Bangladesh Forest Department, with support from FAO, SilvaCarbon and USAID, is leading the Bangladesh National Forest Inventory (NFI) process.

With the participation of 49 national experts from over 15 national organizations, a national consultation workshop was held on 2 June 2016, organized by FAO Project on “Strengthening National Forest Inventory and Satellite Land Monitoring System in support of REDD+ in Bangladesh” to discuss the methods and approaches of conducting a socio-economic survey relating to the NFI.

In his opening remarks, Chief Guest Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan, Department of Development Studies, Dhaka University, said “our understanding of the socio-economic processes (of forests) is marginal”, citing a 2008 literature review in which less than 20% of documents had a socio-economic component. Tree and forests provide fundamental services to the national economy – whether in terms of energy, timber for construction, food and fodder or medicines. Forests also contribute to climate change mitigation, watershed management, prevention of soil erosion and food security.

Mr. Md. Mozaharul Islam, National UN REDD Focal Point stressed that socio-economic surveying is a difficult process but nonetheless essential in identifying the link between forest resource use, employment and livelihoods. “Understanding the socio-economic dimension of forest inventory goes beyond the commercial functions of forestry, allowing the valuation of forests for their spiritual, cultural and recreational aspects”, he said.

Mr. Farin Uddin Ahmed, Executive Director, Arannyak Foundation, emphasised the need for local participation in forest management saying, “To mitigate forest degradation, managers must know the livelihood impact on surrounding forest resources”.

Overall, a better understanding of forest resource use is essential for the development of effective policy to maximise the value derived from forests while ensuring sustainable forest management outcomes. Increasing attention on climate change adaptation, food security and access to energy means the demand for information is higher than ever. The NFI project will address domestic information needs as well as international reporting requirements, by making available data and information on timely and regular basis.

The NFI also takes into consideration the emerging need to improve readiness for REDD+, including emerging needs related to the development of a Safeguards Information System.

With financial support of USAID, the FAO-NFI project is due to complete in 2018.