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Research Article
Advances in Agriculture, Horticulture and Entomology
ISSN 2690-1900
AAHE-126
Utilization of Minor Forest Products of the Sundarbans in Bangladesh
Md. Akramul Islam1, 3*, Arifa Sharmin2, Rahul Biswas3, Tanmoy Dey1, 3, Bichitra Kumar Bachar1, 3,
Md. Najmus Sayadat pitol1, 3
1
Research Officer, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute; Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change;
Bangladesh.
2
Professor, Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.
3
Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.
Received Date: July 15, 2020; Accepted Date: July 23, 2020; Published Date: Aug 03, 2020
*
Corresponding Author: Md. Akramul Islam, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Khulna University, Khulna-9208,
Bangladesh. Email: akramkukhulna@gmail.com
Abstract
Introduction
People adjacent to the Sundarbans use minor forest products
directly and indirectly. The main purpose of the study was to
know the utilization of minor forest products of the
Sundarbans by the people of Dacope Upazilla, Khulna district,
Bangladesh. Multistage Purposive Sampling techniques were
used with a semi-structured questionnaire to collect information
from 90 respondents. The socio-economic characteristics of
the respondents surveyed in study area have shown in this
study. Among the respondents they directly used 56.67% fish,
47.78% honey, 53.33% golpata, 38.89% fuel wood, 28.89%
hogla, 12.22% prawn, 6.67% hantal , 3.33% crab, 7.77% nall,
8.89% grass, 4.44% keora fruit, 3.33% malia, 10.11% goran
stick and 2.22% molasses. Besides among the respondents
they indirectly used 54.44% fish, 14.44% honey, 51.11%
golpata, 36.67% fuel wood, 15.55% hogla, 11.11% prawn,
5.56% hantal, 7.78% crab, 5.55% nall, 2.22% keora fruit,
6.67% malia, 3.33% goran stick, 16.67% shrimp fry, 4.44%
medicinal plants. In the study area, only 31.11% respondents
have equipment facilities. The working schedule of types of
work and use products for household’s construction of the
respondents have also discussed in this study. The study
releaved that physical problems, problem of securities,
permission of getting pass, credit problem and problem of
pirates were the major problems in the study area.
The Sundarban Mangrove forests-a forest that is dominated by
halophytic plant communities and occur predominantly along
the tropical and subtropical coastlines-offer important ecosystem
functions and services [4]. The rich biodiversity of forests can
be broadly divided into timber and non-timber and further
non-timber is categorized into medicinal, edible and other
economically important non – timber forest products or minor
forest products yielding plants [7]. Non-timber forest products
include plants used for food, beverages, fodder, fuel, medicine,
essential oil, spice, gum, latex, fibers and biochemical;
animals, birds and fish used for food, fur and feathers; and
other animal products such as honey, lac and silk [6]. The
collection, processing and marketing of NWFP provides
employment for an estimated 300,000 rural peoples of
Bangladesh [7]. The Sundarbans mangrove forest accounts for
a major part of the NWFP produced in Bangladesh with an
annual contribution of approximately Tk.717 million (US$17.9
million) to the Bangladesh economy [1]. Shiva (1995) [11] has
called non-timber forest products “potential pillars of
sustainable forestry.” Non- timber Forest Products (NTFPs)
are also important parts of the biodiversity and are considered
as component of livelihoods in terms of their economic, social
and ecological value. As history shows, local communities
have used these resources for food security and trade for
centuries [5].
Keywords: Minor Forest Products; Respondents, Sundarbans;
Utilization
1 | Advances in Agriculture, Horticulture and Entomology, Volume 2020, Issue 04
Copyright: ©
2020 Md. Akramul Islam *
Utilization of Minor Forest Products of the Sundarbans in
Bangladesh
NTFPs are also important parts of the biodiversity and are
considered as component of livelihoods in terms of their
economic, social and ecological value. As history shows, local
communities have used these resources for food security and
trade for centuries.
In a developing country like Bangladesh, minor forest
products play a vital role in the economic and socio-political
arenas of the country. In Bangladesh more than 80 percent of
total population lives in rural areas and a greater percentage of
them live below the poverty line. The Sundarbans, a common
property with abundance of forest resources has the
potentiality for making a positive contribution towards poverty
reduction through a planned use for the purpose [9]. People
involved in forestry sector development have recognized the
potential of NTFPs in contributing national economy especially
through the medicinal and aromatic plants and felt the need of
conserving this valuable resource [8]. A very limited literature
is available in relation to minor forest products yielding plant
species. This is necessary and prime time to collect
information from elder generation to trace back the distribution
and uses of plants to make use for the benefit of present and
future generation. It is a basic necessity to increase the
biomass of minor forest products yielding plants for
appropriate deliberation, discovery and utilization in daily life.
On the other hand Non-Timber Forest products provide foods
such as Golpata juice, plant parts, medicinal plants etc. and
services in the research area.
The area selected for this study is Dacope Upazila at Khulna
district. As this area is very adjacent to the Sundarbans, people
of these area uses directly or indirectly the minor forest
products of the Sundarbans. The dependency of the people in
this area is much greater on the Sundarbans for their survival,
employment, income generation and other important purposes.
The targets of the study is to identify the various minor forest
products of the Sundarbans uses by the local people of that
area.
Materials and Methods
General Information of the Study Area
Dacope Upazila is located in Khulna district with an area
of 99158 sq km, is bounded by Batiaghata upazila on the
north, Pashur River on the south, Rampal and Mongla upazilas
on the east, Paikgachha and Koyra upazilas on the west. The
southern part of this upazila is surrounded by Sundarban
(11790.13 hectors). Dacope upazila lies between 22°24' and
22°40' north latitudes and in between 89°24' and 89°35' east
longitudes [2]. Temperatures rise from daily minimum of 24°C in winter to over 32°C during the monsoon and a
maximum around 43°C in March. Rainfall is heavy and the
humidity averages 70-80% due to the nearness of the Bay of
Bengal [3]. The main rivers of that area are Pasur, Sibsa,
Manki and Bhadra. Cyclones primarily occur in May-June or
October-November, and have a major impact on the coastal
ecosystem, causing loss of vegetation, property, and human
lives [10].
Data Collection and Analysis
The study was conducted through Multistage Purposive
Sampling techniques using a semi-structured questionnaire.
Dacope upazila was selected as primary sampling unit. Out of
9 unions (e.g.Chalna, Tildanga, Kamarkhola, Sutarkhali,
Dacope,Bajua, Kailasgonj, Baniasanta, Laudob) in Dacope
upazila 5 unions namely Sutarkhali, Kailasgonj, Baniasanta,
Laudob, Kamarkhola were picked up as the second sampling
unit and 16 villages were third sampling units which were
selected purposively from the study area. Finally, 90 respondents
were selected as the ultimate sampling unit. The respondents
were asked questions who are directly or indirectly depend on
the Sundarbans for their livelihood by using different types of
minor forest products. The respondents were selected who are
native in that area and who had enough indigenous knowledge
about the Sundarbans. They were also selected on the basis
that their life and income sources are directly dependent on the
Sundarbans. A detailed socio-economic survey was conducted
to assess their educational status, land status, occupation and
income. Respondents are selected purposively from villages.
The unnecessary part of the collected information and data has
been discarded from the final paper. After the sorted information,
data are then complied sequentially and systematically. The
survey data were processed and analyzed with the Microsoft
Excel version 2016.
Results and Discussion
Socio-Economic Characteristics of the Respondents
The socio-economic characteristics of the respondents
surveyed in study area have shown in Table 1. In the study
area, 81% of respondents were male, while 19% of female
involved in an interview through the semi-structured
questionnaire. It was found that, when there was no earning
member in a family instead of male, female were working in
the sundarbans like shrimp fry collection, prawn collection,
golpata fruit collection, keora fruit collection etc. In the study
area the age of the respondents were categorized into three
groups namely young aged (below 30 years), middle aged (3045 years) and old aged (above 45 years). From the field survey
it was found that, among the respondents the highest number
of the respondents (66%) were middle aged, 14% were above
45 years and the rest 20% were young aged. The highest
percentage (48%) of the respondents was primary level, while
above secondary level passed were 23%, secondary level
passed were 12% and illiterate were 17%. From the field
survey it was observed that most of the respondent’s (34%)
income range was 750- 1125 US$, 24% respondents had
below 750 US$, 19% respondents had 1126-1875 US$, 13%
respondents had 1876- 2500 US$ and 10% respondents had
above 2500 US$. Most of the respondents (93%) had their
own land for homestead, only (5%) respondents were lived in
others land and only (2%) respondents were lived in
government land. Most of the respondent's house were tin
2 | Advances in Agriculture, Horticulture and Entomology, Volume 2020, Issue 04
Copyright: ©
2020 Md. Akramul Islam *
Utilization of Minor Forest Products of the Sundarbans in
Bangladesh
shed wooden wall, golpata shed and mud wall and golpata
shed wooden wall. From the field survey it was observed that
among the respondents, 56% of them had homestead range
less than 0.5 acre, 26% respondents had 0.5-0.9 acre, 8%
respondents had 1-1.5 acre, 7% respondents had above 1.5-2
Selected Characteristics
Gender
Age(years)
Literacy Level
Annual Income (US$)
Land Status
Homestead land (acre)
Agricultural land (acre)
acre and only 3% of them had above 2 acres. While, in the
study area 30% respondents had less than 1acre agricultural
land, 23% respondents had 1-1.9 acre, 19% had 2-2.9 acre and
28% had above 3 acres.
Categories
Male
Female
Young (˂30)
Middle aged (30-45)
Old (˃45)
Primary
Secondary
Above Secondary
Illiterate
Below 750
750- 1125
1126-1875
1876- 2500
Above 2500
Own land
Government land
Others
<0.5
0.5-0.9
1-1.5
1.6-2
˃2
<1
1-1.9
2-2.9
˃3
Percentage(%) of the respondents
81
19
20
66
14
48
12
23
17
24
34
19
13
10
93
5
2
56
26
8
7
3
30
23
19
28
Table 1. Socio-economic characteristics of the respondents.
Utilization of Minor Forest Products of the Sundarbans by The Respondents
Collector Category
From the study area of Dacope upazila, it was found that 8.89% respondents were directly collector, 28.89% respondents were
indirectly collector who were rich people commonly known as Mahajon,52.22% were not collector,10.00% people was working under
master and directly go to the Sundarbans who were the common poor people (Fig.1).
3 | Advances in Agriculture, Horticulture and Entomology, Volume 2020, Issue 04
Copyright: ©
2020 Md. Akramul Islam *
Utilization of Minor Forest Products of the Sundarbans in
Bangladesh
Figure 1: Collector category of the respondents.
The list of minor forest products found in Sundarbans have
ranked in the following order: Fish ˃ Honey ˃ Bees Wax ˃
Golpata (Nypa fruticans) ˃ Shrimp fry ˃ Prawn ˃ Hantal
(Phoenix paludosa) ˃ Golpata (Nypa fruticans) fruit ˃ Ora
(Sonneratia caseolaris) ˃ Goran (Heritiera fomes) stick ˃ Fuel
wood ˃ Hogla (Typha elephantina) ˃ Nal (Eriochloa procera)
˃ Crab ˃ Keora (Sonneratia apetala) fruit ˃ Medicinal plant ˃
Grass ˃ Malia (Cyperus javanicus) ˃ Molasses.
Collection of Resources Directly
From the study, it was found that a considerable portion
of the respondents in the study area go to the Sundarbans
and collect resources from the Sundarbans directly. The
respondents who collect forest resources are trained by their
guardian in traditional way although they have no institutional
training. They have also sufficient equipments e.g. boat, net.
axe, etc. Among the respondents, 56.67% of them directly
collected fish, 43.44% respondents collected golpata (Nypa
fruticans), 23.33% respondents collected fuel wood , 18.89%
respondents collected shrimp fry, 14.14% respondents
collected honey, 13.33% respondents collected crab, 12.12%
respondents collected prawn, 8.89% respondents collected
keora (Sonneratia apetala) fruit, 7.78% respondents collected
medicinal plants (Acanthus ilicifolius, Aegiceras corniculatu,
Brownlowia tersa, Derris trifoliat, Phoenix paludosa etc.),
6.67% respondents collected hogla (Typha elephantina),
5.56% respondents collected golpata (Nypa fruticans) fruit
and ora (Sonneratia caseolaris), 3.33% respondents collected
goran (Heritiera fomes) stick, 1.11% respondents collected
grass, 2.22% respondents collected hantal (Phoenix paludosa)
and 1.11% respondents collected molasses (Fig. 2).
Figure 2: Percentage of the respondents based on directly collection of resource.
4 | Advances in Agriculture, Horticulture and Entomology, Volume 2020, Issue 04
Copyright: ©
2020 Md. Akramul Islam *
Utilization of Minor Forest Products of the Sundarbans in
Bangladesh
Collection of Resources Indirectly
From the survey in the study area it was observed that some
people collect resources indirectly by renting labor or by giving
loan. The people who take loan from money lender commonly
known as 'Mahajon' they sold their products only by that
master. The Mahajon give credit at very high interest rate for
harvesting forest resources to the common poor people. They also
provide boat, net and other facilities to the poor people in lieu of
share of profit in the ratio 6:10 between the owner of the boat and
laborer after selling of forest resources. Besides, in other way
Mahajon employ laborer for harvesting forest resources on
contract basis and in that case sharing of profit does not arise.
Beside this, some people or Mahajon renting labor and sent
them Sundarbans for forest resources harvesting on contract
basis. Among the respondents, 23.33% respondents indirectly
collected fish,14.44% respondents collected golpatta (Nypa
fruticans), 7.77% respondents collected fuel wood , 12.12%
respondents collected honey, 13.33% respondents collected
shrimp fry, 5.56% respondents collected keora fruit, 18.89%
collected prawn, 7.77% collected crab, 4.44% collected golpata
(Nypa fruticans) fruit, 3.33% collected goran (Ceriops
decandra) stick, 1.09% collected ora (Sonneratia caseolaris)
and 2.22% collected grass. (Fig.3).
Figure 3: Percentage of the respondents based on indirectly collection of resource.
Utilization of Resources Directly
From the survey in the study area, the resources which
were collected directly by the respondents have presented in
figure 4. They use goran (Heritiera fomes) stick, fuel wood,
hantal (Phoenix paludosa), golpata (Nypa fruticans), hogla
(Typha elephantina), nal (Eriochloa procera) malia (Cyperus
javanicus) for household purpose. Grasses were collected by
women mainly to make mat like nal grass, malia, hogla etc.
Fish, honey, crab, golpata fruits (Nypa fruticans), keora
(Sonneratia apetala), ora (Sonneratia caseolaris) etc. were
eaten by the respondents and sell it in the market. They
collect shrimp fry to sell and get money. By surveying, it was
found that, among the respondents, 56.67% of them directly
use fish, 47.78% respondents use honey, 53.33% respondents
use golpata, 38.89% respondents use fuel wood, 28.89%
respondents use hogla, 12.22% respondents use prawn, 6.67%
respondents use hantal, 3.33% respondents use crab,7.77%
respondents use nal, 8.89% respondents use grass, 4.44%
respondents use keora fruit, 3.33% respondents use malia,10.11%
respondents use goran stick and 2.22% respondents use
molasses (Fig.4).
Figure 4: Percentage of the respondents directly use of resource.
5 | Advances in Agriculture, Horticulture and Entomology, Volume 2020, Issue 04
Copyright: ©
2020 Md. Akramul Islam *
Utilization of Minor Forest Products of the Sundarbans in
Bangladesh
Utilization of Resources Indirectly
From survey in the study area, it was found that some resources
were indirectly used by the respondents. Generally the employer
person or the people who were not related to go to the Sundarban or
who have no business related to minor forest products of
Sundarban, they buy some products for their own purpose. They
buy golpata, hantal, hogla, nal, malia etc. for their household’s
purposes and fish, honey, prawn, keora fruit, golpata fruit are used
for food. From the study it was found that 54.44% respondents
indirectly use fish,14.44% respondents use honey, 51.11%
respondents use golpata, 36.67% respondents use fuel wood,
16.67% respondents use shrimp fry, 15.55% respondents use hogla,
11.11% respondents use prawn, 5.56% respondents use hantal,
7.78% respondents use crab, 6.67% respondents use malia, 5.56%
respondents use hantal, 5.55% respondents use nal, 4.44%
respondents use medicinal plant, 3.33% respondents use goran
stick, 2.22% respondents use keora fruit (Fig.5). The medicinal
plants in the research area are Basok (Adhatoda vasica), Bahera
(Terminalia belerica) , Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) , Arjun
(Terminalia arjuna) , Amloki (Phyllanthus embellica) , Bel
(Aeglemar melos) , Supari (Oroxylum indicum (L.) Vent), Shimul
(Bombax ceiba L.) , Mehedi (Lawsonia inermis L. , kool (Ziziphus
jujuba Mill) , Peyara (Psidium guajava L.) , Khejur (Phoenix
sylvestris) , Tetul (Tamariandus indica) , Neem (Azadirachta
indica).
Figure 5: Percentage of the respondents indirectly use of resource.
have equipment for collecting products from Sundarbans
(Fig.6).
Equipment Facility of Respondents
By surveying the respondents, it was found that 21.11%
respondents have no equipment, where 31.11% respondents
Figure 6: Percentage of the respondent’s equipment facilities.
Working Schedule
The working schedule of the people of Sundarbans varies
with the types of work have presented in Table 2. Throughout
the year they go fishing and collect the fuel wood. They usually
collect honey from March to April and crab from November to
February. They usually collect Nypa fruticans from December
to May. They practice agriculture generally from June to
August.
6 | Advances in Agriculture, Horticulture and Entomology, Volume 2020, Issue 04
Copyright: ©
2020 Md. Akramul Islam *
Utilization of Minor Forest Products of the Sundarbans in
Bangladesh
Types of work
Fishing
Honey collection
Crab
Fuel wood
Golpata collection
Agriculture
Month
Whole year
March-April
November-February
Whole year
December –May
June-August
Dependency on Sundarbans for Household Materials
From the study, it was found that most of the people
were depended on the Sundarbans directly or indirectly for
their livelihood. They used different materials that they
found from the Sundarbans.
Table 2. Working schedule of the respondents.
Figure 7: Percentage of respondents according to their housing pattern.
Most of the respondent's house were tin shed wooden
wall (52.22%), while golpata shed and mud wall (15.16%),
tin shed building (7.78%), golpata shed wooden wall
(12.22%), building (4.44%) and tin shed tin fence (7.77%)
were contributed the remaining part (Fig.7).
Problem of getting pass
The respondents gave their opinions about different problems
were faced by them.
The order for allotting permits for forest resources is issued
from the District Forest Officer (DFO) and on the basis of DFO
order Forest Range Officer (FRO) gives them permits. The also
maintain close contact with the FRO for having information about
permits of forest resources. The availability of permits of forest
resources is less compared to the demand in general. The system
of sanctioning permits on “first come first serve” basis does not
work in all cases.
Physical problems
Credit problem
When the people of the study area go to Sundarbans to collect
natural resources they faced different problems such as their body
may be cut by different part of trees. But in the study area there is
no medical facilities for their treatment.
In the study area credit problem is the main problem of
maximum respondents. A number of money lenders commonly
known as give credit (Mahajon) at a very high rate interest for
harvesting forest resources to the common poor. The share of
profit ratio between the owner of the boat and laborer is 6:10,
although in other way Mahajon haired laborer does not get such
facilities. The respondents had given their opinion, though sharing
of profit is higher for them but Mahajon took a lot of profit by
various excuses. It is assumed that a Bawali gets an amount
varying from Tk. 1500 to Tk. 2000 per month whereas a
Mahajon earns an amount varying from Tk. 15000 to 30000 per
boat. A Mahajon owns up to 50 boats engaged in harvesting of
forest resources.
Problems Faced by the Respondents
Problem of securities
There are some security guards for taking care of forest
resources under the Forest Range Officer, but the number of them
is very few compared to their need. The security of forest
resources in other way is ensured by the tigers because fear of
tigers prevents access of people into the forest for harvesting of
forest resources.
7 | Advances in Agriculture, Horticulture and Entomology, Volume 2020, Issue 04
Copyright: ©
2020 Md. Akramul Islam *
Utilization of Minor Forest Products of the Sundarbans in
Bangladesh
2.
Problem of pirates
Robbery of pirates is very common in forest area. Each and
every boat has to pay a big amount of money to the pirates for
harvesting of forest resources. Sometimes, pirates rob the people
and claim huge amount of money in exchange of getting them
free. So, a big portion of the profit of the business of forest
resources goes to the pirates in most cases.
Conclusion
The Sundarbans plays an important role in the economy of
the southwestern region of Bangladesh as well as in the
national economy. It is the single largest source of forest
produce in the country. Various non-timber forest products in
Sundarbans help to generate considerable employment and
income generation opportunities for the poor coastal
population. The people in the study area directly or indirectly
use the minor forest products of the Sundarbans. They usually
use fuel wood, honey, fish, golpata and goran stick, shrimp
fry, prawn, some fruit trees, nail, hantal, hogla, grasses, malia,
molasses etc. Sundarbans also provides natural protection to
life and properties of the coastal population in the cyclone
prone Bangladesh. Increasing trend of population growth creates
increasing pressure on forest resources. So the socio-economic
conditions of those people adjacent to the Sundarbans should
be improved. The people adjacent to the Sundarbans have not
enough knowledge about utilization of minor forest products. So it
is necessary to increase their knowledge about utilization of minor
forest products. If there are various ways of alternative income
from the forest of sundarbans, the resources depletion rate may be
reduced.
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Citation: Islam A, Sharmin A, Biswas R, Dey T, Bachar BK et al. (2020) Utilization of Minor Forest Products of the
Sundarbans in Bangladesh. Adv in Agri, Horti and Ento: AAHE-126.
8 | Advances in Agriculture, Horticulture and Entomology, Volume 2020, Issue 04