Plantation of Indigenous Species to Conserve Biodiversity in Madhupur, Bangladesh
The Department of Forest is planting 53 species of local saplings in 80 hectares of forest area in the Dokhla range of Madhupur to conserve animal feed and biodiversity for the development of the Shalban in Tangail district, Bangladesh.
Under the “Sustainable Forest and Livelihood (SUFAL/Benefit) Project” being implemented by the Forest Department, aim to build a sustainable mixed garden to provide-
- a) For safe food to animals and birds,
- b) To restore the heritage of red soil in Shalban,
- c) To conserve biodiversity,
- d) To combine native species of trees, and
- e) To maintain the balance of the environment.
If these trees grow, the forest will be filled with the flowers and fruits of the suitable trees of Shalban. The forest will regain its lost heritage, as the concerned authority hope.
According to information on the forest department, by planting 1,500 seedlings per hectare, a total of 120,000 saplings of 53 different local species have been planted in 80 hectares of woodland in Dokhla range under the SUFAL project.
Under sustainable forest management, Dokhla Range is also planting seedlings of 53 species of native trees like Jamrul, Olive, Amra, Wood Apple, Tamarind, Amalaki, Haritaki, Bahera, Arjun, Bakul, Mahua, Nageshwar, Neem, Almond, Cashew, Guava, etc. and many more including medicinal plants using dung and mixed fertilizer.
The seedlings of these trees are germinated in this range under the management of the forest department.
Dokhla Range Officer Abdul Ahad said, “Under the SUFAL project, Stand Improvement Shalban Associate, i.e., the existing condition of Shalban, has been maintained and an initiative has been taken to balance the environment and nature of this red soil forest.
For this reason, 53 species of flowers, fruits, herbs, and environmentally sustainable gardens are being created, keeping in tune with the environment.”
Dr. Zahirul Haque, Divisional Forest Officer of Tangail, said that the Sustainable Forest and Livelihood (SUFAL) Project is also trying to restore the lost forest heritage by planting indigenous trees.
The pilot project, which was launched in 2003, was successful, and the successful implementation of the SUFAL Project, many projects are being implemented in different forests across the country.
The creation of sustainable gardens will restore the environment, nature, original abilities, biodiversity, and heritage of Shalban.”
Source- Bangladesh Protidin
