BD NR 05 en

Fifth National Report of Bangladesh to the Convention
on
Biological Diversity
Department of Environment
Ministry of Environment and Forests
Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Fifth National Report

to
the Convention on Biological Diversity
(Biodiversity National Assessment 2015)
Paribesh Bhaban
E-16, Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar
Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
Ph -88-02-8181800
Fax-88-02-8181772
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
www.doe.gov.bd
November 2015
Minister
MESSAGE
It is my great satisfaction that Bangladesh presents the Fifth National Report to the Secretariat
of the Convention on Biological Diversity, (Biodiversity National Assessment 2015), which fulfils
an important national commitment under the Convention. The Report results from broad
consultations carried out with the various sectors of people working on biodiversity. I am very
pleased with the publication that depicts an update on biodiversity status, trends, and threats
and implications for human well-being, progresses made on implementation of NBSAP and its
mainstreaming as well as progress towards achieving Aichi Biodiversity Targets and Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs).
Bangladesh is biodiversity rich a country. Our people have traditionally been conserving
biodiversity generations-after-generations. Maintaining the richness in biodiversity is very
important for supporting the economy of Bangladesh with food supply and livelihoods. To this
end, Bangladesh has taken various development initiatives on management of areas important
on biodiversity of the country. Bangladesh has been enhancing its support for the conservation
and sustainable use of its biodiversity with remarkable outcomes, such as, increase of
conserved areas of wetlands, expansion of vegetation cover and reduction of deforestation, as
well as, generation of knowledge on biodiversity. At the same time, our citizens living standards
are improving significantly through effective efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger. As one of
the parties to CBD, Bangladesh remains committed to develop and implement policies and
solutions to integrate the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources into
sustainable development strategies.
The Government of Bangladesh strongly believes that there is no alternative to conserve
biodiversity for ensuring well-being of the people. Our efforts towards protecting the ecosystems
and the diversity of its biological components will further be enhanced with the publication of the
report. The report will concurrently help communicate information on biodiversity and related
action plans to global partners and guide the government for implementing its actions for the
betterment of the local and global community.
Let us make our all-out effort that will enable us to do everything possible towards conservation
and sustainable use of biodiversity.
I wish the report would go a long way towards its implementation.
(Anwar Hossain Manju, MP)
Deputy Minister
MESSAGE
It is indeed a great pleasure for us to see the publication of Fifth National Report to the
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, (Biodiversity National Assessment 2015).
The report updated pictures of biodiversity that could be a useful document not only to the
decision makers but also to the academicians and students who may use it as an education
material.
It is widely acknowledged that the current status of biodiversity in Bangladesh is under stress.
Population pressure that makes over-dependence on ecosystems goods and services,
pollution, habitat destruction through land use change, invasive of alien species and, above all,
climate change is taking a huge toll on our biodiversity.
The indomitable force of our people living in harmony with nature has been jeopardized by the
frequent disasters of climate change. Despite all these odds and obstacles, we never followed
do-nothing policies. Bangladesh signed CBD in 1992 and ratified in 1994. We ratified Cartagena
Protocol on Biosafety in 2004. Weve also signed Nagoya Protocol on Access-Benefit Sharing
in 2011. To the cause of biodiversity conservation, we developed National Biodiversity Strategy
and Action Plan (NBSAP) in 2004 and National Biosafety Framework (NBF) in 2006. Towards
protection and improvement of environment and biodiversity, our government in 2011 inserted
the Para 18A in the constitution as fundamental principles of our state governance. The Para
provides that the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment, preserve and
safeguard the natural resources, biodiversity, wetlands, forests and wildlife for the present and
future citizens.
The status and trends portrayed in the report have the impetus on implementing stronger efforts
towards conservation of biological diversity, ensuring the sustainable use of its components and
the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
Being bio-rich a country, Bangladesh has to adopt adequate measures to halt further
degradation of our precious biological resources.
I strongly believe that our efforts towards biodiversity conservation would re-energize with the
publication of the report.
(Abdullah Al-Islam Jakob, MP)
Secretary
FOREWORD
I am pleased to observe the publication of the Fifth National Report. I am happy to note that the
Biodiversity National Assessment 2015 has been prepared following consultative process
involving a wide range of stakeholders and I wish to thank all of those who contributed to the
process of development of the report. This report provides an opportunity to share experiences
of Bangladesh with rest of the world.
The report reveals that our biodiversity is under huge pressure of population and the onslaught
of extreme events of climate change. Yet, Bangladesh made a tremendous progress in terms
of taking development initiatives towards conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Bangladesh has already increased its protected areas and ecologically critical areas. The
alternative income generating activities has already been taken in various wetlands and forest
communities to conserve biodiversity. However, the initiatives are proving inadequate because
of our resource constraints. We have to work towards fast-track mobilization of adequate
financial as well as technological resources from developed world to halt the further degradation
of biodiversity in the developing countries like Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has taken development activity towards updating and mainstreaming NBSAP in
line with Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Mainstreaming of biodiversity in different sectors would also
be taken into account in the process of NBSAP updating activity.
The report opens our eyes that we have great challenges ahead, but we are determined to
achieve success in conserving biodiversity.
Let us all work together and forge a network of cooperation to reverse the challenges of ensuring
conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of its components.
(Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed)
DOE
Director General
PREFACE
Fifth National Report has been prepared in accordance with Article 26 of the Convention and
decision X/10 of the Conference of the Parties. The structure of the report is based on the
Guidelines for the Biodiversity National Assessment 2015 published by the secretariat of CBD.
The report has been prepared by the Department of Environment with the gracious support of
the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Thanks go to all the relevant stakeholders who
contributed through workshops, written submissions and inputs.
The report presents different aspects of biodiversity in Bangladesh in three chapters addressing
the status and trends of biodiversity, progresses on implementation of National Biodiversity
Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the Millennium
Development Goals (MDG). The content of the report could be an important reference material
to update the countrys National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).
The Department of Environment has taken various initiatives towards conservation and
sustainable use of biodiversity. Various policies, acts and rules-regulations have been
formulated, development projects are implemented. Media campaigns to raise public
awareness on biodiversity were taken by various government and non-government
organizations. In addition, citizens actions on biodiversity and nature conservation have
increased. The academic institutions are being actively engaged in incorporating biodiversity in
their curricula and research on various components of biodiversity.
Yet, the present situation of biodiversity gives strong signals that we need concerted efforts to
protect the remaining biological resources. Without active participation of the people from all
walks of life, biodiversity conservation would be an unattainable task by the Government or any
individual organization. On behalf of the Department of Environment, we always welcome
collaboration of nature-loving people in our every initiative. We expect that the findings of the
report will help formulating future conservation strategy and action plan on biodiversity.
(Md. Raisul Alam Mondal)

Director General
DOE
Director (Planning)
and
Project Director
Updating and Mainstreaming of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)
Acknowledgements
Fifth National Report (Biodiversity National Assessment 2015) is an outcome of a
comprehensive consultation involving diverse range of stakeholders including representatives
of relevant government agencies, NGOs, academia and development partners.
Development of this important piece of work would never have been possible without active
participation of renowned individuals and experts dealing with biodiversity issues. On behalf of
the Department of Environment, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of the
People's Republic of Bangladesh, I would like to thank the distinguished individuals,
researchers, authors, experts, representatives of various ministries, agencies, research
institutes and universities, as well as, the representatives of the NGOs and the private sectors
who have actively participated in the process of developing the report. Without their valuable
contribution to the report it would have never taken a shape. Representatives of the local
communities and various NGOs participated in the stakeholder meetings and national
consultation, taking trouble to come to Dhaka from the distant areas of the country, I am
indebted to them for their spontaneous support in the development of the report.
My sincere appreciation goes to the Chair and members of National Steering Committee and
members of the review committee for their thoughtful opinions and guidances.
I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Secretary, Ministry of
Environment and Forests for taking his personal interest, providing valuable and pragmatic
guidelines in preparation of this report.
I would like to acknowledge Mr. Md. Raisul Alam Mondal, Director General, Department of
Environment, for his constant support, guidance and contribution in generating this report.
Thanks go to all my colleagues in the Department of Environment. Dr Sultan Ahmed, Director
(NRM and Research) in particular for providing all kinds of supports in the process of
development of the report.
I appreciate the engagement of IUCN team with the Department of Environment towards
drafting the report.
We are grateful to Dr. Sainer Alam (Department of Fisheries), Prof. Badrul Amin Bhyuian
(Chittagong University), Dr. Md. Tariqul Islam (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute),
Dr. Mohammad Khalequzzaman (Bangladesh Rice Research Institute), Prof. Mohammad
Zabed Hossain (University of Dhaka), Dr. Md. Mahabub Hussain (Bangladesh Jute Research
Institute), Mr. Md. Tariqul Islam and Begum Fatima Tuz Zohora (Bangladesh Forest
Department), Mr. Md. Manzoorul Kibria (University of Chittagong), Prof. Md. Niamul Naser
(University of Dhaka), Dr. N.R. Sarker (Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute),
Dr. Md. Sarder Nasir Uddin (Bangladesh National Herbarium) and and Dr S. M. A. Rashid
(CARINAM) for their excellent contribution to the report.
Finally, we are thankful to Global Environment Facility (GEF) for the generous support to
accomplish the report.
Mohammed Solaiman Haider
Director (Planning)
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Table of Contents
Message ............................................................................................................................................................... iii

Foreword .............................................................................................................................................................. v
Preface ................................................................................................................................................................. vi
Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................................. vii
List of Tables.......................................................................................................................................................... ix
List of Figures ......................................................................................................................................................... x
List of Boxes ........................................................................................................................................................... x
List of Tables in Annex........................................................................................................................................... xi
Acronyms & Abbreviations....................................................................................................................................xii
Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................................xiii
1. An Update on Biodiversity Status,Trends and Threats in Bangladesh and Implications for Human
Well-being ......................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 1
1.2 Biodiversity Status and Trends ........................................................................................................... 3
1.2.1 Ecosystem Diversity.................................................................................................................. 3
1.2.1.1 Terrestrial Ecosystem ................................................................................................... 3
A. Forest Ecosystem.....................................................................................................3
B. Agro Ecosystem ..................................................................................................... 10
C. Homestead Ecosystem...........................................................................................10
1.2.1.2 Inland Water Ecosystem ............................................................................................ 12
1.2.1.3 Coastal and Marine Ecosystem .................................................................................. 17
1.2.2 Species Diversity.................................................................................................................... 20
1.2.2.1 Floral Diversity ........................................................................................................... 20
1.2.2.2 Faunal Diversity ......................................................................................................... 22
1.2.2.3 Status and Trends of Threatened Species.................................................................. 28
A. Flora ..................................................................................................................... 28
B. Fauna .................................................................................................................... 30
1.2.3 Genetic Diversity..................................................................................................................... 37
1.2.3.1 Crop Diversity ........................................................................................................... 38
1.2.3.2 Wildlife and Fish Diversity ........................................................................................ 42
1.2.3.3 Domesticated Biodiversity........................................................................................ 43
1.3 Status of Conservation of Ecosystems .............................................................................................. 47
1.4 Threats to Biodiversity ...................................................................................................................... 55
1.4.1 Main Threats to Biodiversity .................................................................................................. 55
1.4.2 Threats to Major Ecosystems ................................................................................................. 60
1.5 Importance of Biodiversity and its Implications for Human Well-being ........................................... 66
1.5. 1 Agriculture............................................................................................................................. 67
1.5.2 Fisheries ................................................................................................................................. 67
1.5.3 Livestock ................................................................................................................................ 72
1.5.4 Forestry .................................................................................................................................. 73
1.5.5 Nature-Based Tourism............................................................................................................ 74
2. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan: Progress of Implementation and Mainstreaming.............75
2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 75
2.2 Implementation of NBSAP................................................................................................................. 75
2.3 Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Sectoral and Cross-sectoral Policies, Strategies and Programmes 89
2.4 Challenges for implementing NBSAP................................................................................................. 91
3. Bangladesh's progress towards Aichi Biodiversity Targets and Millennium Development Goals................92
3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 92
3.2 Achievements towards Aichi Targets ................................................................................................ 92
3.3 Contribution to the Millennium Development Goals........................................................................ 97
4. Concluding Remarks .................................................................................................................................99
References .................................................................................................................................................100
Annex Tables .........................................................................................................................................106
List of Tables
Table 1 Area of Forests Managed by the Bangladesh Forest Department
Table 2 Forest Area under Different Management Categories
Table 3 Total Forest Areas of Bangladesh by National Land Use Classes. All area
is in hectares
Table 4 Tree Cover in Bangladesh
Table 5 Coastal Plantation During 1965-2013
Table 6 Activities and Investment of the Project EKTEE BARI EKTEE KHAMAR.
Table 7 Hydrological Regions of River System in Bangladesh
Table 8 Changing Trend of Species Diversity in Tanguar Haor, Sunamganj
Table 9 Floral Diversity in Bangladesh
Table 10 Tree Species Mostly Used in Plantations in Bangladesh
Table 11 Faunal Diversity in Bangladesh
Table 12 List of Invertebrates so far Recorded from Bangladesh
Table 13 Zooplanktons Reported from Freshwater and Marine Environment of Bangladesh
Table 14 Marine Fauna Present in Bangladesh
Table 15 Number of Threatened Species in Major Vascular Plant Groups According to the
Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh
Table 16 Group-Wise Distribution of Species Recorded and to be Assessed
Table 17 Possibly Nationally Extinct Riverine Fishes of Bangladesh
Table 18 Cryopreservation of Sperm of Some Indiegenous Fish Species in Bangladesh
Table 19 Rice Genetic Resources in the BRRI Gene Bank
Table 20 Ecosystem-wise Genetic Diversity of Rice Germplasm
Table 21 Jute and Allied Fibre Germplasm Stored in the Gene Bank
Table 22 Status and Trends of Genetic Diversity of Sugarcane
Table 23 The Domesticated Indigenous Fishes of Bangladesh
Table 24 Different Genotypes of Indigenous Farm Animal Genetic Resources
Table 25 Exotic Species, Type and Breed of Farm Animal Genetic Resources
Table 26 Different Crossbred Genotypes of Livestocks
Table 27 Wild Relatives of Farm Animal Genetic Resources in Bangladesh
Table 28 Genotypes of Cow in Bangladesh
Table 29 List of Fodder Germplasms Available at BLRI Germplasm Bank.
Table 30 Protected Areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Special Biodiversity
Conservation Area and Marine Protected Area) of Bangladesh
Table 31 Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs) of Bangladesh
Table 32 Botanical Gardens, Safari Parks and Eco-Parks
Table 33 Hilsha (Fish) Sanctuaries in Bangladesh
Table 34 Floral Diversity in Six Protected Areas
Table 35 Number of Wildlife Species in Seven Protected Areas
Table 36 Exotic Fish Species and the Countries they are Imported from
Table 37 Negative Impacts of Exotic Fishes on the Indigenous Fishes
Table 38 Fisheries Production in Different Water Bodies (2012-13)
Table 39 Number of Livestock and Poultry
Table 40 Production of Milk, Meat and Egg
Table 41 Progress of Implementing the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
(2010-2015)
Table 42 Analysis of Biodiversity Related Major National Policies
Table 43 Achievements under Strategic Goals of Aichi Biodiversity Targets 2020
Table 44 Current Status and Challenges in Attaining Targets of MDG 7
3
4
4
4
5
11
12
15
20
21
22
23
25
27
28
31
32
32
38
38
41
41
43
44
45
45
46
46
46
47
50
52
53
54
54
57
58
69
72
72
75
90
93
98
List of Figures
Figure 1 Basin Map of the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna Rivers Showing the
Location of Bangladesh
Figure 2 Map of the Oriental Realm
Figure 3 Sundarban Reserved Forest, Bangladesh
Figure 4 Marine Reserve of Bangladesh
Figure 5 Possible Land Accretion Sites at the Meghna Estuary
Figure 6 Relative Abundance of Tigers in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh
Figure 2 Protected Areas of Bangladesh
Figure 3 Ecologically Critical Areas of Bangladesh
Figure 4 Map Showing the Routes, Corridors and Human-Elephant Conflict Areas in
Chittagong Region
Figure 5 Degree of Threats in 55 Compartments of the Sundarban
Figure 6 Contribution of Fisheries Sector to the GDP of Bangladesh during 20062013
Figure 7 Fish Production During 1960-2013 from Culture and Open Water Sources
Figure 8 Total Inland and Marine Hilsa Catch of Bangladesh 2001-2011
Figure 9 Hilsa Migration Route in Bangladesh
Figure 15 Trends in Production of Milk Products
1
2
7
18
19
33
49
51
56
60
68
68
70
71
72
List of Case Boxes

CASE BOX 1 Forest Types in Bangladesh
CASE BOX 2 Village Common Forests in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
CASE BOX 3 One Home One Farm Activities and Investment
CASE BOX 4 Maritime Boundaries in Bangladesh
CASE BOX 5 Newly Accreted Area Riverine Estuary
CASE BOX 6 Four New Species of Butterflies Recorded from Kaptai National Park
CASE BOX 7 Red List of Animals in Bangladesh
CASE BOX 8 Status of Tea Cultivars
CASE BOX 9 The River Halda
CASE BOX 10 Nijhum Dweep National Park
CASE BOX 11 Floral Diversity of the Selected Protected Areas of Bangladesh
CASE BOX 12 Degree of Pressures and Threats to Protected Areas
CASE BOX 13 Impacts of Climate Change on Bangladeshs Biodiversity
CASE BOX 14 Zoonotic Diseases
CASE BOX 15 Importance of Biodiversity and Ecosystems in Disaster Resilience
CASE BOX 16 Culture and Indigenous Knowledge-Based Technologies Practiced in
Hill Farming Systems in Bandarban Hill District
CASE BOX 17 Inland Fisheries in Bangladesh Production and Demand
Trend
CASE BOX 18- Use of Multiple Species in Plantation Programme
5
9
11
19
19
24
31
42
42
53
54
55
59
64
66
67
70
73
List of Tables in Annex
Annex : Table 1 Government Revenue from Forestry

Annex : Table 2 Major Wildlife found in Different Forests
Annex : Table 3 Review on the Status of Plant Species in Different Forest Areas
Annex : Table 4 Community Conserved Areas as Village Conservation Forests (VCF)
Annex : Table 5 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) of Bangladesh
Annex : Table 6 Shark Fisheries in the Bay of Bengal
Annex : Table 7 Present Status of Banspata (Podocarpus nerifolius) in Natural
Forests and Plantations
Annex : Table 8 Threatened Vascular Plants of Bangladesh (Ara et al., 2013); CR:
Critically Endangered, EN: Endangered, VU: Vulnerable
Annex : Table 9 Germplasm Conservation of Forest Tree Species During 2000-2012
in Different Silviculture Research Stations, BFRI
Annex : Table 10 Species Taken Under Conservation Programme in the Campus of
University of Chittagong During 2011-2014
Annex : Table 11 Seedling Seed Orchards Established at the University of Chittagong
Campus
Annex : Table 12 Review on the Number of Insect Species Reported from
Bangladesh
Annex : Table 13 Status and Trends of Crop Diversity
106
107
108
109
110
110
112
113
115
117
118
118
119
xii | P a g e
xvi | P a g e
Bangladesh stretching from 2034 to 2638 N and from 8801 to 9241 E has the boundary
with India on the west and north, India and Myanmar on the east and the Bay of Bengal on
the south. With a total area of 147,570 square kilometers, the country is a delta located on the
Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system - one of the largest river systems of the world
(Figure 1). The north-east and south-east portions of the country are hilly, with some hills rising
over 1,000 meters above mean sea level. About 80% of the country is floodplain, 12% is hills,
and about 8% is terrace or uplifted blocks (BBS, 2011). As per the recent (2012 & 2014)
decisions of the International Arbitral Tribunal, Bangladesh currently has 118,813 square
kilometers of marine area.
Bangladesh is very rich in biodiversity. The rich genetic diversity in crops, livestock, fish, trees
and wildlife directly and indirectly support the lives and livelihoods of the people of the country
by supplying wide range of provisional, regulatory and cultural services.
PAKISTAN
MYANMAR
WEST BENGAL
GANGES BASIN
1,087,300 sq. km
BRAHMAPUTRA BASIN
552,000 sq. km
MEGHNA BASIN
82,000 sq. km
Concluding Remarks
Progress Towards
Aichi Biodiversity
Aichir
Biodiversity Targets
Targets
CHINA
An Update on Biodiversity
1.1 Introduction
Progress
of Implementation
&
Implementation
and
Mainstreamingof
ofNBSAP
NBSAP
Mainstreaming
1. An Update on Biodiversity Status, Trends and Threats in

Bangladesh and Implications for Human Well-being
Although Bangladesh is the eighth most densly populated country in the world with about 160
million people, the countrys demographic indicators have recorded considerable
improvements in recent years. The country has made significant progress in reducing annual
population growth rate to 1.37% over the last two decades (1991-2010) (GED, 2012a; BBS,
2011). Besides Bangla-speaking majority, a good number of minor anthropological
communities also lives in different parts of the country, especially in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
(CHT).
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References
Figure 1 Basin Map of the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna Rivers Showing the Location of
Bangladesh
Biogeographically, the country is located at the cross roads of the Indo-Himalayan and IndoChinese sub-regions under the Oriental region (Figure 2). Thus, this country acts as an
important merging and sharing habitat, land bridge and biological corridors of the flora and
fauna between these sub-regions. This strategic location makes Bangladesh as one of the
most ecologically significant and biologically diverse landscapes in terms of migratory species,
stepping stones, staging ground and flyways for wildlife movements of the region.
Consequently, a large number of plant and animal species traverses in widespread of habitats
and thereby maintain a wide range of gene pool.
Figure 2 Map of the Oriental Realm (Corbet and Hill - Navigation AnthroScape: Human Biodiversity
Forum)
On the basis of both biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems, the world is divided into
five Global Ecological Domains and 20 Global Ecological Zones (GEZs) (FAO, 2001).
Bangladesh belongs to two of these zones, viz. Tropical Rain Forest GEZ (33%) and Tropical
Moist Deciduous Forest GEZ (67%) of the Tropical Domain of the Global Ecological Domains.
The central, north-eastern and south-eastern forests belong to Tropical Rain Forest GEZ
(Altrell et al., 2007). A portion of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in the southeast Bangladesh
is part of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot (Myers et al., 2000). Bangladesh is divided into
25 bio-ecological zones on the basis of biological and physical parameters (Nishat et al.,
2002). The atlas showed the distribution of common 395 plant species under 100 families over
the bio-ecological zones (except the Coastal Marine Water). Although this categorization
might not let these bio-ecological zones to be truly analogous to habitats, the existence of 25
different bio-ecological zones in a small country indicates its rich biodiversity. Additionally,
Bangladesh has been divided into 30 Agro-Ecological Zones which also indicates countrys
richness in ecosystem diversity. This zoning is based on topography, climate, hydrology,
natural resource status, food security and other related physical development potential factors
(Sarkar, 2012).
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Based on its geographic and biogeographic features, the country has rich diversity in its
ecosystems. These in generic term are: Hill ranges; Evergreen and semi-evergreen forests;
Dry-deciduous and moist deciduous forests; Grasslands; Reedlands; Floodplains; Rivers;
Low-lying islands (Charlands); Ox-bow lakes (Baors); River backswamps (Haors); Open
woodlands (Village Grove); Low-lying deep depressions (Beels); Ponds/canals/ditches;
Estuary; Coastal mudflats, Coastal islands; Mangrove swamp; Coral-bearing island; and
Marine ecosystems.
Keeping in mind the main biophysical characteristics, the ecosystems of Bangladesh are
broadly clustered as: (a) Terrestrial, (b) Inland Water, and (c) Marine and Coastal. The status
and trends of specific ecosystems under these broad clusters are discussed in the following
sub-sections.
1.2.1.1 Terrestrial Ecosystem

Considering the biophysical characteristics of Bangladesh, terrestrial ecosystems are discussed
under forest ecosystem and homestead ecosystem.
A. Forest Ecosystem
Forests are one of the major biodiverse areas in Bangladesh. Based on the classification of
forest types of Indo-Pakistan Sub-continent, ecologically there are mainly four types of forests
in Bangladesh. The main forest types and the area are shown in Tables 1 and 2.
Forest Type
Hill Forests
Area (million hectare)

0.67
% of total land
4.65
Natural Mangrove Forests
0.60
4.07
Mangrove Plantations
0.14
0.97
Plain Land Sal Forests
0.12
0.83
1.53
10.54
Source: Alam, 2008
Total
References
Table 1 Area of Forests Managed by the Bangladesh Forest Department
Progress of Implementation &

Mainstreaming of NBSAP
1.2.1 Ecosystem Diversity
Progress Towards
Aichi Biodiversity Targets
Bangladesh is endowed with rich biological diversity. It is, however, noticed that there is a
declining trend in species diversity in general and mega fauna in particular. This alarming trend
is mainly due to tremendous anthropogenic pressure and the adverse impacts of climate
change. The ecosystem, species and genetic diversity that exist in the country are discussed
in the following sub-sections highlighting their status and trends.
Concluding Remarks
1.2 Biodiversity Status and Trends
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Table 2 Forest Area under Different Management Categories

Category of Forest
Managed Forests
(Bangladesh Forest
Department)
Unclassed State Forests
(Ministry of Land)
Area (million hectares)

1.53
% of total land
10.54
0.73
5.07
Village Forests (private)
0.27
2.53
1.88
17.49
Total
Source: BFD, 2012
A recent survey on Bangladesh forests (Altrell et al., 2007), however, presents a bit different
data. Of the total forest area, 84% has been classified as natural forest and 16% as plantation
forest (Table 3).
Table 3 Total Forest Areas of Bangladesh by National Land Use Classes. All area is in
hectares
Forest Area
Category and
area
Natural forest
12,04,000
14,42,000
Forest
plantations
237,000
National Land Use Classes and Area

Hill Forest
Sal Forest
Mangrove Forest (salt water)
Bamboo or mixed Bamboo/
Broadleaved forest
Long rotation forest plantation
Short/medium rotation forest
plantation
Mangrove plantation
Rubber plantation
551,000
34,000
436,000
184,000
% of total
forest land
38.2
2.3
30.2
12.7
131,000
54,000
9.1
3.8
45,000
8,000
3.1
0.5
Source: Artrell et al., 2007
Distribution of tree cover in Bangladesh as given by Altrell et al. (2007) is shown in Table 4.
Table 4 Tree Cover in Bangladesh
Sl. No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Category
Area (in million hectares)
No tree-cover (Mostly agricultural land)

Less than 5% tree-cover
5 to 10% tree-cover
10 to 30% tree-cover
30 to 70% tree-cover
Over 70% tree-cover
Total
7.60
2.89
1.43
1.27
1.23
0.33
14.75
Source: Altrell et al., 2007
However, the Perspective Plan of Bangladesh (2010-2021) entitled 'Making Vision 2021 a
Reality' (GED, 2012a), reported that the recorded state-owned forest land (not necessarily
supporting tree cover), and potential forest/tree growing areas, has been identified as 7 million
acres, which is 20% of the land area. Trees are reported to cover 12% of the land where
considerable prospects for improvement exist. The coastal plantation has been established
using various plant species during 19652013 covers approximately 209,140 hectares (Table
5).
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Bhola Coastal
Patuakhali
Coastal
Noakhali
Coastal
Barisal Social
Chittagong
Coastal
(including
Coxs Bazar)
Feni Social
Total
Mangrove
Nonmangrove
Nypa
plantation
39,203.30
1075.10
271.38
Strip
plantation
(km)
1603.17
26,607.00
546.50
2601.50
3426.90
77,684.952
2377.25
Coconut
Arica
Bamboo
& Cane
3593.84
8.50
1911.77
48,891.41
4680.68
491.46
10.0
192,395.24
8689.53
10
2872.88
Source: Hassan, 2013
10
40
40
280.0
280
1591.45
185.0
12127.13
(4850.85 ha)
As a whole, the various types of forests in Bangladesh could be categorized in six types
which are discussed briefly in Case Box 1.

Plantation types (hectares)
Forest
Division
Table 5 Coastal Plantation During 1965-2013
3) Mangrove Forests
The largest single tract of natural mangrove forest in the world is the Sundarbans. It consists of a
total of 6,01,700 hectares in the Bangladesh part (the rest 40% is in India) which is 4.07% of total
land mass of the country and 40% of total forest land. The Sundarban harbours 528 species of trees,
shrubs, herbs and epiphytes and 269 species of wild animals.
4) Freshwater Swamp Forest
Freshwater swamp forest consists of flood-tolerant evergreen trees. A fully developed stand exhibits
a closed canopy with mature trees standing 10 to 12 meters tall. These trees mostly produce their
seeds in the monsoon period and they disperse them through water; seedlings grow in great
quantities.
5) Homestead Forests
Approximately 5% area (0.45 million hectares) of total 8.4 million hectares of cultivable land is
occupied by homesteads (Alam et al., 2008). There are 25.53 million homesteads in Bangladesh
(BBS, 2011) that fulfill basic needs of the people such as fruit, food, shelter, cash etc and high species
diversity of the homestead help to reduce the environmental deterioration. Planting trees near
5|P a g e
Concluding Remarks
2) Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests (Sal Forests)

The central and northern districts of Bangladesh covering an area of 1,20,000 hectares, which is,
about 0.81% of total land mass of the country and 7.8% of the countrys forest land. There are three
different belts of deciduous forests: the largest belt is known as Madhupur Garh, the second belt
lies along the foothills of the Garo hills and the third belt is located in the northwest part of the country.
Sal (Shorea robusta) is the main species in these forests with 70 to 100% upper canopy coverage
as reported in the Fourth National Report.
References
1) Tropical Wet Evergreen and Semi-Evergreen Forests

As reported in the 4th National Report (MoEF, 2010), these two types of forests are present in the
form of hilly forests in Bangladesh. Tropical evergreen and semi evergreen forests are extended over
the eastern part of the country lying within the divisions of Chittagong and Sylhet totalling 6,70,000
hectares, which is 4.54% of total landmass of the country and 44% of national forest land. The
difference between evergreen and semi-evergreen forests are minor and primarily of the presence
of few deciduous species in the top canopy layer.
Progress Towards
CASE BOX 1 Forest Types in Bangladesh
homesteads is a traditional land use system in Bangladesh. Multi-layered vertical stratification,

species diversity, and diversity of economic plants rather than number of individuals per species are
characteristic features of Bangladesh homestead forests (Alam et al., 2008).
6) Plantation Forests
In response to the degradation of natural forests and open woodlands, Bangladesh Forest
Department has taken comprehensive plantation programme in the form of social forestry coastal
plantation and community forestry. During early 1980s, the Department with support from The World
Bank organized massive plantation programme on the newly accreted islands at the buffer between
the Bay of Bengal and Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna region. The purpose of this plantation was to
enhance tree cover to stabilize the land and make a green belt along the coast to minimize the
adverse impacts of cyclonic storm and tidal surges. The social forestry added a new dimension to
the forestry practice in Bangladesh having participation of local community and sharing benefits with
the communities. In addition, plantation programme was implemented along the roads, highways,
railways and river banks. Later on, the social forestry practices have been furthered by the NGOs
and the local government organizations throughout the country.
Status of major forest ecosystems in Bangladesh is described briefly as follows:
Sundarbans The Mangrove Forest

The Bangladesh portion of the Sundarban (approximately 60% of the entire forest, the rest
falling under the jurisdiction of India) is the largest productive contiguous mangrove forest in
the world (Figure 3), located in the south-western part of the country between 21039 and
22030 north longitudes and 89001 and 89052 east latitudes (Hussain, 2014).
Sundarban Mangrove by Asaduzzaman Khan
This was declared as Reserved Forest during 1875-76, and was placed under the Forest
Department for management. The Sundarban Reserved Forest is internationally recognized
as an important mangrove ecosystem of high biodiversity value. About 1,400 square
kilometres of the forest was declared as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1997, of
which 490 square kilometres is water. The Sundarbans has also been recognized as wetlands
of international importance (Ramsar Site) under Ramsar Convention in 1992). Different
assessments since 1903 reported as high as 504 angiosperms from the Sundarban along with
24 fern species (Rahman, 2015).
6|P a g e
Progress Towards
Concluding Remarks
A recent compilation (Hussain, 2014) reported 448 species of vertebrates from the Sundarban
including 10 amphibians, 58 reptiles, 339 birds and 41 mammals. Many of these are either
Endangered or Critically Endangered globally; namely, Bengal Tiger, Fishing Cat, Hoarybellied Himalayan Squirrel, Ganges River Dolphin, River Terrapin, Olive Ridley Turtle, Masked
Finfoot, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, White-rumped Vulture, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Greater Spotted
Eagle and Lesser Adjutant. This ecosystem is also country's largest natural fish and
crustacean reserve. To date, 225 finfish, 24 shrimp, 12 crab and 48 mollusks along with a
number of unidentified species have been found in the Sundarban (Bernaecsek, 2001; Huda
and Haque, 2003).
7|P a g e
References
Figure 3 Sundarban Reserved Forest, Bangladesh (reproduced from Hussain, 2014)
Although most of the previous studies emphasized mega-fauna and flora and their economic
importance, microscopic flora and fauna which is the basis of whole ecosystem were often
overlooked. Rahaman et al. (2013) studied the phytoplankton of three major river systems
flowing through Sundarbans and found 134 species.
Chittagong Hill Tracts Hill Forests

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) located at the south-eastern corner of Bangladesh, extends
over 13,294 square kilometres of which 26% is considered as forest area. Hillscapes of the
CHT are medium elevated ranges interspersed by low-lying valleys with inter-connected hill
streams, gorges and rivers. Ecologically it has tropical wet-evergreen, tropical semievergreen, tropical moist-deciduous, tropical open deciduous and savannah forests.
It has Kassalong Reserved Forest (RF) (159,449.7 hectares), Raingkheong RF (76,331.0
hectares), Sitapahar RF (5,876.5 hectares), Barkal RF (235.79 hectares), and Sangu and
Matamuhury RF (about 74,500 hectares). There are three protected areas, namely Pablakhali
Wildlife Sanctuary, Kaptai National Park, and Sangu Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (Table 30).
The mouza forest or Village Common Forest (VCF) is a traditional forest conservation practice
in the CHT. It is estimated that there are still over 300 VCFs existing in the CHT which
provide livelihood support to the communities and work as micro-watersheds in the area.
Chittagong Hill Tracts by Barin Ghose
8|P a g e
Village common forests are natural

forests other than the government
reserve forests around the households
of the indigenous communities and is
managed to fulfill their daily demands
(Baten et al., 2010; Roy, 2000).
Historically, indigenous people practice
jhum
(shifting
cultivation)
and
traditionally keep a patch of forest
adjacent to their village, known as a
VCF, which is never used for jhum. They
do so mainly for sustained flow of water
in the streams but they also get timber,
bamboo and other minor forest products
from such forests for household use (AF,
A village common Forest including water flow CHT, Arannayk
2010). VCFs are good examples of
Foundation, 2015
Effective community-based forest
management under certain customary rules and regulations (Baten et al., 2010).

CASE BOX 2 - Village Common Forests in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
The plain land forests of Bangladesh, commonly known as Gazari or Sal forests are located
in the Gazipur, Tangail and Mymensingh districts in the central region and in the greater
Dinajpur, Rangpur, and Rajshahi districts in the northern region. The Sal forests originally
comprise an area of 120,255 hectares of notified forests under the control of Bangladesh
Forest Department, out of which 104,616 hectares (87%) are located in the central region and
15,639 hectares (13%) in the northern region.
Most of the Sal forests are now severely degraded and poorly stocked. These are, in fact, the
worst hit of all the forests in the country and the last National Forest Resources Assessment
reported that the Sal forests areas of Bangladesh is now only 34,000 hectares (Altrell et al.,
2007). Madhupur National Park is one of the last remaining patches of old-growth Sal forest
left in the country. The associates of Sal include Mallotus philippensis, Schleichera oleosa,
Protium serratum and Dillenia pentagyna. About 7,314 acres of Madhupur Sal forests areas
were converted to rubber gardens, e.g. Pirgacha rubber garden, Chandpur rubber garden,
Sontoshpur rubber garden and Kamalapur rubber garden. Besides, there are a number of
exotic species planted in the national park area, for example Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia
mangium, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Tectona grandis. At present, most of the forest land
in Madhupur has been denuded, degraded or encroached upon or taken over for the
9|P a g e
Concluding Remarks
Sal Forest
References
A few detailed studies have been conducted to show the species diversity trend of the forests
of the CHT, namely Sitapahar and Rampahar. Harun-Ur-Rashid and Chowdhury (2013)
recently added 43 taxa (38 dicots and 5 monocots) to the plant list of Sitapahar Reserved
Forest. The total number of angiosperm species from Sitapahar (373 hectares area) now
stands 375. A survey conducted between 2001 and 2008 found 89 monocot (Uddin and
Hassan, 2012a) and 500 dicot species from Rampahar area (648 hectares). Uddin and
Hassan (2012b) also reported 41 pteridophyte species under 26 genera of 13 families from
the Rampahar-Sitapahar area, which constituted 21% of total 195 species of fern flora of the
country.
Progress Towards
Source: Uddin and Inoue (2012)
commercial production of pineapples, bananas, the industrial plantation of rubber and exotic
fuel-wood species (Gain, 2004, in Hossain et al., 2013). Changes in soil properties due to
deforestation have been reported in the Sal forests (Hossain et al., 2010)
B. Agro-Ecosystem
Farming practices in Bangladesh are complex and diverse and are largely controlled by
physical, biological, climatological and socioeconomic factors. These different environments
are suitable for different crops and cropping patterns under irrigated and non-irrigated
conditions. In Bangladesh, more than 300 different crops are presently cultivated many of
which are endemic.
Bangladesh has been divided as thirty agro-ecological zones and 88 subzones on the basis
of physiography, soil properties, soil salinity, depth and duration of flooding which are relevant
for land use and for the assessment of agricultural potential. The general agroecological
variations of Bangladesh range from below sea level-basins to small hills. People of this land
have come from various socio-ecological positions of the subcontinent as well as from other
continents of the world. People over the centuries have been cultivating, preserving, and using
more than 1,364 plant species coming from both endemic and exotic origins, for about 85
diverse uses.
Farming practices largely depend on the cropping seasons in Bangladesh. There are two
distinct cropping seasons in a year: Kharif (monsoon) and Rabi (winter). The major crop of
Kharif season is paddy and jute, while crops grown in Rabi season are much more diverse
and comprise of paddy, vegetables, wheat, pulses, oilseeds, spices, potatoes and others.
Among all the crops, rice is the most dominant because of its adaptability in diverse ecological
conditions prevailing in the country.
There are about 1,000 species of medicinal herbs. Ethnic groups distributed in different areas
have been involved, over centuries, in collecting and preserving the highly rich biodiversity to
meet their regular needs. Many varieties of rice, jute, sugarcane, cotton, linseed, mustard,
cucumber, beans, gourds have also been selected and raised by the people who have been
living in this area for about 8-10 thousand years. Women cultivate a fairly large number of flora
in their homesteads and cultivated lands to meet family needs
C. Homestead Ecosystem
Most of the homestead ecosystems in the floodplains consist of a small pond, backyard
jungles, bushes and kitchen gardens. Homesteads in the hilly terrain are usually tiny hillocks
with its valley and hilly streams. Homestead ecosystems in the coastal zone having backyard
mangroves with inter-tidal cannals and ditches. Despite the conversion of natural features in
the homestead ecosystems, a wide range of wild flora and fauna are still occurring in good
abundance. In addition, in most of the villages there are common property resources, like
fallow land, lakes and beels. Notable among these, Ram Sagar, Nil Sagar, Durga Sagar and
Alta Dighee are good examples of community-based freshwater reservoir with high
abundance of aquatic biodiversity.
10 | P a g e
Source: EKTEE BARI EKTEE KHAMAR PROJECT, Rural Development and Cooperative Division, Ministry of
Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives
11 | P a g e

The Government of Bangladesh has taken a project titled Ektee Bari Ektee Khamar or One
House One Farm (OHOF) to ensure agro livlihood and family farming through e-financial
inclusion and empowerment of the smallholders and under privileged (Table 6). The project
started in fiscal year 2010-2011 with BDT 11970 millon i.e US$ 153 million for 9,640 villages
that scaled upto 17,300 villages Table 6 Activities and Investment of the Project
with BDT 14920 million i.e US$ 191 EKTEE BARI EKTEE KHAMAR.
million and finally the project has
Investment
Number of
revised on July 30, 2013 with BDT
Sl. No.
Small Farm
(BDT
Farms
31630 million i.e US$ 400 million for
Million)
40,527 villages. This programme
1
Fisheries
92,100
1290
has been contributing largely to
2
Poultry
182,800
1830
increase homestead vegetation
3
Livestock
186,600
3350
through nursery and kitchen
4
Nursery
43,600
440
gardening and also to the increase
5
Kitchen
48,400
580
animal stocks through fisheries,
gardening
poultry and livestocks and hence
contributing to conservation of local
6
Others
126,500
1510
varieties of plants and animal
Total
680,000
9000
genetic resources.
Progress Towards
CASE BOX 3- One Home One Farm Activities and Investment
Concluding Remarks
Homesteads of Bangladesh have a long heritage of growing timber and fruit trees, along with
other perennial shrubs and herbs. Species composition and number of species in the
homesteads of Bangladesh are variable. Abedin and Quddus (1990, in Islam et al., 2013)
reported that the number of plant species (excluding vegetable species) in the coastal areas
was higher (70 species) than those found in the homesteads of Tangail (52 species), Ishurdi
(34 species), Jessore (28 species), Patuakhali (20 species), Rajshahi (28 species) and
Rangpur (21 species) districts. Homestead gardens are significant sources of fruits, timber,
fuelwood, swan, veneer logs and bamboo of Bangladesh. In this way, the homesteads of the
country are vital sources of livelihood for many farmers and serve as the safety net during the
time of hardship and natural disasters.
References
Homestead at Ruma, Bandarban by Hossain Sohel
1.2.1.2 Inland Water Ecosystem

Bangladesh is a land of water bodies. Wetlands constitute more than 50% territory of the
country and play important role in social and economic livelihood of the population. The
wetlands in Bangladesh encompass a wide variety of ecosystems including: the main rivers
(the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna) and their 700-plus tributaries and
distributaries; about 6,300 beels (permanent and seasonal shallow lakes in floodplain
depressions); at least 47 major haors (deeply flooded depressions in the north-east), baors
(oxbow lakes); vast areas of seasonally flooded land; and fish ponds and tanks. The inland
water ecosystems of Bangladesh are categorized as follows:
Floodplain
Floodplain occupies a greater part of the landscape and offers important habitats of species
of wild flora and fauna. The total area of floodplain of Bangladesh is 28,26,792 ha (DoF, 2015).
The country has taken a number of initiatives to conserve floodplain biodiversity.
Mentionworthy some of them are Padma-Jaumuna floodplain at Manikganj district; SurmaKushyiara Floodplain at Sunamganj district; Madhumati Floodplain at Goplaganj district
(IUCN, 2005); and Jamuna floodplain at Pabna district (Aziz et al., 2014). In all these areas
the' community-based wetlands conservation model was replicated creatively and are success
cases of conservation and wise-use of wetlands biodiversity. At these sites, hreatened species
of flora and fauna were conserved successfully and the common species having economic
value were used sustainabily with a tremendous improvement of livelihoods of the local
communities.
Rivers
Bangladesh is a riverine country criss-crossed with numerous rivers and their tributaries. Three
mighty rivers: the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna along with their innumerable
tributaries form one of the richest habitats of fishes in the Indian Subcontinent. The other main
rivers are the Karnafuli, the Matamuhuri, the Halda and the Sangu rivers in the southern
Chittagong sub-region, the Surma, the Kushiara, the Kangsha and the Someshwari in the northeast region and the Tista, the Korotoa, the Atrai, the Bangalee, the Mohananda in the northwest. Annual flooding of these rivers inundates about 70% of the total land surface. The total
annual discharge passing through this river system into the Bay of Bengal reaches up to 1,174
billion cubic metres (Banglapedia, 2004). According to BWDB (2005), 57 of the rivers are
trans-boundary - 54 originate from India and 3 from Myanmar. The river system of Bangladesh
is divided into six hydrological regions as shown in Table 7.
Table 7 Hydrological Regions of River System in Bangladesh
Hydrological region
North West Region
North Central Region
North East Region
South East Region
Eastern Hilly Region
South West Region
Source: BWDB, 2005
Total
Number of
rivers
96
20
55
24
17
98
310
Length (kilometre)
4,908
1,311
3,250
1,320
1,131
4,969
16,889
Catchment area (square

kilometre)
63,718
18,404
47,616
10,068
6,253
35,576
181,635
The rivers of Bangladesh have a great importance in respect of fisheries and other
hydrological and navigation benefits. Rivers are the migratory routes of fishes with adjacent
12 | P a g e
Haors
The haors are back swamps or bowl-shaped depressions between the natural levees of rivers,
or in some cases, much larger areas incorporating a succession of these depressions. The
haors vary in size from as little as a few hectares to thousands of hectares. There are
altogether 411 haors (47 major and large sized) comprising an area of about 8,000 square
kilometres dispersed in the north-eastern Sylhet and Mymensingh districts. In greater Sylhet,
the most prominent haors are Shonir, Hail, Hakaluki, Dekar, Maker, Chayer, Tanguar and
Kawadighi Haors. In consideration of the environmental importance and heritage, the
Government of Bangladesh has decided to conserve Tanguar Haor (9,500 hectares) by
symbolizing it as an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) under the Environment Conservation Act
1995 and registered as a wetland of international importance (Ramsar site, site no. 1031,
declared in 2000) under the Ramsar Convention. Hakaluki Haor is also declared and managed
as an ECA.
Baors
In the southwest region of Bangladesh there are a number of meandering rivers changed their
courses, part of the old course got silted up and cut-off from the main course. As a result horseshoe shaped oxbow lakes, known as baor, were created. A baor apparently looks like a lake, but
unlike lakes, it remains connected with original river through channels during monsoon. This
way, the baors annually receive fresh supply of riverine water carrying fry, fingerlings and adult
fishes and other aquatic animals. Baors are very important wetlands of Bangladesh and support
a wide range of aquatic flora and fauna. There are more than 87 baors in Bangladesh covering
an area of 5,488 hectares (DoF, 2008). Most of the larger baors are in the south-western
Jessore region. The important baors of the country are Arial, Bahadurpur Baluhar, Bookbhara,
Harina, Habullah, Rustampur, Ichhamati, Jaleshwar, Jogini Bhagini, Joydia, Kannadah,
Kathgara, Khedapara, Marjat, Pathanpara, Rampur, Sagarkhali, Sirisdia and Sonadia Baors.
In addition to above inland wetlands ecosystems, five important freshwater ecosystems of
Bangladesh are briefly described below to showcase their importance in terms of biodiversity
of the country and beyond.
Ratargul Swamp Forest

Ratargul is a small freshwater swamp in the haor basin of north-east region of Bangladesh. It
is the last stronghold and refuge of fresh water swamp forest biodiversity in the country. The
forest is situated in the broad zone of Surma-Kushiyara Floodplain of the Bio-ecological Zone
13 | P a g e
The most famous beel in the country is Chalan Beel located in the north-west region. The
other major beels in this region are Hilna, Kosba, Uthrail, Manda, Sobna and Beel Mansur. In
the central region, Arial Beel and Balai Beel now lost their importance as natural fish habitat.
Other important beels in this region are Chanda, Boro, Mollar and Tungipara Beels. There are
many beels in the south and south-west and the notable are Chapaigachi, Garalia,
Panjiapatra, Chenchuri and Dakatia Beels.
Progress Towards
The beel is a static waterbody that accumulates surface run-off water through an internal
drainage channel (Banglapedia, 2004). This type of shallow, seasonal waterbody is common
in low-lying floodplain areas throughout Bangladesh. The total area of beel in Bangladesh was
estimated to be 114,161 hectares, occupying 27% of the inland freshwater (Ahmed et al.,
2007).
Concluding Remarks
Beels
References
floodplains and vice-versa. Many riverine fishes migrate to upstream (floodplain) in order to
spawn in nutrient-rich water.
(Nishat et al., 2002). The ecosystem is a typical freshwater wetland forest that remains dry in
winter, but inundated to a depth of about 8 feet during monsoon. Chowdhury et al. (2004)
reported 73 species of flora and 230 species of fauna from Ratargul.
It is a two-storied forest of which the top story is mostly Pongamia pinnata (Koroj), sporadically
mixed with Barringtonia acutangula (Hijol), Ficus religiosa (Ashwathwa) and Syzygium
fruticosum (Jam). In the past, these areas used to be managed through 'pollarding' wherein
the branches and a few tops used to be cut as harvest at 4-year cycle to yield katha (structures
made of bamboo and tree branches to provide protection for fish in the sancturay). The local
fishermen use these kathas to create a micro-habitat by plunging them into the water to attract
fishes and harvest them later. The bottom story is composed mostly of Schumannianthus
dichotomus (Patipata or Murta). Its height is from 2 to 2.5 metres. The cover of patipata is
quite dense.
Ratargul Swamp Forest by M.Z. Hossain (a) and M.M. Feeroz (b)
Species diversity is very rich in this swamp. Mentionworthy flora of the swamp are :
Barringtonia acutangula,, Pongamia pinnata, Crateva religiosa, Salix tetrasperma,
Schumannianthus dichotomus, Phragmites karka, Rosa clinophylla, Saccharam spontaneum,
Phyllanthus reticulatus,, Ficus religiosa, Ficus benghalensis, Asclepias curassavica, Oryza
latifolia, Oryza rufipogon, Cyperus iria, Cyperus malaccensis, Nymphaea rubra, Nymphaea
pubescens, Euryale ferox, Trapa bispinosa, Monochoria hastata Hemarthria protensa,
Hygrorhyza aristata, Vallisneria spiralis, Echinochloa colona, Echinochloa stagnina and
Polygonum plebeium. This forest also carries a number of medicinal plants such as Asparagus
racemosus, Centella asiatica, Crataeva magna, Hemidesmus indicus and Mimosa pudica.
Calamus guruba (Rattan) plantations have been raised at suitable locations of this forest.
Indian strawberry (Duchesnea indica), the wild rose of Bengal (Rosa clinophylla) and Jhara
Dhan (Oryza rufipogon) are three threatened species (as cited by Sobhan et. al 2012) of the
country are still available in the area.
Ratargul is rich in faunal diversity as well. Nine amphibians (1 bufonid, 2 microhylid, 4 ranid
and 2 rhacophorid), 20 reptiles, 4 snakes (Bungarus caeruleus, Bungarus fasciatus, Naja
kaouthia and Naja naja), 175 species of birds and 26 species of mammals are found in this
forest. Important wild fauna are: Swamp butterflies, Spiders, Honey Bees, Leech, Swamp
frogs, Tree frogs, Cricket Frogs, Microhyla, Lizards, Vine Snake, Golden Flying Snake, Water
Snake, Rat Snake, Cobras, Green Pit Viper, Spotted Pond Turtle, Indian Roofed Turtle,
Shikra, Fish Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Black Kite, Peregrine Falcon, Spotted Greater Whistling
Teal, Northern Shoveller, Northern Pin-tail, Green-winged Teal, Red-crested Pochard,
Eurasian Wigeon, Great Egret, Little Egret, Pond Heron, Night Heron, Marsh Warbler,
Watercock, Water Hen, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Common Moorhen, Purple Moorhen,
Whiskered Tern, Painted Snipe, Little Cormorant, Oriental Darter, Rhesus macaque, Bengal
14 | P a g e
Tanguar Haor
Progress Towards

Tanguar Haor has outstanding conservation value, being natural fresh water wetlands in the
north-eastern region, seasonally harboring more that 60,000 individuals of migratory water
birds belonging to 60 species. This wetland is an important fish habitat comprising about 140
species. In 2000, Tanguar Haor became the 2nd Ramsar site of the country. It is currently
managed by the MoEF. Since December 2006, the MoEF is implementing a community-based
management project in Tanguar Haor through IUCN with support from the Swiss Agency for
Development and Cooperation.
Fox, Flying Fox, Vampire, Smooth-coated Otter, field rats, and shrews. The site is also
important feeding and breeding grounds of several rare fish and mollusk species.
The biodiversity of Tanguar Haor has recently been documented in several compilations
covering amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals and swamp flora (Sobhan et al., 2012).
Table 8 compares species diversity of Tanguar Haor in 20 years interval.
Table 8 Changing Trend of Species Diversity in Tanguar Haor, Sunamganj
Groups
In 1990s
In 2010-11
Fauna
Mammals
Birds
Reptiles
Amphibians
Fish
34a
219a
34a
11a
141a
167 a
19a
(84 migratory, 83 resident)
27 a
11 a
No updated data
Ferns
Monocots
Dicots
2b
29b
49b
References
Flora
Concluding Remarks
Freshwater swamp, Tanguar Haor by ABM Sarowar Alam
4a
32 a
68 a
Sources: aSobhan et al., 2012; b MoEF, 2001
15 | P a g e
Hakaluki Haor
Hakaluki Haor is one of the
major wetlands of Bangladesh.
With a land area of 18,386
hectares, it supports a rich
biodiversity and provides direct
and indirect livelihood benefits to
nearly 190,000 people. In
Hakaluki Haor, there are 289
interconnecting
beels,
387
canals, 24 rivers, and a huge
area of floodplains. Miah (2010)
observed that the 83% of beels,
94.45% of rivers and 97% of
canals became degraded at
Fishing in Chokya Beel, Hakaluki Haor by Mahbubul Alam Miah
different levels. A total of 115 fish were documented under 72 genera and 27 families of which
107 were indigenous and eight exotics. Number of Critically Endangered species was 8,
Endangered 21, Vulnerable 13, Not Threatened 50, Data Deficient 13, and Not Evaluated
species 10. Among the small fishes Gudusia chapra was the most dominant species (43.93%),
whereas Glossogobius giuris was the lowest (1.37%) by weight. Among the major carps,
Labeo rohita was the most dominant species (28.75%) and the lowest was the Labeo calbasu
(16.69%). Fish production was found maximum in floodplain (5,590.44 metric tons) followed
by beels (1,603.04 metric tons) and rivers and khals (282.94 metric tons), and the total fish
production was 7,476.42 metric tons during study period in Hakaluki Haor (Miah, 2010).
Chalan Beel
Chalan Beel is the largest and most important watershed in the north-central Bangladesh. It
comprises of a series of depressions interconnected by numerous channels to form more or
less one continuous sheet of water during monsoon covering an area of about 375 square
kilometres. The watershed serves about five million people predominantly through fisheries
and agriculture. Though far from its past glory, Chalan Beel is still an abode of large variety of
fish with a huge importance in local economy and peoples livelihood. During the dry season,
the water area decreases down to 52-78 square kilometres and looks like a cluster of small
beels of different sizes. Besides being a giant junction of a number of water ways, the beel
also served a springboard where many rivers flowed further south and east to meet finally with
the River Padma and the Brahmaputra (Iqbal, 2006).
Most of the rivers and small beels of Chalan Beel are at the risk of partial or total degradation
due to manifold reasons like agricultural encroachment, siltation along with other
anthropogenic activities. The critical dry out condition (0-5% of the monsoon size) was
observed in 83% of the rivers and 68% of the beels in the lean season (Hossain et al.2009).
Recently, 114 fin fish species belonging to 29 families were recorded from Chalan Beel
(Hossain et al., 2009).
Kaptai Lake
There are three true natural lakes in Bangladesh; Rainkhyongkine and Bogakine located in
the CHTand Ashuhila Beel, tremendously disturbed and deteriorated by human activities, in
the north-west part of Dhaka. The largest man-made lake in South Asia is Kaptai Lake of
68,800 hectares (surface area - 58,300 hectares). The H-shaped Kaptai Lake, the only major
reservoir in Bangladesh was created from the construction of dam across the river Karnafuli
near Kaptai town in 1961. It has drowned almost the whole of the middle-Karnafuli valley and
the lower reaches of the Chengi, the Kasalong and the Rinkhyong Rivers. Shoreline and the
16 | P a g e
Bangladesh coastline extends 710 kilometres starting from St. Martins Island in the southeast to the Sundarban mangroves in the south-west. The coastline consists of three major
divisions - the eastern, central and western. Bangladeshs maritime boundary has been
extended by 118,813 square kilometres comprising 12 nautical miles of territorial sea and an
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) extending up to 200 nautical miles into the high seas (Case
Box 4).
Bangladesh is a part of the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) which is one
of worlds 64 large marine ecosystems. It comprises the coastal waters of the Maldives, Sri
Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. It is reported that
more than 400 million people in this region depend upon the 6.2 million square kilometres
marine ecosystem for their foods, livelihoods and security (Christie and Ole-Moiyoi, 2011).
Therefore, the conservation imperative is very high in this region in terms of the marine
resources.
The eastern coast of Bangladesh is comparatively stable whereas the central coast is very
dynamic with highest rate of accretion and erosion. The western coast is dominated by
mangrove forest system. The status and trends of the mangroves is detailed out under the
sub-section 1.2.1.1 (Terrestrial Ecosystem).
The central coast has been identified as the stepping stone, staging ground and wintering
ground of more than 100 species of migratory shore birds belonging to East Asia-Australasian
and Central Asian flyways. Bangladesh coast supports more than 10 globally threatened
17 | P a g e
Progress Towards
1.2.1.3 Coastal and Marine Ecosystem
Concluding Remarks
In 2007-08 fish production in Kaptai Lake was 8,248 metric tons with an average of 120
kiliograms per hectare. At the early stage of the creation of lake, Indian major carps were the
dominant species of about 60% of total catch, which is reduced to 5.69% in 2007-08. Presently
the major catches in
the Kaptai lake are
kachki
(Corica
soborna) and chapila
(Gudusia chapra), both
contributing equally to
60% of the total catch.
Halder et al. (2002)
recorded 66 species of
indigenous fish in the
lake.
The
major
Cypriniforms available
in the lake are Catla
catla,
Cirrhinus
mrigala, Labeo rohita,
L. calbasu, L. goinus
Fishing in Chokya Beel, Hakaluki Haor by Mahbubul Alam Miah
and Puntius sarana.
References
basin of Kaptai Lake are very irregular. The volume of the lake is 524,700 cubic metres with a
mean depth 9 metres (maximum depth is 32 metres and mean water level fluctuation is 8.14
metres). Although the lake was created primarily with a vision to generate hydroelectric power,
it substantially contributes to the national economy through freshwater fish production,
navigation, flood control and agriculture. The lake is confined within the hill district of
Rangamati and embraces sub-districts of Rangamati Sadar, Kaptai, Nannerchar, Langadu,
Baghaichhari, Barkal, Juraichhari and Belaichhari.
migratory shorebirds, including Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Asian Dowitcher, Spotted Redshank,

Nordmans Greenshank, Goliath Heron and Indian Skimmers.
The east coast of Bangladesh is an important breeding ground for three species of marine
turtles (Rashid and Islam 2005). The only coral community is located on the east coast in
association with high diversity and moderate density of marine algae and mollusks. The west
coast, on the other hand, supports breeding ground for Batagur baska, Masked finfoot, the
Bengal Tiger, Saltwater Crocodile, King Cobra, White bellied Sea Eagle, and Ganges River
Dolphin to name a few.
Batagur (River Terrapin) captive breeding and re-introduction in the coast of Bangladesh by ABM
Sarowar Alam
The main ecosystems of the coastal zone are: (a) Coral-associated Island, (b) Sandy beach,
(c) Small islets, (d) Sand dunes, (e) Inter-tidal mudflats, (f) Grasslands, (g) Reed lands, and
(h) Mangrove forest. Bangladesh coastal zone is well-connected with a vast network of
estuaries of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river systems.
The Department of Fisheries declared a marine reserve in the year 2000 under section 28 of
the Marine Fisheries Ordinance, 1983 (Ordinance No. 35 of 1983). The area of the reserve is
estimated to be 69,800 hectares (or 698 square kilometres) (Figure 4).
MPA ID
BGD0012
Country
Bangladesh
Site Name
Middle ground and

south patches of
Bay of Bengal
Sub-national Unit
National
Designation
Marine Reserves
International
Status
Established Year
2000
Legal / Gazetted
Code
Reported Area
km2
698
IUCN Category
No Take Zone
Habitat Types
latitude
20.98841700
Longitude
91.44010900
Figure 4 Marine Reserve of Bangladesh (area surrounding red pin in the centre)
18 | P a g e
CASE BOX 5-Newly Accreted Area Riverine Estuary

According to a newspaper report
(Newage, 13 April 2014), there had
been no assessment of land accre,
inland and/or coastal since the
independence of the country. That
report summarized several expert
opinions and published a map
originally prepared by the Institute of
Water Modeling, Bangladesh (IWM)
(Figure 5).
The map shows the locations of crossdams studies suggested along
Sandwip, Urirchar and Jahajer Char in
the Bay that could reclaim about 1,000
square kilometres of land in 3035
years; the report suggests. It was also
reported that according to experts the
gross gain of land in the Meghna
estuary and the sea was bigger in size
than the gross land loss had been
taking place over the last 50 years.
Figure 5 Possible Land Accretion Sites at the Meghna Estuary (Source: IWM, collected from Newage
website, accessed on 25 July 2015)
The marine biome in the Bay of Bengal bordering maritime boundary with Myanmar, Sri Lanka
and India is an important biodiversity area as far as the cetaceans and shorebirds are
concerned. Whale, dolphin and porpoises species are recorded recently from the Swatch of
no-Ground numbering over 15,000 individuals. Government of Bangladesh has declared the
Swatch of no-Ground of the Bay of Bengal as marine protected area on 27 October 2014
(Table 30).
The newly accreted low-lying inter tidal islands in the estuary, coast and at Bay are very rich
ecosystem in terms of its biomass productivity. In addition to having the mudflats as the
wintering ground of migratory shorebirds, the channels in the central coast are plentiful in
19 | P a g e
Both verdicts have now settled long-pending maritime boundary disputes between Bangladesh and
its two neighbours. It also opened up the opportunity to explore marine resources in and under the
water in a planned way, including marine biodiversity.
Progress Towards
Two years later, on 7 July 2014, the Arbitral Tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The
Hague, declared its verdict on the matter of the Bay of Bengal maritime boundary between
Bangladesh and India. On the basis of the Tribunals delimitation line, an adjustment was made to
the provisional equidistance line (The Arbitral Tribunal, 2014). This adjustment increased
Bangladeshs maritime area by 19,467 square kilometres. As a result the area appertaining to
Bangladesh east of the delimitation line stands 118,813 sq. km (Bhuiyan et al. 2015).
Concluding Remarks
On 14 March 2012, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) delimited the maritime
boundary of Bangladesh in the Bay of Bengal with Myanmar in an equitable manner (MoFA, 2012).
Before this verdict, undisputed sea area of Bangladesh was around 50,000 square kilometres. That
has been increased by another 50,000-60,000 square kilometres along with the maritime resources.
References
CASE BOX 4 - Maritime Boundaries in Bangladesh
macro-benthos and other invertebrates. Among them crustaceans, nematodes and

helminthes are found in super-abundance. Inter tidal creeks having luxuriant growth of
different types of algae which are the major food source of wild ducks and geese that used to
visit the area in large numbers. The islands and its surroundings are also comprised of various
types of habitats, such as network of inter tidal creeks inside mangroves, massive mudflats,
grassland, reed land, sand flats, sand beaches, sand dunes and deeper channels. This area
also shows abundance in crustaceans and estuarine fish populations. The channels around
the newly accreted lands are good abode of River Terrapin, Marine Turtles, Ganges River
Dolphin and Irrawaddy Dolphin. Several kilometers of inter tidal sand flats at the southern tip
of Nijhum Dweep facing the Bay of Bengal is the most high-ranking staging ground of 10,000
to 20,000 migratory birds during winter quarter (Khan, 2012).
1.2.2 Species Diversity

Bangladesh is rich in species diversity of the flora and fauna. The unique geo-physical
location, tropical climate and fertile landmass are the underlying factors to support such
diverse communities.
1.2.2.1 Floral Diversity

The Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh (2007-2009) contains a comprehensive
list of plant species of Bangladesh. It recorded 3,611 taxa of angiosperms from the
Bangladesh territory. It has recently been noted that, between June 2009 and June 2013, 64
angiosperm species were recorded from Bangladesh and 8 were described as new to science
(Irfanullah, 2013). In addition to that, very recently, Bangladesh National Herbarium has
reported 50 angiosperm species as new records for the country (Ara and Khan, 2015). A
comparison of compiled data between the World and Bangladesh is presented in Table 9.
In case of other plant groups, the Encyclopedia reported 3,002 algal taxa (including
Cyanobacteria) under 424 genera and 127 families. Being microscopic, there exists
tremendous possibility to discover new algal species in Bangladesh. For example, a fourseason sampling of a couple of waterbodies in the tea gardens of Srimangal, Moulvi Bazar
district revealed 421 algal taxa of which 130 were found for the first time in Bangladesh and 3
were new to the biologists (Irfanullah, 2013). Continuous new records of both macroscopic
and microscopic flora justify the need for a complete inventory of Bangladesh flora in order to
have a good understanding of the biodiversity trend.
Table 9 Floral Diversity in Bangladesh
Plant group
Virus/Bacteria
Algae
Fungi
Lichen
Bryophytes
Pteridophytes
Gymnosperms
Angiosperms
Number of species described

World (estimated)
Bangladesh (observed)
8,050
470
40,800
1988+
90,000
275
13,500
51*
14,500
248
12,000
195
650
7
250,000
3,733
Sources: World - MoEF/GoI (2014); Bangladesh - updated MoEF (2010) through literature review and
stakeholder consultations; *Aptroot and Iqbal (2011), Based on Ara and Khan (2015)
Combined together, Rampahar-Sitapahar Reserved Forests (around 1000 hectares) harbour

a total of 786 angiospermic species (595 dicots, 148 monocots, 1 gymnosperm and 42
20 | P a g e

Additionally, major species that are used in plantations in Bangladesh are shown in the
Table 10. In 1978 and onwards, extensive trials of Eucalyptus and Acacia species started to
find out the very fast growing exotic species for some difficult sites. Later on, a trend of planting
Eucalyptus and Acacia were getting preferences in plantation programmes. But a Government
ban on Eucalyptus prevented its large scale plantation programmes. However, individual
interest on Eucalyptus is still observed in planting around homesteads and marginal lands
(Hossain and Hoque, 2013).
Table 10 Tree Species Mostly Used in Plantations in Bangladesh
18.
19.
20.
21.
Pinus caribaea, P. oocarpa

Senna siamea
Swietenia macrophylla
Syzygium grande
Pine
Minjiri
Mahogony
Dhaki jam
22.
23.
24.
Tectona grandis
Toona ciliata
Xylia xylocarpa
Teak
Toon
Lohakat
Falcataria moluccana
Common name
Akashmoni
Babla
Kala koroi
Sada Koroi
Chapalish
Chikrassy
Sissoo
Tellya Garjan
Eucalyptus
Gamar
Rubber
Telsur
Jarul
Ipil-ipil
Champa
Kadam
Malakana koroi
Progress Towards
Scientific name
Acacia auriculiformis
Acacia nilotica
Albizia lebbeck
Albizia procera
Artocarpus chaplasha
Chukrassia tabularis
Dalbergia sissoo
Dipterocarpus turbinatus
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Gmelina arborea
Hevea brasiliensis
Hopea odorata
Lagerstroemia speciosa
Leucaena leucocephala
Michelia champaca
Neolamarckia cadamba
Concluding Remarks
Sl.No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
pteridophytes). Similarly, Uddin and Hassan (2012b) also reported 41 pteridophyte species
belonging to 26 genera under 13 families from the Rampahar-Sitapahar area. This examplifies
the richness of Bangladesh flora, especially in the CHTs. A summary of some noteworthy
studies that collected information on forest species is provided in Annex: Table 3.
Marine plant diversity is yet to be exhaustively explored in Bangladesh. Limited explorations

have been done by far on the open sea waters. The Bay of Bengal Programme under its
regional initiative carried out studies on fisheries resources of the Bay of Bengal and prepared
a preliminary checklist of fish and other marine organisms. According to Encyclopedia of Flora
and Fauna of Bangladesh (Volume 3 & 4), there are 50 species of brown algae (Order:
Laminariales, also known as kelp), 82 species of red algae (Class: Rhodophyceae), and 26
species of green algae (Class: Cholorophyceae). Almost all seaweed species are found in St.
Martin's Island. In Bangladesh, 5 seagrass species have so far been reported from
21 | P a g e
References
Source: Hossain, 2014
Bangladesh coast, namely Halodule uninervis (Forsskal) Ascherson, Halophila beccarii

Ascherson, Halophila decipiens Ostenfeld, Halophila pinifolia (Miki) Den Hartog and Ruppia
maritima L. (Kamal and Short, 2009). Seagrass beds are unique ecosystems harbouring
marine biodiversity, providing significant ecosystem services. However, given sporadic and
limited occurrence, studies on seagrass are limited in Bangladesh.
1.2.2.2 Faunal Diversity

Bangladesh harbours rich faunal diversity (Table 11) in its wide range of ecosystems. A
comparison of faunal diversity of the world and Bangladesh showed tremendous diversity
despite high human population density and small geographical area of the country. Moreover,
as inventorying goes on, the list of species might continue to increase. For example, between
2009 and 2014, 22 amphibians and 27 reptiles have newly been recorded for Bangladesh
(Feeroz et al., 2014). A total of 706 bird species recorded in Bangladesh represent 7.2% of
the worlds total species. Of these, 383 are resident species, 218 winter visitors, 11 summer
visitors and 94 vagrants. The mammal diversity on land and in the water is equally rich with
128 species (2.8% of the worlds total species) found in Bangladesh, of which 7 are marine
mammals (Hasan et al., 2015, personal communication). Two species of mammals have
newly been recorded from Bangladesh after 2010 (Feeroz et al., 2011, 2012). In Bangladesh,
so far 2,360 species of insects have been recorded (B.A. Bhuiya, 2015, personal
communication). A stocktaking of country's insect richness based on secondary sources is
given in Annex: Table 12.
Table 11 Faunal Diversity in Bangladesh
Taxonomic group
Protozoa
Porifera
Cnidaria
Ctenophora
Rotifera
Gastrotricha
Platyhelminthes
Nematoda
Mollusca
Echinodarmata
Arthropoda
Pisces (fish)
Amphibia
Reptilia (reptiles)
Aves (birds)
Mammalia (mammals)
Number of species described

World
Bangladesh
31,250
175
5,000
29
10105
102
100
10
2,500
76
3,000
4
17,511
126
30,028
176
66,535
479
6600
46+
1,181,398
5000+
32,120
475 (marine)
267 (freshwater)
6,771
49
9,230
154
9,026
650
5,416
128
Sources: World - MoEF/GoI (2014); Bangladesh - updated MoEF (2010) through literature review and
stakeholder consultations; Islam (2003); Hasan et al. (2015, personal communication); Hossain et al. (2015,
personal communication)
There is a positive change noticed in the protected areas in terms of increased diversity in
species of wildlife and their population numbers. The avifauna species number, for example,
which was 149 in 2000, had increased to 249 in 2003 and 270 in 2014 (SRCWP, 2014).
22 | P a g e
Migratory ducks at Tanguar Haor by ABM Sarowar Alam
Bangladesh is a host of wide range of invertebrate diversity. Table 12 reflects a partial state
of species diversity of invertebrate fauna and Table 12 in Annex shows the recorded species
of insect fauna.
Several new mammalian and avian species were recorded in the protected areas after 2010
indicating proper management of these areas (Feeroz, 2013; Feeroz et al., 2011, 2012).
No. of
species
recorded
175
29
102
1
2
3
Protozoa
Prorifera
Cnidaria
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Ctenophora
Rotifera
Gastrotricha
Platyhelmithes
Nematoda
Annelida
Echinodermata
10
76
04
126
176
98
46
11
12
13
14
15
16
Acanthocephala
Bryozoa (Minor Phyla)
Kinorhyncha (Minor Phyla)
Chaetognatha (Minor Phyla)
Mollusca
Crustacea
(Zooplankton)
Crustacea (Crabs)
28
07
02
03
470
164
17
18
19
20
Arthropoda
Crustacea (Shrimps
&Prawns)
Insecta
Arachnida (Scorpion
& spiders)
Total
39
62
References
Kabir et al., (eds.), 2008
NCS Report, 1997
Kabir et al., 2009
NCS Report 1997
Kabir et al., 2009
Kabir et al., 2009
Kabir et al., 2009
Kabir et al., 2009
Kabir et al., 2009
Siddiqui et al., (eds.), 2007
Bhouyain and Asmat (1992); Ahmed et al. (2008)
Concluding Remarks
Phyla
Shafi and Quddus, 1982; Chowdhury and Hafizuddin,

1991; Ameen, 2001; Siddiqui and Zafar, 2002; Ahmed
et al., 2008
Ahmed et al., 2008; Hossain, 2013
2360
Bhuiya, 2015 (personal communication)
431
Ahmed et al., 2009
References
Sl.
no.
Progress Towards
Table 12 List of Invertebrates so far Recorded from Bangladesh
4408
Source: Bhuiya, 2015 (personal communication)
23 | P a g e
Among the fauna, insects play a vital role in regulating the ecosystem and contribute to
sustainability of the biodiversity. Feeroz et al. (2011) recorded 43 butterfly species and 11
species of other groups of insects from Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary in Shatchari, Sylhet.
Forty-four species of butterflies were recorded from Butterfly Research Park in Bhawal
National Park in 2012 (Bashar, 2014). In the same year, researchers reported more than 100
species of insects of various groups including butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies, bees,
wasps, beetles, mantids, grasshoppers and others from Dudpukuria-Dhopachari Wildlife
Sanctuary of Bandarban. They also listed 70 butterflies, 25 dragonflies & damselflies, and 10
species of grasshoppers from Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary in 2013. Bhuiya (1983-2014)
recorded nearly 450 species of parasitic Hymenoptera from Bangladesh. In 2004, a total of
311 butterfly species was recorded from Bangladesh; Larsen (2004) reported 236 species,
whereas another 75 species were recorded by previous researchers (Alam, 1962a, 1962b;
Ameen and Chowdhury, 1968; Begum and Begum, 1986; Alam and Ullah, 1995, in IUCN
2014). Another 12 species were reported in 2013 and 2014 making the total 323 species
(Khandaker et al., 2013; Neogi et al., 2014; Shahadat et al., 2014. Four new species of
butterflies were recorded from Kaptati National Park (Case Box 6).
CASE BOX 6 Four New Species of Butterflies Recorded from Kaptai

National Park
a. Dark Pierrot
b. Banded Ace
c. Indian Ace
d. Short-horn Ace
Newly recorded butterfly species of Bangladesh by Tahsinur Rahman Shihan
Four new species of butterflies were recorded from the Kaptai National Park during a recent survey
in October 2013 to November 2014 by the research team of Monitoring and Conservation of Wildlife
in Kaptai National Park of Bangladesh project under the SRCWP Project supported by Bangladesh
Forest Department and the World Bank. These four species are Dark Pierrot, Banded Ace, Indian
Ace and Short-horn Ace. Three of them belong to family Hesperiidae and one to family Lycaenidae
(Khan, 2014, personal communication).
24 | P a g e
10
Cryptocyclops bicolor (Sars, 1863)
Cyclopidae
Crustacea
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Diacyclops nanus (Sars, 1863)

Cyprois occidentalis (Sars, 1926)
Daphnia lumholtzi (Sars, 1885)
Daphnia magna (Straus, 1820)
Diaptomus gracilis (Sars, 1862)
Diaptomus pygmaeus (Pearse, 1906)
Filinia longiseta (Ehrenberg, 1834)
Filinia terminalis (Plate, 1886)
Hexarthra mira (Hudson, 1871)
Keratella cochlearis (Gosse, 1851)
Keratella quadrata (Muller, 1786)
Keratella tropica (Apstein, 1907)
Lepadella imbricata (Harring, 1916
Macrocyclops distinctus (Richard, 1887)
Macrothrix laticornis (Jurine, 1820)
Mesocyclops dybowskii (Lande, 1890)
Thermocyclops inversus (Kiefer, 1936)
Moina brachiata (Jurine, 1820)
Moina macrocopa (Straus, 1820)
Moina reticulata (Daday, 1905)
Monostyla lunaris (Ehrenberg, 1832)
Paracyclops fimbriatus (Fischer, 1853)
Platyias patulus (Mueller, 1786)
Polyarthra vulgaris (Carlin, 1943)
Trichocerca cylindrica (Imhof, 1891)
Trichocerca similis (Wierzejski, 1893)
Trichotria tetractis (Ehrenberg, 1830)
Cyclopidae
Cyclopidae
Daphniidae
Daphniidae
Diaptomidae
Diaptomidae
Filiniidae
Filiniidae
Hexarthridae
Brachionidae
Brachionidae
Brachionidae
Lepadellidae
Cyclopidae
Macrothricidae
Cyclopidae
Cyclopidae
Moinidae
Moinidae
Moinidae
Lecanidae
Cyclopidae
Brachionidae
Synchaetidae
Trichocercidae
Trichocercidae
Trichotriidae
Crustacea
Crustacea
Crustacea
Crustacea
Crustacea
Crustacea
Rotifera
Rotifera
Rotifera
Rotifera
Rotifera
Rotifera
Rotifera
Crustacea
Crustacea
Crustacea
Crustacea
Crustacea
Crustacea
Crustacea
Rotifera
Crustacea
Rotifera
Rotifera
Rotifera
Rotifera
Rotifera
Source: Updating Red List Project of IUCN Bangladesh, 2015
25 | P a g e
Bosminidae
Brachionidae
Brachionidae
Brachionidae
Brachionidae
Brachionidae
Brachionidae
Brachionidae
Daphniidae
Family

Eubosmina coregoni (Baird, 1857)

Brachionus angularis (Gosse, 1851)
Brachionus calyciflorus (Pallas, 1766)
Brachionus caudatus (Barrois and Daday, 1894)
Brachionus bidentata (Anderson, 1889)
Brachionus havanaensis (Rousselet, 1913)
Brachionus plicatilis (Mueller, 1786)
Brachionus rubens (Ehrenberg, 1838)
Ceriodaphnia reticulata (Jurine, 1820)
Scientific name (Reference)
Progress Towards
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Phyllum/Subphyllum
Crustacea
Rotifera
Rotifera
Rotifera
Rotifera
Rotifera
Rotifera
Rotifera
Crustacea
Sl.No
Concluding Remarks
Table 13 Zooplanktons Reported from Freshwater and Marine Environment of Bangladesh
References
Marine fauna in Bangladesh includes prawn, shrimp, crab, lobster, mollusks, turtles and
zooplankton. Brief description of these groups is given as follows. Hossain (2013) updated the
checklist and documented 62 prawn and shrimp in Bangladesh territory. Under the on-going
Updating Redlist of Bangladesh Project of IUCN, a total of 125 prawn, shrimp, crab, and
lobester species and 37 zooplankton species (Table 13) have been listed for assesing the
current conservation status. There are about 336 molluscs and 3 starfish/echinoderms have
also been reported from the Bangladesh territory (Hossain et al., 2014).
Shrimps and crabs - (Clock-wise) - Nymph Snapping Shrimp, Mud Spiny Lobster, Mangrove Horseshoe crab, Blue
swimming crab, Field crab, Ghost crab and Common Squillid Mantis Shrimp (photo by Mostafa A R Hossain, M.
Enamul Hoq and Mohammed Noman)
Molluscs are the single largest marine animal group (phylum), making up almost one-forth of
all known species (Benkendorff, 2010, in Hossain et al., 2014). Although studies on marine
molluscs started in the Bangladesh territory in the early 1940s (Commans, 1940, in Hossain
et al., 2014), comprehensive studies on these groups had always been limited. In 1990, an
extended list was produced by Ahmed (1990, in Hossain et al., 2014) containing 301 species
from the Bangladesh coast.
Marine Molluscs of Bangladesh (Source: Hossain et al., 2014)
Hossain et al. (2014) recorded 317 molluscs species from Kutubdia, Moheshkhali and
Sonadia off-shore islands. Out of these species, 141 belonged to gastropods (including 20
identified up to genus level) and 176 were bivalves (including 51 identified up to genus level).
A total of 181 (57% of 317 species) were recorded for the first time from Bangladesh. In
26 | P a g e
Bony fish
Cartilaginous (soft-boned) fish
Shrimp
Crab
Lobster
Mollusc
Starfish/Echinoderms
Marine Turtles
Whale/Dolphin
Hossain
(2001)
475
50
25
15
5
301 (6)
3
5
11
Number of species
Islam (2003)
Ahamed et al. (2012)
475
24
50
301 (3)
442
56
16
3
336
4
5
The
coastal
and
marine
waters
of
Bangladesh supports
five species of sea
turtles - Olive Ridley
Turtle, Green Turtle,
Hawksbill
Turtle,
Loggerhead Turtle and
Leatherback
Turtle.
Olive
Ridley
and
Green
turtles
are
common
while
Hawksbill, Loggerhead
and
Leatherback
turtles are rare. Due to Marine Turtle by Sayam U. Chowdhury
serious degradation and manifold threats in off-shore and in-shore areas over the last three
decades, turtle nesting is now confined only to some undisturbed sandy beaches in St. Martin
Island, long sandy beach from Sahporirdwip to Coxs Bazar Sahporirdwip including Teknaf
Bordal Kochopia, Inani Monkhali, Sonadia Island, Kutubdia Island, Sandwip, Egg Island,
Mandarbaria, Dubla Island and sandy beaches of Sundarban area (Rashid and Islam, 2005).
Out of five sea turtles, only three species have been found to nest, including Hawksbill Turtle
in St. Martin's and other nesting rookery only supported Olive Ridley and Green Turtles in
some areas (Rashid 1997). The nesting populations are extremely small comparing the size
of rookeries resulted by the indiscriminate loss of nesting ground through development and
disturbance, mortality of population stock in the sea by commercial shrimp trawl net and gillnet (Sea Turtle Project, Bangladesh).
27 | P a g e
Group of organism
Progress Towards
Table 14 Marine Fauna Present in Bangladesh
Concluding Remarks
Table 14 summarizes marine faunal species number. There is an overall reduction in the
number of bony fish species over a period of 12 years since 2001, whereas the shrimp species
number doubled. Also, lobster count decreased and molluscs increased considerably. In
addition to habitat change, study methods used may also have influenced these numbers.
References
another study (2013-2014) on the molluscs of St. Martin's Island, 41 species were recorded
for the first time from St. Martin's (Sarker et al., 2014). Nevertheless, the total number of
mollusc species recorded in this study was 70, much less than previous two studies 113
(Ahmed, 1990) and 132 (MoEF, 2001) (in Sarker et al., 2014). Both studies show that much
of Bangladesh's marine mollusc diversity remains unexplored and the coastal ecosystems are
changing rapidly.
1.2.2.3 Status and Trends of Threatened Species

A. Flora
It has been widely recognized long since that many plant species are threatened in
Bangladesh. Lists of threatened plants have been produced since early 1990s (Irfanullah,
2011). Khan et al. (2001) published the first volume of Red Data Book of Vascular Plants of
Bangladesh apparently following IUCN Red List categories. Although this book listed 106
species, only four can be identified as threatened as per the IUCN Red List categories:
Aldrovanda vesiculosa (Malacca jhangi), Corypha taliera (Talipalm), Knema bengalensis
(Khude Barala) and Licuala peltata (Chata Pat/Kurud) (Irfanullah, 2011).
According to the Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh (2007-2009; Volumes 5-12),
486 vascular plants are threatened in Bangladesh (Irfanullah, 2011) (Table15). The second
volume of Red Data Book of Vascular Plants of Bangladesh includes 120 species as
threatened following IUCN's latest Red List categories and assessment process (Ara et al.,
2013) (Table 8 in Annex ). M.A. Rahman (2013, personal communication) also assessed 13
angiosperm families containing 520 species and categorized 235 species into different
threatened categories. Challenge remains to have a clear, acceptable and comprehensive
evaluation of the flora of Bangladesh following latest guidelines of the IUCN Red List.
Table 15 Number of Threatened Species in Major Vascular Plant Groups According to the
Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh
Vascular plant
groups
Pteridophytes
Gymnosperms
Angiosperms
Dicotyledons
Monocotyledons
Total
Total no.
of
species
195
7
3,611
2,623
988
3,813
Source: Irfanullah, 2011
Critically
Endangered
(CR)
0
0
30
8
22
30
Endangered
(EN)
Vulnerable
(VU)
0
1
126
80
46
127
36
0
293
179
114
329
Total no. of
threatened species
(% of total species
36 (18.46)
1 (14.29)
449 (12.43)
267 (10.18)
182 (18.42)
486 (12.75)
A1. Boilam
Boilam (Anisoptera scaphula (Roxb.) Kurz) is a very tall resinous tree with a straight bole
attaining a height of 30-45 metres and a girth of 3.0-4.5 metres. Deforestation and
overexploitation significantly reduced the species in natural forests and at present at the
highest risk of extinction. The species is native to Bangladesh and occurs sporadically in the
high forests of Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tract and Coxs Bazar forest areas. However,
currently few individuals of the species is only found in Saplapur, Silkhali and Swankhali beats
of the Coxs Bazar South Forest Division; Bengdepha and Bhomarioghona of Coxs Bazar
North Forest Division; Hazarikhil of Chittagong North Forest Division; Dudpukuria-Dopachari
Wildlife Sanctuary and Tonkabati Forest Beat of Chittagong South Forest Division. In natural
forests, the scattered populations are either in lone individuals or as stands of 2 or 3 boilam
trees in some pockets of the forests. Small scale plantations of young boilam are also
established in some forests areas.
28 | P a g e
The individuals of this species are disappearing due to forest fragmentation, deforestation,
illegal felling, jhum, clearing of land for agriculture and so on. However, very few planted trees
are also found in Satgaon Tea Estate in Sri Mongal, Hyanko Rubber Estate and Sitakunda
Eco-Park. Inadequate natural regeneration has been observed in the Satgaon Tea Estate and
natural stands of Tankawati and the recruitment is also very poor. Pablakhali of Bagaichari
once was famous for both the civit and White Wing Wood Duck (Bhadi Hans) nesting in the
trees those are now not available. White Wing Wood Duck, an indicator species, has
disappeared due to loss of habitat and nesting places indicating the importance of conserving
the native flora before complete extinction.
Except the Rajghat and Bhomorioghona Forest Beats of Coxs Bazar North Forest Division,
civit is found scattered in single to a few individuals. According to the Forest Officials, Sangu
Reserve supposed to have some good stock of civit along with some other native hardwood
tree species.
William Roxburgh was the man who found

the plant in 1919 from Bengal. It is
endemic to Bengal, however, not found in
wild at present. One record of this palm
growing in a village near Shantiniketan in
Birbhum district in West Bengal, India,
was cut down in 1979. Another plant in
wild was reported to grow in Birganj
Upazila in Dinajpur district about 35 years Tali palm by Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury
ago and was also cut down immediately after flowering. The last known individual of the
species in the Dhaka University campus between the Jagannath Hall and Isa Khan Staff
quarters was discovered in the early 1950s in a scrub Jungle. The plant produced flowers in
September 2008 and died in 2010 after ripening numerous fruits.
At present no known mature individual exists either in the wild or under cultivation in the world.
However, a number of person and institutions collected ripen fruits from that plant for raising
seedlings. Department of Botany of the University of Dhaka and Endangered Plants and
Animals Conservation Foundation, Bangladesh have raised more than a thousand of
seedlings and planted in different places/ institutions/ botanic gardens/ parks of 64 districts of
the country. Those seedlings seemed to be growing successfully.
29 | P a g e
References
Talipam (Corypha taliera Roxb) under

Arecaceae is a tall monocarpic palm with
a straight bole attaining a height of 25
metres and a girth of 1 metre. It was
assessed as Critically Endangered plant
by Khan et al. (2001).
Concluding Remarks
Progress Towards
A3. Talipalm

Civit (Swintonia floribunda) is one of the threatened tree species once found abundant in the
hill forests of Bangladesh. Once the species was considered as D-class (not good timber) and
available in association with some other hardwood tree species in hill forests. But now this
species is becoming rare because of indiscriminate felling and use by the plywood industries.
It is commonly used for veneer, plywood and boat making. It also yields a high quality pulp
and fibre.
A2. Civit
A4. Banspata
Banspata (Podocarpus neriifolius) is a large, glabrous evergreen tree with whorled branches.
It is a medium large canopy tree (up to 30 metres high) with cylindrical straight bole (60-100
centimetres girth) or sometimes markedly fluted. This species belongs to the family
Podocarpaceae. Banspata, a native gymnosperm of Bangladesh once naturally occurred in
the forests of Chittagong Hill Tracts (Publakhali) and Coxs Bazar (Ukhia), Lawachara Forest
of Sreemongal, Kassalong and Massalong Reserve in Bagaichari. Coppicing of this
gymnosperm were found in the Ukhia natural forest of Coxs Bazar South Forest Division.
However, due to deforestation of the natural forests, this species has become endangered in
its natural habitat.
A total of 111 Banspata trees/ saplings were explored through an extensive field visit from the
forests and botanical gardens of the country (Table 7 in Annex). Of them, only 10 trees were
found in the natural forests and the remaining 101 trees/ saplings are planted for research or
aesthetic purposes (Bhuiyan et al., 2014).
B. Fauna
Bangladesh has already lost at least 13 wildlife species, most of which are large mammals.
Many of the wildlife species have been facing continuous threat of extinction. Bengal tiger
(Panthera tigris) once found all over the country, but now restricted to the Sundarban. Wild
Asian Elephants of the country are also facing threat of extinction due to habitat loss and
increased human-elephant conflicts. No confirmed record of Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) is in
the country for the last two decades. Primates of the country are also facing different level of
threats. Apart from natural habitat some of the primate species are also found in and around
human settlements which is causing increased interaction between human and primates and
ultimately increasing risk of bidirectional disease transmission (Feeroz, 2013, personal
communication).
The Red List of Threatened Animals of Bangladesh remains the only published document on
threatened animals of the country (IUCN Bangladesh, 2000). This improtant document is now
being updated (Case Box 7). Status of inland and resident vertebrates of Bangladesh
according to Bangladesh National Criteria has been unchanged to a total of 201 of threatened
and 323 data deficient species (IUCN Bangladesh, 2000, in MoEF, 2010).
Besides, some studies are being conducted on threatened species of Bangladesh in
collaboration with the BFD. For example, in 2013, radio-telemetry study of Burmese python
(Python bivittatus) and Elongated Tortoise (Indotestudo elongata), both endangered species,
was initiated in Lawachara National Park in Moulovi Bazar (Rahman et al., 2014).
30 | P a g e
Bangladesh has a number of species that has been iconic to the species biodiversity globally
as well as bearing cultural values and traditions. Some of these represent the so called
flagship species, keystone species and bio-indicator species. However, these species are all
threatened; as their common attribute. The following section will give a snapshot of the status
and trends of a number of such faunal species.
B1. Fish Species
The open water fish diversity of Bangladesh has been negatively impacted by a series of
natural and anthropogenic actions. These range from siltation of waterbodies to overexploitation of natural fisheries to changing the habitats from small- to large-scale
development interventions. As a result, many fish species, like Hemibagrus menoda, Barilius
barila, Botia dayi, Raiamas bola, Psylorhynchus sucatio, Scistura corica, Labeo pangusia,
Labeo angra, Botia lohachata, Barilius barila, Chagunius chagunio, Gogangra viridescenes,
Silonia silondia, Setipinna phasa, Laguvia shawi and Crossocheilus latius have become locally
endangered.

References
According to the Red Book of Threatened Fishes of Bangladesh (IUCN Bangladesh, 2000),
54 indigenous riverine fishes of Bangladesh are threatened at various degrees. However,
there have been massive changes in riverine fish diversity in the first decade of this century.
According to a survey conducted by the Fish Museum & Biodiversity Centre (FMBC) of
Bangladesh Agricultural University during 2000-13, more than 100 riverine fishes are presently
under threat and 25 fish (Table 17) were not observed in Bangladesh for more than last 20
years, thus could be extinct from Bangladesh waters (FMBC, 2013).
Progress Towards
Crustaceans and butterflies

Table 16 Group-Wise Distribution of Species Recorded and to
have been included in the
be Assessed
assessment for the first time in
No. of species
No. of species to be
Bangladesh.
After
the
Group
recorded
assessed
assessment
and
review,
Crustaceans
185
141
assessed species will be
Butterflies
323
302
gradually uploaded on the
Fishes
653
255
website of IUCN Bangladeshs
Amphibians
34
49
Red
List
seeking
public
Reptiles
154
173
validation and feedback. Once
the validation process is
Birds
650
566
completed, the updated Red List
Mammals
121
122
is expected to be published by
Total
1,608
the end of 2015. The project
Source: Updating Red List project of IUCN Bangladesh, 2015
aims at publishing six volumes
on mammals, birds, amphibians
& reptiles and fishes (in English) and an introductory volume both in English and Bangla.
Concluding Remarks
In 2013, Bangladesh Forest Department took a project named SRCWP in collaboraton with IUCN
Bangladesh with the financial support from the World Bank to update the Red List of Animals of
Bangladesh. A rigorous assessment process has been developed in consultation with experts from
Bangladesh and around the globe. A total of 1,608 species of different animal groups are now being
assessed since 2014 as per the assessment guidelines of IUCN (Table 16).
CASE BOX 7 Red List of Animals in Bangladesh
31 | P a g e
Table 17 Possibly Nationally Extinct Riverine Fishes of Bangladesh

No.
1
2
3
4
5
Family
Balitoridae
Cobitidae
Common English
name
Cypriniformes
Grays Stone Loach
Scientific name
Balitora brucei
Schistura dayi
Neoeucirrhichthys maydelli
Pangio oblonga
Salmostoma acinaces
Goalpara Loach
Java Loach
Cyprinidae
Silver Razorbelly
Minnow
Danio dangila
6
Moustached Danio
Esomus lineatus
7
Striped Flying Barb
Garra annandalei
8
Annandale Garra
Labeo dero
9
Kalabans
Labeo nandina
Kulta Labeo
10
Osteochilus hasseltii
11
Silver Sharkminnow
Raiamas guttatus
12
Burmese Trout
Siluriformes
Amblyceps laticeps
13
Amblycipitidae
Indian Torrent Catfish
Laguvia shawi
14
Erethistidae
Laguvia ribeiroi
15
Painted Catfish
Ailia punctata
16
Schilbeidae
Jamuna Ailia
Pterocryptis gangelica
17
Siluridae
Nangra bucculenta
18
Sisoridae
Nangra nangra
19
Nangra ornata
20
Pseudecheneis sulcata
21
Sucker Throat Catfish
Perciformes
Ambassis nalua
22
Ambassidae
Scalloped Perchlet
Channa barca
23
Channidae
Barca Snakehead
24
Osphronemidae Pseudosphromenus cupanus
Spiketail Paradisefish
Beloniformes
25
Hemiramphidae Dermogenys
Gangetic Halfbeak
brachynotopterus
Source: FMBC, 2013; *R-Riverine and E-Estuarine
Bangla name
Panga
Chela
Nipati
Darkina
Ghorpoiya
Kursa
Nandina
Bhol
Kani Tengra
Kani Tengra
Kajoli
Gang Tengra
Gang Tengra
Gang Tengra
Habitat*
R
R
R
R
R
R
R-E
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R-E
R
R
R
R
R
Nalua Chanda
Pipla
Koi
R-E
R
R-E
Ekthuita
E-R
Cryogenic Gene Banking of Fish

The sperm cryopreservation (preservation of fish sperm in liquid Nitrogen at -196 oC) protocol
for different fish species seems Table 18 Cryopreservation of Sperm of Some
variable and species-specific. Indigenous Fish Species in Bangladesh
Although fish is the main protein
Local name
Sceintific name
source in Bangladesh and the
Cypriniformes (Carps)
fish biodiversity and production
Catla catla
from open water are declining, Catla
little attention has been paid to Rohu
Labeo rohita
cryopreservation of fish sperm. Calibaus
Labeo calbasu
In Bangladesh, research on fish Mrigel
Cirrhinus mrigala
sperm cryopreservation started Sarpunti
Puntius sarana
in early 2004. The studies have
Siluriformes (Catfish)
focused on aquacultured or
Boali
pabda
Ompok bimaculatus
commercial species and so far
none of the threatened species Baim
Mastacembelus armatus
Rita
Rita rita
have been considered (Table
18). Cryogenic sperm banks for
Perciformes (Snakehead)
more fish need to be Shol
Channa striatus
established as means of
germplasm conservation in Source: Hossain et al., 2011
Bangladesh.
32 | P a g e

Progress Towards
References
Although some noteworthy works have been published on the Sundarban tigers since the
1970s, relatively little is
known about their
status and ecology
compared with other
populations worldwide
Low relative
tiger abundance
(Ahmad et al., 2009).
Barlow et al. (2008, in
Ahmad et al., 2009)
found
higher
concentrations of tigers
in the south and west of
the
Sundarban
compared to the north
Medium relative
tiger abundance
and east (Figure 6). A
recent study, by using
High relative
GPS
collars,
tiger abundance
Tiger track sets/km of khal
0-1
determined the home
1-2
2-3
20
Kilometers
10
0
10
ranges of two female
3-4
tigers in the south-east
of the Sundarban. The Figure 6 Relative Abundance of Tigers in the Sundarbans of
small home ranges (<20 Bangladesh (reproduced from Barlow et al., 2008; in Ahmad et al., 2009)
kilometre squares) of those two tigers indicated a very high tiger density compared to other
tiger habitats. Even if tiger home ranges were twice this size in other areas of the forest, the
Bangladesh Sundarban could still support 100-150 breeding females or 300-500 tigers
(Barlow, 2009; in Ahmad et al., 2009). Other methods tried to determine minimum population
size of the tiger. During 2005-2007, camera traps were used to estimate the minimum
population size of the Bengal Tiger for the Bangladesh Sundarban (Khan, 2012). The results
were extrapolated from the core study area (Katka-Kochikhali, southeastern Sundarbans) to
five additional sites using indices of abundance. Tiger density in the core study area was
estimated 4.8 tigers per 100 kilometres square. By combining the estimates of this absolute
density with indices of abundance, the average tiger density for the Sundarban was estimated
3.7 tigers per 100 kilometre squares. Bangladesh Sundarban (5,770 square kilometres),
therefore, harbours at least 200 tigers. In a recent assessment taken by BFD through camera
traps came out that tiger population in the Sundarban is 83-130 (BFD, 2015).
Concluding Remarks
Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is listed as Critically Endangered in Bangladesh (IUCN
Bangladesh, 2000). These were once widespread in Bangladesh. There were reports of tigers
in the mixed evergreen Chittagong Hill Tracts, namely valleys of Kassalong-Sajek and SanguMatamuhuri both fall within the Tiger Restoration Landscape, (Sanderson et al., 2006, in
Ahmed et al., 2009). Currently, the largest remaining population of tigers is in the Sundarban
- the largest mangrove forest in the world (Ahmad et al., 2009).
B2. Tiger
33 | P a g e
B3. Asian Elephant
Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), listed as Endangered globally, is categorized as a

critically endangered species for Bangladesh (IUCN Bangladesh, 2000). In Bangladesh,
elephants were once distributed in the moist deciduous forest of Mymensingh Forest Division,
semi-evergreen forests of Sylhet, and evergreen forests of Chittagong and the CHT. Currently,
elephant populations are highly fragmented inhabiting within small isolated pockets of southeastern part of Bangladesh. More specifically under the Forest Divisions of Chittagong
South, Coxs Bazar
North and South,
Rangamati North and
South,
Rangamati
pulpwood,
Lama,
Bandarban central,
Bandarban
pulpwood, Sylhet and
Mymensingh (IUCN
Bangladesh, 2004).
However,
the
elephants
of
Mymensingh Forest
Division
are
transboundary
migrating
herds
moving
seasonally
from Meghalaya and
Assam states of India
in search of food Elephant roaming in Himchari National Park in Coxs Bazar by Sultan Ahmed/IUCN
(Motaleb et al., 2011). Bangladesh
Population of Asian Elephant in Bangladesh never exceeded a thousand. On average 500
elephants roamed in the country through the last decades. But day-after-day, the number is
decreasing with an alarming rate mainly due to habitat loss and fragmentation, landuse
change and human persecution (IUCN Bangladesh, 2000).
Different researchers and organizations conducted sporadic research by using various
methods to find out the number of elephants in Bangladesh. Ranjitsingh (1978) found the
number 150, whereas in the same year Olivier (1978) recorded 250. Khan (1985) projected
this number at about 200. Gittins and Akanda (1982) estimated the number between 281 and
348. Feeroz et al. (2004) projected the number between 151 and 344. In 2004, IUCN
Bangladesh conducted elephant population survey and found 178 wild elephants by dung
count method and between 196 and 227 by group count method (IUCN Bangladesh, 2004).
Currently, an elephant survey is on-going by IUCN Bangladesh under the SRCWP project of
the Bangladesh Forest Department. This survey is expected to give an updated estimation of
elephant populations of Bangladesh in 2016.
B4. Primates
Bangladesh is the home of 10 species of primates of which eight species are threatened in
different categories and remaining two are data deficient (IUCN Bangladesh, 2000). Some of
the research on primate distribution, population structure, home ranges, human primate
interaction, and human-primate disease transmission have been conducted in the last five
years (Hasan et al., 2011, 2013, 2014; Feeroz et al., 2012, Feeroz, 2013, personal
34 | P a g e
Phayres Langur, Source: Feeroz et al., 2011
B5. Cetaceans: Dolphins, Porpoises and Whales
Ganges River Dolphin by ABM Sarowar Alam
In a suvey conducted at eight sites over 79 km in the Padma, Jamuna and Hurashagar-Baral
rivers of Pabna district during February to August 2011, a total of 174 dolphins were reported
from the land in 72 hours (Rashid et al., 2015). They also reported an average sightseeing
rate of 2.68 dolphins per hour from the land. Since 2014, IUCN has been monitoring the postproject impact on the biodiversity, including dolphins, of these habitats. In December 2013,
BFD has declared three dolphin sanctuaries in the River Jamuna in the district of Pabna for
conservation purposes. Earlier, in 2012, the Government of Bangladesh declared Dhangmari,
Chandpai and Dudhmukhi areas of eastern Sundarbans as dolphin sanctuaries.
35 | P a g e
References
Concluding Remarks
Bangladesh supports rich cetacean diversity in its fresh and marine waters. The early studies
on cetaceans were on the Ganges River Dolphins (Platanista gangetica gangetica) in the
1970s (Haque, 1976). Several post-graduate level researches on this species were conducted
at the University of Dhaka and Jahangirnagar University. Under the Sustainable Environment
Management Programme of the MoEF (1998-2005), IUCN and BCAS worked on dolphin of
Chandar beel area.
Progress Towards

communication). Recent studies focused on morphological studies of Rhesus macaques of

Bangladesh and found a different lineage from its other geographical population (Feeroz,
2010, personal communication).
Wildlife Conservation Society, in 2009, reported nine species of cetaceans from Bangladesh,
of them seven are dolphins (Pan Tropical Spotted Dolphin, Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella
brevirostris), Indo-pacific Bottlenose Dolphin, Indo-pacific Humpback Dolphin, Spinner
Dolphin, Rough-toothed Dolphin and False Killer Whale), one is porpoise (Finless Porpoise),
and one species of whales (Brydes Whale). In terms of population size, Bangladesh has the
largest population of Irrawaddy dolphins (Smith et al., 2006) - a globally vulnerable cetacean.
The Irrawaddy Dolphin, Source: Bankok Day Tour
The Government has established the countrys first marine protected area the Swatch of No
Ground Marine Protected Area on 27 October 2014 that may safeguard whales, dolphins, sea
turtles, sharks, and other oceanic species. As a result, it is expected that in future there will
be a better understanding of the trend of biodiversity of cetaceans where population
distribution and territorial spread could be better identified.
Gangetic Dolphin, Source: Udayan Borthakur
36 | P a g e
The Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus) is a globally Critically Endangered

migrant shorebird species. First reported in 1987 that this species winters in Bangladesh
coasts (Rashid and Scott 1989). The species breeds in the Russian Arctic centre on the coast
of the Chukotsk Peninsula known to
winter in intertidal habitats in SouthEast and South Asia, including
Bangladesh. A rapid deterioration in
the conservation status of the Spoonbilled Sandpiper was first detected in
2000 when breeding-season surveys
of sites monitored during the 1970s
indicated that a marked decline in the
population had taken place (Bird et al.,
2010). No further statistics on trends
were published. However, there are
projects operational since 2014 from
which positive trend results are
expected in near future. The Spoon-billed Sandpiper by Sayam U Chowdhury
Government
of
Bangladesh
is
protecting the population at its wintering ground in the coastal wetlands and monitoring their
migration pattern through using modern radio telemetry devices.

B7. Spoon-billed Sandpipers
Progress Towards
Masked Finfoot by Sayam U Chowdhury
Concluding Remarks
In Bangladesh, Masked Finfoot (Heliopais personatus) was recorded only from the
Sundarbans. It appears to have declined dramatically and is now known from few sites,
occurring at low densities everywhere.
Globally, the population may now
number as low as 1,000 individuals. It is
a nationally (IUCN Bangladesh, 2000)
and globally Endangered species. In
Bangladesh, the systematic research
was initiated in early 2000s (Khan, 2005).
Neumann-Denzau et al. (2008) later
studied the breeding behaviour of the
species. In 2011-12, a project entitled
Ecology, Breeding Behaviour and
Conservation of the Endangered Masked
Finfoot in Bangladesh was supported by
The Rufford Small Grants Foundation.
B6. Masked Finfoot
Bangladesh is rich in genetic diversity of flora and fauna. Various institutes namely
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Bangladesh Rice Research Institute
(BRRI), Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI), Bangladesh Tea Research Institute
(BTRI), Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear
Agriculture (BINA) and public universities have been conducting studies on respective aspects
of genetic diversity of flora and fauna of Bangladesh. Some noteworthy work to give a
snapshot of the status and trends of genetic biodiversity is described below.
37 | P a g e
References
1.2.3 Genetic Diversity
1.2.3.1 Crop Diversity

Agricultural crops show large diversity within species. This diversity present in a species
indicates the potentials of crop improvement. The agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of
Bangladesh possess diverse germplasm of cultivated plants, their wild relatives and
naturally occurring species. Plant Genetic Resources Centre (PGRC) of the BARI acts
as a national repository for the BARI-mandate crops, namely cereals (except rice),
pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, spices, tuber crops, flower and ornamentals,
medicinal and aromatic plants.
Historically Bangladesh is a unique habitat Table 19 Rice Genetic Resources in the BRRI
of rice and considered as center of origin Gene Bank
of indica rice probably due to its Variety/Line
Registered in
geographical position, diverse land type,
accession
Indigenous
indica
topography, rainfall, solar radiation, day5202
length and temperature variation leading Local landraces
Pure line selection
1030
to seasonal disparity that contributed to Exotic indica landraces (IRRI,
790
huge variation in rice biodiversity. China, USA, Turkey etc)
Worldwide, 27 rice species have been
Exotic/breeding lines
968
recognized of which 5 are domesticated in Wild Rice of Bangladesh
42
Bangladesh with dominant of Oryza sativa. (Oryza rufipogon, O.
Various types of land races has been officinalis, O. nivara and Oryza
adopted across the country those are sativa f. spontanea)
Wild rice from IRRI
12
unique for inheriting one or more special
Total
8044
characters such as pest resistance, Source: BRRI, 2015
nutrient efficient, tolerance to drought,
stagnant, salinity, heat and cold, high yielding, photoperiod sensitivity, floating ability and so
on (Table 19).
Since its establishment, BRRI scientists
started collection, preservation and
characterizations of germplasms from
various parts of the country. About 4600
germplasms are native and others from
different sources and/or advanced lines.
Total collections of germplasms are shown
season and ecosystem wise (Table 20).
Table 20 Ecosystem-wise Genetic Diversity

of Rice Germplasm
Season / Ecosystem
Aus (upland ecosystem)
Wet season T. Aman
(rainfed lowland ecosystem)
Dry season Boro (favorable
ecosystem)
Rice suitable for all season
Hill Rice/Jhum rice
Deep Water Rice
Total
Accession in
BRRI Gene Bank
1049
4802
1667
60
So far, BRRI developed 74 modern rice
277
varieties of which 8 are Aus, 34 are T.
42
Aman, 30 are Boro season inbred variety
8044
and 4 are hybrid for Boro and T. Aman Source: BRRI, 2015
varieties. A significant number of these
varieties has been developed by using native germplasms such as Latisail, Badshahbhog,
Zirakatari, Khaskani, Swarnalata, etc. All of these varieties have unique features regarding
growth duration, yield, seasonal adaptability, stress tolerance and quality characteristics.
BRRI has also identified rice varieties/germplasms for pharmaceuticals perspectives such as
38 | P a g e
In addition, 9,975 accessions of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, tuber crops, vegetables, fruit
plants, spices are maintained at five crop research centres, namely the Pulses Research
Centre (PRC), the Oilseed Research Centre (ORC), the Horticulture Research Ce ntre
(HRC), the Tuber Crops Research Centre (TCRC) and the Spices Research Centre
(SRC) of the BARI. A good number of cereal crops germplasm are maintained at the
Wheat Research Centre (WRC) and the Plant Breeding Division of the BARI. The
accessions contain landraces (traditional varieties), primitive cultivars, breeding lines,
and wild and weedy relatives. The BARI so far released 446 high-yielding varieties: 67
varieties are cereals, 32 pulses, 43 oilseeds, 90 vegetables, 73 fruits, 25 spices, 93 tuber
crops, 16 flowers, 6 fibres and 1 narcotic. A good number of wheat, maize, potato,
pulses, oil seeds, and vegetable varieties have been developed from exotic germplasm,
which enriched the agro-biodiversity.
The agro-biodiversity of 281 crops are maintained as ex situ or in situ conservation in
seven crop research centres, six regional agricultural research stations and 30 sub stations of BARI located all over Bangladesh. In general, the diversity of landraces for
almost all crops is decreasing with the increase of modern varieties. Data reveal that
there is decreasing trend of diversity in most landraces. Based on collections of different
crop accessions, the status and trends of diversity of BARI mandate cro ps are shown in
(Annex Table 13).
39 | P a g e
Concluding Remarks
The PGRC currently maintains 10,085 accessions of 137 different agri-horticultural crops
in the gene bank and in the field gene bank. Among them, 1,727 accessions are cereals,
3,460 pulses, 455 oilseeds, 3,902 vegetables, 199 spices, 170 fruits, 92 roots a nd tuber
crops, and 60 fibre, narcotic and other crops. The centre also maintains 20 medicinal
and aromatic plants at the field gene bank.
References
Rice diversity in Bangladesh, Source: BRRI, 2015
Progress Towards

low GI rice (BR16, BR25 and BRRI dhan46), GABA rice (BRRI dhan31), anti-oxidant rich rice
(BR5).
Hyacinth bean diversity in Bangladesh, Source: PGRC, BARI, 2015
There are 46 under-utilized native and naturalized fruit tree species which may be used for
food, fibre, animal fodder, oil, medicine and many other potential purposes have been
documented at the Bangladesh Agricultural University (Rahim et al., 2011).
Jute is a tropical bast fibre crop, next to cotton in use, with high socio-economic importance in
Bangladesh. It is now in great threat of genetic erosion and replacement by modern
agricultural system. Therefore, emphasis has been given since 1970 with an approach to
collect and conserve the genetic resources of jute (Corchorus species), kenaf (Hibiscus
cannabinus) and mesta (H. sabdariffa) germplasm including their wild relatives for utilization
in genetic improvement programme. Thus, the activities of collection, conservation,
characterization, evaluation and documentation have been started since the establishment of
the gene bank at BJRI in 1982. Initially, it started with an old stock of 1,662 accessions of land
races, obsolete cultivars, genetic stocks and mutants which are being maintained in the gene
bank.
At present, a total of 6,012 accessions comprising 4,180 accessions of Corchorus (15
species), 1,461 accessions of Hibiscus (22 species), 252 accessions of 15 allied genera and
119 accessions of interspecific hybrid derivatives have been conserved in the gene bank of
BJRI (Table 21). Out of 15 Corchorus species only two species, namely C. capsularis (deshi
jute) and C. olitorius (tossa jute) are cultivated in this country and the rest 13 species are in
wild forms. These are C. aestuans, C. asplenifolius, C. baldaccii, C. brevicornutus, C.
fascicularis, C. hirtus, C. pinnatipartitus, C. pseudo-capsularis, C. pseudo-oltorius, C.
siliquosus, C. tridens, C. trilocularis, and C. urticifolius. In case of Hibiscus, two species, viz.,
H. cannabinus and H. sabdariffa (mesta/roselle) are cultivated in Bangladesh and the
remaining 20 species are in wild forms. These are H. acetosella, H. caesius, H. calyphyllus,
H. diversifolius, H. flavifolius, H. fuscus, H. greenwayi, H. herbacium, H. Iudwigii, H.
Iunarifolius, H. lunariformis, H. micranthus, H. panduriformis, H. physaloides, H. radiatus, H.
solandra, H. surattensis, H. tiliaceus, H. trionum and H. vitifolius. There are 15 allied genera,
viz. Cortalaris, Abutilon, Abelmoschus, Cassia, Leptadinia, Linum, Pavonia, Sida,
Sparmannia, Triumfetta, Urena (U. lobata), Waltharia, Melhania, Pentapetes (P. phoenica)
and Solanum.
40 | P a g e
Source: BJRI, 2014
Present stock (2014)

Number of
Number of
species
accession
01
2400
01
460
01
1498
04
06
01
01
02
-
1485
98
79
177
-
13
15
01
01
20
22
15
-
282
4180
675
476
310
1461
252
119
08
1662
52
6012
The BJRI along with the earlier scientists engaged in jute agricultural research since 1904
have released 44 varieties of jute, kenaf and mesta. Out of these, 20 varieties, namely nine of
C. capsularis (White), six of C. olitorius (Tossa), three of H. cannabinus and two of H.
sabdariffa are now under commercial cultivation. Most of the varieties were developed through
pure line selection and some of them were developed through hybridization followed by
pedigree selection. Three varieties of C. capsularis, namely Atom Pat-38, BINA Deshi Pat-2
and BINA Pat Shak-1 were developed through mutation breeding by the BINA.
Bangladesh has a long history of cultivating sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum). Both local
and exotic varieties are cultivated in the country. As per the Bangladesh Sugarcane Research
Institute (BSRI), a total of 1,132 varieties are reported in Bangladesh indicating rich diversity
of the species in the country (Table 22).
Table 22 Status and Trends of Genetic Diversity of Sugarcane
Number
Species
Trend
Saccharum
Present status
Field Gene Bank
officinarum
Exotic
321
Gradually Deteriorating
Field Gene Bank
Indigenous
177
Gradually Deteriorating
Field Gene Bank
Institute Bred
591
Gradually increasing
Field Gene Bank
S. spontaneum (Wild)
43
Slowly increasing
Field Gene Bank
1132
References
Total
Deshi Jute
(C.capsularis)
Tossa Jute
(C.olitorius)
Wild Corchorus
Total Corchorus
kenaf (H. cannabinus)
Mesta (H. sabdariffa)
Wild Hibiscus
Total Hibiscus
Allied genera
Interspecific hybrid
derivatives
Grand Total
Initial stock (1982)

Number of
Number of
species
accession
01
1025

Species name
Progress Towards
Table 21 Jute and Allied Fibre Germplasm Stored in the Gene Bank
Concluding Remarks
However, a wide gap has been observed between the conserved germplasm of jute and allied
fibres and the existing global diversity. There is an urgent need of collection of these invaluable
resources occurring in wild conditions which are facing continuous threat of extinction.
Source: Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute (2015)
41 | P a g e
Tea (Camellia sinensis) is a popular drink in Bangladesh. A brief description on the genetic
diversity of this crop is given in Case Box 8.
CASE BOX 8 Status of Tea Cultivars

Tea (Camellia sinensis) predominantly a self-sterile and out-bred crop with a wide range of variations
exists in present day seedling population. Therefore, Bangladesh tea cultivars can be categorized in
seven agrotypes, such as China type (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis), Assam type (C. sinensis var.
assamica), Burma or Cambod type (C. sinensis subsp. lasiocalyx), Manipuri type (indigenous variety
of C. sinensis), Hybrid I (more akin to China type), Hybrid II (leaves are slightly bigger than Hybrid I,
but smaller than Hybrid III), and Hybrid III (more resemble to Assam type). However, a total of 516
tea germplasm have been collected and maintained (ex situ conservation) in the Bangladesh Tea
Research Institute (BTRI) gene bank. Diversity is increasing with new collections and release of new
clones and improved seed varieties.
1.2.3.2 Wildlife and Fish Diversity

Studies on genetic diversity in wild fauna are limited in Bangladesh. One of the early studies
was on Hilsa Shad (Tenuolosa ilisha) identifying two gene pools such as marine population
and inland and estuarine population (Rahman and Nvdal, 2000). Hasan et al., (2012) studied
genetic diversity in frog (Anura) in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, 35 frog species are currently
recognized (Kabir et al., 2009; Howlader, 2011; in Hasan et al., 2012). An analysis of
mitochondrial 16S rRNA collected from 107 frog samples revealed the presence of at least
eight undescribed frog taxa in Bangladesh. This number is very high for a plain country like
Bangladesh. The results also suggest that the number of frog species has so far been
underestimated. Study on Rhesus macaques of Bangladesh (Feeroz et al., 2008, personal
communication) observed unique polymorphisms. In other study, it was evident that the
movement of monkeys and associated simian foamy virus involved with human-aided
movement throughout the country (Feeroz, 2013, personal communication). In a detail study
on mitochondrial DNA of R. macaques in its geographic range including Bangladesh found
that Rhesus macaques of the country are different from Indian and Chinese counterparts, and
they dispersed to India from southeastern part of Bangladesh (Hasan, 2014, personal
communication). It was also evident from the genetic study that monkey performers collect
their monkey from 13 monkey habitats of the country (Hasan, 2015, personal communication).
Findings of those studies could contribute to the management of this species.
CASE BOX 9 The River Halda

The River Halda is famous for being the spawning ground of natural carps like Rohu (Labeo rohita),
Catla (Catla catla), Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) and Kalibaush (Labeo calbasu) in Bangladesh. As a
tidal river, it is one and only natural carp breeding ground in the world from where fertilized carp fish's
eggs are collected by local fishermen and egg collectors during April to June almost every year from
time immemorial. Torrential rains with thunderstorm, regular ebb and tide, and strong sediment-laden
current from upper hilly terrain make the river a unique environment for the carps to release eggs.
The River Halda originates from the Haldachhara of Patachhara Hill Ranges (GPS: 225539.98
north & 914616.92 east, Patachhara union) in Ramgarh upazila under Khagrachhari district, flows
through Manikchhari, Fatikchhari, Bhujpur, Hathazari, Raozan upazilas and Chandgaon thana of the
Chittagong Metropolitan City, and falls into the River Karnaphuli near the Kalurghat Bridge. A total of
19 main canals and 17 hilly streams (chhara) flowing down into the River Halda from the CHT. Its
total length is about 98 kilometres, of which 29 km up to Nazirhat are navigable by big boats
throughout the year; small country boats can ply further up for 16 to 24 kilometres to Narayanhat.
Currently, the River Halda has been adversely affected by different anthropogenic and natural factors
like construction of rubber dam and sluice gates on feeder canals, illegal dredging, encroachment
42 | P a g e
Table 23 The Domesticated Indigenous Fishes of Bangladesh

Local name
Catla
Rohu
Gonia
Bata
Calibaus
Mrigel
Raek
Mohashol
Sarpunti
Gutum
Bou
Chitol
Foli
Boali pabda
Modhu pabda
Gulsha
Nuna tengra
Guzi air
Baim
Tara baim
Cuchia
Koi
Boro kholisa
Sceintific name
Culture status
Cypriniformes (Carps, barbs and loaches)
Catla catla
Country-wide commercial
Labeo rohita
Labeo gonius
Labeo bata
Labeo calbasu
Small scale, sporadic
Cirrhinus mrigala
Cirrhinus reba
Tor putitora
Breeding protocol developed
Puntius sarana
Lepidocephalichthys guntea
Botia dario
Osteoglossiformes (Featherbacks)
Chitala chitala
Notopterus notopterus
Siluriformes (Catfishes)
Ompok bimaculatus
Ompok pabda
Mystus vittatus
Mystus gulio
Sperata seenghala
Synbranchiformes (Freshwater eels)
Mastacembelus armatus
Macrognathus aculeatus
Monopterus cuchia
Perciformes (Perches)
Anabas testudineus
Colisa fasciata
Fish
Domestication of wild fishes in most cases benefits both the farmer and the environment. In
Bangladesh, to date, about 20 fish species have been domesticated and their breeding and
rearing protocols have been developed. Around 50% of the domesticated fishes are
cypriniforms and now under nation-wide aquaculture (Table 23). Though there is high
possibility of working with reduced gene pool, it is optimistically believed that the biodiversity
of the domesticated fish are well-preserved.
Progress Towards
1.2.3.3 Domesticated Biodiversity
Concluding Remarks
and brood fish kiling, water pollution, river bank erosion, loop cutting, and saline water intrusion. The
Government has acknowledged the value of ecosystem services; habitat protection and
rehabilitation; nutrient cycling; and the interactions of aquatic organisms in maintaining the
productivity of Halda fisheries. The Government thus recognizes the need to conserve and
rehabilitate habitats cost-effectively through an ecosystem approach and is trying to reverse these
longstanding negative impacts through rehabilitation of riverine habitats.
Livestock
Bangladesh is rich in farm animal genetic resources (FAnGR). The common FAnGR are cattle,
buffalo, goat, sheep, horse, chicken, duck, geese, pigeon and pigs. Some wild relatives of
FAnGR, like wild pig, Red Jungle Fowl, wild quail and Goyal (Bos frontalis) live in specific
forest areas. Most of these species are indigenous, except some exotic breeds of cattle,
buffalo, goat, sheep and chicken and their crossbred progenies. Livestock population of
43 | P a g e
References
Source: Hossain et al., 2014
Bangladesh consists of 24.688 million of large ruminants, 28.332 million of small ruminants,
293.235 millions of chicken and duck (MoF, 2013). The following Tables (24 to 28)
described the present status of species, types, breeds and varieties of animal genetic
resources at present.
Table 24 Different Genotypes of Indigenous Farm Animal Genetic Resources
Species
Cattle
Buffalo
Goat
Sheep
Pig
Breed name /
local name
Red
Chittagong
North Bengal
grey
Pabna
Type/breed/
variety
Variety
Deshi
Nondescriptive
River type
Indigenous
buffaloes
Black Bengal
Garole
Deshi
Deshi
Deshi
Horse
Chicken
Duck
Geese
Pigeon
Swamp type
Breed
Breed
Nondescriptive
Nondescriptive
Nondescriptive
Normal
Dairy and
Beef
Endangered
Dairy and
draft
Dairy and
draft
Draft
Meat
Meat
Normal
Meat
Normal
All over the country
Meat
Normal
In Tangail in the central

part
Draft
Endangered
Coastal area in the

south
North eastern part
Satkhira district in the
south west
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Variety
In western part
Draft
Endangered
Asil
Breed
Variety
Deshi
Muscovy
Nondescriptive
Breed
Game and
recreation
Egg and
meat
Egg and
meat
Meat
Endangered
Hilly
In Brahmanbaria district
in the eastern part
In the hilly region of
south east
Nageshwari
Variety
Normal
Sylhet Mete
Variety
Deshi
Nondescriptive
Nondescriptive
Breed
Breed
Breed
Breed
Nondescriptive
Breed
Meat and
egg
Meat and
egg
Meat and
egg
Meat

Meat
Meat
Recreation
Recreation
Meat
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
In Brahmanbaria district
in he eastern part
Pet and
security
Pet and
security
Endangered
Deshi
Jalali
Siraji
Giribuj
Loton
Indigenous
Deshi
Source: FAnGRBD, BLRI, 2015
44 | P a g e
Variety
Dairy
Chittagong
District in the south east
In the districts of
western part
Pabna and Sirajgong
District in the western
part
Utility
Pony
Sarail
Dog
Variety
Dairy
Population
status
Endangered
Distribution
Nondescriptive
In the wet land all over

the country
In Sylhet district in the
south east
In Sylhet district in the
south east
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Goat
Sheep
Chicken
Duck
Quail
Rabbit
Sahiwal
Nili-Ravi
Migrated Indian
buffaloes
Jamnapari
Beetal
Sirohi
Muzaffarbadi
Broiler
Layer
Fayoumi
RIR
White Leghorn (WL)
Indian Runner
Khaki Campbell
Jending
Japanese
New Zealand white,
black
Distribution
Utility
For crossbreeding
For crossbreeding
Breed
Breed
River type
Government Farm
Government Farm &
BMPCUL
Government Farm
Government Farm
Central part
Breed
Western part
For crossbreeding
Breed
Breed
Breed
Strain
Strain
Breed
Breed
Breed
Breed
Breed
Breed
Breed
Breed
Western part
Western part
Western part
Government Farms
Government Farms
In the wetlands
In the wetlands
In the wetlands
In the suburb area
In some part of central
and western part
For crossbreeding
For crossbreeding
For crossbreeding
Meat Production
Egg production
Egg production
For crossbreeding
For crossbreeding
Egg production
Egg production
Egg production
Egg and meat
Meat production
For crossbreeding
For crossbreeding
Dairy
Table 26 Different Crossbred Genotypes of Livestocks
Cattle
Buffalo
Goat
Sheep
Chicken
Breed name / local name

Holstein Friesian cross
Distribution
Dairy
Jersey cross
Only in the milk pocket in the western
Dairy
Utility
part
Sahiwal cross
Dairy
Nili-Ravi cross
In the coastal area in the south
Dairy
Jamnapari cross
In the western part
Meat production
Beetal cross
In the western part
Meat production
Sirohi cross
In the western part
Meat production
Muzaffarabadi cross
In the western part
Meat production
Fayoumi X RIR
In the western part
Meat production
Commercial layer hybrids

Commercial broiler hybrids

Egg production
Meat production
References
Species

Buffalo
Type/breed/
variety
Breed
Breed
Progress Towards
Cattle
Breed name / local

name
Holstein Friesian
Jersey
Concluding Remarks
Species
Table 25 Exotic Species, Type and Breed of Farm Animal Genetic Resources
45 | P a g e
Table 27 Wild Relatives of Farm Animal Genetic Resources in Bangladesh

Species
Local name
Bos frontalis
Goyal
Sus scrofa
scrofa
Gallus domesticus
murgi
Wild pig
Red Jungle
fowl
Coturnix
Wild quail
coromandelica
Distribution
Utility
In the forest of
Bandarban district in the
south east
In the forests in the south
east and north east
east and north east and
in Sundarban
east and north east
Meat production,
Cultural and social
ceremony
Meat production
Population
status
Endangered
-
Meat production
Normal
BLRI has taken an initiative for conservation, multiplications and distribution of high yielding
fodder germplasm to the farmers. There are several potential fodder germplasm which have
been widely accepted by the farmers not only to feed their animals, but also to cultivate those
species as agri-business. The highly potential fodder species are available in the BLRI. A list
of fodder germplasm available with the BLRI is given in Table 29.
Table 28 Genotypes of Cow in Bangladesh
Genotypes
(a) Indigenous
Common local
Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC)
Pabna
Munshiganj
(b) Crossbred
Local x Shahiwal
Local x Friesian
Local x Shahiwal x Friesian
Source: BLRI, 2013
Number (x1000)
3584
10
94
13
Total
331
1659
221
5912
Table 29 List of Fodder Germplasms Available at BLRI Germplasm Bank
Name (Scientific name)

1. BLRI- Napier-1 (Pennisetum purpureum-Bajra);
2. BLRI- Napier-2 ( Pennisetum purpureum
var. L- Arusa)
3. BLRI -Napier -3 (Pennisetum purpureum var. L4. Napier Vietnum
hybrid)
5. Napier hybrid (Japan)
6. Wruk Wona
7. Merk Eron
8. Napier dwarf early
10. Andropogon ( Andropogon gyanus)
9. Napier dwarf late
11. Pangola (Digitaria decumbens)
12. Para (Brachiara mutica).
13. Splendida ( Setaria splendida) line 1, line -2, line-3 14. Ruzi (Brachiaria ruziziensis)
15. Jumbo ( Hybrid sorghum)
16. Guinea (Panicum maximum)
a. Guinea -1
b. Guinea-2 (Soft)
17. Signal (Brachiaria decumbens)
c. Guinea -3 (Hard)
19. Buffel (Cenchrus ciliaris )
18. German (Echinochloa crus-galli)
20. Dal grass ( Hymenachne psedointerruta)
21. Baksha
22. Desmodium intortum
23. Paspalum: Paspalum plicatulum cv
paspalum
24. Plicatulum (Paspalum plicatulum)
25. Orchard grass
26. Super Hayati
27. Tall fescue
28. Rhodes grass
-
Source: BLRI, 2011-12
46 | P a g e
The two Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), one in Swatch of No-ground of Bay of Bengal,
declared under Bangladesh Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012 and another in
Middle Ground and South Patches of Bay of Bengal, declared under the Marine Fisheries
Ordinance 1983 together comprise 243,600 hectares (2436 sq. km) constituting 2.05% of the
total marine area 11,881,300 hactares (118,813 sq. km) of Bangladesh (Table 30).
Table 30 Protected Areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Special Biodiversity
Conservation Area and Marine Protected Area) of Bangladesh
Sl.
No.
National of Protected Areas
Location
Area
(hectare)
Established
5022.00
11-5-1982
8436.00
24-2-1982
27.75
1729.00
1250.00
30-4-2001
15-2-1980
7-7-1996
5464.00
9-9-1999
16352.23
395.92
242.91
678.80
2933.61
1613.00
517.61
305.69
344.13
264.12
168.56
8-4-2001
8-8-2008
15-10-2005
13-04-2006
06-04-2010
24-10-2010
24-10-2010
24-10-2010
24-10-2010
24-12-2011
24-12-2011
A) National Parks
1
2
Bhawal National Park

Madhupur National Park
3
4
5
6
Ramsagar National Park

Himchari National Park
Lawachara National Park
Kaptai National Park
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Nijhum Dweep National Park

Medhakachhapia National Park
Satchari National Park
Khadimnagar National Park
Baroiyadhala National Park
Kuakata National Park
Nababgonj National Park
Singra National Park
Kadigarh National Park
Altadighi National Park
Birgonj National Park
Gazipur
Tangail/
Mymensingh
Dinajpur
Cox's Bazar
Moulavibazar
Chittagong Hill
Tracts
Noakhali
Cox's Bazar
Habigonj
Sylhet
Chittagong
Patuakhali
Dinajpur
Dinajpur
Mymensingh
Naogaon
Dinajpur
47 | P a g e

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
Progress Towards
Bangladesh currently has 40 PAs. Among the PAs, 6 were established before Bangladesh
became party to the CBD, whereas the remaining was established after the signing of the
Convention (Table 30). A total of 21 PAs (7 National Parks, 12 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 1 Marine
PA and 1 Special Biodiversity Conservation Area) have been declared by the government to
conserve wildlife and their habitats since 2010, after the submission of the Fourth National
Report to the CBD. The total area of newly added 20 forest PA is 33,915.31 hectares. All 38
forest PAs now cover about 10.55% of total forest area which is 1.8% of the total area of the
country. The forest PAs managed by Bangladesh Forest Department are shown in figure 7
(two Marine Protected Areas are not shown on the map).
Concluding Remarks
Protected Areas ( PAs)
References
Bangladesh government has been declaring and conserving various areas of biodiversity
importance as PAs, ECAs, Botanical Gardens, Safari Parks and Eco-Parks, Fish
Sanctuaries. Status of such areas is described below:
1.3 Status of Conservation of Ecosystems
Sl.
No.
National of Protected Areas
Area
(hectare)
Established
Hobigonj
1795.54
7-7-1996
Bhola
40.00
19-12-1981
Bagerhat
31226.94
6-4-1996
Satkhira
71502.10
6-4-1996
Khulna
36970.45
6-4-1996
42087.00
20-9-1983
7763.97
1302.43
18-3-1986
11-4-2007
Chittagong
4716.57
6-4-2010
Chittagong
Bandarban
Cox's Bazar
Barguna
Bagerhat
Bagerhat
Bagerhat
Patuakhali
1177.53
2331.98
11615.00
4048.58
170.00
560.00
340.00
2026.48
6-4-2010
6-4-2010
24-03-2010
24-10-2010
29-01-2012
29-01-2012
29-01-2012
24-12-2011
Pabna
146.00
01-12-2013
Pabna
24.17
01-12-2013
Pabna
408.11
01-12-2013
Location
B) Wildlife Sanctuaries
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary

Char Kukri-Mukri Wildlife
Sanctuary
Sundarban (East) Wildlife
Sanctuary
Sundarban (West) Wildlife
Sanctuary
Sundarban (South) Wildlife
Sanctuary
Pablakhali Wildlife Sanctuary
Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary
Fashiakhali Wildlife Sanctuary
Dudpukuria-Dhopachari Wildlife
Sanctuary
Hajarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary
Sangu Wildlife Sanctuary
Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary
Tengragiri Wildlife Sanctuary
Dudhmukhi Wildlife Sanctuary
Chadpai Wildlife Sanctuary
Dhangmari Wildlife Sanctuary
Sonarchar Wildlife Sanctuary
Nazirganj Wildlife (Dolphin)
Sanctuary
Shilanda-Nagdemra Wildlife
(Dolphin) Sanctuary
Nagarbari-Mohanganj Dolphin
Sanctuary
Chittagong Hill
Tracts
Chittagong
Cox's Bazar
C) Marine Protected Area

38
Swatch of No-Ground
Bay of Bengal
173,800
27-10-2014
39
Marine Reserve*
Bay of Bengal
69,800
2000
40
D) Special Biodiversity Conservation Area

Ratargul Swamp Forest
Sylhet
204.25
31-05-2015
Source:; * Marine Fisheries Ordinance No. 35 of 1983, DoF, 2000, Bangladesh Forest Department
(http://www.bforest.gov.bd/index.php/protected-areas; accessed on 29 December 2014);
*http://www.thedailystar.net/swatch-of-no-ground-declared-protected-zone-48550
48 | P a g e
References
Figure 7 Protected Areas of Bangladesh (two MPAs are not shown) (Source: CREL - BCAS, 2015)
49 | P a g e
Concluding Remarks
Progress Towards

Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs)

Bangladesh has declared 13 wetlands areas of biodiversity importance as ECAs under the
section 5 of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995. Table 31 describes the
ECAs and Figure 8 shows the location of ECAs in the country. The total area of ECAs
managed by Department of Environment is 384,529 hectares or about 2.60% of the total
country.
Table 31 Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs) of Bangladesh
Sl.
Name of ECA
No.
1
Cox's Bazaar-Teknaf
Type of
Location
Ecosystem
Coastal-Marine
Coxs Bazar
Coastal-Marine
Bagerhat, Khulna &
Peninsula
2
Sundarbans (10 km
landward periphery)
3
4
5
St. Martin's Island

Hakaluki Haor
Sonadia Island
Satkhira
Marine Island with
Teknaf upazila, Coxs
coral reefs
Bazar
Inland Frestwater
Sylhet and Moulvi
Wetland
Bazar
Marine Island
Moheshkhali upazila,
Coxs Bazar
Tanguar Haor
Inland Frestwater
Moulvi Bazar
Wetland
7
Marjat Baor
Oxbow Lake
Areas
Year of
(hectare)
Declaration
20,373
1999
292,926
1999
1,214
1999
40,466
1999
10,298
1999
9,727
1999
325
1999
101
2001
Kaliganj upazila of
Jhenaidah &
Chaugacha upazila of
Jessore
Gulshan-Baridhara
Urban Wetland
Dhaka city
Lake
9
Buriganga
River
Around Dhaka
1336
10
Turag
River
Around Dhaka
1184
11
Sitalakhya
River
Narayanganj, Dhaka,
Gazipur
12
Balu including Tongi
River
Around Dhaka
Jaflong-Dawki
River
Jaflong, Sylhet
1493
Total
Source: DoE, 2015
50 | P a g e
2009
1315
canal
13
3771
3,84,529
2015
References
Figure 8 Ecologically Critical Areas of Bangladesh (Source: CREL - BCAS, 2015).
51 | P a g e
Concluding Remarks
Progress Towards

Botanical Gardens, Safari Parks and Eco-parks

The Bangladesh Forest Department administers a couple of botanical gardens, safari parks
and several eco-parks in different parts of the country (Table 32). Although these sites are
mostly used for recreational purposes, they also harbour a diverse community of flora and
fauna. A numbers of captive breeding programme is being implemented in the Safari Parks,
including threatened species like Crocodiles, Gharials, Batagur turtles, Vultures, Hog deer,
Sambar, Goat antelope and Clouded leopard. The total area of Botanical gardens and ecoparks is 9,434.18 hectare which is 0.06% of the total country.
Table 32 Botanical Gardens, Safari Parks and Eco-Parks
Sl.
No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Name
Ecosystem
Balda Garden
Man made
National Botanical
Garden
Dulahazara Safari Parks
Man made
Sitakunda Botanical
Garden & Eco Park
Madhabkunda Eco Park
Madhutila Eco Park
Banshkhali Eco-Park
Mixed
Evergreen
Mixed
Evergreen
Mixed
Evergreen
Deciduous
Forest
Mixed
Evergreen
Kuakata Eco-Park
Tilagar Eco-Park
Borshijora Eco-Park
Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujib Safari Park
Source: BFD, 2014
Mixed
Evergreen
Mixed
Evergreen
Deciduous
Forest
Conservation
Focus
Education,
Plant species
Plant species,
education
Wildlife
species
Plant species
Natural
habitat,
vegetation,
wildlife
Natural
habitat,
vegetation,
wildlife
Natural
habitat,
vegetation,
wildlife
Natural
habitat,
vegetation,
wildlife
Natural
habitat,
vegetation,
wildlife
Natural
habitat,
vegetation,
wildlife
Education,
recreation,
wildlife
species
Location
Area
(hectare)
Year of
Declaration
Dhaka
1.37
1909
Dhaka
84.21
1962
Coxs Bazaar
600.00
1999
Chittagong
808.00
2000
Moulvibazaar
265.68
2001
Sherpur
100.00
2001
Chittagong
1,200.00
2003
Patuakhali
5,661.00
2005
Sylhet
45.34
2006
Moulavibazar
326.07
2006
Gazipur
1,542.51
2014
Total
9,434.18
Fish Sanctuaries
There are five sites in the coastal areas of the country those are declared as hilsa fish
sanctuaries under the Protection and Conservation of Fish Act 1950. The total hilsa
sanctuary area is about 350 km long, covering 22 upazilas of five districts, namely, 100
kilometres of the lower Meghna estuary; 90 kilometres area of the Shahajpur River; nearly 100
kilometres of the Tetulia River; whole 40 kilometres of the Andharmanik River; and 20
kilometres stretch of the lower Padma. These sanctuaries are described in Table 33
52 | P a g e
05
November to
January
March to April
Source: Department Fisheries (2015)
Observation during the last couple of years indicates that the highest number of gravid
hilsa are caught during 5 days before and 5 days after i.e., total 11 days of the first
risen/appear moon in the Bengali month of Ashwin (September-October). To ensure
uninterrupted spawning hilsa catch, transportation, marketing, selling and storage has
been banned throughout the country during the highest breeding time. The shape of the
banned area is tetragonal, which has been covered four major spawning grounds with
an estimated area of 6.9 thousand square kilometer.
Other than the PAs and ECAs and Hilsha Sanctuaries, there are a number of Community
Conserved Areas (CCAs) in Bangladesh those are managed locally by the ethnic community,
mainly for conserving water. A list of such areas is given in Annex (Table 4).
CASE BOX 10- Nijhum Dweep National Park

Nijhum Dweep is located within Hatiya upazila in Noakhali district, at the confluence of the Meghna
estuary on the Bay of Bengal. In 2001, Nijhum Dweep was declared as a National Park by the
Government of Bangladesh.; especially for the migratory birds in Bangladesh.Nijhum Dweep National
Park is the only habitat of the worlds largest population of Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) along
with 76 migratory bird species of the country (Feeroz and Uddin, 2015, personal communication).
Nijhum Dweep is also located under Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA 11) named as GangesBrahmaputra and Meghna delta. List of IBAs are shown in Annex (Table 5).
A total of 152 plant species representing 55 families have been recorded from Nijhum Dweep Island.
Among the species, 66 are tree species, 15 are shrubs, 58 are herbs and 13 are climber species.
The Island has been divided into several zones based on common vegetation types. Since 1971,
trees such as Keora, Baen and Gewa have been planted in this island In a recent study, six species
of amphibians and 22 species of reptiles (turtle: 5 species (3 sea turtle), lizard: 7 species, snake: 10
species) were recorded. A total of 193 species of birds (76 migratory species) and 17 species of
mammals were also recorded. Apart from these species, a total of 61 species of invertebrates and
14 fish samples were collected from this island. The current estimation of the spotted deer population
in Nijhum Dweep was less than 2,000 (Feeroz and Uddin, 2015, personal communication)., Nijhum
Dweep, on the central coast of the Bay of Bengal, is the cross-road of two global migratory birds
flyways: the East-Asia-Australasia and the Central Asia. More than half a dozen of globally threatened
migratory birds winter in Nijhum Dweep, including Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Asian Dowitcher,
Nordmans Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Goliath Heron, Grey Lag Geese and Bar-headed
Geese.
53 | P a g e

04
March to April
Progress Towards
03
Shatnal (Chandpur district) to Char Alexander (Laxmipur district) (100 km of lower

Meghna estuary)
Madanpur/Char Ilisha to Char Pial (Bhola district)
(90 km area of Shahbajpur river, a tributary of the Meghna river)
Bheduria (Bhola district) to Char Rustam (Patuakhali district)
(about 100 km area of Tetulia river)
Andharmanik river (Kalapara Upazila, Patuakhali district)
(Entire 40 km stretch of the river)
Lower Padma (Naria-Bhedarganj, Shariatpur)
(Entire 20 km stretch of the river)
Ban period
Concluding Remarks
02
Hilsa sanctuary area
References
Sl.
No.
01
Table 33 Hilsha (Fish) Sanctuaries in Bangladesh
CASE BOX 11 - Floral Diversity of the Selected Protected Areas of

Bangladesh
Floral study in Bangladesh is often sporadic and in most cases is purpose oriented. However, initiatives have
been taken recently by the BFD, development agencies and academics for the indepth assessment and
monitoring of both flora in selected protected areas. As shown in Table 34, among the PAs, the Chunati Wildlife
Santuary is found to show the highest floral diversity.
Table 34 Floral Diversity in Six Protected Areas
Categories
RemaSitaKunda
Dudhpukuriaof Flora
Fasiakhali
Chunati
Dopachari
Wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife
Sanctuary
Sanctuary1
Sanctuary3
Kalenga
Eco-park
Teknaf
Wildlife
Sanctuary
Sanctuary 6
Trees
142
140
182
82
240
142
Shrubs
163
79
125
66
102
112
Herbs
190
54
200
88
211
184
Climbers
102
28
71
41
106
87
Epiphytes
16
19
10
Parasites
Ferns
17
608
285
691
Total
620
312
Source: 1
2Dutta
Feeroz et al., 2011;

Hossain, 2014; 6Feeroz, 2013
et al., 2014;
3Feeroz
et al., 2012;
4Uddin
et al., 2011;
536
5Hossain
and
Other than the floral diversity in the protected areas (Case Box 17), there have been
inventory of faunal (wildlife) diversity in seven PAs (Table 35).
Table 35 Number of Wildlife Species in Seven Protected Areas
RemaCategories
Kalenga
of Flora
Wildlife
SitaKund
a Eco-
Sanctuary
Amphibian
park2
Dudhpukuria Dopachari
Wildlife
Sanctuary
Fasiakh
ali
Chunati
Teknaf
Wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife
Sanctua
Sanctuary 5
Sanctuary 6
Nijhum
Dweep
National
ry4
Park 7
20
21
25
28
26
27
Reptiles
52
40
56
41
54
54
22
Birds
215
210
231
195
252
243
193
Mammals
44
28
50
32
40
43
17
331
299
362
296
372
367
238
Total
Source: Feeroz et al. (2011), Feeroz (2011, personal communication), Feeroz et al. (2012), Feeroz (2011),
(unpublished project report, Arannayk Foundation), Feeroz et.al 2014, Feeroz (2013)
54 | P a g e
Habitat Degradation and Fragmentation

Expansion of human settlement and agriculture, shifting cultivation, habitat degradation and
destruction are the major threats to biodiversity in Bangladesh. For example, establishment of
human settlement in and around the forest areas, human causalities, and crop raiding by the
wild elephants are frequently occurring phenomena in Bangladesh which have resulted
adverse public reactions to this mega species (IUCN Bangladesh, 2004). Most of the routes
and corridors of elephants have been obstructed because of development activities (Figure
9). Destruction of natural habitats has been putting these large mammals at risk (Motaleb et
al., 2011). Case Box 12 illustrates a brief account on the degree of pressure and threats on
protected areas of Bangladesh.
Change in Landuse Pattern
Population pressure and increased demand of food supply are causing conversion of natural
ecosystems into other land covers. Unplanned urbanization, leading to rapid shrinkage in
agricultural lands, is another major concern for Bangladesh. Infrastructure development, like
road networks, and flood-control and irrigation structures, is also changing land use rapidly.
Human population has become a threat to the PAs as well to other parts of the country.
Change in Hydrological Regime
Reduction in upstream flow of the rivers is one of the major concerns for the country. Changes
in land use and construction of various flood management infrastructures have also changed
the hydrological cycle. These changes in hydrological regime in the river floodplain are the
threats not only to the fisheries resources but also to other aquatic lives through changing
migration routes and breeding grounds.

A. Direct Threats
Progress Towards
1.4.1 Main Threats to Biodiversity
Concluding Remarks
Biodiversity, in its all aspects, is under continuous threat of degradation. Direct threats to
biodiversity include landuse change, habitat destruction, introduction of invasive alien species,
and human-wildlife conflicts. On the other hand, indirect threats include economic system and
policy of the state, unsustainable exploitation of resources and weak management system
such as gaps in spatial information or lack of public awareness. In the following sections, the
major threats to biodiversity in Bangladesh are listed based on Bangladesh's Fourth National
Report to the CBD (MoEF, 2010). It first gives a brief update on the direct and indirect threats
to overall biodiversity followed by direct and indirect threats to a few major ecosystems and
species.
1.4 Threats to Biodiversity
The Integrated Protected Area Co-management (IPAC) Project carried out a rapid assessment in 19
Protected Areas (PAs) in 2010 (IPAC, 2012, personal communication). The assessment found that
the PAs have been enduring a wide variety of pressure and threats. Amongst all, illegal logging,
encroachment, fuelwood collection, landuse change, hill burning, and non-timber forest products
collection were the most pressing issues concerning the PAs. It was also found that almost half of
these PAs have very limited management capacity to tackle the pressure on the ground. The
management effectiveness of all 19 PAs was not found satisfactory most lacks limited budget,
capacity, and infrastructure to carry out effective management.
55 | P a g e
References
CASE BOX 12 -Degree of Pressures and Threats to Protected Areas
00
56 | P a g e
Source: IPAC, 2012
Figure 9 Map Showing the Routes, Corridors and Human-Elephant Conflict Areas in Chittagong
Region (reproduced from Motaleb et al., 2011)
Firing / hill burning
Admin
Firing / hill burning
Landuse change
Landuse change
Grazing
Grazing
Natural Disester
Natural Disaster
Tourism
Tourism
Invasive Alien Species
Admin
Refuges
Refuges
Roads
Roads
Pressure
Pressure
Encroachment
Encroachment
Fuel wood
Fuelwood
NTFP
NTFP
200
200
Food for Wildlife

Food for Wildlife
Water Security
Water
Security
Soil
Soil Erosion
Erosion
Sand Collection
Sand
Collection
Road
AAccess
c c es s R
oad Use
Us e Right
Right
Shifting
S
hifting Cultivation
Cultiv ation
Logging
Logging
Hunting
Hunting
Degr ee
Degree
250
250
Degree of Pressures & Threats on Protected Areas

Degree of Pressures & Threats on Protected Areas
Threat
Threat
150
150
100
100
50
50
Table 36 Exotic Fish Species and the Countries they are Imported from
Siamese gourami
Goldfish
Tilapia
Guppy
Common carp
Mirror carp
Scale carp
Leather carp
Grass carp
Silver carp
Nilotica
Thai sarpunti
Bighead carp
Black carp
African magur
GIFT (genetically improved
farmed tilapia)
Genetically improved scale
carp
Thai pangas
Giant pangas
Mosquito fish
Sucker mouth catfish
Trichogaster pectoralis
Carassius auratus
Oreochromis mossambicus
Poecilia reticulata
Cyprinus carpio
Cyprinus carpio var specularis
Cyprinus carpio var communis
Cyprinus carpio var nudus
Ctenopharyngodon idella
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Oreochromis niloticus
Barbonymus gonionotus
Hypophthalmichthys nobilis
Mylopharyngodon piceus
Clarias gariepinus
Oreochromis niloticus
Singapore
Pakistan
Thailand
Thailand
India, Nepal
India, Nepal
India, Nepal
India, Nepal
Hong Kong,
Hong Kong
Thailand
Thailand
Nepal
China
Thailand
Philippines
Year of
introduction
1952
1953
1954
1957
1960
1979
1965
1966
1969
1974
1977
1981
1983
1990
1994
Cyprinus carpio var communis
Vietnam
1995
1990
-
Red piranha
Pirapatinga
Pygocentrus nattereri
Piaractus brachypomus
Thailand
Thailand
India
Hong Kong,
Singapore
do
do
Common name
Scientific Name
Pangasius hypophthalmus
Pangasius gigus
Gambusia affinis
Hypostomus plecostomus
Source: Modified from Rahman (2005)
Source
2003
2003
57 | P a g e

As a country of rivers and wetlands, Bangladesh is very rich in fish diversity. Even then, over
the last six decades, 24 fishes have been introduced (Table 36). The invasive species rapidly
spread over the wetlands as biological explosives during the rainy seasons. Most of the
introduced species were meant only for captive cultivation in closed pond systems, but nobody
succeeded to maintain the fish in captivity. During monsoon and/or flood the escapees easily
found their ways to the rivers and floodplains throughout the country. This posed one of the
major threats to the biodiversity of many indigenous fishes in this country.
Progress Towards
Unplanned Tourism
Unplanned tourism is becoming a major threat to the biodiversity at hot spots. The biodiversity
of St. Martins Island, Lawachara National Park, Madhabkundu Ecopark and Sunderbans, for
examples, have been facing continuous threat from unmanaged or poorly managed tourism
industry.
Concluding Remarks
Over-exploitation
Over-exploitation of natural resources, like fishes, freshwater mollusks, corals, turtles, frogs,
snakes, birds, and swans is also a threat to biodiversity.
References
Pollution
Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are polluted by discharges of untreated industrial effluents,
domestric organic and inorganic wastes and agro-chemicals, i.e pesticides, insecticides,
herbicides and organic fertilizers. Mechanized fishing boats, trawlers, goods and human
carriers and ship breaking industries also release oil and other wastes into the rivers causing
pollution. Air pollution due to unsuitable traffic and industrial machineries is a threat to plants
and animals including insects responsible for pollination. Indiscriminate dumping of all forms
of waste, both solid and liquid, is also a threat to aquatic and terrestrial habitats and organisms.
Several introduced species are highly carnivorous and predatory and eat other species
including the small indigenous fish. Several exotic species also compete with the small
indigenous species and gradually occupy their niches. The ecological, economic and
biodiversity consequences of the introduction of exotic fish species have not been taken into
consideration. Some of the negative impacts of exotic species on indigenous fishes are given
in Table 37.
Table 37 Negative Impacts of Exotic Fishes on the Indigenous Fishes
Exotic fish
Tilapia
Common carp
Grass carp
Silver carp
Thai sarpunti
African magur
Thai pangas
Mosquito fish
Suckermouth
catfish
Red piranha
Pirapatinga
Impact
Their prolific breeding surpasses the carrying capacity of the waterbody
leading to stunting of a number of small indigenous species mola, dhela,
anju, darkina, chela, punti, chapila, tengra, buguri, chanda, chikra etc.
Destroy pond embankments and make water turbid by stirring up mud.
Reduce the water transparency and dissolved O 2 in water. Destroy habitat
of small indigenous species living closed to the pond dyke and loaches in
the bottom.
High feeding competition with many herbivorous small and large indigenous
fishes.
Strong feeding and habitat competition with catla in both captive condition
and in the wild
Compete with local sarpunti for foods and space
Predation and voracity of this catfish is legendary, predate on almost all
small and medium fishes
Natural diet is finfish, crustacean and insects, periphyton and benthos. This
predatory fish is the major cause of disappearance of small indigenous
species from the pond system
They live in the littoral zone of the waterbody and compete with small fishes
for food and habitat
One of the dangerous catfish, now found in the floodplain allover the
country, feed on small crustaceans and small fish, like loaches and
freshwater eel
One of the most dangerous and aggressive species of piranha, feeds on
insects, worms and small and large fish. The cultured fish in the pond
system and escapees in the wild actively predate on the indigenous fishes.
particularly small indigenous species
The natural diet is terrestrial plants, fruits, insects and crustaceans,
however, in captivity where the natural food is scarce pirapatinga compete
with small indigenous species. The fish has strong, human like teeth used
to crush food items.
Source: Hossain et al., 2015
Climate Change
Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to global climate change. The
consequences of the predicted climate change are likely to affect the coastal ecosystems
including the Sundarbans as well as the agricultural lands adjacent to the coastal belts through
increased sea level. Effects of global climate change are briefly described in Case Box 13.
58 | P a g e
Sea level rise is expected to push the Bangladeshs coastline to the north, permanently flooding a
good portion of the country. Effects of such inundation on coastal vegetations and wildlife have been
much talked about, but without organized investigation. Higher water temperatures, loss of brackish
waters and reduced flows from upstream could harm coastal fisheries.
Economic Systems and Policies

With an average GDP of about 6.0 over the years and high population density (1,015 per
square kilometer) (BBS, 2012), Bangladesh is experiencing rapid industrialization,
urbanization, expansion and intensification of agricultural activities. These activities are
creating pressures on the natural resources including forest, water bodies and agricultural
lands through infrastructural development, transport and use of synthetic chemicals hazards
to natural environment.
Legal and Institutional Systems
A number of laws have been formulated and come into force in relation to biodiversity
conservation in the country. However, the organizations are not yet strengthened with
adequate trained manpower and logistic supports for the proper management and
conservation of biodiversity in Bangladesh.
Inequality in Ownership and Benefit Sharing
Since most of the natural resources are owned by the state, its management and benefits are
also governed by various rules and policies of the state. The notion of resource and benefit
sharing with the local communities is a fairly recent development and is still evolving. An
absence of sufficient equity in resource sharing makes it difficult to motivate people for
biodiversity conservation.
Erosion in Genetic Diversity
Genetic erosion in agricultural biodiversity is the result of introduction of High Yielding
Varieties. Out of more than 10,000 local rice varieties once used to be cultivated in
Bangladesh, only 22 are now mostly used. Increased use of agrochemicals is another potential
cause of the loss of genetic diversity. Monoculture of few fast-growing exotics has accelerated
the loss of native forest genetic resources. Akashmoni (Acacia auriculiformis) is getting priority
59 | P a g e
Concluding Remarks
B. Indirect Threats
References
Extreme weather events, like floods, cyclones and tidal surges, to which Bangladesh is already very
vulnerable, are expected to increase in frequency and intensity under climate change regime.
Cyclone Sidr has shown its devastation on Sundarbans. Salt-water intrusion after storm-surges
damages coastal ecosystems and biodiversity drastically, which takes many years to revive. Under
changing climate such revival may not be possible.
Progress Towards
Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate changes, variability and extreme
climatic events. Survival, breeding and life cycle of many wildlife, fishes and invertebrates depends
upon temperatures. On the other hand, flowering, pollination, seed formation, seed germination and
plant growth depends on temperature. Changes in temperature and shifting or loss of seasons have,
therefore, direct impact on the countrys biodiversity. Rainfall pattern is expected to change the
water regime of the country under climate change regime. This will directly affect any life forms,
virtually all, that directly or indirectly depend upon the timing, frequency and amount of rainfall. Being
a sub-tropical country, temperature and rainfall plays a major role in making this country biologically
diverse. Changes in climate will directly change the terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity alike over a
shorter period of time, coupled with current anthropogenic interventions. It has been reported that
climate change has already caused shifts in the distribution of some species, for example
amphibians, grasses, migratory birds and butterflies.

CASE BOX 13 Impacts of Climate Change on Bangladeshs Biodiversity
in forests plantations ( 75%) that accelerates the loss of native forest plant diversity in an
alarming rate (Hossain, 2014).
Lack of Knowledge and Awareness
Gaps in knowledge and awareness at various levels is heavily affecting conservation and
sustainable use of biodiversity. People are yet to realize the value of ecosystem services that
is responsible for the life and livelihoods and sustainability of the economy. Different types of
Protected Areas exist in the country; but relevant stakeholders are not aware of the importance
of management.
1.4.2 Threats to Major Ecosystems

A. Sundarban: Mangrove Ecosystem
The Sundraban Reserved Forest is internationally recognized as an important mangrove

ecosystem of high biodiversity value. It is the most important remaining habitat, in the world,
of the Critically Endangered Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris). A number of other large
mammalians once abundant in Sundarban have already become extinct, including the swamp
deer (Cervus duvauceli), one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and wild water buffalo
(Bubalus arnee). A recent study by IUCN found that currently 58 species of wildlife, indigenous
to the Sundarban, are threatened, of which 36 are either Endangered or Critically Endangered.
The impact of enhanced shrimp farming along Bangladesh coast has induced a very high
demand on natural shrimp fries that exhibit better performance over the hatchery fries. This in
turn generated the tremendous pressure on shrimp fry collection from the Sundarban waters,
which has become a major concern. A rough estimate indicated that these shrimp fry collectors
alone chop off over one million saplings, mostly good and straight looking ones, annually from
this forest.
Sundarbans Threat Map:

Threatened Area Classification
N
Legend
Sundarbans Compartment
Rivers and Canals
Threat Level
Very Low
Low
Medium
High
Very High
Navigational Threat
Canals Poison Fishing
20
40
km
Bangladesh
Bay of Bengal
Figure 10 Degree of Threats in 55 Compartments of the Sundarban (Source: IUCN Bangladesh)
60 | P a g e
Poaching
Deer poaching is common and widespread in the Sundarban and there is a good demand of
deer meat (venison) among the communities living around the forest. Besides deer poaching,
hunting of tiger as a valuable trophy is also a threat to the Sundarban ecosystem. It has been
reported by the Bangladesh Forst Department that 8 tigers were killed in the Sundarban during
2010 to 2015 for poaching purpose (BFD, 2015). However, experts believe that there is a
higher chance of underestimation of reported numbers since many poaching and hunting
cases go undetected.
Poison Fishing
In many of the small creeks and canals the fishermen pour in huge amount of poisons,
particularly insecticides, to catch fishes. This is done mostly in areas wherein entries are
prohibited, like the sanctuaries.
Altogether 23 plant species of two broad types viz. aquatic weed and climbers were identified
as invasive. Of these, 19 are native or naturalized to Sundarbans mangrove. Invasives
abundance, diversity and rate of invasion were highest at the riverbanks and gradually
decreased with increased proximity to the forests.
Tourism Driven Pollution
In recent years, the influx of tourists in specific areas is causing damage to the forest
ecosystems. Throwing of solid wastes, like cans, plastic bags and water bottles, are becoming
threats to the Sundarban. Noise pollution from the mechanized vehicles is also causing
problems for the wildlife in these forests.
61 | P a g e
Extraction of Poles for Fixing Fishing Nets

Distribution of pole class saplings, especially of Sundri has seriously declined and
conspicuously visible. This has occurred due to the collection of the poles by the fishermen at
every trip. The fisherman goes to fish in the Sundarban twice a month during full-moon and
new-moon, locally known as GHONE. During such trip every boat collects about 40 to 60 such
poles. Such collection of poles by the fishing communities has caused this threat.
Progress Towards
Over-exploitation of Resources
There has been change, especially depletion in quality of forest, with respect to density,
especially number of stems per unit area. In general, the understanding with the common
people is that the number of stems per unit area has declined by about 10% to 15% than what
it was 15 to 20 years back. Over-exploitation, mostly illegal collection of timber from the
Sundarban by the communities is the main cause of such depletion.
Concluding Remarks
Destruction of Habitats
There is a noticed trend that population pressure in the form of encroachment and greater
dependency on the ecosystem goods and services has been occurring along the buffer zone.
Along with demographic increase, further surplus labour from agriculture due to shrimp
cultivation started becoming dependent on forest resources.
References
Based on the ecological similarities and dissimilarities, the whole Sundarban has been divided
into 55 compartments (Figure 10). Number of discussions with communities and government
officials at various locations around Sundarban and large number of focused group
discussions that were held by IUCN Bangladesh on the periphery or buffer zone of the
Sundarban surfaced a long list of compartment-wise threats to the Sundarban. Some of the
threats are given below.
Top-Dying of Sundri
Top-dying of Sundri (Heritiera fomes) trees has become a serious threat to the Sundarban
ecosystem. Though the exact reason of this threat is yet to be pin pointed, siltation coupled
with the reduced flow of freshwater from transboundary upstream rivers is thought to be one
of the main causes of this situation.
Poor Regeneration
In many areas, regeneration in some plants has declined. There are various reasons for this.
Climate change may be one of the causes associated with this threat along with other complex
changes that is affected by human made shocks, like air and water pollutions.
B. Freshwater Wetland Ecosystem

Freshwater wetland ecosystems are under threats of a number of human activities including
over-exploitation, destructive fishing practices, soil erosion, pollution and so on.
Over-exploitation
A very small areas of swamp forests are now present due to extensive exploitation over the
past decades. Natural regeneration of the forest species is facing problem in the wetlands.
The reed beds are significantly reduced from over-harvesting for fuel and converting land into
agricultural fields.
Destructive Fishing Practices
Harvesting the last fish, dewatering of key areas and repeated fish harvesting on an annual
basis are the most unsustainable fishing methods used in many wetlands. As a result,
reduction of fish diversity has been happening in these once highly diverse wetlands. For
example, in Tanguar Haor, once well-recognized for migratory waterbirds with an annual
number 60,000-120,000, there is a decreasing trend owing to hunting, trapping and eventually
killing. During the waterfowl survey in January 2012, for example, only 28,876 individuals of
47 species were observed in Tanguar Haor.
Soil Erosion
Soil and river bank erosion is a major concern in haor and riverine areas, respectively. Soil
erosion is also causing degradation of soil quality in the agricutural field.
Water Pollution
Excess use of chemicals in agricultural fields is a major reason for water pollution, which in
turn negatively affects the aquatic ecosystems. Fuel oil, released by the mechanized vehicles,
is also responsible for water pollution.
Unplanned construction
Construction of unplanned dams, embankments, sluice gates, bridges, roads etc. is a major
threat to aquatic lives and their natural habitats.
Although information on specific threat to the designated marine reserve is not available,
however, threat like destructive fishing is common using set bag-nets in river mouths and
estuaries and catch fry and juveniles of marine fauna resulting in restriction of growth of
commercially important species (IUCN, 2012).
62 | P a g e
Jhum Cultivation (Shifting Cultivation)

Unplanned expansion of this traditional agro-technique is degrading the hill ecosystem by
allowing soil erosion, hindering forest regeneration.
Tobacco Cultivation
Recent introduction and expansion of profit-driven tobacco cultivation have direct and indirect
effects on the remaining natural ecosystem and traditional knowledge systems (Motaleb and
Irfanullah, 2011).
Mass Settlement
Increase in population and mass settlements by the non-tribal people in the hilly areas have
changed the demography of the CHTs over the years. This change in demographic structure
has affected the natural ecosystem to accommodate settlers from the plain land.
Weak Enforcement of Laws
Illegal timber trading and poaching of wildlife due to limited law enforcement are destroying
the forests and its biodiversity.
Hill Cutting
Hill cutting causes landslide which in turn compromises the physical integrity of the hills,
devastates housing infrastructures and often kills humans and livestocks.
References
Construction of Infrastructures
Barrier to the free flow of water by construction of embankments, dams and over-withdrawal
of surface water are responsible for the damage of the natural watersheds and habitats of
aquatic biodiversity.

Horticultural Practices
In the hill ranges, cultivation of tuber crop like ginger and turmeric, is increasing, and causing
destruction of natural forest and top-soil erosion. These practices are inviting chemical
pesticides, insecticide, rodenticides and weedicides in the hills, valleys and the hilly streams
(rivers and static waterbodies). Although there are policies and strategies, but implementation
needs further initiatives.
Progress Towards
Expansion of Monoculture Plantation

Plantations of exotic species, like acacia, eucalyptus and rubber, have been promoted in the
recent decades on denuded forest land. This changed the total landscape and affected the
wildlife and natural processes.
Concluding Remarks
Although severely degraded, hill ecosystems still harbour patches of natural forests of the
country. The major threats to the Chittagong Hill Tracts (Khan, 2013) and surrounding forests
are given below.
C. Hilly Forest Ecosystem
63 | P a g e
CASE BOX 14- Zoonotic Diseases

Bangladeshs rich biodiversity coupled with the countrys dense human populations provide the ideal
conditions for cross-species disease transmission. After 2010, several pathogens of public health
and animal conservation significance have been reported in human and animal populations
including: H5N1, H9N2, Newcastle virus, Dengue, Nipah virus, Simian Foamy Virus, diverse Picorna
viruses and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB).
Several infectious agents have already been detected in human and animal populations in
Bangladesh, but most of these studies have failed to establish long term, longitudinal sampling and
monitoring of the affected populations. The few notable programmes that have focused on
longitudinal sampling are: (a) An ongoing project to monitor changes in the diversity and prevalence
of Avian Influenza viruses in selected poultry markets; and (b) a study that characterized the genetic
changes of simian viruses in zoonotically infected humans as well as changes of the virus in
naturally infected monkey populations. These illustrate the importance of monitoring viruses over
an extended period of time, as each has identified changes in the viral pathogen landscape.
Over the next five years Bangladesh need to focus on selected infectious agents and devote a
concentrated effort to their detection, characterization and monitoring. Specific suggestions that
came from the earlier mentioned reports are: (1) Avian influenza in local, wholesale and poultry
breeding farms be continuously monitored. Additionally, during seasonal migrations wild birds from
key locations around the country should be screened for Avian Influenza; (2) Bats have been
identified as the reservoir for Nipah virus in Bangladesh and other countries in Asia, however, there
have been no research programmes that have focused on long-term surveillance of the virus. It was
suggested that multiple sites containing established roots both near date palms as well as in areas
without date palms be identified and monitored; (3) New advances in the detection of MTB using
non-invasively collected buccal swabs will allow for the screening of diverse animal populations
including primates, cattle and elephants, all taxa that have been shown to be infected with MTB. It
was suggested to identify key populations of these animals in areas with a high prevalence of MTB
in the human population as well as populations with less contact in order to develop a comparative
study on the transmission of MTB; and overall, (4) In order to detect and monitor disease
transmission it is critical that programmes be established that focus on the human-animal interface
and the pathogens that are moving across this boundary. Such programmes will require a
collaboration between multiple disciplines including zoologists, epidemiologists, physicians,
veterinarians, microbiologists, specialists in GIS, data management and bioinformatics in order to
successfully collect and analyze the data. (M.M. Feeroz, 2015, personal communication)
D. Agro-Ecosystem
Loss of Agricultural Land
Bangladesh is mainly an agriculture-based country. Urbanization, industrialization and
expansion of settlement are causing shrinking of agricultural land day after day. Every year,
over 80,000 ha of agricultural land i.e. nearly 1% of the land is being converted into nonagricultural land (Planning Commission 2009).
Introduction of High Yield Varieties
Bangladesh is a densely populated country. To meetup the demand of food, a large number
of High Yield Varieties (HYVs) are introduced in the country. It is obviously true that, the
country has attained self-reliance in food security (rice) due to production of HYVs. However,
farmers are reducing use of local varieties that they used to plant for hundreds of years. As a
result, impact of the introduction of modern HYVs, crop cultivars are becoming uniform and
the genetic diversity of cultivars have decreased. For instance, out of more than 10,000
cultivars of rice that persisted once upon a time, only 22 are mostly used now.
64 | P a g e
E. Homesteads Ecosystem
Population pressure
Population pressure is the main threat to the homestead ecosystems. Expansion of
settlements through increased construction of houses is causing reduction in vegetation
coverage and wetlands. Although many wildlife for instances fox and vultures were seen in
the bush close to the households are rarely seen now a days.
Construction of Roads and Highways
Construction of roads and highways is also responsible for clear cutting of homestead
vegetation in many rural areas.
References
Concluding Remarks
Human Behaviour
Change in behaviour among the people even in the rural areas may also contribute to the
degradation of homestead ecosystems. Clear cutting of vegetation, filling of ditches, ponds
and canals are often seen in the rural villages. Wild animals like fox, snakes, lizards, etc. are
often killed by the people considering them as enemies.

Use of Top Soil in Brick Manufacturing

Use of top soil in brick manufacturing has emerged as a threat to the quality of agricultural soil
in Bangladesh. Top soil of the agriculture land is used as raw material for brick making. It also
caused loss of soil fertility (Khan et al., 2007).
Progress Towards
Impact of Fertilizer and Pesticides

Due to excessive use of fertilizer, more than 65% of the total agricultural land is suffering from
declining trend of soil fertility while it is also reported that almost 85% net area suitable for
cultivation has a level of organic matter below the minimum requirement. As a side-effect of
the application of pesticides and insecticides, beneficial organisms are killed breaking the
complex interacting system between pests and active soil organisms and causing
deterioration of soil fertility
65 | P a g e
1.5 Importance of Biodiversity and its Implications for Human

Well-being
Being a natural resources dependent economy, biodiversity plays very important role to the
life and livelihoods of the people here in Bangladesh. The globally important ecosystems, such
as the forests, freshwater wetlands, and marine fishing area indeed make up a significant
portion of ecosystem services and national economy. Well-functioning ecosystems and
human well-being are directly related, where biodiversity contributes significant value to
services given by any ecosystem. This phenomenon is observable in many spheres of humannature interactions. In the following sections, these interactions are briefly discussed in the
context of agriculture, fisheries, livestock, forestry, water resources and tourism sectors of
Bangladesh. Importance of biodiversity and ecosystems in disaster resilience is stated briefly
in Case Box 15.
Mowal, indigenous fishing community, in Sundarbans Mangrove by ABM Sarwor Alam
CASE BOX 15 Importance of Biodiversity and Ecosystems in Disaster

Resilience
It has now become an established fact that the floral biodiversity enhances the climate resilience of
the ecosystem and people live near the ecosystem. Since Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to the
adverse impacts of climate change, biodiversity conservation is likely to keep it more adaptable to
the anticipated adverse impact of climate change.
Wetland ecosystem (e.g. haor) play a significant role in reduction of flash flood. The haors are large
subsided lands that can hold the water from the flash flood. This is a major support function from the
ecosystem. Another major regulatory function is the replenishment of groundwater table through
these large water bodies. As an impact, these wetlands are thought also to work as a natural defense
against droughts.
It has been extensively suggested that the impact of Cyclone Sidr in 2007 would have been much
devastating in terms of lives and asset loss if the Sundarban was not there to cushion the blow. It is
notable that biodiversity remains as one of the major footholds for such complex ecosystems like the
mangroves. This understanding has revitalized the afforestation programme on the coast of
Bangladesh as a means of adaptation to climate change.
66 | P a g e
Indicators for jhum land selection: Traditionally give emphasis on slope, soil texture,
vegetation cover & earthworm burrows.
Fire management in jhum field preparation: Fire starts from the top of the hill.
Three-phase seed sowing techniques in Jhum: First broadcast the small sized seeds
(Ocimum, Capsicum), after one week sown the seeds of rice, cotton, maize, vegetable crops,
and when the rice is about 10 centimetres in height they broadcast the seeds of sesame.
Evil-spirit and insect repellency by planting colourful flower plants in Jhum: Pungent smell of
ginger, onion, mint, and pepper and bright colour of flowers reduce insect attack.
Slope differentiation of hills for crop selection: Farmers differentiate slopes for different crop
cultivation.
Local climate as an indicator for crop selection: Crop selection according to hill altitude.
Seed collection and germplasm management: Use healthy and disease free plants for seed
collection.
Indigenous seed storage method: Different methods used for different seeds.
Agro-biodiversity conservation through community based seed distribution: Communitybased seed sharing system still exists among the Marma peasants for conserving and
maintaining the indigenous rice varieties (more than 10 varieties in the CHT).
An integrated approach that encodes the indigenous knowledge with scientific knowledge may be
a sustainable solution of agriculture for the CHT area.
1.5.2 Fisheries
Many aspects of Bangladeshi culture, economy and tradition are based on fishing and fish
culture activities. This sector, therefore, plays a vital role in the countrys economy through
employment generation, animal protein supply and foreign currency earning and eventually
poverty alleviation. Fisheries, contributed nearly 3.30% to the GDP in 2013-2014 fiscal year
in current prices and 3.69% in constant price (at 2005-2006 base year) in Bangladesh (BBS,
2014). Figure 11 shows contribution of fisheries sector to the GDP of Bangladesh over a period
of 20062013. Trend of fish production during 1960-2013 is shown in Figure 12.
67 | P a g e
Jhum, the shifting cultivation is the indigenous and major farming system practiced by hill
communities in Bangladesh. The farmers have their own indigenous or traditional knowledge
system for jhum cultivation and management. Mohiuddin et al. (2012) lists the major indigenous
knowledge and cultural attributes followed by the Jhumians.
Progress Towards
CASE BOX 16Culture and Indigenous Knowledge-Based Technologies

Practiced in Hill Farming Systems in Bandarban Hill District
Concluding Remarks
Agriculture is the single largest producing sector of the economy and it contributes about
17.22% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 45.6% of labour force engaged in this
sector (BBS, 2012) in Bangladesh. The agricultural sector is heavily dependent on soil fertility.
However, the fertility is based on the diversity of microorganism present in the soil, among
other factors. Biodiversity underpins the agriculture productivity. Agricultural biodiversity
includes all components of biodiversity at genetic, species and ecosystem levels that are
relevant to food and agriculture and that support the ecosystems in which agriculture occurs.
Therefore, its maintenance is essential for the production of food and other agricultural goods
and the benefits they provide to humanity, including food security, nutrition and livelihoods.
References
1.5.1 Agriculture
5.00
% Contribution fo GDP
4.00
3.00
2.00
1.00
0.00
06-07
07-08
09-10
10-11
11-12
12-13
2000
2000
2000
1600
1600 1600
'000 MT
1200
Culture
Open Water
Culture
Culture
Open Water
Open Water
800
'000 MT
'000 MT
12001200
800
800
400
400
400 0
0
0 60-61 65-66 70-71 75-76 80-81 85-86 90-91 95-96 00-01 05-06 10-11 11-12 12-13
60-61
65-66
70-71
75-76
80-81
85-86
90-91
95-96
Year
00-01
05-06
10-11
11-12
12-13
65-66 70-71
80-81
85-86 90-91
95-96and
00-01
12-13
Figure 1260-61
Fish Production
(000 75-76
MT) During
1960-2013
from Culture
Open05-06
Water 10-11
Sources11-12
(Source:
DoF, 2014a)
Year
Figure 12 Fish Production (000 MT) During 1960-2013 from Culture and Open Water Sources (Source:
DoF, 2014a)
However, the sub-sector contributes 23% of gross agriculture products and 5.71% to the total
export earnings (DoF, 2008). It accounts for about 63% of animal protein intake in the diet of
the people of Bangladesh (DoF, 2005). Table 38 summarises the production of fisheries in
2012-13 under different inland and marine ecosystems. Figure12, on the other hand, highlights
the production trends over the last more than five decades in culture and open water catches
(Box 17). The fisheries sector provides full-time employment to an estimated 1.2 million
fishermen and an additional 17.1 million people, i.e. more than 11% of total population directly
or indirectly dependant on fisheries sub-sector (DoF, 2014b). Another 10% poor and middle
class people are engaged in part-time fishing, aquaculture, fish seed production and collection
of shrimp and prawn seed, fish handling, processing and marketing, net making, and input
supply.
68 | P a g e
Capture - Open
Waters
River and Estuary
Sundarban
Beels (water body)
Kaptai Lake
Floodplain
Culture - Closed
waters
Ponds & Ditch
Seasonally cultured
waters
Baor (Ox-bow lake)
Shrimp/Prawn Farm
Trawler fishing
Aritasanal fishing
Water area
(hectare)
Production
(metric ton)
Production
(kilogram/hectare)
3,916,828
961,458
853,863
147,264
172
177,700
15,945
90
114,161
87,902
770
68,800
9,017
131
2,702,304
701,330
260
782,559
1,859,808
371,309
1,446,594
3,896
130,488
200,833
1,539
5,488
6146
1,120
275,274
206,235
749
73,030
515,958
Country Total
3,410,254
%
Total
28.19
54.54
17.27

Water Resources
Progress Towards
Table 38 Fisheries Production in Different Water Bodies (2012-13)
Concluding Remarks
Estuarine Fishing by ABM Sarowar Alam
100
The wide variety of small indigenous species of fishes, such as Amblypharyngodon mola,
Aspidoparia jaya, Aspidoparia morar, Chela laubuca, Rohtee cotio and others are the vital diet
and source nutrition of poor people. In Bangladesh, some fish species are also used in
traditional medicine.
69 | P a g e
References
Source: DoF (2014b)
CASE BOX 17 - Inland Fisheries in Bangladesh Production and Demand

Trend
From a global perspective, Bangladesh is ranked third largest in inland fisheries in Asia, behind China
and India (Ghose, 2014). The rich aquatic biodiversity of the country with more than 650 fish species
has been attributed to the worlds one of the largest wetlands (Bengal Delta) and three large river
systems (the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna) that flow from the Himalayas into the Bay
of Bengal. An analysis of the last 50 years showed that although open water fisheries increased
significantly over that period, almost 10 times increase has been recorded in culture fisheries over
the last two decades (Figure 11). This recent acceleration of production in culture fishery, however,
has yet to ease fishing pressure on the wild fish diversity in large rivers and other water bodies.
Hilsa or Indian Shad (Tenualosa ilisha) is one of the most important commercial fish in the
Indo-Pacific Region. In Bangladesh, it is regarded as national fish indicating its deep-rooted
cultural value. Annual average Hilsa production in Bangladesh is 215,000 metric tons worth
US$ 380 million and contributing 1% to the national GDP (Ahsan et al., 2014). Essentially a
marine species, Hilsa migrates through three major river systems - the Ganges, the
Brahmaputra and the Meghna - to breed. Trend of hilsha production over year is shown in
figure 13.
Figure 13 Total Inland and Marine Hilsa Catch of Bangladesh (2001-2011) (reproduced from Ahsan et
al.)
Recently, a joint study was conducted by a group of experts from Bangladesh and India
(Ahsan et al., 2014). They studied the habitat quality along the migration path (Figure 14) and
spawning grounds. Four suitable spawning grounds have been identified near the estuary
near the north shore of the Bay of Bengal at Char Tojumuddin, Mirsorai, Kolapara and
Kutubdya. Hilsa catch is banned in these areas during the peak spawning period (15-24
October).
70 | P a g e
References
Figure 14 Hilsa Migration Route in Bangladesh (reproduced from Ahsan et al., 2014)
71 | P a g e
Concluding Remarks
Progress Towards

1.5.3 Livestock
Livestock plays an important role in the national economy of Bangladesh. The livestock sub-sector
that includes poultry offers important employment and livelihood opportunities particularly for the
rural poor, including the functionally landless, many of whom regard livestock as a main livelihood
option. The contribution of livestock to GDP is 2.5% (Bangladesh Economic Review, 2013) and
the overall trend of the livestock in Bangladesh has also been increasing (Table 39). Moreover,
the products from livestock; like milk, meat and egg have also shown increasing trend of production
(Table 40). The Figure 15 shows the trends of milk products. However, there is no data available
indicating whether the genetic diversity itself has been increasing or decreasing.
Table 39 Number of Livestock and Poultry

Livestock
and Poultry
Cattle
Buffalo
Goat
Sheep
Fowl
Duck
Source: MoF (2013)
2006-07
228.7
12.1
207.5
26.8
2068.9
390.8
Number of
2007-08
229.0
12.6
215.6
27.8
2124.7
398.4
Livestock and Poultry ( in hundred thousand)

2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
229.76
230.51
231.21
231.95
13.04
13.49
13.94
14.43
224.01
232.75
241.49
251.16
28.77
29.77
30.02
30.82
2213.94
2280.35
2346.86
2428.66
412.34
426.77
441.20
457.00
Table 40 Production of Milk, Meat and Egg

Product
Milk*
Meat*
Egg**
2005-06
22.7
11.3
54220
2006-07
22.8
10.40
53690
2007-08
26.50
10.40
56532
Production
2008-09 2009-10
22.86
23.65
10.84
12.64
46920
57424
2010-11
18.91
12.79
42110
2011-12
34.63
23.32
73038
Source: MoF (2013); * unit = in hundred thousand metric tons; ** unit = in hundred thousand number
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Ghee
Chana
Butter
Cheese
Total curd
Total milk products
Linear (Total milk products)
Figure 15 Trends in Production of Milk Products (BBS, 2011)
72 | P a g e
2012-13
232.41
14.47
252.12
31.20
2466.00
466.35
2012-13
34.63
25.32
51347
Medicinal plant is an important wealth in Bangladesh. A large number of people in the country
are solely dependent on Ayurvedic treatment for maintaining their health. Medicinal plants are
useful to human well-being and considered as a national wealth. About 747 plants with
therapeutic value has been identified as reported by Yusuf et al. (2000; in Motaleb et al., 2013).
In Bangladesh, there are about 297 Unani, 204 Ayurvedic and 77 Homeopathic drug
manufacturing industries where the medicinal plants are extensively used in both raw and
semi-processed forms of medicine in various pharmaceutical dose formulations. These plants
also serve as important raw materials for many modern medicinal preparations. The market
value of drugs produced by these industries from medicinal plants is about BDT 3 billion.
Besides, village Kobiraj, street vendors and indigenous people also use a large number of
medicinal plants for the treatment of various diseases. Motaleb et al. (2013) reported that this
practice reflects rich traditional heritage and that it plays a significant role in the general welfare
of the upland communities of the CHT.
Acacia auriculiformis was used to be extensively planted by the Bangladesh Forest
Department in agroforestry, community forestry, and fuelwood plantation programmes
(Hossain, 2014). This trend has, however, been changed in recent years (Box 18).
CASE BOX 18- Use of Multiple Species in Plantation Programme

Till 2012, monoculture was very common while establishing forestry plantations. In the terrestrial
areas, the use of Akashmoni (Acacia auriculiformis) was rampant. Everywhere, the Bangladesh
Forest Department as well as the participants were planting Acacia auriculiformis (about 75% of all
the plantations). At present, however, a change is being noticed. Since 2013, the Forest Department
is implementing a US$ 35 million project administered by the World Bank and funded from the
Bangladesh Climate Change Resilient Fund. This project has started to go for multiple species
plantation instead of monoculture. It has transpired that in many of the nursery locations the
Bangladesh Forest Department has raised seedlings of over 20 different species and planting a large
number of various indigenous species of seedlings in all the new plantation sites. This will help
restoration of biodiversity and its enhancement in the country.
73 | P a g e

Progress Towards
The value of a forest ecosystem is immense and only a handful of rigorous research has been
done to realize the value of such ecosystems. It is imperative to argue that the biodiversity
existing in these forests make it possible for the forest to be a functional and alive entity.
Without the floral and faunal diversity, these forests would cease to exist and so would the
different goods and services that we use for our well-being.
Concluding Remarks
Reported in Haque and Aich (2014), Shah Uddin et al. estimated the value of provisioning and
cultural services of the Sundarban US$ 1.39 per hectare per year, whereas, the Net Present
Value of the Sundarban is worth USD 9 billion (BFD, 2010) under the SEALS Project of the
Bangladesh Forest Department (Table 1 in Annex ). A recent valuation study concluded that
the Sundarban generates a range of US$ 456 to US$ 1192 per hectare per year worth of
ecosystem services (Haque and Aich, 2014). This means a US$ 273 to US$ 714 million per
year for the entire Sundarban.
References
Forests have a widely realized contribution to human well-being. Besides providing timber and
other Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) for human consumption, forests also provide
cultural values, like education and aesthetic beauty, which are realized through research and
tourism, respectively. It is comparatively easier to estimate the value of goods, for example,
the worth of a forest in terms of total timber it has, but not the ecosystem services or cultural
services it offers. Some attempts have, however, been made. The contribution of forest and
related services to GDP is about 1.43% (BBS, 2014).
1.5.4 Forestry
1.5.5 Nature-Based Tourism

The National Tourism Policy framed in 2010 emphasizes ecotourism development as well as
preservation and conservation of natural and cultural products. In 2014, direct, indirect and
induced contributions of tourism to GDP were 2.3%, 1.3% and 0.9%, respectively; whereas,
generating 1.8% of total employment in the country. These figures remained more or less the
same since 2010 (WTTC, 2014).
Around the country, the number of eco-tourists travelling to enjoy nature and various cultures
are increasing. Cox's Bazaar, St. Martin's Island, the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the Sundarban
and other protected areas are the prime sites visited by the tourists. Choudhury (2013)
reported that, between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011, 207,930 tourists visited the Sundarban
alone, whereby the Government earned revenue of Taka 8.622 million. According to the
WTTC, Bangladeshs tourism industry directly contributed around Taka 2.23 trillion (2.1%) to
the countrys GDP in 2013 (WTTC, 2014), implying immense potential of ecotourism in
Bangladesh.
However, in cross-country comparison, the WTTC reports that Bangladesh does poorly overall
in the tourism sector. The total contribution to GDP (4.4%) compared to the Asia-Pacific is less
than half in 2013 (8.9%) and nearly 4 and 5 times less than Malaysia (16.1%) and Thailand
(20.2%), respectively. The employment contribution is also in the same lines (WTTC, 2014).
Despite this limited performance, experts show a lot of hope in developing the sector. The
strong backward and forward linkages are thought to be an underlying reason why, developing
the eco-tourism sector with clear targets and medium and long term goals, will accelerate the
sector to reach its foreseen potential and contribute significantly in livelihood options and
human well-being.
74 | P a g e
2.2 Implementation of NBSAP (2010-2015)

Since the submission of the Fourth National Report to the CBD in 2010 (MoEF, 2010),
progress made during the period of 2010-2015 have been summarized in Table 41. This
updated table has resulted from expert input, stakeholder consultations and literature review.
For a comparative outlook, the accomplishments reported in the Fourth National Report have
also been included alongside the new accomplisments.
Table 41 Progress of Implementing the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2010-2015)
NBSAP
Strategy
1. Recognize
the value and
importance of
biodiversity
for the
Bangladesh
people and
document
properly its
components,
distribution
and value.
Actions in NBSAP
Short term (0- 3 years)
Document existing
ecosystems, species and
genetic pools of
Bangladesh, including
their status and
extension, with specific
emphasis on ecosystems
such as forests, coastal
and marine
environments, inland
water, agriculture and
fisheries; species
including flora, fauna,
microorganisms,
underutilized species
and insects.
Determine values in
economic terms of the
different goods and
services provided by the
different biodiversity
components to the
benefits of the countrys
economy and its people.
Support dentification
of the biodiversity
services that contribute
to reducing poverty and
providing means for
sustainable household
economic securities.
Activities reported in the

Fourth National Report
(MoEF, 2010)
Accomplishment during the Fifth

National Report (2010-2015)
Encyclopaedia of Flora and

Bangladesh National Herbarium has
recently published the Volume 2 of Red
Fauna of Bangladesh
Data Book of Threatened Vascular
published by Asiatic Society
Plants of Bangladesh that include 120
of Bangladesh describing
threatened species (Ara et al., 2013).
the current status of different
taxonomic groups;
IUCN is currently implementing a project
Valuation of wetland
to update the Red List of threatened
ecosystem under CWBMP;
animals of Bangladesh originally
published in 2000 (IUCN Bangladesh,
2000). Details of this project can be
MACH project in Hail Haor
found on www.iucnredlistbd.org
executed by Winrock
international and CNRS to
conserve biodiversity of the
Economic valuations of different
wetland;
ecosystems have been conducted
sporadically, e.g., Sundarban (Haque
and Aich, 2014) and Teesta River
Scattered actions under
(2014) (unpublished).
various projects on
livelihood/ Value Chain
development in IPAC;
Values of Protected Areas (PAs) as well
as the documentation of biodiversity of
each PAs have been conducted by
Co-management project of
Arannayk Foundation since 2010. Four
Tanguar Haor, executing by
books have already been published,
IUCN Bangladesh
each focusing on biodiversity of a
concentrating of ecosystem
particular PA with their values and
based conservation
threats.
resource management;
4th Fisheries Project (fish
diversity assessment) ;
Preparation of management plan with

the approach of co-management is
underway for various PAs and ECAs.
75 | P a g e

With the development of the NBSAP (MoEF, 2006), Bangladesh has progressed remarkably
towards fulfilling the global commitment of the country to the CBD. The Bangladesh NBSAP
has identified 16 strategies, including 128 action programmes those are further categorized
as short term (0-3 years), medium term (4-7 years) and long-term (8-10 years) programmes
(Table 41).The following sections of this chapter also highlight some major achievements of
implementing the NBSAP since its formulation. This chapter further summarizes the progress
of NBSAP implementation during 2010-2015 by comparing with the original NBSAP actions
and the progress reported in the Fourth National Report to the CBD (MoEF, 2010).
Progress Towards
Introduction
Concluding Remarks
2.1
References
2. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan: Progress

of Implementation and Mainstreaming
NBSAP
Strategy
Actions in NBSAP
Medium term (4-7
years)
Understand the
economic values of
biodiversity and
empower local
communities to achieve
economic gains by
developing suitable
market linkages and
strategies.
Conduct village-based
inventory of flora and
fauna, including their
traditional uses.
Long term (8 -10 years)
Develop a National
Biodiversity Information
System that acts as the
National Clearing House
Mechanism on
biodiversity.
2. Conserve
ecosystems,
species and
genetic pool of
the country to
ensure that
the present
and future
well-being of
the country
and its people
are secure.

Develop action plans
for protection and
conservation of
endangered native and
endemic species of
Bangladesh.
Document and map
existing community
reserves in the hill
ecosystems along with
their management
modes.
Develop national
systems and plans for
conservation and
management of
Ecologically Critical
Areas.
Identify the impacts of
climate change,
desertification, floods
and other processes on
the integrity of
ecosystems and species
and develop suitable
management plans.
Medium term (4-7
years)
Develop and
implement actions to
support management of
soil biodiversity for
enhancing productivity
and implement options
for conservation of
pollinators.
Support minimum
nutritional standards for

(MoEF, 2010)
Char livelihood program to
promote and conserve
biodiversity in Charlands
funded by DFID;

Wetland management
initiative under SEMP
executed by CNRS, BCAS
and NACOM;
CBRMP project of Local
Government Engineering
Department (LGED) is
currently working for
restoration and conservation
of wetlands ecosystems;
Various other institutions
such as CEGIS/
SPARSSO/CDMP/BARC
are working to develop
databases on natural
resources to assist
conservation activities.
Wildlife Preservation Act of
1974 is in the process of
being upgraded;
ECA Rule is underway to be
finalized;
NAPA, BCCSAP, NAP have
issues concerning
biodiversity, but integration
issues have not well taken
care off in line with NBSAP;
Community conserved areas
have been established in
different parts of the country;
To identify impacts of
climate change on
Biodiversity long term
monitoring has been
suggested in National
Adaptation Program of
Actions;
Ideas of establishing
community seed banks have
been initiated in grass root
level.
A book on the Red Data
Book on Vascular plants of
Bangladesh has been
published. That book
includes 106 species of
vascular plants of the
country describing their
conservation status.
Recently another project has
been launched by BNH
aiming to publish Red Data
Book of Vascular Plants of
Bangladesh vol.-2.
The Wildlife Act amended as Wildlife

(Conservation and Security) Act 2012.
Bangladesh Forest Department
developed Bangladesh Tiger Action
Plan (2009-2017).
Under the SRCWP project of BFD,
IUCN Bangladesh is facilitating the
development of Bangladesh Elephant
Action Plan for 2015-2024.
Several Protected Area Management
Plans have been developed by
Bangladesh Forest Department under
various projects (e.g. SRCWP).
Community Reserves maps: Arannayk
Foundation with the support from
USAID, GIZ and Bangladesh Forest
Department supporting communitybased conservation practices in PAs of
the country. Several programmes have
been continued in Chunati Wildlife
Sanctuary, Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary
and Inani Nature Reserve under these
initiative since 2010.
CREL and CBA-ECA projects: Village
level plans are made, focusing on
climate resilience and livelihood
improvement.
Activities have been undertaken around
Marine Protected Area(MPA) under the
BoBLME project supported by FAO.
Turtle conservation has recently been
taken under CWBMP and CBA-ECA
projects.
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Actions in NBSAP
the people by: promoting
cultivation of nutritional
crops and droughtresistant varieties;
setting up community
seed banks; provision of
access to nutritious food;
and raising awareness of
addressing spells/cycles
of hidden and transient
hunger.
3. Restore
ecosystems
and
rehabilitate
endangered
species.

Support sustainable
harvesting of biodiversity
and management of
biological resources.
Conserve the genetic
pool of plants and
animals, both in ex-situ
and in-situ conditions,
through appropriate local
actions.
Promote indigenous
methods of conservation
and management of
jhum agrobiodiversity
with appropriate
incentives.
Promote sustainable
agriculture through
diversification of crop
production and
introducing broader
diversity in crops as well
as innovative techniques
such as participatory
plant breeding.
Incorporate
ecosystem conservation
efforts into the national
disaster management
plan implementation.
Support rehabilitation
of the rare, threatened
and endangered native,
wild and domesticated
species.
Implement plans for
management of species
under the rare,
threatened and
endangered categories.
Develop action plans
for reducing levels of
pollution both in rural
and urban areas to
support conservation
efforts.
Support development
of assessment,
management and
monitoring plans both at

(MoEF, 2010)

Co-management has been initiated in
various forest PAs, Wetlands ECAs
through IPAC followed by CREL project.
Jaflong-Dawki River has been declared
ECA by the DoE. Management
initiatives have been taken in some
ECAs through CWBMP and the CBAECA projects. Halda River is also in the
process to be declared as ECA.
Under the SRCWP, some initiatives
have been taken by the Bangladesh
Forest Department to study spoonbill
sandpiper and marine turtle monitoring
in the coastal ECA of the country.
Bird colonies: In North Bengal, more
than 40 colonies are being managed by
different stakeholders along with the
Bangladesh Forest Department.
Establishing assurance colonies of
Batagur baska was initiated by
CARINAM in 2009 with support from the
BFD at Bhawal National Park, currently
being managed by IUCN-Bangladesh
A good number of Community
Conservation Areas have been
establsihed in the CHT under different
initiatives.
Protected Area System (In

IUCN Bangladesh is updating the
last 5 years three new
animal Red List for
national parks and one new
Bangladesh. Details of this on-going
wildlife sanctuary have been
project is available on
designated);
www.iucnredlistbd.org
River around Dhaka city
have been declared as
Two Vulture Safe Zones have been
Ecologically Critical Area to
declared by the Forest Department in
safe guard its biodiversity;
December 2014 in the Sylhet and
Khulna regions (IUCN Bangladesh,
CWBMP, IPAC and Tangua
2015).
haor management plan have
taken ecosystem approach
to protect the habitat;
Captive breeding of globally Critically
Endangered turtle Batagur baska is
Tangua haor management
going on in Bhawal National Park since
plan and CBRMP have been
2010. A new breeding center for this
working to restore wetland
species has been established in the
and swamp forest
Sundarban in 2014.
ecosystems.
Elephant habitat improvement: 240 ha
(south-east of Bangladesh (SRCWP);
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Actions in NBSAP
ecosystem and species
levels.
Create and launch
initiatives for restoration
of degraded ecosystems.

(MoEF, 2010)
Medium term (4-7

years)
Develop mechanisms
to halt degradation and
restore ecosystems as
much as possible.
Review and update
Red Book lists of
threatened and
endangered species.

Common Langur conservation
(SRCWP); Crocodile breeding at
Koromjal (Bangladesh Forest
Department); and Olive Riddley Turtle:
MarineLife (SRCWP).
Bangladesh Forest Department
established few Wildlife Rescue Centres
in different regions of the country to
rescue and for the protection of
confiscated wildlife of the country.
Bangladesh National Herbarium is
implementing a project to complete Red
Book on vascular plants of Bangladesh.
The Volume 2 was published in 2013
(describing 120 threatened species).
The Volume 3 is expected to be
published by 2015.

Encourage
afforestation and
reforestation
programmes with
indigenous species.
Regulate shifting
cultivation and introduce
and extend, as
appropriate, innovative
farming practices
developed and adopted
by farmers.
Afforestation and reforestation by the

Bangladesh Forest Department includes
indigenous species.
DoE has taken an ecosystem-based
adaptation (EbA) project in Hakaluki
Haor and Barind tract.
CBA-ECA project of DoE: restoration of
beels and canals in the haor; 300-400
hectare mangrove plantation in the
south-west area.
There has been some recent initiatives/
innovations in the CHT by the
Department of Agricultural Extension
and the Soil Resource Development
Institute and other projects on farming
practice.
4. Adopt
national
measures and
standards to
deal with
invasive alien
species and
genetically
modified
organisms.

Develop national
management plans for
control and eradication of
invasive alien species.
Support capacity
building on identification
of invasive species and
genetically modified
organisms.
Develop a national
biosafety framework.
Locally monitor and
prevent the release of
IAS and hybrids in
aquatic ecosystems.
Medium term (4-7
years)
Develop capacity
building tools and
methods for local
communities to deal with
identification,
Plant Quarantine system

with limited capacity is in
place to control IAS;
NBF has been developed
in 2006 and biosafety
rules have been drafted
in compliance with
Cartagena Protocol on
Biosafety;
Biosafety Clearing House
(BCH) has been established
and got connected with
central portal operated by
SCBD;
Implementation project
on NBF is underway to
be initiated;
Bangaldesh is
participating in regional
dialogue in managing
IAS and GMOs
DoF has addressed the issues of

invasive fishes like African Catfish and
Piranha.
Implementation of Biosafety Framework:
local, regional and international
developments and cooperation/dialogues,
initiatives have made slow progress.
Various committees are
working at the check points.
78 | P a g e
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Actions in NBSAP
management and control
of invasive species and
GMOs.
Build awareness of
biosafety and biopiracy
issues among local
communities and within
the Customs Service.

(MoEF, 2010)

Long term (8-10 years)

Support establishment
of monitoring systems for
addressing issues of
regional and international
trade and their impact on
movement and/or
introduction of invasive
species and genetically
modified organisms.
Support economic and
social impact studies on
use of genetically
modified organisms and
alien species.
Encourage regional
dialogue on sharing of
expertise and resources
in management of IAS
and GMOs.
5. Promote
equitable
sharing of
biodiversity
conservation
costs and
benefits
among
different
sectors of the
society.

Develop and
Regulatory regime on ABS
implement national
has yet to be established;
access and benefit
sharing regime on
A detailed assessment on
genetic resources.
IPR is yet to be furnished;
Identify impacts of
trade and IPR regimes
Comprehensive
on national policies
documentation on
regarding access and
indigenous and traditional
benefit sharing.
knowledge is yet to be
Develop suitable
accomplished
national policies on
patents and IPRs, which,
in addition to being
responsive to local
needs, will also
contribute to international
cooperation in the use of
biological resources.
Encourage
documentation and
protection of traditional
knowledge associated
with conservation and
use.
Bangladesh Biological Diversity Act has

been vetted and got final endorsement by
the cabinet of the government.
Documentation of traditional knowledge
is sporadically on-going by Arranyak
Foundation and other research
organizations.
Bangladesh Agricultural University:
Documentation of 46 under-utilized native
and naturalized fruit tree species which
may be used for food, fibre, animal
fodder, oil, medicine and many other
undeveloped / untapped potential uses
(Rahim et al., 2011).
Institute of Forestry and Environmental
Sciences (IFESCU), University of
Chittagong: A recent study in Sitapahar
forest reserve in Kaptai identified 31
under-utilized or lesser-known tree
species with their distribution, growth and
regeneration potential (M.K. Hossain,
IFESCU, personal communication).
Medium term (4-7

years)
Develop capacities for
research and
development on use of
species and genetic
resources.
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Actions in NBSAP
Develop mechanisms
for private sector
investment into
sustainable use of
biodiversity by revision of
appropriate policies and
provision of incentives
for such investments.
Promote development
and commercialization of
under-utilized crops and
species.
Institute rewards and
incentives for the
conservation of
indigenous crops,
genetic materials, and
best practices of
resource use.
6. Contrib
ute to raising
awareness
and building
capacity of
biodiversity
conservation
among the
different
sectors of the
society.

(MoEF, 2010)

Ensure that all sectors Efficiency in awarding
of the Bangladesh
Environmental Clearance
society, including
Certificate has been
Government at different
enhanced by the
levels, are fully aware of
both the need to
through various legal and
conserve biodiversity
administrative measures;
and their personal and
institutional
Bangladesh National
responsibilities involved
Herbarium and some
in this task.
universities have the
Build taxonomic
Taxonomic Capacity. But
capacity for lower groups
the capacity in this regard
of plants, invertebrates,
has to be strengthened;
microorganisms and
threatened/endangered
Environmental Curriculum
species.
on
Promote
Environment has been
understanding and
developed by the
awareness of the
Department of
stakeholders of the
Environment for school level
importance and methods
education awareness.
of conservation through
developing appropriate
communication tools,
including materials in
local language.
Medium term (4-7
years)
Develop the capacity
of different sectors,
including the
Government, of
implementing the
necessary tasks in
respect of biodiversity
conservation, as
appropriate.
Strengthen existing
capacity of Department
of Environment to
address the

Under the SRCWP, higher study of

Bangladesh Forest Department staff,
and participation in international courses
(Deradun, India) and exposure visits,
and attaining MS degree have been
supported.
CREL: Government officials' capacity has
been developed through various training.
An analysis of plant taxonomy study in
Bangladesh over last 40 years revealed a
positive trend in the study of lower groups
(Irfanullah, 2013). IUCN's on-going
initiative on Red List updating has
included invertebrates (crustaceans and
butterflies).
It has been found that studies on higher
vertebrates, especially wildlife studies
increased several fold during last decade
dramatically. Multi-dimensional studies on
different aspects of wildlife ecology,
management and conservation have
been increasing during the last two
decades. Several new dimension of
wildlife studies started after 2010, viz
human-wildlife conflicts, effect of climate
change on wildlife and bidirectional
pathogen transfer between wildlife and
human. Data on status and distribution of
wildlife regularly updated in the national
list, not only by the wildlife experts, but
also by a large group of enthusiastic
amateurs/bird lovers (Divisional Forest
Office, Rajshahi Wildlife). Similar
systematic analysis on fishes is absent.
Homestead forestry: Biodiversity
conservation through involvement of local
people in Community Conserved Areas is
a traditional management system in the
80 | P a g e
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Strategy
Actions in NBSAP
Environmental Clearance
Certificate more
efficiently.
Provide institutional
support for conserving
homestead forestry.
Build capacity in local
communities, especially
those that live around the
PAs to serve as tour
guides where market
research demonstrates a
viable ecotourism
potential.
Curriculum
development and training
of the trainers (ToT) on
biodiversity.

(MoEF, 2010)

Document and
register the traditional
knowledge developed
over the centuries by the
people.
Assess extent which
the sui generis system of
Bangladesh is able to
protect the intellectual
property rights of local
communities.
Medium term (4-7
years)
Provide incentives to
communities to conserve
CHT. Arannayk Foundation is working

involving local people of several areas of
the CHT, viz Dighinala, Komolchari,
Wagga, Rongchari, Lama and Kafrulpara
for conserving biodiversity of these areas.
The Government is implementing a
project on Biodiversity Conservation and
Eco-tourism Development in
Bangladesh.
In 2014, a Committee was formed under
the Ministry of Cultural Affiars to
establish Bangladesh Natural History
Museum.
Under Padma Bridge project, a
biodiversity/natural resources museum is
being established.

Build capacity of local
communities to monitor
and report on the status
of biodiversity, threats,
and underlying causes.
Integrate conservation
and sustainable use into
both formal and nonformal education
programmes through the
provision of education
opportunities that
particularly target the
poor and natural
resource dependent
communities, e.g. those
living in PAs.
Establish regional
herbaria and botanical
gardens and the
Bangladesh Museum of
Natural History.
Integrate biodiversitybased curricula into the
formal education system
and update regularly.
7. Promote
use of
traditional
knowledge
for
conservation,
use and
protection of
the local
communities
intellectual
property
rights.

Establishment of Botanical Garden at

Chittagong has been initiated by BFD.
Awareness programmes: Extensively
going on elephant, tiger, hanuman,
common lengur, vulture, migratory birds,
etc through GO-NGO initiatives.
No assessment done in true

sense
Various NGOs have
gathered data on the
traditional knowledge
regarding resource
management and
biodiversity conservation,
however any national level
initiative is still lacking.
On-going CREL (USAID-funded),

SEALS project (EU-funded), GIZ
Arannayk funded and Mangrove for the
Future (MFF) (SIDA-DANIDA-funded)
projects have community-based
approaches in biodiversity-rich
ecosystems, sometimes in connection to
resilience building and markets
development.
A book on the Traditional

uses of ethnomedicinal
plants of the Chittagong Hill
Tracts has been published.
That book includes the
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Actions in NBSAP
indigenous food and
other economic plants

(MoEF, 2010)
enumeration and
photographs of 700
medicinal plant used by the
different indigenous tribal
communities live in the
CHTs area and the total
pharmacology of 301
diseases treated by tribal
kabiraj/Boidhyas.


Promote forestry
activities with a focus
sustainable harvesting
and management of fuel
wood and Non-Timber
Forest Products (NTFPs)
by supporting activities
Under IPAC programme
such as Joint Forest
sustainable NTFPs
Management and
management programme
development of
have been outlined
Community Wood lots
etc. (creating equitable
access among gender,
class and caste to forest
resources)
Promote the adoption
of Peoples Biodiversity
Registers throughout the
country
Integrate traditional
knowledge in local level
planning
8. Establish
institutions
for intersectoral
implementing
mechanism
for the
Bangladesh
National
Biodiversity
Strategy and
Action Plan.

Support establishment A national Technical
of an Apex Body for
Committee on Biodiversity
biodiversity conservation
has been formed headed by
for implementation of
the Secretary, Ministry of
NBSAP with suitable
Environment and Forest;
support mechanism
This Committee is
comprised of all the relevant
Medium term (4-7
institutions and government
years)
agencies relevant with
Develop capacities of
Biodiversity Conservation.
the members of this
The
proposed Apex Body for
Committee frequently
better implementation of
meets to make policy
NBSAP
decisions on biodiversity
conservation in
Bangladesh
Support development
of monitoring and
evaluation tools for
assessing the
implementation of
NBSAP besides
addressing issues of
opportunities and threats
Enhance cooperation
among agencies
andministries on issues
of ownership of NBSA
Support mainstreaming
biodiversity conservation,
issues and actions
identified under NBSAP
into other sectors,
agencies and their action
plans as well as into
PRSPs and NAPA
Tiger Conservation Committee: The

Committee frequently meets to make
policy decisions on tiger conservation in
Bangladesh.
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Strategy
9. Enhance
Protected
Area
Management,
recognizing
the benefits
of
collaboration
with local
communities
in their
management
(Comanagement)

(MoEF, 2010)
Short term (0- 3 years) Actions are underway
Identify key habitats
through various project
that ensure ecosystem
activates to establish PA
integrity and connectivity
system and integrating co(corridors, migratory
management approach in
flyways of birds, etc) and
Biodiversity Conservation of
support actions to
the Ecologically Critical and
maintain and promote
Protected Areas.
such connectivity
Bangladesh National
between the earmarked
Herbarium has identified a
critical and sensitive
number of key habitats that
areas
ensure ecosystem integrity
but the management of
Medium term (4-7
those habitats is not under
years)
BNH. In this case BNH can
Develop suitable
provide only technical
measures to promote cosupports.
management of PAs and
designate community
conservation areas
Reorganize the
structural pattern of the
Forest Department and
strengthen the capacity
of personnel for PA
management
Actions in NBSAP

Identify, create and
manage National
Biodiversity
Conservation Areas,
Protected Areas (PAs)
and biodiversity hot
spots and suggest
appropriate actions to
promote environmental
sustainability
Establish a wellmanaged and
representative protected
area system, which is
responsive to the local
needs of communities, in
addition to supporting
conservation of
biodiversity
Establish a biosphere
reserve in the hilly parts
of Chittagong and the
CHTs
10. Ensure
wise use of
wetland
resources.

Identify key habitats
that ensure ecosystem
integrity and connectivity
(migratory flyways of
birds, fish passes, etc)
and support actions to
maintain and promote
such connectivity
between the earmarked

Assessments on elephant corridors have
been done under IUCN's elephant
projects under the SRCWP. Other
projects include wildlife habitats are
USAID's tiger conservation project by
WildTeam, CREL project, and GIZ's
projects.
Bangladesh joined East AsianAustralasian Flyway (EAAF) partnership
for protection of Wetlands and
Migratory Water Birds. Five PA
management plans are deveveloped
under the SRCWP and another five are
on-going now.
After successful implementation of
Nishorgo and IPAC projects, CREL
project is now being implemented since
2013 by taking climate-resilience
building approach in biodiversity-rich
areas.
Village Conservation Group (VCG) and
Village Conservation Areas (VCA)
Committees are established in various
PAs and ECAs.
Infrastructures for Co-Management
Committees (CMCs) progressed well.
Except a few initiatives for

the conservation of
wetlands, the vast area in
the country still deserve a
huge attention in terms of
sustainable use through
provisioning of alternative
livelihood and so many other
measures to minimize
resource exploitation.
A good number of projects have been

and are being implmented by different
agencies, namely Tanguar Haor project
of MoEF funded by SDC; CBA-ECA of
DoE; Wetland Biodiversity
Rehabilitation Project funded by GIZ
and SRCWP of BFD and CREL project
funded by USAID.
Committees formed at different tiers in
case of some ecosystems,e.g. Cox's
83 | P a g e
NBSAP
Strategy
Actions in NBSAP
critical and sensitive
areas.
Develop communitybased wetland and
aquatic resources
management
Medium term (4-7
years)
Promote and ensure
income generation
activities during the fish
breeding season for
people those are
dependent on fishing
only.

(MoEF, 2010)

Bazaar-Teknaf Peninsula ECA,
Hakaluki Haor ECA, and Tanguar
Haor.
IUCN recently published a book on
migration, breeding and conservation
of Hilsa Shad in Bangladesh and India
(Ahsan et al., 2014).
Valuation of ecosystem services of
selected ecosystems (wetland, hills and
coast) are underway under the
updating and mainstreaming of NBSAP
project (2015).

Promote conservation
of biodiversity through
ecosystem approach for
watershed management
in order to ensure
adequate water supply,
in terms of quality and
quantity, for households
by developing
appropriate management
plans for watersheds and
their use.
Establish and manage
fish sanctuaries both in
fresh water and marine
ecosystem including
brush piles in fresh
water ecosystem.
Ensure the sectoral
policies on fisheries,
aquatic resources and
water managements are
in keeping with the
NBSAP.
11.
Establis
h participatory
mechanisms
to receive and
utilize the
inputs from
private sector,
civil society
and local
communities
about the
different
process
leading to
biodiversity
conservation,
use and
sharing of
benefits.

Ensure that
appropriate participatory
processes/ collaborative
mechanisms are put in
place in all activities
related with biodiversity
conservation, including
the NBSAP
implementation
mechanisms.
Identify and establish
the mechanism of
cooperation between
related agencies for
taking forward the
actions identified under
the NBSAP
Government has adopted

PPP approach in various
environmental and resource
management programmes.
Govermment introduced that 50%

revenue generated from PA
management (entry fee and other
charges) to go to CMCs
has established a
partnership program to
make combined effort on
environment conservation in
collaboration with relevant
N/GOs
Medium term (4-7

years)
Support development
of sectoral action plans,
84 | P a g e
NBSAP
Strategy
Actions in NBSAP
identifying the roles and
responsibilities of
government agencies
and departments.
Develop capacities as
well as understanding on
issues of conservation,
management and use to
relevant stakeholders
Further develop the
finance strategy
suggested under the
NBSAP to include ways
of cooperating with
private sector and
business community.

(MoEF, 2010)


Encourage budgetary
allocations to
implementation of
NBSAPs by different
agencies, including local
government bodies,
private sector and
NGOs.
12. Review
and develop
biodiversity
related
legislation(s)
and establish a
specific branch
in the Judiciary
to deal with
biodiversity
and
environmental
issues.

Review and
strengthen the legal and
policy regimes for
conservation and,
sustainable and
equitable use of
biological resources
Develop training
modules for Judiciary on
conservation and
environment
Ensure that the
proposed Biodiversity
Act is compatible to the
NBSAP
Strengthen individual
and institutional
capacities on issues of
trade and IPRs. WTO
rules and Access and
Benefit Sharing and
others.
Develop a national
policy to address the
issue of human-animal
conflicts in and around
protected areas,
especially transboundary issues
Medium term (4-7
years)
Enhance the
understanding of the
Judiciary on importance
of biodiversity, its links to
local livelihoods and
Regulation on IPR, plant

variety protection and
farmers rights have already
been developed.
Bangladesh Biological Diversity Act is

in the final stage to be enacted.
In 2012, the Government formulated a
new set of laws for the protection of
wildlife in the country and these were
adopted by the parliament as the
Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act
2012. The law contains a wide ranging
definition of wildlife and forest related
offences and crimes. Protected Areas
are elaborately expanded in this Act to
include 10 new types of areas for the
conservation and safety of wildlife.
ECA Rules are under preparation.
Wildlife Crime Control Unit has been
established under the Bangladesh
Forest Department in 2012.
Three other initiatives have also been
taken by the government to conserve
our biodiversity, viz. Brick Burning
(Control) (Amendment) Act, 2013, Sawmill (License) Rules, 2012, and Transit
Rule for Bangladesh, 2011.
3R Strategy and Programmatic Clean
Development Mechanism (on-going) has positive implication on wetland
conservation
85 | P a g e
NBSAP
Strategy
13. Establish
an open and
transparent
monitoring
and reporting
system status
and trends of
implementing
the principles
of CBD.
14. Develop
a financial
strategy that is
innovative and
sustainable.
Actions in NBSAP
environment, emerging
international trends in
environmental law
Establish a
information sharing
mechanism on
environmental justice
and related provisions
Develop tools and
techniques for monitoring
and implementation of
NBSAP
Prepare biodiversity
baseline report and
develop reporting tools.
Identify options for
participatory
implementation of
NBSAP
Medium term (4-7
years)
Encourage public and
private sector initiatives
on supporting
implementation and
monitoring of actions
through provision of
appropriate incentives.
Identify ways of
realizing the principles of
the financial strategy that
identifies possible
sources of support for
implementation of
NBSAP
Assist agencies and
ministries in identifying
funding strategies for
conservation as well as
encourage resource
allocations through their
annual budgets
Develop a medium
term and long-term
investment plan for
realizing the actions
under NBSAP
Medium term (4-7
years)
Encourage donors
and partners to
mainstream elements of
NBSAP and the actions
thereof into their plans
and programmes of
support
Support development
of innovative funding

(MoEF, 2010)

Bangladesh Government
has introduced environment
conservation award to
encourage public initiatives
towards environment
conservation.
Bangladesh developed and submitted

both 4th and 5th NR to CBD secreteriate.
Both the reports were developed in
consultative process and participatory
manner.
There is no separate
financial mechanism yet in
place to support the
implementation of NBSAP.
Government of Bangladesh
has sporadic financial
arrangements through its
MTBF (Mid-Term
Budgetary Framework) to
support project based
biodiversity conservation
efforts.
NSAPR (National Strategy
for accelerated Poverty
Reduction) has also
highlighted conservation of
biodiversity with specific
targets to be achieved.
The 7th Five Year Plan (2015-20)

considered implementation of NBSAP
targets in a broader way.
Co-management Council Fund given by
Arranyak Foundation and CREL, as
seed money.
CBA-ECA: Endowment fund
established at upazila level in selected
ECAs.
PA entry fees: Introduced and managed
under co-management arrangement.
Tanguar Haor: Fish catch sharing
applied among the fisher community,
co-management committee and the
administration.
The World Bank-funded Bangladesh
Forest Department's SRCWP project is
supporting NGOs to conduct 24
projects. In addition to these, 10
projects are being implemented by
government agencies.
(www.regionalwildlife.gov.bd).
Overall, many projects gave revolving
funds to CBOs; and many are
functioning till now
86 | P a g e
The National Plan for Disaster

Management (2010-15), has not
included elements of contribution from
biodiversity.
NAPA and BCCSAP have

been developed by the
Government of Bangladesh
to address climate change
risks. Both this policy
document have got specific
elements to address
climatic impacts on
Biodiversity
NAP updated under UNCCD has

considered conservation of Biodiversity
Bangladesh Delta Plan under
preparation has also given importance
to biodiversity and natural resources
conservation.
CDMP is working on
integrating biodiversity
issues into disaster
management programmes.
Implementation and
Medium term (4-7

years)
Develop local
activities on issues of
adaptation and
mitigation.
Develop a portfolio of
actions on anticipatory
research to address the
future offsets of climate
change

Progress Towards
Aichir Biodiversity Targets
options for actions under

NBSAP
Encourage private
sector partnership on
financing implementation
with appropriate
monitoring mechanisms
Review and revise
national disaster
management plans that
include elements of
contributions from
biodiversity into
implementing such
plans.

(MoEF, 2010)

Identify options for
carbon markets that are
linked to quality carbon
sequestration
Integrate elements of
conservation of
biodiversity and
development planning
into National Adaptation
Programmes of Action
(NAPAs).
Support development
of policies that address
issues of mitigating the
impacts of trade,
globalization and IPRs
on local livelihoods as
well as conservation.
Promote sustainable
use practices and market
linkages by developing
policies and regulations
through cooperatives
and other appropriate
mechanisms
Promote sustainable
agricultural practices by:
providing incentives to
farmers for following
sustainable practices;
supporting use of
modern and traditional
technology blends;
supporting effective
Concluding Remarks
15. Address
issues of
synergies with
other
Multilateral
Environmental
Agreements
(MEAs) and
process that
deal with
climate
change,
disaster
management,
livelihoods,
food security
and
sustainable
development.
Actions in NBSAP
References
NBSAP
Strategy
87 | P a g e
NBSAP
Strategy
Actions in NBSAP
Public Distribution
System.
16. Integrate
biodiversity
conservation
into the
national
development
making,
planning and
process.

Develop anticipatory
methods to deal with
issues of managing the
environment, adoption of
new technologies and
strengthening resource
rights.
Encourage private
sector involvement in
development planning as
well as implementing propoor environmental and
fiscal reforms.
Medium term (4-7 years)
Strengthen institutional
and individual capacities at
the local level to deal with
issues of negotiation as
well as implementation.
Make foreign direct
investment pro-poor and
pro-environment.
Find ways to ensure
Multilateral Environmental
Agreements (MEAs) more
explicitly contribute to
poverty reduction in their
implementation.
Encourage sustainable
production and sustainable
consumption methods.
Enhance effectiveness
of development
cooperation and debt relief
that is not only based on
the WTO principles and
negotiations but also on
ethics and equity aimed at
sustainable development
and poverty reduction.

(MoEF, 2010)
NSAPR included
Biodiversity
PPP has been initiated for
natural resource
conservation under
various project activities.

IUCN Bangladesh developed a

community-based biodiversity
monitoring protocol for Tanguar Haor
(Alam et al., 2012).
Private sector engagement in
development planning as well as
implementing pro-poor environmental
and fiscal reforms are limited.
The Vision 2021 formulated by the
Government of Bangladesh in 2010
envisaged 'Environmentally Sustainable
Development' as a key approach.
Development of Bangladesh Delta Plan
2100 is under preparation.
7th Five Year Plan Integrated
Biodiversity issues.

Integrate povertyenvironment-development
issues into national
development frameworks.
Decentralize
environmental
management and prioritize
actions on the national
development agenda.
Reduce the
environmental vulnerability
of poor by providing
appropriate coping
strategies.
88 | P a g e
The noteworthy environment and biodiversity related policies in Bangladesh are Bangladesh
Environment Policy 1992, The Forest Policy 1994, The Water Policy 1999, National Landuse
Policy 2001, National Fisheries Policy 1998, and National Environment Management Action
Plan (NEMAP) 1995 that hold strong elements of biodiversity conservation. The level of
mainstreaming of the NBSAP into individual policies and strategies so far achieved in
Bangladesh may be said satisfactory. But the integration and harmonization among the
policies to achieve the common goal in respect to biodiversity conservation is still a big gap to
fill-in. Inter-sectoral conflicts still remain as challenges towards mainstreaming biodiversity in
the country.
Bangladesh has made some progress in implementing the NBSAP objectives by developing
new rules and acts. In some cases, existing legislative mechanisms are reviewed and
updated, e.g. the Wildlife Protection Act 1974 has been updated to Bangladesh Wildlife
(Conservation and Security) Act, 2012. The traditional form of government-owned wetland
leasing out systems has already been updated in 2005. Community based management
approaches instead of traditional leasing system in some government-owned wetlands has
been introduced in some cases. The Forest Policy of 1994 has explicit aim of bringing 25%
lands of the country under forest cover by 2015. Similar development initiatives have taken
place in Bangladesh in recent times that could be treated as the success in achieving NBSAP
principles. The Government, in dealing with climate change induced threats to biodiversity,
also puts sufficient emphasis to uphold the principles of CBD while developing and updating
National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) and Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and
Action Plan 2009 (BCCSAP).
89 | P a g e
Implementation and
Mainstreaming of the Bangladesh NBSAP requires concerted efforts and actions from all
relevant stakeholders to achieve the common goal of biodiversity conservation. Considering
the aim and spirit of the NBSAP, the priority areas are mainstreaming NBSAP into institutional
level, individual level and in policy and legislative framework. The Seventh Five Year Plan
(2015-16 to 2020-21) of the Government of Bangladesh has proposed to mainstream updated
NBSAP in line with the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
Progress Towards
Mainstreaming has to go a long way towards integrating various stakeholders related to

natural resource management of the country. Because various actors have their own
development mandates to achieve rather having focus on biodiversity conservation or
ensuring sustainable use. For example, the Ministry of Agriculture is setting priority at food
grain production by introducing high-yielding varieties. The Department of Fisheries also
wants to see fish production in terms of as many tons as possible with limited focus on fish
biodiversity conservation. The National Shrimp Policy 2014 is, however, an encouraging
example of integrating biodiversity conservation in economic development. Ministry of Water
Resources aims at extending geographical coverage of flood control drainage and Irrigation
schemes that caused serious hindrance to floodplain biodiversity.
Concluding Remarks
Mainstreaming is the important aspect of ensuring conservation of biodiversity, sustainable

use of its components or addressing the main drivers of the losses of biodiversity.
Mainstreaming should be taken place at the institutional, systemic and individual level. Despite
the formulation of the NBSAP in 2006, an absence of long-term comprehensive programme
in achieving implementation of the biodiversity strategies in various sectors is a setback
towards mainstreaming.
References
2.3 Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Sectoral and Crosssectoral Policies, Strategies and Programmes
The conservation efforts in some areas are undertaken by involving local stakeholders and
communities, especially in the wetland ecosystems of the country. Biodiversity issue is
intricately related with various development policies and programs of the government. In the
context of Bangladesh, if we look at various policies in the interface of biodiversity, we find
that policy regime has to go a long way towards mainstreaming. In this regard, integration of
Biodiversity in various policies and implementation of those policies is very vital. An analysis
of relevant policies with mainstreaming gaps is given in Table 42.
Table 42 Analysis of Biodiversity Related Major National Policies
Sl.
No
1
Name of the
sector or ministry
Ministry of
Environment and
Forests
Name
of the policy
Environment
Policy 1992
Conservation
elements and gaps
Section 3 has a clear mention of biodiversity and its
conservation as a cross- cutting issue. Section 4 has
suggested adoption of International Conventions, Treaties
and Protocols and thereby incorporated the issues of CBD.
-Do-
Forest Policy1 1994
Agriculture
National
Agriculture
Policy 2013
Fisheries
National
Policy
1998
Fisheries
-Do-
National
Policy
2014
Shrimp
Land
Jalmohal
(waterbody) Management
Policy
2009,
amended in 2012.
-Do-
Landuse
2001
-Do-
Khas Land
Settlement Policy
1995 & 1997
Biodiversity has been mentioned in this policy in a very

sketchy manner. None of the 29 statements of this policy
has incorporated biodiversity.
Biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of land and water
resources, IPM, integrated crop cultivation and collection,
conservation and use of genetic resources are emphasized.
Emphasis has been given to balanced use of fertilizer as
well as to popularize organic fertilizer.
The 5th objective has mentioned about the maintenance of
ecological balance and conservation of biodiversity. This is
enough to induce biodiversity in the fisheries sector.
National Fisheries Strategy 2006 has been formulated,
during policy revision this may be considered as well.
While emphasizing on shrimp farming, it has some mention
of Environment Friendly practices. Under item 2d of the
policy it has stated to conserve biodiversity in shrimp
cultivation area. Statement 5.3.5 of the policy has explicitly
stated to prohibit deforestation of mangroves for shrimp
farming, which may indirectly help conserve biodiversity.
This policy has mostly dealt with the leasing authorities of
government and control on water bodies depending on its
size. It has a mention of declare some of the government
owned waterbodies as fish reserve. Section 35 of this
policy has given an absolute authority to the Ministry of Land
to decide on these issues.
It has mentioned that the agricultural land was 22.6 million
acres which declined to 20.2 million acres in 1997. It has
expressed concern on the conversion of agricultural lands to
other uses. It has mentioned about the conservation of forest
land. It has suggested for land zoning and promulgation of a
zoning law. It stated that proper implementation of
environment policy 1992 and forest policy 1994 will bring in
overall improvement of the situation. Regarding wetland it
has opined that the present day production of 14 million tons
of fish from 4.3 million hectares of wetland can be enhanced
to 20 million tons. It has however expressed concern over
the decline of wetland in the country. It has suggested for
afforestation as well as settlements, on newly accreted
lands. It has suggested developing a land data bank as
well. It has suggested to go for certificate of land ownership.
There are two sets of policies (used as rules) namely
Agriculture Khas land management and settlement policy,
1997 and Non-Agriculture Khas land management and
Policy
1The Wildlife Conservation and Security Act declared in 2012, has all the required provisions towards biodiversity conservation, especially through
creation of protected areas. It has the provisions to go for conservation areas even on privately owned lands.
90 | P a g e
11
-Do-
12
Water Resource
ministry
13
-Do-
Khas Land
Settlement Policy
for Hotel Motel
1998
Salt Mohal
Management Policy
1998
National Water
Policy 1999
Coastal Zone
Policy 2005
has
any
It has no mention of biodiversity

It has indication on minimum stream flow and mention of
preservation of the environment. But it has no explicit
mention of biodiversity conservation.
It has incorporated the biodiversity aspects but under a
complex umbrella of many sectors. Thus it is completely
ineffective.
It has incorporated too many diverse issues as policy and
made it too complex, completed and confusing. It is a fact
that the coastal areas have too many elements to look into,
and a large number of national sectoral policies are in force
in this zone. The Coastal Zone Policy 2005 is too big as a
policy document. The identification of 19 districts as 'coast
zone' is an appreciable outcome of this document.
2.4 Challenges for implementing NBSAP

Although some notable activities have been accomplished so far, there are still challenges
towards implementing the NBSAP as given below:
Inter-sectoral communication and coordination.

Importance on conservation of biodiversity and its sustainable use.
Ill-understanding on ecosystem goods and services and their economic values.
Implementation of existing legislative mechanism or framework to halt the
conversion of biodiversity rich ecosystems into commercial, industrial and
settlement purposes.
Climate change induced hazards are taking heavy tolls on conservation
initiatives.
Spatial information gap regarding biodiversity and ecosystems related issues
Raising awarness about Biodiversity
Inadequate financial, technical and technological capacity of respective
organizations is a barrier for implementing the NBSAP in Bangladesh.
References
-Do-
Conservation
elements and gaps
settlement policy 1995. None of these
consideration of biodiversity.
It has no mention of biodiversity.
Implementation and
10
Name
of the policy
Progress Towards
Name of the
sector or ministry
Concluding Remarks
Sl.
No
91 | P a g e
3. Bangladesh's progress towards Aichi Biodiversity Targets

and Millennium Development Goals
3.1 Introduction
The 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the CBD held during 18-29
October 2010 adopted a revised and updated 'Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020'. This
plan provides an overarching global framework on biodiversity conservation after mixed
achievements of the implementation of the '2010 Biodiversity Targets'. This Strategic Plan
includes Aichi Biodiversity Targets 2020 a total of 20 targets set out under five Strategic
Goals (A-E) (Table 43).
In the light of the Startegic Plan and its Targets, Bangladesh has started updating its NBSAP
in 2014. Bangladesh NBSAP was originally prepared in 2006 (MoEF, 2006). Implementation
of NBSAP was assessed and shared with the CBD through Fourth National Report (MoEF,
2010). In tune to the spirit of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets Bangladesh is formulating its
national Targets through evidence-based approach. This approach entails indepth research
with a participatory, peer-reviewing process through multi-stakeholder and expert
consultations. In order to be effective, the Department of Environment under the Ministry of
Environment and Forests along with other government agencies attempted to integrate these
learnings into the Seventh Five Year Plan of Bangladesh.
3.2 Achievements towards Aichi Targets

The Aichi Biodiversity Targets came into effect since 2011 and sets 20 targets to be achieved
by 2020. Bangladesh is in the process of developing its National Biodiversity Targets until
2020 or beyond. As a requirement of the Fifth National Report to the CBD, Table 43 captures
the progress of Bangladesh towards achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets until 2015.
92 | P a g e
03
04
By 2020, at the latest, people are aware A commendable progress has been made at the
of the values of biodiversity and the steps
community awareness level around Protected Areas and
they can take to conserve and use it
Ecologically Critical Areas through various project
sustainably.
activities.
Some of the personnels of Biodiversity related agencies
are aware of the values of Biodviersity.
University level students and academia of relevant
discipline are aware of values of biodiversity through
education and research programmes.
A large number of people are aware on the issues of
biodiversity conservation through celebrating the World
Environment Day, the World Wetlands Day, the World
Migratory Birds Day, the Earth Day, the World Wildlife Day,
the international Tiger Day, the Vulture Day, the World
Ocean Day, World Water Day and the International Day for
Biodiversity to name a few. Greater mass awareness on
those significant days are yet to be devices.
By 2020, at the latest, biodiversity values In policy and planning processes, importance of
have been integrated into national and
biodiversity has already been incorporated to the some
local development and poverty reduction
extent (e.g. Constitutional inclusion, the Poverty Reduction
strategies and planning processes and
Strategy Paper & National Strategy for Accelerated Poverty
are being incorporated into national
Reduction and the latest 7th Five Year Plan).
accounting,
as
appropriate,
and Economic valuation of biodiversity and other ecosystem
reporting systems.
services are yet to be incorporated in national accounting
and reporting system.
By 2020, at the latest, incentives, Positive incentive in terms of price reduction of non-urea
including
subsidies,
harmful
to
fertilizer in order to discourage over-use of nitrogen or
biodiversity are eliminated, phased out
fertilizer.
or reformed in order to minimize or avoid The Government of Bangladesh is encouraging integrated
negative impacts, and positive incentives
pest management in order to minimize excess use of
for the conservation and sustainable use
fertilizer, pesticides and insecticides.
of biodiversity are developed and Reduced subsidy in chemical fertilizer is in place. Initiatives
applied, consistent and in harmony with
has been taken to conserve biodiversity by introducing
the Convention and other relevant
financial systems, for example, micro-capital grant,
international obligations, taking into
endowment fund (both under the CBA-ECA project) and
account
national
socioeconomic
alternative income generation activities (in numerous
conditions.
projects).
Diclofenac has been banned and Ketoprofen is in the
process of banning to save critically endangered vulture
population. Two Vulture Safe Zones were declared in
December 2014.
By 2020, at the latest, Governments, Bangladesh Bank (Central Bank) has established green
business and stakeholders at all levels
banking programme to support financing for energy
have taken steps to achieve or have
efficient and environment-friendly industrial activities.
implemented plans for sustainable Corporate social responsibility is coming into the scene to
production and consumption and have
meet the environmental standards.
kept the impacts of use of natural
resources well within safe ecological
limits.
Implementation and
Achievement until 2015
Progress Towards
02
Target Statement
References
Target
No
01
Concluding Remarks
Strategic Goal A: Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across
government and society- Aichi Biodiversity Targets 1 to 4
Table 43 Achievements under Strategic Goals of Aichi Biodiversity Targets 2020
93 | P a g e
Strategic Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use- Aichi Biodiversity
Targets 5 to 10
Target
No
05
06
07
08
09
10
Target Statement
Achievements until 2015
By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural No updated information on the rate of degradation and loss
habitats, including forests, is at least
of natural habitat.
halved and where feasible brought close The rate of Degradation of forests has been addressed
to
zero,
and
degradation
and
through expansion of Protected Area
fragmentation is significantly reduced.
Protected Areas, Ecologically Critical Areas and fish
sanctuaries have been established; the drivers of
degradation have not been addressed at its full range.
Ministry of Land is implementing land zoning at local level
(upazila or sub-district level).
Biological zoning approach has been adopted in some PA
to ensure the protection of wildlife species and floral
habitats.
By 2020 all fish and invertebrate stocks Department of Fisheries has introduced fishing area
and aquatic plants are managed and
restriction, seasonal fishing ban and banned bottom
harvested sustainably, legally and
trawling.
applying ecosystem based approaches, Sustainable management of aquatic resources has been
practiced in a limited scale at important ecosystems, e.g. in
so that overfishing is avoided, recovery
the Sundarban and Tanguar Haor.
plans and measures are in place for all
depleted species, fisheries have no Fisheries stock survey is regularly on-going in certain
significant
adverse
impacts
on
habitats.
threatened species and vulnerable Marine fisheries stock survey has been planned under the
ecosystems and the impacts of fisheries
economy action plan of the government.
on stocks, species and ecosystems are A large area has been brought under sanctuary
management and operationalized by the local fisher
within safe ecological limits.
communities.
Hilsa management plan is in place (2000, 2006).
By 2020 areas under agriculture, Policies and programmes are in place for fisheries and
aquaculture and forestry are managed
aquaculture; but not adequately implemented as of now.
sustainably, ensuring conservation of
No specific policy and strong programme are available for
biodiversity.
agriculture and aquaculture in terms of biodiversity
conservation.
Forests are now managed sustainably, no extraction of
trees from natural forests, only sustainable extraction is
allowed from plantations of the reserved forests
Some Protected Areas and wetlands have management
plans pertaining to biodiversity conservation promoting comanagement of forest and wetland resources.
Fertilizer Management guidelines are in place.
By 2020, pollution, including from excess Activities like, Environment Impact Assessments,
nutrients, has been brought to levels that
installation of effluent treatment plants, monitoring and
enforcement, damage assessment and integrated pest
are not detrimental to ecosystem
function and biodiversity.
management have been undertaken widely.
By 2020, invasive alien species and Quarantine system has been established at the ports of
pathways are identified and prioritized,
entry. However, there is space to enhance the capacity of
priority species are controlled or
manpower and logistics, in order to increase functionality
eradicated, and measures are in place to
of the system.
manage pathways to prevent their
introduction and establishment.
By 2015, the multiple anthropogenic Some initiatives to reduce anthropogenic pressures on
pressures on coral reefs, and other
mangrove ecosystem and inland wetlands have been
vulnerable ecosystems impacted by
taken. For example, CREL project is being implemented
climate change or ocean acidification are
with the aim to improve the livelihoods of local communities
minimized, so as to maintain their
dependent on vulnerable and critical ecosystems, like
integrity and functioning.
corals in the St. Martins Island.
94 | P a g e
12
By 2020 the extinction of known Red List of animals prepared by IUCN Bangladesh is in
threatened species has been prevented
place (2000). This is currently being updated by IUCN
and
their
conservation
status,
Bangladesh under the SRCWP project of Bangladesh
particularly of those most in decline, has
Forest Department.
been improved and sustained.
Implementation of Tiger Action Plan (2009-2017)
13
By 2020, the genetic diversity of A good number of germplasms of cultivated crops and
cultivated plants and farmed and
commercially viable plant species are preserved in
domesticated animals and of wild
government research institutes and universities. Limited
relatives,
including
other
socioprivate sector involvement is present currently.
economically as well as culturally
valuable species, is maintained, and
strategies have been developed and
implemented for minimizing genetic
erosion and safeguarding their genetic
diversity.
Strategic Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services- Aichi Biodiversity
Targets 14 to16
Target
No
14
15
16
Target Statement
By 2020, ecosystems that provide Significant progress has been made in this area. Major
essential services, including services
ecosystems, like Tanguar Haor, Hakaluki Haor, Hail Haor,
related to water, and contribute to
Sonadia Island, Lawachara Forest, Teknaf Forest, Chunati
health, livelihoods and well-being, are
Wildlife Sanctuary, Modhupur National Park, and
restored and safeguarded, taking into
Community Conserved Areas in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
account the needs of women,
are examples of steps taken to restore and safeguard
indigenous and local communities, and
focusing co-management and community-based natural
the poor and vulnerable.
resource management approaches.
Substantial portion of plain land forest Ecosystems has
already been restored through implementing social forestry
system with the involvement of women, poor and vulnerable
people of local communities as beneficiaries.
By 2020, ecosystem resilience and the
contribution of biodiversity to carbon
stocks has been enhanced, through
conservation and restoration, including
restoration of at least 15 per cent of
degraded
ecosystems,
thereby
contributing
to
climate
change
mitigation and adaptation and to
combating desertification.
By 2015, the Nagoya Protocol on
Access to Genetic Resources and the
Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits
Arising from their Utilization is in force
and operational, consistent with
national legislation.
Carbon stock of 15 Protected Area including Sundarbans

has been assessed already.
More than 15% of the plain land forests have been restored.
Government has taken initiatives to restore the ecosystems
of hill forests through massive enrichment plantation, natural
regeneration and introduction of Social Forestry in the hilly
districts of Bangladesh.
In September 2011, Bangladesh signed the Nagoya
Protocol to the CBD.
Bangladesh has finalized Bangladesh Biological Diversity
Act which addressed access benefit sharing issues.
95 | P a g e
Implementation and
By 2020, at least 17 per cent of 38 forest PAs now cover 1.8% of the total area of the country
terrestrial and inland water areas, and
and about 10.55% of the total forest area. 13 ECAs declared
10 per cent of coastal and marine areas,
in the wetlands areas covering 384,529 ha which is 2.60%
especially
areas
of
particular
of the total country. The total marine protected area is 2,436
importance
for
biodiversity
and
sq. km which is 2.05% of total marine area (118,813 sq. km)
ecosystem services, are conserved
of Bangladesh.
through effectively and equitably
managed, ecologically representative
and well connected systems of
protected areas and other effective
area-based conservation measures,
and integrated into the wider
landscapes and seascapes.
Progress Towards
Concluding Remarks
Target Statement
References
Target
No
11
Strategic Goal C: To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic
diversity Aichi Biodiversity Targets 11 to 13
Strategic Goal E: Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity
building- Aichi Biodiversity Targets 17 to 20
Target
No
17
18
19
20
Target Statement
By 2015 each Party has developed,

adopted as a policy instrument, and has
commenced implementing an effective,
participatory and updated national
biodiversity strategy and action plan.
By 2020, the traditional knowledge,
innovations and practices of indigenous
and local communities relevant for the
conservation and sustainable use of
biodiversity, and their customary use of
biological resources, are respected,
subject to national legislation and
relevant international obligations, and
fully integrated and reflected in the
implementation of the Convention with
the full and effective participation of
indigenous and local communities, at all
relevant levels.
By 2020, knowledge, the science base
and
technologies
relating
to
biodiversity, its values, functioning,
status
and
trends,
and
the
consequences of its loss, are improved,
widely shared and transferred, and
applied.
Updating of the NBSAP is underway by Department of

Environment since 2014.
Consultation at different levels is in progress for updating the
NBSAP by 2016.
Traditional knowledge related to biodiversity has been
documented, like the Aurvedic practices, including an
establishment of a university.
A book entitled Traditional use of ethnomedicinal plants of
the Chittagong Hill Tracts has been published by the
Government of Bangladesh.
Hill communities traditional medicinal knowledge and
practices have been documented in many research papers
and books.
Research on commercially important crop genetic resources

are being carried out by national agricultural research
institutes on rice, jute, tea and many agricultural and
horticultural crops.
DNA bar-coding initiated in taxonomic identification of
species.
Study is being conducted on state of research and
assessment of technological needs.
By 2020, at the latest, the mobilization NBSAP updating process included activity on developing
of financial resources for effectively
resource mobilization strategy.
implementing the Strategic Plan for
Biodiversity
2011-2020
from
all
sources, and in accordance with the
consolidated and agreed process in the
Strategy for Resource Mobilization
should increase substantially from the
current levels. This target will be subject
to changes contingent to resource
needs assessments to be developed
and reported by Parties.
96 | P a g e
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were adopted by 147 Heads of State and 189
States in the United Nations (UN) global conferences of the 1990s. The United Nations
Millennium Declaration of the year 2000 marked a strong commitment to many dimensions of
poverty and to sustainable human development. Progress of Bangladesh in achieving the
eight MDGs were published in the latest report entitled The Millennium Development Goals:
Bangladesh Progress Report 2015 (GED, 2015).
The Government of Bangladesh has the latest report on MDG in 2015 detailing the
achievement of the following goals:
Implementation and
Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger

Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education
Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality
Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability
Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development
References
Concluding Remarks
Various news media, governmental and non-governmental organizations have reported on

the MDGs over the years. It is eminent that Bangladesh has surpassed expectations of
achievements and quoted as the 'role model' towards achieving the goals. The Table 44
summarises the current status and challenges of the MDG 7 (Ensure Environmental
Sustainability) in Bangladesh.
Progress Towards
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
3.3 Contribution to the Millennium Development Goals
97 | P a g e
Table 44 Current Status and Challenges in Attaining Targets of MDG 7

Targets and Indicators
Base year
1990/91
Status in
2000
Current status
(source)
Target by
2015
Target 7.A: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs and
reverse the loss of environmental resources
Target 7.B: Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss
7.1: Proportion of land area
covered by forest, %
(tree coverage)
9.0
11.3
7.2: CO2 emissions, total, per capita and per $1 GDP (PPP)
7.2a: CO2 emissions, metric
0.14
0.21
tons per capita
7.3: Consumption of ozone202.1
816.4
depleting substances in
ODP
ODP tonnes
tonnes
7.4: Proportion of fish stocks
within safe biological
limit
7.5: Proportion of total water
resources used
7.6: Proportion of terrestrial
and marine areas
protected
13.40 (DoF 2014)

(Tree density>30%)
20.0
(Density
>70%
0.23
(2nd
National
Communication, 2012)
64.88
(DoE, 2013)
65.39
54 inland and 16 marine

species
2.9% (UNSD 2010)
0.91
3.15
1.81% (Terrestrial)
1.34% (Marine)
BFD,2013
5.0
a. 23% of resident
vertebrates (IUCN 2003)
b. 5.81% of vascular plants
(BNH 2013)
Target 7.C: Halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic
sanitation
7.8: Proportion of population
68
76
97.9
100
using an improved
(MICS 2012-2013)
drinking water source
98.5 (SVRS 2013
7.7: Proportion of species
threatened with extinction
7.9: Proportion of population

34
45
55.9 (MICS 2012-2013)
using an improved
64.2
sanitation facility
(SVRS 2013)
Target 7.D: Halve, by 2020, to have achieved a significant improvement in the lives of at least
100 million slum dwellers
7.10: Proportion of urban
7.8
5.25 (BBS, 2014)
population living in slums
(BBS 2001)
100
Source: GED, 2015
Through this section, a view on the complementarity between the MDGs and Aichi Targets is
seen. It is important to note that the eight MDGs and five Strategic Goals of the Aichi Targets
are mostly complementary in nature. Nevertheless, it can be said that the Aichi Strategic Goals
address specifically the importance of biodiversity in the environmental pillar of sustainable
development concept and the 7th Goal of the MDG. Thus, Aichi Strategic Goals can be
envisioned as goals that, if achieved, would continue to fulfill the relevant Goals of SDG that
is adopted after the era of MDG.
98 | P a g e
Bangladesh is currently updating its NBSAP originally prepared in 2004. The revised NBSAP would
give country the opportunity to give a momentum in biodiversity conservation. A new set of national
targets in the light of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets 2020 would help Bangladesh to identify areas
to focus on, especially by mainstreaming biodiversity in all pertinent sectors and national efforts.
On a global scale, a new set of 17 goals have recently been approved in September 2015 in the
General Assembly of the United Nations as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These
goals have 169 targets and aim to carry out sustainable development in the post-MDG era until
2030. Biodiversity has been exclusively upheld in the Goals 14 and 15, focusing on marine and
terrestrial ecosystems separately. It is believed that coherence between the MDG and Aichi
Biodiversity Targets 2020 will continue in the SDG era.
The Sixth National Report to the CBD is due in a few years time. The lessons learnt from the whole
exercise of developing national biodiversity assessment report trigger some important way
forwards:
The preparation of such report has to be done by DoE itself with maximum efforts of DoEs
own manpower and resources.
DoE has to gather relevant information into in a continuous basis so that when submission
time arrives, the report could quickly be developed and submitted.
DoE have to update the biodiversity database in a systematic manner through CHM, so
that gathering information does not become a herculian task at the time of report
preparation.
99 | P a g e
Implementation and
Progress Towards
The report also states achievements towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets 2020 and the progress
of implementing MDG's environmental targets in the light of biodiversity conservation in
Bangladesh. The country is in the process of developing national biodiversity targets for 2020 in
the light of Aichi Targets. In this report, however, a progress is given against the global Targets
2020. Essentially linked with the progress of NBSAP implementation, Bangladesh has shown
moderate progress in achieving the Aichi Targets until 2014. Bangladesh is, however, considered
as a role model in attaining the MDGs. Overall progress against the MDG7Ensure Environmental
Sustainability is moderate with some systemic and institutional challenges.
Although the report has been prepared to meet Bangladesh's commitment to the CBD, it has given
Bangladesh a great opportunity to take stock of its biodiversity and conservation efforts over the
period of 2009-2014. It has also given space to check how the Government and other agencies
are performing to fulfill the Aichi Biodiversity Targets 2020. Such an exercise brings together
relevant stakeholders to discuss, to debate and to contribute to this periodic national assessment.
Concluding Remarks
The implementation and mainstreaming of the NBSAP made up the second part of this national
report. An analysis of the biodiversity conservation efforts between 2009-2014 captured the
implementation of the NBSAP since submission of the last National Report to the CBD.
Bangladesh has made some good progress in some areas by implementing some development
projects. Progress, however, is not so satisfactory in many areas. Moderate progress has been
seen in most of the cases as outlined in the NBSAP. Mainstreaming of the NBSAP has progressed
at limited scale. Analysis showed that most of the pertinent policies is yet to integrate biodiversity
into the document. Some good examples have been created in recent years in some sectors where
a balance between economic development and biodiversity conservation has been envisaged.
References
Biodiversity National Assessment 2015 or the Fifth National Report of Bangladesh to the CBD has
been prepared as a part of Bangladesh's commitment to the CBD and in the light of the guidance
provided by the CBD Secretariat. The report first captured the present status and trends of
biodiversity of Bangladesh at ecosystem, species and genetic levels. It has shown better
understanding of some species and ecosystems since the submission of the Fourth National
Report in 2010. Despite the unfathomable importance of biodiversity in achieving and maintaining
human well-being, the multifaceted threats to biodiversity continued to rise asking for further
concerted efforts.
4. Concluding Remarks
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102 | P a g e
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105 | P a g e
Annex Tables
Annex : Table 1 Government Revenue from Forestry
Financial
year
Sale
proceeds
Number
of
benaficiaries
Money
received by
beneficiaries
Tree
firming
fund
Government
revenue
Productio
n of
timber
(Cum)
Productio
n of
fuelwood
(Cum)
Producti
on of
Poles
Number
1999-00
$79,246
243
$33,526
$7,797
$37,923
823.43
1598.47
29330
2000-01
$1,547,448
3522
$643,331
$154,342
$749,775
27565.88
30875.05
374216
2001-02
$3,478,018
9420
$1,558,966
$341,612
$1,577,440
45667.31
56874.22
597718
2002-03
$3,930,538
10376
$1,712,326
$388,131
$1,830,081
55143.06
65834.51
809284
2003-04
$7,513,272
13507
$3,274,088
$736,769
$3,485,736
45349.95
64871.69
889744
2004-05
$6,961,944
17464
$3,096,594
$692,310
$3,133,029
88825.86
92896.41
594603
2005-06
$6,876,828
13840
$3,067,693
$678,494
$3,088,644
45944.14
53641.13
352650
2006-07
$461,278
1518
$206,052
$45,809
$133,436
4494.64
8008.01
10006
2007-08
$4,084,186
11512
$1,869,597
$388,144
$1,788,917
21681.40
23907.97
112059
2008-09
$1,144,611
2384
$557,661
$113,623
$468,101
6434.94
9065.46
31694
2009-10
$1,961,486
2124
$952,761
$195,431
$813,293
8166.40
10733.14
44957
2010-11
$6,351,771
8291
$2,995,303
$621,633
$2,800,413
31973.57
21620.40
223982
2011-12
$8,274,454
9132
$3,799,277
$825,040
$1,780,560
51201.82
45425.56
337970
2012-13
$6,418,309
2300
$2,903,698
$604,515
$2,731,497
16384.13
12834.32
130973
2013-14
$8,798,669
4236
$3,785,571
$876,552
$3,882,484
35509.20
30436.63
473123
Total
$67,882,056
109869
$30,456,443
$6,670,201
$28,301,328
485165.74
528622.96
5012309
Source: SEALS
106 | P a g e
Annex : Table 2 Major Wildlife found in Different Forests
Panthera tigris tigris
Bengal Tiger
Hoolock hoolock
Hoolock Gibbon
Trachypithecus pileatus
Capped Langur
Trachypithecus phayrei
Phayres Langur
Nycticebus bengalensis
Slow Loris
Macaca mulatta
Rhesus Macaque
Macaca leonine
Pig tailed Macaque
Sus scrofa
Wild Boar
Muntiacus muntjak
Barking Deer
Cervus unicolor
Sambar
Axis axis
Spotted Deer
Selenarctos thibetanus
Asiatic black Bear
Panthera pardus
Indian Leopard
Felis chaus
Jungle Cat
Prionailurus viverrinus
Deciduous
Mangroves
X
X
X
X
X
X
Fishing Cat
Vulpes bengalensis
Fox
Canis aureus
Jackal
Lutra perspicillata
Smooth Coated Otter
Crocodylus porosus
Estuarine Crocodile
Ophiophagus hanna
King Cobra
Naja kauthia
Monocelet Cobra
Naja naja
Binocelet Cobra
Bungarus caeruleus
Bungarus faciatus
X
X
X
X
Common Krait
Banded Krait
Trimereseurus erythrurus
Bamboo pit Viper
Python molurus
Indian Python
Python reticulate
Rock Python
Varanus bengalensis
Bengal Monitor
Varanus salvator
Yellow Monitor
Calotes versicolor
Garden Lizard
Calotes emma
Emmas Lizard
Draco sp.
Flying Lizard
Microhyla rubra
Red narrow-headed Frog
Humerana humeralis
Bhamo Frog
Hylarana leptoglossa
Hylarana nigrivittata
Tree Frog
Oxydozyga borealis
Painted bull Frog
Kalaula taplonanica
Uperodon globulous
References
Chiromantis doriae
Kalaula pulchra
Annex
Chiromantis vittatus
X
X
Balloon Frog
Evergreen
Implementation and
English Name
Elephant
Progress Towards
Scientific Name
Elephas maximus
Source: Feeroz, 2001; Khan, 2010, personal communication
107 | P a g e
Annex : Table 3 Review on the Status of Plant Species in Different Forest Areas
Year
1925
Author
Heinig ,R.L.
Study area
Chittagong and Chittagong
Hill Tracts (CHT)
Status of species
Compiled 1,559 species in the area
1955
1988
Sinclair,J.
Alam, M.K.
Coxs Bazaar
Sylhet forests
1990
Khan, M.S.
Listed 700 plant taxa in the area

790 woody taxa (excluding monocots and
gymnopserms, 400 are tree species
477 plant species in the area
1992
1993
Ahmed et al.
Ahmed, G.U.and
Haque, S.M.S
Ahmed, G.U. and
Bhuyian, M.K.
Khan et al.
Alam , M.K.
Alam et al.
Hossain et al.
Nath et al.
Hathazari Forest Range

Natural forest of Ukhia,
Coxs Bazaar
Natural forest of Ukhia,
Coxs Bazar
Teknaf Game Reserve
Sal forests
Village forest
Bamu Reserve Forest
Sitapahar Forest Reserve
of CHT
University of Chittagong
Campus
Mixed Tropical Forest at
Kaptai of CHT
Sitapahar Forest Reserve
of CHT
33 regenerating tree species

38 tree species
Briefly describe 342 tree species of

Bangladesh
422 plant species
1994
1994
1995
1996
1997
1997
1999
1999
Alam, M.K. and

Pasha, M.K.
Hossain et al.
2000
Nath et al.
2000
Rahman et al.
2001
Das, D.K. and Alam,

M.K
Khan, M.S. and Hoq,
A.M.
Khabir et al.
Overall Bangladesh
Rahman, M.L. and

Hossain, M.K.
Hossain et al.
2001
2002
2002
2004
2007
2007
2007
2008
2009
2010a
2010b
2010
2011
2011
2011
2012
Alamgir,M. and AlAmin, M.

Motaleb, M.A. and
Hossain, M.K.
Yusuf et al.
Ahmed et al.
Motaleb, M.A. and
Hossain, M.K.
Malaker et al
Malaker et al.
Uddin, M.Z. and
Hassan, M.A.
Rahman et al.
Sobuj, N.A. and
Rahman, M.
Uddin et al.
Uddin, M.Z. and
Hassan, M.A.
108 | P a g e

Sal Forest, Comilla
42 known and few unknown regenerating

species
Keystone species consisting of 290 species
260 species
183 species (excluding bamboo)
85 tree species
762 individual stems belonging to 85 tree
species
665 species
Listed 62 identified and about 20 unidentified
regenerating tree species
85 tree species
86 tree species (68 natural and 18 planted)
738 tree stems/ha; 23,708 regeneration

(seedling, sapling and coppice)/ha
59 medicinal plant species
Chittagong (South) Forest

Division
Bamerchara and
Danerchara forests
Tankawati natural forest,
Chittagong
Rangamati and
Bandarban districts
Bhawal National Park
Tankawati natural forest,
Chittagong
Lawachara natural forest
Madhupur Sal Forest
Lawachara natural forest
Khadimnagar National
Park & Tilagar Eco-Park,
Khadimnagar National
Park
Satchari National Park
Rampahar Reserve
Forest, Rangamati
39 species under 18 families

69 medicinal plant species under 40 families
20 regenerating species
62 naturally growing tree species
159 plants species
174 plant species under 54 families
374 angiosperm under 84 families
74 plant species of which 26 tree species, 17

shrubs and 31 herbs
245 plant species under 72 families
Listed 89 monocot (Liliopsida)
No. of
household
Bame Adarok Chara

Maddhya Hari Haba
Badalchari Badhichara
Dulu Chari
Maddhya Chara
Kalabunia
Range Para
Ranjit Para
Bilaichari Upazila, Rangamati
500
650
500
150
500
300
300
500
1967
1977
1990
1975
1996
1987
2008
1967
Chakma
Chakma
Chakma
Chakma
Chakma
Chakma
Chakma
Chakma
156
60
79
39
60
79
80
55
Pangkhoua Para
Bilaicharimon Hajachara
Sap Chari
Barkal Upazila, Rangamati
70
200
300
2008
1980
1965
Pangkhua
Chakma
Chakma
95
70
64
Nah Bhanga
Begana Chari
Jakko Bajei
Pagochya Chari
Buchehari
Indramuni Kabari Para
Rokbibachara
Dhumoujjychara Paribesh o Grammen Bon
Sangrokkhon Sommittee
Garjantoli Paribesh O Grammen Bon
Tripuachara Paribesh O Grammen Bon
200
300
100
180
100
75
90
1990
1960
2008
Before 1945
1982
Before 1945
Before 1945
Chakma
Chakma
Chakma
Chakma
Chakma
Chakma
Chakma
23
78
23
27
19
37
32
29
1998
Chakma
25
200
1987
Chakma
75
200
1982
Chakma
44
35
100
120
50
80
100
100
100
2008
2008
1970
1965
1982
1982
1980
2008
Khyang
Khyang
Khyang
Tripura
Khyang
Tripura
Khyang
Tripura
35
26
23
22
32
48
18
33
175
100
15
100
22
50
40
31
1962
1960
1985
2008
1993
1960
1995
1993
Tanchangya
Tanchangya
Bowm
Khyang
Mro
Mro
Mro
Mro
40
27
40
25
48
34
29
38
Langadu Upazila, Rangamati
Kukkyachari
Arhachari
Dhonuchari
Headman Para
Rose Para
Boli Para
Bora Para
Kistha Para
Bandarban District
Bijoy Para, Roangchari
Paglachara, Roangchari
Suanglu Para Roangchari
Kham Thang Pransa Para Roangchari
Ranglai Chairman Para
Emphu Para
Renikhyang Bagan Para
Chini Para
Annex
Rajasthali Upazila, Rangamati
Implementation and
Name of
Community
Progress Towards
Year of
establishment
References
Area in acre
(approx.)
Name of th VCF
Annex : Table 4 Community Conserved Areas as Village Conservation Forests (VCF)
109 | P a g e
Annex : Table 5 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) of Bangladesh

Site Name
Aila Beel
Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta
Hail Haor
Hakaluki Haor
Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary
Himchari National Park
Jamuna-Brahmaputra river
Lawachara / West Bhanugach Reserved Forest
Madhupur National Park
Muhuri Dam
Source: www.birdlifeinternational.org
Site Name
Pablakhali Wildlife Sanctuary
Patenga Beach
Rajkandi Reserved Forest
Rampahar-Sitapahar Wildlife Sanctuary
Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary
Sangu Matamuhari
Sonadia Island
Sunderbans (East, South, West Wildlife Sanctuaries)
Tanguar Haor and Panabeel
Teknaf Game Reserve
Annex : Table 6 Shark Fisheries in the Bay of Bengal

Sl.
No
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Bangla
Name
Scientific name
English name
Chokha
Hangor/Ka
mot
Thutti
Hangor /
chhuri
Kamot
Haturi
Hangor
Rhizoprionodon acutus
Milk shark
Scoliodon laticaudus
Dog shark, Yellow

Dogfish (Spade
nose shark)
Bagha/Zebr
a Hangor
Nil Hangor
Stegostoma fasciatum
Bilai
Hangor
Muichia
Hangor
Kani
Hangor
Kala
Hangor
Fouree
Hangor
Korati
Hangor
Timi
Hangor
Bagha /
Boli Hangor
Haturi
Hangor /
Julia
Mongor
110 | P a g e
Eusphyra blochii
Carcharhinus
falciformis
Chiloscyllium
punctatum
Chiloscyllium griseum
Arrow headed
hammerhead
shark
Zebra / Leopard
shark
Silky shark
Spotted cat shark
Mustelus kanekonis
Gray Bamboo
shark
Kani shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Blacktip shark
Chaenogaleus
macrostoma
(Negogalaus balfouriold name)
Pristis microdon /
pristis
Rhiniodon (Rhincodon)
typus
Carcharhinus sorrah
Galeocerdo cuvier
Fairi shark,
Hooktooth shark
Carcharhinus
melonopterus
Sphyrna zygaena
Blacktip reef shark
Carcharhinus leucas
Chiloscyllium indicum
Largetooth
Sawfish
Whale shark
Spottail Shark
Tiger shark
Smooth hammer
head shark
Bull shark
Ridge back cat /
Bamboo shark
IUCN
redlist
Gazzette
notificati
on
SOS
MMGNT
fishermen
catch
SOS
LMGNT
fishermen
catch
LC
NT
NT
VU
NT
NT
NT
DD
NT
VU
CE
VU
NT
NT
NT
NT
NT
NT
23..
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
Hangor /
Kamot
Thuta
Hangor
Kamot /
Hangor
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
Grey shark
Carcharhinus macloti
Hardnose shark
Glyphis gangeticus
Ganges shark
Glyphis glyphis
Triaenodon obesus
Speartooth shark
Whitetip reef
shark
Slender
Hammerhead
Scalloped
Hammerhead
Atlantic Devilray
Giant Devil Ray
Cownose Ray
Smalltooth
Sawfish
Long comb Green
Sawfish
Eusphyra blochii
Julia
Mongor
Sphyrna lewini
Mobula hypostoma
Mobula mobular
Rhinoptera bonasus
Pristis pectinata
Sobuj
Pristis zijsron
Korati
Hangor
Source: Hoq et al., 2011
catshark
SOS
LMGNT
fishermen
catch
NT
NT
VU
DD
DD
White cheek shark

Snaggletooth
shark
21.
22.
Carcharhinus
amblyrhynchos
Atelomycterus
marmoratus
Galeorhinus galeus
Mustelus (Myrmillo)
manaz
Carcharhinus
amboinensis
Carcharhinus
dussumieri
Carcharhinus
elliotiHemipristis
elongata
SOS
MMGNT
fishermen
catch
NT
Implementation and
20.
English name
Gazzette
notificati
on
VU
NT
CE
EN
NT
NT
EN
Progress Towards
19.
Scientific name
IUCN
redlist
DD
EN
NT
CE
CE
References
Bangla
Name
Annex
Sl.
No
111 | P a g e
Annex : Table 7 Present Status of Banspata (Podocarpus nerifolius) in Natural Forests and
Plantations
Sl.
Forest/ Plantation areas
No.
1.
Massalong reserve in
Tree
no.
06
Korerhat, Chittagong North
Remarks
Naturally occurring, over mature and
Extremely depleting
vulnerable
trees
01
Planted in guest house premises
Pole stage
01
Planted in guest house premises
Pole stage
Bagaichari, Rangamati
2.
Status/Health of the individuals
Forest Division
3.
Near Padua Rest house,

Chittagong
4.
Hazarikhill Forests
03
Planted near Silviculture office
Trees
5.
Ukhia Forests
02
Naturally occurring
Coppice was found
6.
Lawachara Forests
04
Planted and Natural
Trees
7.
Duapalong Beat office of
02
Planted
Poles
02
Planted near Silviculture research
Sapling
Ukhia Range
8.
Lawachara
office
9.
Sitakunda Eco-park,
05
Planted at Eco-park
Pole stage
03
Planted at BFRI premises
Sapling and Pole
Chittagong
10.
Silviculture nursery,
Bangladesh Forest Research
stage
Institute, Chittagong
11.
Institute of Forestry and
03
Planted at IFESCU Campus
Pole stage
02
Planted at CU Campus
Pole stage
Environmental Sciences,
University of Chittagong
12.
Botanical Garden &Soil

Research Institute, University
of Chittagong
13.
Baldha Garden, Wari Dhaka
01
Planted
Tree
14.
National Herbarium
01
Planted
Tree
15.
Mirpur Botanical Garden,
51
Planted
Saplings, poles and
Dhaka
16.
17.
trees
Ukhia, Coxs Bazar

Bangladesh Agricultural
15
05
Planted in office compound and
Seedlings,
homesteads
and poles
Planted in the Botanical Garden
Tree, Pole and
University, Mymensingh
saplings
Sapling
18.
Jahangirnagar University
03
Planted in the Botanical Garden
Pole and sapling
19.
Keochia Silviculture Research
01
Planted by the side of Silviculture
Pole stage
Station, Chittagong
Total
Source: Bhuiyan et al., 2014
112 | P a g e
office
111
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Acanthus leucostachyus
Achyrospermum wallichianum
Agrostophyllum khasianum
Alphonsea ventricosa
Amorphophallus excentricus
Ancistrocladus wallichii
Angiopteris sylhetensis
Antidesma khasianum
Kastacha
Nk
Nk
Noga Kola
Nk
Nk
Sylheti Rajdheki
Khasia Jam
Acanthaceae
Lamiaceae
Orchidaceae
Annonaceae
Araceae
Ancistrocladaceae
Angiopteridaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Nk
Euphorbiaceae
10
11
Antidesma montanum var.

salicinum
Ariopsis peltata
Aspidopterys oxyphylla
Nk
Nk
Araceae
Malpighiaceae
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Asplenium phyllitidis
Atalantia monophylla
Begonia alaecida
Beilschmiedia roxburghiana
Bhesa robusta
Boesenbergia islamii
Brownlowia elata
Bulbophyllum protractum
Canscora andrographioides
Carex caespititia
Careya herbacea
Careya sphaerica
Casearia kurzii
Castanopsis castanicarpa
Aspleniaceae
Rutaceae
Begoniaceae
Lauraceae
Celastraceae
Zingiberaceae
Tiliaceae
Orchidaceae
Gentianaceae
Cyperaceae
Lecythidaceae
Lecythidaceae
Flacourtiacaeae
Fagaceae
26
27
28
Caulokaemperia linearis
Chisocheton dysoxylifolius
Chonemorpha assamensis
Simon Aspleen
Ban Kamola
Nk
Nk
Salkachra
Nk
Moos
Nk
Nk
Nk
Bhui Dalim
Nk
Shokshi Gach
Huria Batna,
Lumba Kanta
Batna
Nk
Nk
Nk
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
Cleisostoma appendiculatum
Colocasia mannii
Colocasia virosa
Crepidium biauritum
Cryptocarya amygdalina
Cryptocarya andamanica
Cucumis hystrix
Curcuma amada
Curcuma latifolia
Cyclobalanopsis oxyodon
Cyperus thomsonii
Dalhousiea bracteata
Dehaasia kurzii
Dendrobium ruckeri
Diospyros benghalensis
Diospyros ramiflora
Dolichandrone spathaecea
Dryptes assamica
Elaeocarpus petiolatus
Elaeocarpus prunifolius
Elaeocarpus rugosus
Erythroxylum kunthianum
Euonymus attenuatus
Fissistigma polyanthum
Nk
Nk
Nk
Nk
Bhuiya Gachh
Nk
Bandor Shasha
Amada
Nk
Batna
Nk
Goddhi Pata
Modon-mosto
Nk
Lohamori, Khalta
Oori Gab, Goolul
Gorshingiah
Ban Bokul
Nk
Nk
Phul Champa
Nk
Nk
Nk
Orchidaceae
Araceae
Araceae
Orchidaceae
Lauraceae
Lauraceae
Cucurbitaceae
Zingiberaceae
Zingiberaceae
Fagaceae
Cyperaceae
Fabaceae
Lauraceae
Orchidaceae
Ebenaceae
Ebenaceae
Bignoniaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Elaeocarpaceae
Elaeocarpaceae
Elaeocarpaceae
Erythroxylaceae
Celastraceae
Annonaceae
Zingiberaceae
Meliaceae
Apocynaceae
Habit
Herb
Herb
Herb
Tree
Herb
Small tree
Fern
Shrub/
Small tree
Shrub/ Small
tree
Herb
Climbing
shrub
Epiphyte
Tree
Herb
Tree
Tree
Herb
Tree
Herb
Herb
Herb
Shrub
Tree
Tree
Tree
Herb
Tree
Climbing
shrub
Herb
Herb
Herb
Herb
Tree
Tree
Climber
Herb
Herb
Tree
Herb
Shrub
Tree
Epiphyte
Tree
Tree
Tree
Tree
Tree
Tree
Tree
Shrub
Tree
Woody
climber
Threatened
categories
EN*
EN
VU
EN
CR
CR
CR
VU
VU
CR
EN
CR
EN
CR
EN
VU
EN
VU
EN
EN
CR
VU
CR
EN
VU
EN
VU
EN
EN
EN
CR
EN
EN
CR
EN
EN
EN
EN
VU
EN
VU
CR
VU
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
VU
CR
VU
VU
113 | P a g e
Implementation and
Family
Progress Towards
Local name
References
Scientific name
Annex
No.
Annex : Table 8 Threatened Vascular Plants of Bangladesh (Ara et al., 2013); CR: Critically
Endangered, EN: Endangered, VU: Vulnerable
No.
53
54
55
56
Scientific name
Garcinia anomala
Garcinia lanceifolia
Gardenia resinifera
Glochidion heyneanum
Local name
Thechu
Cow, Thisuru
Dikamali
Nk
Family
Clusiaceae
Clusiaceae
Rubiaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Habit
Tree
Tree
Tree
Tree
Threatened
categories
EN
VU
CR
EN
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
Glochidion hirsutum
Glochidion sphaerogynum
Gomphostemma mastersii
Gomphostemma melissifolium
Gomphostemma
salarkhaniana
Gomphostemma velutinum
Heritiera papilio
Hodgsonia macrocarpa
Homalium nepalense
Horsfieldia amygdalina
Horsfieldia kingii
Ilex embelioides
Ilex odorata
Knema clarkeana
Lepisanthes tetraphylla
Leptochilus decurrens
Lithocarpus thomsonii
74
75
76
77
Litsea thomsonii
Machilus fruticosa
Mastixia macrophylla
Melodinus monogynus
78
Mesua floribunda
79
80
81
82
83
84
Michelia mannii
Michelia panduana
Microtoena griffithii
Mitrephora maingayi
Munronia pinnata
Nepenthes khasiana
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
Nyssa javanica
Oberonia mannii
Oberonia wallichii
Ochna pumila
Olax nana
Parthenocissus semicordata
Pentasacme wallichii
Persicaria eciliata
Phoenix acaulis
Phyllanthus roxburghii
Picrasma javanica
Polyalthia simiarum
Rhaphidophora schottii
Scaphium scaphigerum
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
Siphonodon celastrineus
Smilax roxburghiana
Sonerila maculata
Staurogyne thyrsoidea
Sterculia versicolor
Steudnera colocasiifolia
Steudnera gagei
57
58
59
60
61
114 | P a g e
Nk
Kaimula
Nk
Nk
Nk
Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Lamiaceae
Lamiaceae
Lamiaceae
Shrub
Tree
Herb
Herb
Herb
Nk
Papilio Sundori
Nk
Nk
Holdu Barella
Nk
Nk
Nk
Nk
Nk
Nk
Dholi-batna, Raibatna, Bansua
Nk
Nk
Nk
Sandul Kon
Lamiaceae
Sterculiaceae
Cucurbitaceae
Flacourtiaceae
Myristicaceae
Myristicaceae
Aquifoliaceae
Aquifoliaceae
Myristicaceae
Sapindaceae
Polypodiaceae
Fagaceae
Herb
Tree
Climber
Small tree
Tree
Tree
Tree
Tree
Tree
Shrub/Tree
Fern
Tree
EN
CR
VU
CR
VU
VU
CR
EN
VU
VU
EN
Lauraceae
Lauraceae
Cornaceae
Apocynaceae
VU
EN
CR
Banspatti, Kasu
Korol
Nk
Nk
Nk
Thabut net
Nk
Kolshi Pata
Clusiaceae
Tree
Tree
Tree
Climbing
shrub
Tree
CR
CR
CR
EN
EN
Nk
Nk
Nk
Bhui Champa
Nk
Munderi
Nk
Bishkatali
Ban Khejur
Nk
Nilghanta
Arjan, Chami
Nk
Shampan,
Pogan
Katt bel
Kumari Lata
Nk
Nk
Nk
Nk
Nk
Nyssaceae
Orchidaceae
Orchidaceae
Ochnaceae
Olacaceae
Vitaceae
Asclepiadaceae
Polygonaceae
Arecaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Simaroubaceae
Annonaceae
Araceae
Sterculiaceae
Tree
Tree
Herb
Tree
Shrub
Woody
climber
Tree
Herb
Herb
Shrub
Undershrub
Climber
Herb
Herb
Palm
Shrub
Tree
Tree
Climber
Tree
Celastraceae
Smilacaceae
Melastomataceae
Acanthaceae
Sterculiaceae
Araceae
Araceae
Tree
Climber
Herb
Herb
Tree
Herb
Herb
EN
EN
CR
VU
EN
EN
EN
Magnoliaceae
Magnoliaceae
Lamiaceae
Annonaceae
Meliaceae
Nepenthaceae
EN
VU
EN
EN
CR
VU
EN
CR
CR
CR
EN
VU
CR
CR
VU
CR
EN
EN
EN
VU
VU
EN
VU
Stichoneuron membranaceum
Symplocos macrophylla
Syzygium reticulatum
Tarenna scandens
Tectaria simonsii
Tetradium glabrifolium
Tetraphyllum bengalense
Tetrastigma dubium
Nk
Nk
Nk
Gujer-kota
Simontari Dheki
Ban-Neem
Nk
Kuanria
Stemonaceae
Symplocaceae
Myrtaceae
Rubiaceae
Dryopteridaceae
Rutaceae
Gesneriaceae
Vitaceae
114
115
116
117
118
119
Thelypteris loyalii
Thottea tomentosa
Trivalvaria dubia
Turpinia cochinchinensis
Typhonium gracile
Wendlandia heyneana
Thelypteridaceae
Aristolochiaceae
Annonaceae
Staphyleaceae
Araceae
Rubiaceae
120
Xerospermum laevigatum
Loyal fern
Nk
Nk
Tauk Shama
Nk
Dhali Rong
Gach
Ban Lichu
Herb
Tree
Tree
Shrub
Herb
Shrub/ Tree
Herb
Climbing
shrub
Fern
Herb
Tree
Tree
Herb
Shrub/ Tree
Sapindaceae
Tree
EN
CR
CR
VU
VU
VU
CR
VU
Annex : Table 9 Germplasm Conservation of Forest Tree Species During 2000-2012 in

Different Silviculture Research Stations, BFRI
BFRI Silviculture Research Stations
Keochia
Lawachara Charaljani
Sl.
No.
1
Agar (Aquilaria agallocha)
2
3
4
5
6
7
Arjun (Terminalia arjuna)

Banderhola (Duabanga grandiflora)
Banspata (Podocarpus neriifolius)
Barun (Crataeva magna)
Bazna (Zanthoxylum rhetsa)
Bhutum (Hymenodictyon orixensis)
8
9
10
Bohera (Terminalia bellirica)

Boilam (Anisoptera scaphula)
Bon-amra/Amra (Spondias pinnata)
11
12
Chalmugra (Gynocardia odorata)

Chapalish (Artocarpus chaplasha)
13
14
15
Chhatim (Alstonia scholaris)

Chickrassy (Chukrasia tabularis)
Civit (Swintonia floribunda)
16
17
18
Dewa/Borta (Artocarpus lakoocha)

Dhaki-jam (Syzygium grande)
Dholi-garjan (Dipterocarpus gracilis)
19
Dharmara (Stereospermum
personatum)
Dhup (Canarium resiniferum)
Dudh-kuruch (Wrightia arborea)
Gandhi-gazari (Miliusa velutina)
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
Species name
Gila-batna/Khami (Castanopsis
tribuloides)
Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium)
Golab-jam (Syzygium jambos)
Gurja-batna (Lithocarpus
pachyphyllus)
HQ
Charkai
115 | P a g e
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
Threatened
categories
CR
VU
EN
EN
CR
EN
CR
Habit
Implementation and
Family
Progress Towards
Local name
References
Scientific name
Annex
No.
BFRI Silviculture Research Stations

Keochia
Lawachara Charaljani
Sl.
No.
27
Haldu (Haldina cordifolia)
28
29
Hargaza (Dillenia pentagyna)

Hartaki (Terminalia chebula)
30
31
32
33
Jat-batna (Castanopsis lancifolia)

Jawa /barela (Holigarna caustica)
Joyna (Schleichera oleosa)
Kalo-jam (Syzygium cumini)
34
35
Kanak (Schima wallichii)

Kannyari (Gardenia coronaria)
36
37
Kainjal-bhadi (Bischofia javanica)

Kanaidinga/Thona (Oroxylum indicum)
38
39
Kerung (Pongamia pinnata)

Khayer (Acacia catechu)
40
41
42
Lal-awal/ goda/awal (Vitex

peduncularis)
Lohakat (Xylia xylocarpa var. kerrii)
Mahua (Madhuca indica)
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
Melaleuca (Melaleuca leucadendra)

Menda (kalo)- (Litsea monopetala)
Moos (Brownlowia elata)
Nageswar (Mesua ferrea)
Parul (Stereospermum suaveolens)
Pitraj (Aphanamixis polystachya)
Putranjiva (Putranjiva roxburghii)
50
51
Raktan (Lophopetalum fimbriatum)

Shidha-jarul (Lagerstroemia parviflora)
52
53
54
55
Sil-batna (Castanopsis indica)

Sil-bhadi (Garuga pinnata)
Simul (Bombax ceiba)
Sonalu (Cassia fistula)
56
Telsur (Hopea odorata)
57
58
Tali (Palaquium polyanthum)

Teli-garjan (Dipterocarpus turbinatus)
69
60
Toon (Toona ciliata)

Udal (Firmiana colorata)
61
Uriam (Mangifera sylvatica)
Species name
Source: Islam, 2003
116 | P a g e
HQ
Charkai
Implementation and
Boilam
Borta, Dewa
Kanjalbhadi
Moos
Ponyal
Dhup, Pairag
Sonalu
ShilBatna
Chikrassy
Tez-bohu
Naglingom
Dhullya-garjan
BaittyaGarjan
TeliGarjan
Bandarhaula
Titpai
Ujal, Pata-gota
Konnari
Haldu
Telsur
Chalmugra
Bhutum/ Bhuikadam
SidhaJarul
Kala Batna
Menda
Raktan
Uri-Aam
Kanaidinga
Tali
Banspata
Kerung, Karanja
Gutgutya
Muchakunda
Lana-Assar
Narikeli
Rita
Ashok
Shampan
Kanak
Kusum
Sal
Bon Amra
Box badam
Udal
Dharmara
Parul
Civit
Dhaki Jam
Tabebuia
Bahera
Haritaki
Toon
Goda, Horina
Arsol
Lohakath
Bazna
Progress Towards
Anisoptera scaphula
Artocarpus lacucha
Bischofia javanica
Brownlowia elata
Calophyllum inophyllum
Canarium resiniferum
Cassia fistula
Castanopsis indica
Chukrasia tabularis
Cinnamomum iners
Couroupita guianensis
Dipterocarpus alatus
Dipterocarpus costatus
Dipterocarpus turbinatus
Duabangag grandiflora
Elaeocarpus tectorius
Firmiana colorata
Gardenia coronaria
Haldina cordifolia
Hopea odorata
Hydnocarpus kurzii
Hymenodictyon orixensis
Lagerstroemia parvifloia
Lithocarpus acuminata
Litsea monopetala
Lophopetalum wightianum
Mangifera sylvatica
Oroxylum indicum
Palaquim polyanthum
Podocarpus neriifolius
Pongamia pinnata
Protium serratum
Pterospermum acerifolium
Pterospermum semisagittatum
Pterygota alata
Sapindus saponaria
Saraca asoca
Scaphium wallichii
Schima wallichii
Schleichera oleosa
Shorea robusta
Spondias pinnata
Sterculia foetida
Sterculia villosa
Stereospermum tetragonum
Stereospermum chelonoides
Swintonia floribunda
Syzygium grande
Tabebuia chrysantha
Terminalia bellirica
Terminalia chebula
Toona ciliata
Vitex glabrata
Vitex peduncularis
Xylia xylocarpa
Zanthoxylum rhetsa
Local name
References
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
Scientific name
Annex
Sl. No
Annex : Table 10 Species Taken Under Conservation Programme in the Campus of

University of Chittagong During 2011-2014
117 | P a g e
Annex: Table 11 Seedling Seed Orchards Established at the University of Chittagong

Campus
Site
No.
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
Location
West of Marine Science building
West of Marine Science building
East of Nasir Colony
Near Director Building, IFESCU
Jungalia Hill
Jungalia Hill Mixed plantation
Jungalia Hill
Jungalia Hill (BFRI source)
Total
Plantation
year
2011
2012
2012
2013
2013
2013
2014
2014
Age
(yrs.)
03
02
02
01
01
01
0.2
0.2
No. of
seedlings
903
455
697
300
4355
760
4659
2540
14,669
Area
(ha)
0.361
0.182
0.436
0.12
3.92
0.684
2.912
1.02
9.635
Remarks
Annex: Table 12 Review on the Number of Insect Species Reported from Bangladesh
Sl No.
Order
Number of species
identified/recorded
1
2
Thysanura
Collembola
03
07
3
4
Ephemeroptera
Neuroptera
05
06
Diptera
270
Lepidoptera
References & Comments
17
Homoptera
147
18
Hemiptera
128
19
Thysanoptera
31
20
21
Siphonaptera
Others
04
Record uncertain
Kabir, et al. (2008)

Islam, et al. (1973); Bhuiya et al. (1990);
Ahmad et al. (2009); Mazumdar (2014)
Ahmed, et al. (2009)
Alam, et al. (1964); Ahmed (1987); Gapud
(1992); Ahmed, et al. (2009); Masuduzzaman
(2012); Bashar, et al. (2010); Bhuiya, et al.
(2014)
Alam, et al. (1964); Gapud, 1992; Ahmed, et
al. (2009); Islam, 2013; Chowdhury & Hossain,
2013; Bashar, 2014; Rajia & Bhuiya, 2015
(unpulished list on Moths); Monwar Hossain,
2015 (IUCN Red List Lead Assessor on
Butterfly; pers. comn).
Alam, et al. (1964); Gapud (1992);
Anonymous, 1973 -2013; Ritchie (1995)
Kabir, et al. (2008); Alam, et al. (1964); Gapud
(1992)
Bhuiya (2015) personal collection
Kabir, et al. (2008); Mollah, et al. (eds) (2003);
Chowdhury & Miah (1988); Chowdhury &
Mohiuddin (2011); Bashar, et al. (2014)
Alam, et al. (1964); Gapud (1992); Kabir, et al.
(2008)
Alam, et al. (1964); Bhuiya and Sufian (1984
1985); Bhuiya and Miah, (1990, 2007); Boucek
and Bhuiya, (1991); Bhuiya, 1998, 2001; Miah
& Islam (2012); Bhuiya, et al. (1999, 2000,
2003, 2005, 2007, 2014); Islam (1984-2014);
Ahmed, et al. (2009).
Alam, et al. (1964); Gapud (1992); Ahmad, et
al. (2008)
al. (2008)
al. (2008)
Ferdousi, et al. (2004), in: Ahmed, et al. (2009)
---------
2360
(Estimated Total Record)
366 (Moths)
320 (Butterflies)
Total=686
Coleoptera
255
Orthoptera
67
9
10
11
12
Phasmida
Dermaptera
Dictyoptera
Odonata
05
27
15
168
13
Isoptera
60
14
15
16
Mallophaga
Siphunculata
Hymenoptera
05
05
466
Total Number
Source: Bhuiya, 2015* (personal communication)
Collection
Depository+
(no. of specimen)
IMDZCU (3)
IMDZCU (5)
-IMDZCU (3)
IMDZCU (111)
IMDZCU (117)
IMDZCU (65)
IMDZCU (45)
IMDZCU (5)
IMDZCU (5)
IMDZCU (10)
IMDZCU (35)
IMDZCU (25)
IMDZCU (2)
IMDZCU (2)
IMDZCU (506)
IMDZCU (55)
IMDZCU (53)
IMDZCU (15)
IMDZCU (2)
IMDZCU
(unidentified)
*Number of species within different orders may be added in due course as they are recorded.
+
IMDZCU = Insect Museum Department of Zoology Chittagong University.
118 | P a g e
Teff
Oat
Finger millet
Total- 12
636
531
197
187
104
55
6
5
2
No. of
variety
35
3
1
20
6
2
2
1
1
1,727
67
Pulses
Grasspea
Lathyrus sativus
PGRC
1795
PRC
350
Chickpea
Cicer arietinum
760
800
Lentil
Lens culinaris
414
900
Blackgram
Vigna mungo
68
980
Pigeonpea
Mungbean
Horse gram
Cowpea
Field Pea
Cajanus cajan
Vigna radiate
Macrotyloma uniflorum
Vigna unguiculata
Pisum sativum
83
99
32
31
158
80
600
100
350
2
1
Fababean
Rice bean
Bazari
Total-12
Vicia faba
Vigna umbellata
Unknown
13
6
1
3,460
60
4,220
32
PGRC
202
ORC
136
17
109
50
48
23
18
3
1
1
455
61
102
16
120
20
21
5
6
2
10
1
1
3
479
1
43
Oilseeds
Mustard
Sesame
Soyabean
Sunflower
Ground nut
Linseed
Niger
Castor
Safflower
Total -9
Brassica rapa, B.
juncea, B. napus
Sesamum indicum
Glycine max
Helianthus annuus
Arachis hypogaea
Linum usitatissimum
Guizotia abyssinica
Ricinus communis
Carthamus tinctorius
Increasing
Decreasing
Decreasing
Decreasing
Increasing
Increasing new varieties
Decreasing
Remaining the same
Increasing
Remaining the same
Remaining the same
Decreasing
Decreasing landraces and

increasing new variety and
breeding lines
Increasing new variety,
landraces and breeding lines
Increasing new variety, and
decreasing landraces
Increasing breeding lines and
Remaining the same
Increasing
Decreasing
Remaining the same
Increasing new variety,
landraces and breeding lines
Increasing
Remaining the same
Not known
Increasing variety and

Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Decreasing
Increasing
Decreasing
Decreasing
119 | P a g e
Triticum aestivum
Setaria italica
Panicum miliaceum
Sorghum bicolor
Zea mays
Hordeum vulgare
Fagopyrum esculentum
Triticosecale spp.
Pennisetum
americanum
Eragrostis abyssinica
Avena sativa
Eleusine coracana
No. of
acc.
other
than
PGRC
Implementation and
No. of
accession
at PGRC
Cereals
Wheat
Foxtail millet
Proso millet
Sorghum
Maize
Barley
Buckwheat
Triticale
Pearl millet
Trends of diversity
Status of diversity
Progress Towards
Scientific name
References
Crop Type
Annex
Annex: Table 13 Status and Trends of Crop Diversity
Crop Type
Scientific name
No. of
accession
at PGRC
Vegetables
Red amaranth
Stem amaranth
Leafy amaranth
Grain amaranth
Trends of diversity
Status of diversity
PGRC
708
No. of
acc.
other
than
PGRC
HRC
46
79
7
No. of
variety
Ash gourd
Yard longbean
Sponge gourd
Ridge gourd
Snake gourd
Tomato
Cucumber
Amaranthus gangeticus
Amaranthus tricolor
Amaranthus blitum
Amaranthus
hypochondiiacus
Amaranthus viridi
Amaranthus cruentus
Amaranthus hybridus
Amaranthus dubius
Amaranthus palmeri
Amaranthus lividus
Amaranthus spinosus
Lablab purpureus
Cucurbita moschata
Lagenaria siceraria
Solanum melongena
Abelmoschus
esculentus
Benincasa hispida
Vigna sesquipedalis
Luffa cylindrical
Luffa acutangula
Trichosanthes anguina
Solanum lycopersicon
Cucumis sativus
Bitter gourd
Momordica charantia
47
42
Radish
Spinach
Indian spinach
French bean
Broad leaf
mustard
Kangkong
Rozelle
Sword bean
Pak
choi/Batisak
Chinese
cabbage
Mallow
Winged bean
Raphanus sativus
Spinacia oleracea
Basella alba
Phaseolus vulgaris
Brassica juncia
43
40
39
32
16
32
38
36
2
3
Ipomoea reptans
Hibiscus sabdariffa
Canavalia gladiata
Brassica chinensis
9
8
6
3
Brassica campestris
subsp. Chinensis
Malva verticillata
Psophocarpus
tetragonolobus
Brassica pekinensis
Brassica oleracea var.
capitata
botrytis
Clitoria ternatea
Mucuna utilis
Unknown
Passiflora
quadrangularis
Other
Amaranths
Hyacinth bean
Pumpkin
Bottle gourd
Brinjal
Okra
China shak
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Butterfly pea
Velvet bean
Zirani
Giant gradilla
120 | P a g e
1
2
1
624
478
347
282
225
152
126
51
380
163
7
2
4
16
1
206
180
157
155
142
67
59
59
25
39
32
46
330
121
1
1
1
1
21
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Remaining the same
Remaining the same
Remaining the same
Remaining the same
Remaining the same
Remaining the same
Remaining the same
Remaining the same
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing new variety and
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Not known
Not known
Increasing
Not known
Not known
Increasing
Increasing
3
3
Remaining the same

Decreasing
2
2
5
20
1
2
Remaining the same

Increasing
22
Decreasing
Remaining the same

Remaining the same
Not known
Remaining the same
1
1
1
Canavalia ensiformis
Brassica chinensis
Phaseolus vulgaris
Lactuca sativa
Broccoli
21
Water melon
Teasle gourd
Capsicum

botrytis L.
Citrullus lanatus
Momordica dioica
Capsicum annum
Garden pea
Carrot
Pisum sativum
Daucus carota
Pointed gourd
Drum stick
Total-47
Trichosanthes anguina
Moringa oleifera
Bilimbi
Bread fruit
Bullock's heart
Burmese grape
Butter tree
Calabash tree
Carambola
Caranda
Cashewnut
Cherry
Coconut
Cowa
Custard apple
Date palm
Indian dillenia
Dragon fruit
Durian
Elephants foot
apple
Fig
Flacourtia
Giant grandilla
Golden apple
Grape
Guava
Hogplum
Emblica officinalis
Malus sylvestris
Persea americana
Aegle marmelos
Musa sp.
Ziziphus mauritiana
3,902
PGRC
2
2
2
4
Averrhoa bilimbi
Artocarpus altilis
Annona reticulate
Baccurea sapida
Sclerocarya birrea
Crescentia cujete
Averrhoa carambola
Carissa congesta
Anacardium
occiedentale
Cerosus vulgaris
Cocos nucifera
Garcinia indica
Annona squamosa
Phoenix sylvestris
Dillenia indica
Hylocereus undatus
Durio zibethmus
Feronia limonia
Ficus carica
Flacourtia jangomas
Pessislora
quadrangularia
Spondias dulcts
Vitis vinifera
Psidium guajava
Spondias pinnata
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Increasing
Increasing breeding lines
Increasing
Increasing landraces and
breeding lines
Increasing breeding lines
26
32
36
37
43
61
15
2,176
2
1
90
Increasing new variety

Increasing
breeding lines
Remaining the same
Increasing landraces and
breeding lines
Increasing
Decreasing
HRC
13
2
6
36
80
105
HRC
1
2
1
10
34
15
3
4
1
1
1
2
2
2
13
2
10
5
2
2
2
20
1
5
4
2
5
41
4
50
5
Not known
Not known
Not known
Increasing
Increasing
Not known
Remaining the same
Decreasing
Increasing
Not known
Not known
Decreasing
Not known
Not known
Not known
Increasing
Not known
Decreasing
Not known
Not known
Increasing
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
2
3
Jack bean
Cheena kopi
String bean
Lettuce
No. of
variety
Implementation and
No. of
acc.
other
than
PGRC
2
5
10
17
Progress Towards
No. of
accession
at PGRC
Fruit germplasm
Aonla
Apple
Avocado
Bael
Banana
Ber
Trends of diversity
Status of diversity
References
Scientific name
Annex
Crop Type
Increasing
Not known
Increasing
Not known
121 | P a g e
Crop Type
Scientific name
No. of
accession
at PGRC
Indian olive
Jaboticaba
Jackfruit
Jamun
Lemon
Lime
Litchi
Longan
Loquat
Madagascar
plum
Mandarin
Mango
Mangosteen
plum
Monkey jack
Musk melon
Papaya
Passion Fruit
Peach
Pear
Persimmon
Phalsa
Pineapple
Pomegrante
Pummelo
Rambutan
River ebony
Rose apple
Sapota
Satkara
Snake fruit
Soursop
Star apple
Star gooseberry
Strawberry
Sweet Lime
Sweet orange
Tamarind
Tisa
Titi jam
Toikar
Velvet apple
Water chestnut
Wax jambu
Wild jackfruit
Wild mango
Total-76
Spices
Chilli
Turmeric
122 | P a g e
No. of
acc.
other
than
PGRC
10
1
300
Olea europaea
Myrcloria cauliflora
Artocarpus
heterophyllus
Syzygium cumini
Citrus limon
Citrus aurantifolia
Litchi chinensis
Dimocarpus longan
Eriobotrya japonica
Neodypsis decaryi
Citrus reticulata
Mangifera indica
Garcinia mangostana
1
6
10
250
1
Artocarpus lakoocha
Cucumis melo
Carica papaya
Passiflora edulis
Prunus pefrsica
Pyrus communis
Diospyros kaki
Grevia astatica
Annus comosus
Punica granatum
Citrus grandis
Nephelium lappaceum
Diospyros peregrina
Syzygium jambos
Manilcara achras
Citrus macroptera
Salacca zalacca
Annona mauricaa
Chrysophyllum cainito
Phyllanthus distichus
Fragaria ananassa
Citrus limettoides
Citrus sinensis
Tamarindus indica
Sapotaceae spp.
Antidesma ghesambilla
Garcinia pedunculato
Diospyros discolor
Trapa bispinosa
Eugenia javanica
Artocarpus hirsutus
Mangifera silvatrica
1
92
Capsicum frutescens
Curcuma longa
Trends of diversity
Status of diversity
4
4
2
1
1
4
1
6
25
2
12
20
1
1
No. of
variety
2
4
3
5
2
2
10
20
2
2
3
3
1
3
17
50
1
6
2
25
17
1
2
1
4
10
2
4
3
1
1
1
6
20
2
6
1
1
170
1,331
73
PGRC
150
SRC
40
35
2
5
2
1
2
1
1
1
4
1
2
3
1
1
4
1
3
1
3
1
1
1
Not known
Not known
Increasing
Decreasing
Not known
Not known
Increasing
Increasing
Not known
Not known
Increasing
Increasing
Not known
Decreasing
Increasing
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Remaining the same
Decreasing
Increasing
Increasing
Decreasing
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Decreasing
Increasing
Not known
Increasing
Decreasing
Not known
Decreasing
Not known
Not known
Not known
Increasing
Not known
Remaining the same
Increasing
Not known
31
1
1
1
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
5
2
1
1
2
1
1
Increasing
Remaining the same
Increasing
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Remaining the same
Not known
Not known
Not known
Increasing
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Remaining the same
Increasing
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Increasing
Not known
Not known
Elettaria cardamomum
Increasing
Syzygium aromaticum
Eryngium foetidum
Allium ascalonicum
Artemesia drucunculus
Vanilla planifolia
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Increasing
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Prunus dulcis
Peucedanum officinale
Papaver somniferum
Eryngium foetidum
Tuber crops
Potato
Solanum tuberosum
Potato (TPS)
Sweet potato
Solanum tuberosum
Ipomoea batatas
Taro (Muhki
kachu)
Colocasia esculenta
1
1
199
252
1
25
PGRC
TCRC
400
71
300
255
2
13
25
No. of
variety
Implementation and
Plum
Long pepper
Cinnamon
Curry leaf
Pandan wangi
Chui jhal
Black cumin
Lemon grass
Black pepper
Achiote
All Spice
Amada
Aromatic ginger
Bitter fenel
Bunching onion
Camphor
Cardamom
(large)
Cardamom
(small
Clove
Culantro
Shallot
Tarragon
Vanilla
Polaw pata
Bos
Pesta badam
Dill
Postodana
Long coriander
Total-42
Allium cepa
Peper betel
Coriandrum sativum
Zinger officenale
Allium sativum.
Cuminum cyminum
Foeniculum vulgare
Pimenta achris
Trachyspermum ammi
Apium graveolens
Trigonella foenumgraecum.
Prunus dumestica
Pepper longan
Cinnamomum verum
Murraya koenigii
Pandanus amarylliflious
Pepper chaba
Nigella sativa
Cymbopogon citratus
Pepper nigrum
Bixa orellana
Pimenta dioica
Curcuma amada.
Kaempferia glagalanga
Foeniculum vulgare
Allium fistulosum
Cinnamomum camphora
Amomum subulatum
No. of
acc.
other
than
PGRC
30
24
18
18
15
12
10
5
4
4
3
Progress Towards
No. of
accession
at PGRC
Orion
Betel leaf
Coriander
Ginger
Garlic
Cumin
Fennel
Bay leaf
Ajowan
Celery
Fenugreek
Trends of diversity
Status of diversity
References
Scientific name

breeding lines
Breeding lines
breeding lines
Not known
123 | P a g e
Annex
Crop Type
Crop Type
Scientific name
No. of
accession
at PGRC
Elephant foot
yam
Taro (Pani
kachu)
Dud kachu
Moulovi kachu
Man kachu
Cassava
Yam
Turmeric
Total -11
Amorphophallus
campanulatus
Colocosia esculenta
Xanthosoma nigrum
Xanthosoma artovirens
Alocasia macrorrhiza
Manihot esculenta
Dioscorea spp.
Flower and ornamentals

Gladiolus spp.
Gladiolus
Orchid spp.
Orchid
Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum spp.
Alpinia spp.
Alpinia
Tagetes erecta
Marigold
Amaryllis spp.
Lily
Dahlia variabilis
Dahlia
Anthurium andreanum
Anthurium
Gerbera jamesonii
Gerbera
Polianthes tuberosa
Tuberose
Rosa spp.
Rose
Lilium spp.
Lilium
Callistephus chinensis
China aster
Heliconia spp.
Heliconia
Gypsophilla spp.
Gypsophila
Calathea spp.
Calathea
Claladium spp.
Caladium
Begonia obliqua
Begunia
Coleus blumei
Coleus
Canna spp.
Canna
Dicus ebstica
Ficus
Hibiscus rosasinensis
China rose
Acalypha wikesiana
Acalypha
Alternanthera
Alternanthera
caracasana
Maclura pomifera
Hedge apple
Bougainvillea spp.
Bougainvillea
Euphorbia spp.
Euphorbia
Cactus and succulents
Palm
Fern
Climbers
Jasmines
Adenium obesum
Adeinum
Ixora spp.
Ixora
Croton
Dracaena spp.
Dracaena
Dieffenbachia spp.
Dieffenbachia
Aralia spp.
Aralia
Aglaeonema spp.
Aglaeonema
124 | P a g e
Trends of diversity
Status of diversity
57
28
92
PGRC
No. of
acc.
other
than
PGRC
5
No. of
variety
71
Not known
4
3
3
2
1,068
HRC
30
120
30
2
4
12
20
8
26
3
16
1
4
5
2
3
4
2
3
3
2
7
2
2
4
6
10
35
5
4
5
5
4
2
6
6
2
2
3
93
5
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
2
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Decreasing
Not known
Increasing
Not known
Increasing
Remaining the same
Increasing
Remaining the same
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Not known
Remaining the same
Remaining the same
Increasing
Increasing
Increasing
Remaining the same
Remaining the same
Remaining the same
Remaining the same
Not known
Remaining the same
Remaining the same
Remaining the same
Increasing
Remaining the same
Increasing
Remaining the same
Remaining the same
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Perennial tree
Perennial shrub
Total -47
Medicinal and Aromatic plants

Adhatoda zeylanica
Malabar nut
Aloe vera
Aloe
Azadirachta indica
Indian lilac
Saraca indica
Ashoka
Terminalia bellirica
Myrobalan
Mint
Mentha spp.
Cymbopogon citratus.
Lemon grass
Andrographis paniculata
Creat
Calotropis gigantea
Gigantic
swallow
Ocimum americamum
Wild basil
Asparagus racemosus
Asparagus
Cissus quadrangularis
Granadilla
Kalanchoe pinnata
American life
plant
Abromaq augusta
Deuils cotton
Aristolochia indica.
Indian Birthwort
Rati crab's eyes Abrus precatorius
Costus speciousus
Spiral ginger
Vitex negundo
Chaste tree
Total-18
Fibre, narcotics and others
Nicotiana tabacum
Tobacco
Corchorus capsularis
Jute
Hibiscus sabdariffa
Mesta
Sesbania aculeat
Sunhemp
Pachyrhizus erosus
Yam bean
Cotton
Gossypioieae spp.
Coffea arabica
Coffee
Total -7
Grand total281
No. of
variety
Not known
Not known
Not known
2
2
2
Not known
Not known
Not known
16
11
449
Not known
Not known
16
PGRC
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
1
1
1
1
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
1
1
1
1
1
20
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
26
19
7
5
1
2
60
10,085
7
9,975
Money plant
Philodendron
Mussaenda
Ananas spp.
Chlortophytum
comosum
Epipremnum qureum
Philodendron bipinnatifidium
Mussaenda
erythrophylla
No. of
acc.
other
than
PGRC
2
2
2
Implementation and
No. of
accession
at PGRC
Conifers
Ananas
Spider plant
Trends of diversity
Status of diversity
Progress Towards
Scientific name
References
Crop Type
Decreasing
Not known
Not known
Not known
Decreasing
Increasing
Not known
446
Annex
Source: BARI, 2015
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Fifth National Report of Bangladesh to the Convention

Fifth National Report

(Anwar Hossain Manju, MP)

(Abdullah Al-Islam Jakob, MP)

(Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed)

(Md. Raisul Alam Mondal)

Message ............................................................................................................................................................... iii

List of Case Boxes

List of Tables in Annex

Annex : Table 1 Government Revenue from Forestry

1. An Update on Biodiversity Status, Trends and Threats in

1.2.1.1 Terrestrial Ecosystem

Area (million hectare)

Natural Mangrove Forests

Plain Land Sal Forests

Source: Alam, 2008

Table 1 Area of Forests Managed by the Bangladesh Forest Department

Progress of Implementation &

1.2.1 Ecosystem Diversity

1.2 Biodiversity Status and Trends

Table 2 Forest Area under Different Management Categories

Area (million hectares)

Village Forests (private)

National Land Use Classes and Area

Source: Artrell et al., 2007

Area (in million hectares)

No tree-cover (Mostly agricultural land)

Source: Altrell et al., 2007

Source: Hassan, 2013

Progress of Implementation &

Plantation types (hectares)

Table 5 Coastal Plantation During 1965-2013

2) Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests (Sal Forests)

1) Tropical Wet Evergreen and Semi-Evergreen Forests

CASE BOX 1 Forest Types in Bangladesh

homesteads is a traditional land use system in Bangladesh. Multi-layered vertical stratification,

Status of major forest ecosystems in Bangladesh is described briefly as follows:

Sundarbans The Mangrove Forest

Sundarban Mangrove by Asaduzzaman Khan

Figure 3 Sundarban Reserved Forest, Bangladesh (reproduced from Hussain, 2014)

Chittagong Hill Tracts Hill Forests

Chittagong Hill Tracts by Barin Ghose

Village common forests are natural

Progress of Implementation &

CASE BOX 2 - Village Common Forests in the Chittagong Hill Tracts

Source: Uddin and Inoue (2012)

Progress of Implementation &

CASE BOX 3- One Home One Farm Activities and Investment

Homestead at Ruma, Bandarban by Hossain Sohel

1.2.1.2 Inland Water Ecosystem

Catchment area (square

Ratargul Swamp Forest

Progress of Implementation &

Freshwater swamp, Tanguar Haor by ABM Sarowar Alam

Sources: aSobhan et al., 2012; b MoEF, 2001

1.2.1.3 Coastal and Marine Ecosystem

migratory shorebirds, including Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Asian Dowitcher, Spotted Redshank,

Middle ground and