and applied in this tract with people's participation. The specially designated protected areas and then existing core natural forest area will not be exploited rather will be managed for the conservation of gene pool and biodiversity.
Besides, credit facility will be provided to investor in establishing nursery and tree farming in privately owned lands as well as in state forestlands. Mass media will be utilized to lunch public awareness campaign in disseminating information on tree planting and management and also to disseminate information on the consequences of miss-management of forest resources and success stories of conservation and proper utilization.
The major objectives of the forestry sub-sector development considered during planning are to:
rehabilitate man and land through tree planting and thereby to increase the production system;
alleviate rural poverty through intensified afforestation in the village groves, marginal lands etc.;
intensify farm forestry and agroforestry activities in the northern parts of the country by adopting suitable tree-crop combination;
reforest denuded and degraded state forest lands;
bring all vacant public and private lands under tree cover;
meet basic needs of all forest products by integrating trees with farming system;
improve environmental situation for supporting agricultural and other biological production;
develop the protection areas and the core natural forest areas as conservation areas to protect the gene pool, wildlife and biodiversity;
create employment opportunities for the landless poor, marginal farmers and woman; and
have computer network and better database for good planning in the forestry sub-sector.
Use of remote sensing and GIS techniques in forest planning
Within Forest Department, Resources Information Management System (RIMS) was established under the World Bank financed Second Forestry Project. Geographic Information System (GIS) has also been developed under Forest Resources Management Project. Thus Forest Department has been equipped with GIS and Remote Sensing in support of forest planning. Forest inventories are conducted through remote sensing. All parts of forest area of Bangladesh are inventoried except for Hill Districts and the database thus created is used for developing management plans and information system. Remote sensing has now been utilized in forest planning. The aid of remote sensing also helps in quick appraisal of situation, which facilitates to decide on the variability of planning process. Remote sensing also gives repetitive coverage of the forestland through which adjustments in planning can also be possible. GIS is a decision making tool which in combination and also by integration can help to build up data base for the planning process and the data base just started to be utilized in forestry planning process.
STRENGTH OF the current planning process
Currently we are using database for forest management on a pilot basis. But this support is not adequate. Forest composition maps that are now available do not cover all forest areas of Bangladesh. Use of remote sensing and GIS techniques in forest management, which ultimately helps in forest planning, is also insufficient. Forest Department is also using computer but in a very limited scale. Development of computer networking as a pilot programme is under way within Forest Department. This networking is planned to be introduced in all the divisions of the Forest Department. Thus forest-planning support will be enhanced in near future. Recently we have developed a Resource Information Management System (RIMS), which is partly responsible for the interpretation of remote sensing data and to develop the GIS. The cell that has already been developed has a few forests cover maps, which have been prepared by using remote sensing and GIS.
Weakness of the planning process
The planning process in bangladesh has not been modernized yet. The planning process is still weak and obsolete in many instances. The following issues are identified as the weaknesses in the planning process:
Inadequate database
Dearth of forest type map/forest composition map
Lack of computer use
Lack of skill manpower
Lack of EIA during planning
Lack of training facilities
Lack of interest in adopting the change
EXISTING FOREST PLANNING PROCESS
Forest Department (PCP)
Ministry of Environment and Forests
Planning Commission
DPEC
(Ministry of Environment and Forests)
Final Approval
(PP)
Figure 1. Schematic Diagram of Forest Planning Process
PCP = Project Concept Paper
PP = Project Performa
DPEC = Departmental Project Evaluation Committee
ECNEC = Executive Committee for National Economic Council
NEED FOR A BETTER PLANNING PROCESS
Outside the Forest Department
Participation of stakeholder to view their idea through RPP/ Workshop
Development of forestry in consultation with other allied sectors like agriculture, wood based industries such as BFIDC, Match industries, Pulp and paper industries etc.
Interactive or interchanged process may be developed.
Within the Forest Department
Database to be built up for forest stand at beat, range and division level. Since Bangladesh is a highly populated country, per unit production need to be increased many times.
A proper database will help to draw a proper plan in order to integrate all the variables for higher production. Forestry today is not only a revenue-earning source but it is also used for the protection of gene pool and bio-diversity management.
To develop holistic plan quick appraisal and timely data collection is utmost necessary for a well-accepted plan.
DEVELOPMENT OF REMOTE SENSING UNIT
Forest Department needs to develop a permanent remote sensing cell tagged with the central forestry-planning unit.
A methodology or a process needs to be developed to acquire remote sensing data from abroad on a regular basis.
At first a micro level data base need to be developed so that at the later stage remote sensing data can be interpreted on the basis of that micro level information.
Forest Department does not have that sort of strength or mechanism to accommodate such kind of planning process.
At present whatever may be the piece meal activities in the department those are developed under different projects funded by International donors (ADB/WB). But for the continuity and sustainability a permanent set-up is mandatory within the department with skilled manpower and necessary computer hardware and software. A central monitoring and evaluation system along with the planning is also lacking in the Forest Department. Implementation of the programmes should be monitored and evaluated to judge the accomplishment, which can be a basis for the future planning process.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Well-organized planning process is absolutely necessary which should be capable of organizing sub-sectoral issues in the planning process addressing both for the stakeholders as well as the department.
In the process of planning and plan implementation, emphasis need to be placed on inter-sectoral co-ordination in view of the close linkages, between forestry and other sectors such as agriculture, livestock, fishery, industries and energy.
Forest's role in environmental conservation and protection of biodiversity should receive serious attention in the plans for forestry development.
A well-organized database is also necessary for forestry planning. Forest Department has its own database but in a limited scale. Database once developed should be updated on a regular basis. In this case RIMS should be given support to develop its own facility for collection and maintenance of its own database. Moreover the structure of database is different from one country to another. But nowadays a Global Forest Resource Management (GFRA) is conducted throughout the World to have a standard resources management system. FAO is responsible to develop a unilateral data base system for this region. So the individual country, which develops database, should be compatible with data structure developed in the FAO guideline.
A skilled manpower is needed to handle these database and for the conformity of the planning system. A devoted and permanent set-up is needed to be engaged with the central planning unit of the department.
Number of computers, currently under use, is inadequate to handle the total planning process of the department. Up-dated computer facilities along with the modem, Internet need to be procured for the efficient planning process. Integration and cooperation may be achieved if computerized net working could be developed.
For the maintenance of the computer and peripherals and also for the training of the personnel, the normal budget of the government is very scanty and not adequate in many instances.
Monitoring and evaluation should be equally strengthened with in the planning system.
