Forest resources

Forest resources of Bangladesh.

We see different types of plants and trees around us. Trees and plants are wonderful gift

of nature. The accumulation of trees and plants is known as a forest. In other words, large areas where trees and plants grow close to one another on their own are called forests.

The resources which are produced or collected from the forest are known as forest resources. Among our natural resources those from the forests are of vital importance. Forest resources include bamboo, wood and fuel for our daily necessities and also raw materials for industrial products. Besides, forests protect the land from storms, cyclones, drought etc.

For economic development of a country 25% of the total land should have forest area, according to the expert’s views, to maintain equilibrium. But the forest area of Bangladesh is only 9.3% of the total area of the country.

The forest of Bangladesh is divided into four regions:

a.     Chittagong and hill district of Chittagong Division.

b.     Sylhet Region

c.      Modhupur Region, Bhawal.

d.     Khulna Region.

From these 4 regions we get many useful things like bamboo, wood, fuel of daily necessity and raw materials for industrial products.

Chittagong and Hill districts of Chittagong:

Chittagong and hilly place of Bangladesh, Rangamati, Khagrachori, Cox’s Bazar are

included in this region. This is the largest forest area of Bangladesh. Garjon, Jarul, Shegun, Arjun, Chapalish, Telsur, Shimul, Karai, Teak, Cane tree, Bamboo etc. are the main trees of this forest area. Garjan, Gamari and Jarul wood are used in making doors and window of house. Garjan and Jarul are also used as the railway slipper. wood colour and burnish are made from the juice of Garjon tree.

We use teak tree for our faney furniture. Other woods of this forest are used for making furniture. Bamboo is the raw material of Karnaphuli paper mill. It is situated at Chandraghona in Rajgamati district. Bamboo and other soft wood are also the raw materials of rayon complex.

Sylhet Region:

This forest region is at the north east part of our country. Sunamgonj, Sylhet, Moulovibazar, Hobiganj District are included in this forest region. Jarul is the main Tree of this forest. Gagjon, Gamari, Chapalish, Telsur, Karai, Mehguni are the other trees of Sylhet region. Sylhet is mainly the land of tea gardens.

Bamboo, cane and reed grow abundantly in Shlhet, Bamboo and reed are used as the raw materials of paper and pulp industries. Fancy furniture is made form bamboo and cane.

Modhupur- Bhawal Region:

The rorests of Mymensingh, Tangail and Gagipur are called Modhupur Bhawal forest region. This forest is also known as Shal or Gajari forest, as the main free of this forest is Shal or Gajari.

Karai, Hijol, satim, Harbhanga, Keli Kadamba, Bochera, Kumbhi, Nim, Jack-fruit etc. are the other trees of the forest.

Barendrabhumi of Rangpur, Dinajpur, District were also in this region. But the area of this forest is decreasing now-a-days. Shal wood is widely used in making houses bridges, pillars for electric and telephone and telegraph line etc.

Khulna Region (The Sundarbans)

The biggest mangrove forest of the world is at the south-west part of our country. The forest area of barguna, Bagerhat, Khulna and Shatkhira is also at Khulna region.

Sundori is the main tree of this forest. So this forest is termed as Shundarban. Except these trees, Gewa, Keora, Bayen, Poshur, Dhaundal, Amur, Hetal, Golpata, etc. are the trees of this forest.

Shundori tree is used as firewood. Gewa as raw materials for newsprint and match, Dhundal for manufacturing pencil. Golpata is widely used for preparing thatehed house in the south west part of our country. Plenty of honey and waxy substances are collected from this forest.

Different wild animals like the Royal Bengal Teger, Elephants, Deers, Monkeys, Squirrels, Wilk-dogs and Snakes are found in almost all the forest areas of Bangladesh.

Usefulness of Forest:

The forest resources of our country are playing a very important role in our nation economy. Many small and big industries and cottage industries of our country are dependent on te forest resources for their raw materials.

Our country also earns foreign currency by exporting some products made from the resources of Bangladesh forest.

Now let’s see some others usefulness of our forest resources-

1.     We get different kinds of leaves, fruits, seeds as our food which are collected from the trees.

2.     Different kinds of woods are used for making houses and others building, furniture and tools.

3.     Fire wood is very useful as fuel.

4.     Various kinds of medicine are produced from different medicinal plants, and these medicines are very effective for certain diseases.

5.     Paper, match sticks, plywood etc. are made by the soft wood.