Online Research Paper: The land found in the haors

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Inroduction:

The land found in the haors or low lying areas can be termed as reed land consisting of swampy association. These lands are completely inundated during the monsoon season. The water starts to recedes during the onset of the winter season and is completely drained by December, leaving small lakes in the lowest basins or beels. The reed lands are complex landscape of plain and alluvial valleys made up of water laid deposits of sands, clay, silts and calcareous sediments. Generally flat terrains form a complex mosaic of wet sites and biotic communities. The area receives a much of water that drains from the Meghalaya Plateau and also forms two major rivers (Surma and Kushiara) which flow directly through these low lands.(BCAS,1997). The soil surface of the land covered by the fresh water swamp forest is regularly to occasionally inundated by fresh water, and the water level fluctuates, thus allowing periodic drying of the soil surface. (Whitmore, 1975)

The reed lands are dominated by reed swamp association locally known as pajuban and consist of tall grasses namely Nal (Phragmites kakra), Khagra (Sccharum spontanium ) and Ekra (Eranthus ravannae). Some meadow grasses such as Binna (Vetiveria zizaniodes) dominated in the open areas. Woody shrubs like Shatamuli (Asparagus racemoses), Chitki (Phyllanthus disticha) and baladumur (Ficus heterophylla) occur with tree vegetations sporadically found in higher ground and are generally of the scattered tree type. Main tree species include Hizol (Barringtonia acutangula), Koroch (Pongamia pinnata), Bhuri/Pitali (Trewia nudiflora) and Jarul (Lagerstroemia speciosa). (Hayder, M.,et.al., 2006).

Environmentally, economically and socially reed land forests are very important. During the dry months, much of the reed lands are open areas covered with grass and reed and small lakes (beels) in the lowest areas are intermittently found. Currently, some local families edges of these beels for planting a wider variety of rice and some of other cash crops. The open areas and beels are potential areas for agricultural cultivation and fresh water fisheries use. During the winter season, the haors are also the destination of migratory birds seeking refuge and finding from the beels.

Fishes, Shingles and Boulders etc; commercially important non-wood forest products, are also the natural resources of the reed lands. These landscape units i.e. fresh water marshes and fresh water swamp forest don’t necessarily occur in individual pattern: rather often occur in combinations. (Hayder, M.,et.al., 2006).

1.2 Rationality:

As the reed lands of Bangladesh are depleting day by day and the flora and fauna are under extreme threat of human pressure. So, it has become inevitable to asses the present status of biodiversity of reed lands to form base line information for implementing proper management programmed of the reed lands. That is the why the present study was conducted to ascertain the present status of floral composition of Ratargul Fresh Water Swamp Forest, Sylhet as a model.

1.3 Objectives:

The overall objectives of my study were as follows:

To asses the present status of flora in the study area.
To identify the causes of biodiversity degradation in the reed lands and to propose measures to conserve the reed land biodiversity.
Proposing strategies for the sustainable development of reed lands.

CHAPTER TWO

Literature Review

2.1. The reed growing areas in Bangladesh:

There rae 23,590.08 hectares (58,247 acres) of gazettes in the Haors and low lying lands under the Jurisdiction of Sylhet Forest Division. This reed lands are bonded by 24º81´ 25º19´ north latitude and 91º39´ 92º23´ east longitude and are scattered distributed over 5 thanas in Kompanigonj, Dowawrabazar, Chhatak, Gowainghat and Jaintapur in Sunamganj and Sylhet dostricts of the Sylhet civil division. The reed lands are located in the Haor basin of Sylhet comprising of fresh water wetlands, a vast alluvial plain, numerous rivers and streams and 100 of fellow fresh water lakes and marshes (Haors and Beels). (Rashid, 1991).

2.2. Physiognomy of reed land:

The reed forest area is bonded by a number of rivers and their tributaries. The large Bangladesh Surma River flows through the southern side in a southerly direction. The Piyain, Dhala and Chelee rivers lie on the western side and flow into the Surma rivers. A number of small rivers and Khals cover the whole area. The northern side of the ea falls with in the Meghalaya plateau foothills, while the southern side is bounded by small hillocks near the Sylhet district. Hilly areas bound the south east. The sorrounnding areas of Chattak and Dowawrabazar have small hillocks. (Rashid, 1991).

Fresh water is highly complex and dynamic eco-system. The process of landscape formations and characteristics of wetlands are largely controlled by water. The condition of wetlands changes markedly and rapidly in response to fluctuations in climate and precipitation. The Haors are flooded to a depth of several meters during the Rainy season and in many cases to or more neighboring haors link up to form a large water bodies. In the dry season most of the water drains out leaving Beels. These shallow, saucer-shaped depressions become overgrown with aquatic vegetation during the dry season (BCAS, 1997).

2.2.1. Physiognomy and climate of Ratargul fresh water swamp forest:

The topography of the side is undulating in general. The flood plains are agricultural farmlands in general. The site is lowland and is oriented along the bank of the river. The estimated elevation is about 35feet above the mean sea level. This area has irregular relief with 3 – 6 meter local differences in elevation. Low hillocks are found to occur in a scattered manner in this region. The soils of this region are gray, heavy, silty clay loam with clays that predominant. The soils under the vegetations are mostly clayey loam to clayey in texture. In general, it was observed that the soil is finer grained i.e. more clayey as the locations are further from the river. The soils of this side quickly become dry and hard at the end of the rainy season and during dry period develop cracks especially where the vegetation/ tree cover is missing. The river banks are sandy to sandy loam type. The soils of the agricultural fields are loamy in general and are reported to be quite fertile. (Choudhury, J.K. et. al, 2004).

2.3. Potentials eco-system:

The Ratargul fresh water swamp forest is a tropical wetland eco-system having high Potentials of biodiversity values and others intangibles. Once degraded severely these sides have started to regain its floral and faunal composition under the management enforced by the FD. It has the high potentials of yielding trees and its branches for open water fishing activities, the patipata and cane for cottage industries, the indigenous medicinal plants towards herbal medicines, the fishes towards the supply of potentials for the poor and above all as the source of rural job opportunities towards the poverty alleviation. An eco-system management approach is necessary for the sustainable use of these Potentials of these sites. (Choudhury, J.K. et. al, 2004).

2.4. Floral species found in Reedland:

The Reedlands in the fresh water marshes (marshes are more or less permanent shallow water bodies) are dominated by reed swamp species, locally known as pujaban and consist of tall grasses (about 6 – 7 meters tall) mainly Nall (Phragmites khakra), Khagra ( Saccharum spontanium) and Ekra (Eranthus ravannae) some meadow grasses such as Binna (Vetiveria zizaniodes) and woody shrubs like Shatamuli (Asparagus racemoses). Fresh water swamp forest develop in still water areas around lake margins and on the elevated ridges between the Beels or levees of the streams and consist of evergreen trees (about 10 – 12 meters height) such as Hizol (Barringtonia acutangula), Koroch (Pongamia pinnata), Bhuri (Trewia nudiflora), Jarul (Lagerstroemia speciosa) and woody shrubs Bala dumur (Ficus heterophyla), Chity (Phyllanthus disticha) and asclepias climber, Shitalpati/murta (Clinogyne dicotoma), Bet (Calamus spp.), Fish, Shingles and Boulder are further commercially important non-wood resources of the Reed forest. (Rashid, 1991).

2.5. Importance of Reedland:

The wetlands of greater Sylhet region of Bangladesh have great ecological, commercial and socio-economic importance. They are highly productive eco-systems and important breeding grounds for fish (Karim, 1993). They serve as a filtering system for polluted water, provide fertile soils where people can grow a wide range of staple foods and provide grazing areas and fuel wood. The dynamic interaction of terrestrial and aquatic systems makes these wetlands highly valuable environmentally. The Reed forests are rich in their diversity of fauna and are internationally important wetland habitats for migratory waterfowls, particularly for ducks and shore birds. The wetlands are recognized as containing very rich components of biodiversity of local, regional and national significance (Nishat, 1993).

Encroachments, indiscriminate cutting of Reeds for use as building and industrial raw materials and fuel, unsustainable harvest of animal species and grazing have extensively damaged the Reed forest. Reed forest comprising about 2400 ha were allocated to the Sylhet Pulp and Paper Mills (SPPM) for supply of fibrous raw materials in 1975 (FMP 1998). However, by the time the mill was commissioned, the Reed resources had become depleted due to encroachments for settlements and cultivation (Nishat, 1993).

2.5.1. Reedlands importance NWFP’s:

Fishes, Shingles and Boulders etc commercially important NWFP’s, are also the natural resources of the Reedlands. These landscape units i.e. fresh water marshes and fresh water swamp forest don’t necessarily occur in individual pattern: rather often occur in combinations. The Reedland areas are rich in their faunal diversity. These are internationally important wetland habitats for migratory waterfowls, particularly for ducks and shore birds. The area is also important for passes migrants in springs and perhaps also in autumn.

Indiscriminate cutting of Reeds for use as building and industrial raw materials and as fuel particularly for limb burning, conversation of Reedlands into crop cultivation, encroachment, unsustainable harvest of animal species due to Indiscriminate killing by the hunters and poachers massive use of the Reedlands for grazing etc have extensively damage the once vast Reedlands in the areas and severely depleted the stocks of Reeds. The fresh water swamp forests are declining at an alarming rate and facing the threat of extinction due to over exploitation, sedimentation and conversation of agricultural land to paddy cultivation (cultivation of HYV rice induced intensive and deep tillage disturbing the seed banks of the natural vegetation and adversely affecting the species regeneration) (BCAS, 1997).

2.6. Dependency of people on Reeds and Reedlands:

The findings of the BCAS socio-economic surney in the Reedland areas in 1995 show that over 60% of the people in and around the Reedlands use Reed resources for family consumption. The extent of consumption varies by economic status i\of the people. The very well off people doesn’t live around the Reedlands. This could be because Reedland areas being low lying and not a very pleasant place to live in the rainy season, most wealthy people might have already migrated to other places. The vast majority of the people live on stone collection activities, cultivation (small scale) and wage labor. Almost all of these categories of people use Reed resources as house construction materials, fuel and fodder. These Reeds are Binna, Murta, Nal, Khagra and Ikra. A large number of people around the Reedlands fish in the Beels within the notified area for consumption. Reed resources don’t seem to have much commercial value because only few people sale them in market. It could be that those who use Reed don’t buy them rather they collect Reeds from the forest by themselves. It may be further noted that the Reeds don’t provide cash benefit to the people but almost entire population depend on it for material benefit which in monetary terms will be enormous (BCAS, 1997).

2.7. Uses of reeds and its recourses:

The reeds have traditionally been used for thatching construction of houses of wall and also for the protection of homesteads from wave erosion during the monsoonal flood, Pharagmitis kakra, Saccharum spontaneum, Arundo donax and Schelerostachya fusca are used as raw materials for pulp and paper. More than 90% of the lime requirement of the country comes from the reed lands and as the lime burning industries made extensive use of reeds in the past. In some areas it is still used as the only fuel for burning lime. The local people directly collect Schelerostachya fusca from the area for still filling during the rainy season while no other fodder is available in the Haor areas. The livestock in the locality mostly graze in the reedlands. The reeds when submersed during rainy season acts as the shelter for a lot of fishes and prawn species. The reedland areas of the northest region in Bangladesh are an important habited for a number of globally threatened birds and mammals. Sedimentation is a major problem in the area which causes frequent changes of river courses. Reeds are important sediment trapper, although rapid sedimentation sometimes causes extensive damage to the reed vegetation itself. (BCAS, 1997).

2.8 Fresh water swamp forest/Reedlands in Sylhet forest division:

There are 23,590.08 hectares (58,247 acres) of gazzetteed reed lands in the Haors and low-lying lands in the Sylhet forest division. These reed lands are bounded by 24º81´ - 25º 19´ North latitude and 91º39´ - 92º23´ East longitude and are scattered distributed over 5 thanas in Kompanigonj, Dowawrabazar, Chhatak, Gowainghat and Jaintapur in Sunamganj and Sylhet dostricts of the Sylhet civil division.

The following table shows the distribution of Reed lands:

Table – 1: The distribution of Reed lands

SL No.	Reed lands	Gazetted areas
SL No.	Reed lands	Acres	Hectares
1.	Barakhia prua and chatibar pailgaon Khadanchibari ban sen mahal	10,396.51	4,210.59
2.	Companyganj dastidar estate ban sen mahal	6,195.75	2,509.28
3.	Ray and chara estate ban sen mahal	3,857.17	1,562.15
4.	Gauripur nijgaon estate ban sen mahal	2,500.00	1,012.50
5.	Dhargram banker mahal including Ranikhai Reserved forest	6,400.00	2,592.00
6.	Piyangul baner mahal	8,566.08	3,469.26
7.	Chailtabari Lengura Haor estate ban sen mahal	11,652.93	4,514.87
8.	Chailkhal Baon Hoar estate ban sen mahal	8,678.68	3,514.87
Total		58,247.12	23,590.08

The reed lands are located in the Haor basin of Sylhet comprising of Freshwater wetlands, a vast alluvial plain, numerous rivers and streams, and hundred of fellow Freshwater lakes and marshes (Haor and Beels).

2.8.1. History of settlement:

The settler of the reed lands areas can be divided into 3 categories: the refuges from India, immigrants from greater Sylhet district and immigrants from other district. The refuges came from India immediately after the partition of India in 1947. The immigrants mostly came after the independence in 1971. The immigrants of different thanas significantly differ with regarded to their reasons of migration to the present place. The highest number of immigrants of Jaintapur came here due to poverty, Gowainghat for having support of patrons and Chhatak and Dowarabazar for easy accesses to lands. Companiganj immigrants, however, mostly inherited their position from immigrants (BCAS, 1997). Most of the settlers don’t have registered land and they are trying to registration of in their name at present.

2.8.2 History of management:

The reed lanes of the Sylhet forest division prior to contributing as Acquired forests with the implementation of the East Bengal Acquisition and Tendency Act, 1950 (East Bengal Act XXVIII of 1951) were under private ownerships. The acquired forest comprising of 23,590.08 hectares of reed lands of Sylhet forest division were subsequently notified under section 4 of the Forest Act, 1927(Act XVI of 1927).

In the past no scientific management was applied to the reeds. Scientific management for reeds was prescribed in the working plans prepared by R.A. choudhury and M.U. choudhury. The depleted condition of the stocks of the reeds necessitated putting some cutting of reeds and accordingly all compact areas of reeds were constituted into separate mahals which were to be worked on a system of two years rotation, being open for cutting of reeds on every second year. Rules for harvesting of reeds and measure for effective protection of reed areas were also prescribed in the working plan (BCAS, 1997).

Reed-lands comprising of about 24,000 hectares were allocated to the Sylhet Pulp and Paper Mills during the previous working plan period for supplying fibrous raw materials to the mill. (Choudhury J.K.et.al., 2004).

2.9 Management of reed lands area:

a) The ecologically and socio-economically acceptable bases for managing reed-lands should to be developed and applied to promote conservation of their genetic resources.

b) Considering the severely depleted stocks of the reeds, heavy dependency of the people, in and around the reed lands, on reed resources for family consumptions, for constructing houses, fuel and fodder for cattle and that a total ban on the use of reeds is not likely to be acceptable to local people, ‘Core-buffer-multiple use zone strategy’ should be used for managing the reed land areas.

c) The ‘core’ would be completely protected with restricted access and would be managed in a way which would encourage the regenerations of the reeds in suitable areas. In fresh water swamp forest, regeneration of the ecosystem and reproduction of important fish and wildlife stocks is very much necessary. It is necessary for the conservation of biodiversity as well as preservation of ecological diversity to have protected areas which contain representatives of these important fresh water swamp species.

d) The ‘Buffer zone’ would contain all the reed lands outside the core areas, plantation of reeds and long rotation trees, which would be managed with the participation of local people to meet their local needs. Handcart fodder could also be extracted from the area, but free-roaming of livestock would be banded.

e) The size of the ‘Core’ and ‘Buffer zone’ would vary according to the size and nature of the reed lands.

f) The ‘Multiple use’ zone is surrounding the ‘Core-Buffer’ areas would

be the privately owned parts of the reed lands and the adjacent

agricultural lands which border the reed lands. The ‘Multiple use’ area should be identified as” Special area for eco-development (SAED)” to reduce the dependency on reserved forest. This would require a balance land use with field crops, tree crops, livestock and fisheries in such a way as to maximize socio-economic benefits while sustaining the environment. An integrated development programmed for multiple use area, based on sound environment management practices could be taken as a pilot project to be funded by some donor agency.

g) The remaining stands of the once dense swamp forest of the reed lands have to protected by proper management and develop more swamp forest areas through aforestation, as the component trees (mostly Hijal, Koroach, Barun and also Jarul, pitali,Kadam etc.) providing construction materials, fuel, fodder, nesting site for birds and other animals besides acting as controller of erosion.

h) All the compact areas of reeds would be constituted into separate mahals and would worked on a system of two years rotation being open for cutting of reeds on every second year. The boundaries of each mahal should be surveyed and demarcated. (BCAS, 1997). Technique of afforestation of important swamp species like Hijal, Barun and Koroch should be developed.

i) Key sites where biophysical conditions influence large areas should to be identified. These include sites visited by internationally migrating water fowl, fish brood stock refuses and threatened species habitats. Disturbance-free zones for nesting and roosting birds have to be established as sanctuary. The local residence and concerned authorities have to be sensitized towards the importance of these sanctuaries through conservation education.

h) Fish productivity of the water bodies in the reed land areas appear to be linked with the growth and abundance of reed plants in the water. The reeds appear contribute to increase production in two ways:

1) Epiphyte growths on the submersed portion of the reed stems, the epiphyte being the food of many species. And,

2) Presence of reed plants provides shelter and protection against fishing and poaching. Since the relationship between increased fish production and occurrence of reed plants has not been quantitatively studied so far in Bangladesh, this study should be taken by the Forest Department.

k) Extraction of shingles, Boulders and stones should be done in systematic and planned manner to stop unplanned unauthorized extractions causing erosions of adjoining forest lands and changing the landscape and making the land unsuitable for future d3evelopment. This should be done in strict regularly and control measures by the forest department in collaboration with other concerned authorities.

l) The agricultural crop cultivators and the encroachers may be involved on the management and protection of the reed lands through giving proper responsibilities and arranging for accountabilities in lieu of their existing facilities, since it may not be practicable or even possible to evict these people under the present day circumstances.

The medium high land may be planted with pulp wood species. The elevate areas and the fringes of the medium land may be planted with bamboo, cane and murta respectively. (BCAS, 1997)

2.9.1 Rules for the management of reed areas:

The following rules should to be followed for the management of reed lands areas:

Removal of rhizomes should not be allowed.
Thorny bushes should to be eradicated.
Surface burning for clearance of debris should be carried out after harvesting of the crop.
Reed plantation should be raised, preferably after the first flash flood for higher survival of seedlings.

2.9.3 Pollarding system of operational management for the fresh water swamp forest/Reed-lands:

The swamp forest should to be managed under ‘pollarding system’. The following rules should to be followed during the operation;

Only branches are to be cut close to the stem.
No stems should be cut under any circumstances.
To encourage new recruitment in the forest and thereby increase the growing stock, the inner forest would be scrupulously close to grazing during 1^st November to 31^st March of the year.

2.9.3 Integrated Management Plan and Recommendation of the Reed-lands of Sylhet Forest Division:

The criteria should to be followed for integrated management.

Careful arrangement of the multi-sect oral management issues such as:

· Biophysical characteristics of the ecosystem.

· Status of each of the components of the ecosystem separately and together as functional units of the whole.

· Present position of management of the resources.

· Institution responsible for administration and management of the resources and their present organizations and how should they be organized in future.

· Beneficiaries of the resources and the products of the reed lands.

· Potentialities of more cooperation with user groups and local communities.

Improvement of management and sustainable production and optimum utilization of all the products from the Reed lands for the benefits of the nation and local people which must be addressed to attain the desired goals. (BCAS, 1997).

2.10 Strategies for sustainable development of Reed-lands:

a) People’s livelihood and national economy are dependent on the continued production of the soil, water, forest and fisheries. Without taking vigorous action to prevent further degradation of these natural resources, increase in food production and economic development can not be sustained.

b) Any conservation programmed ultimately depends upon the users of the resources who are the key to sustainable development and need to be fully involved in every programmed of which they are beneficiaries.

c) The critical needs and important issues related to natural resources (forest resources) can be addressed in two phase’s viz. a short term approach for one to two years and a medium to long term approach for three to ten years to be persuade in an integrated manner.(BCAS,1997).

2.10.1 Strategies for sustainable land use of reed lands:

In order to stop the decline of reed lands, multiple uses of the lands should be developed based on the principles of sustainable development described earlier.

· Each reed land must be managed as the integrated manner.

· The integrated management plan should be include wood and non wood products, agriculture (field crop and animal husbandry), fisheries and conservation of the ecosystem for biodiversity of flora and fauna.

· “Core buffer multiple-use zone strategy” should be used when allocating land use in the reed land areas.

· Rational land use planning for the reed land areas is likely to increase the benefit coming from the area. If the poor are given priority in the development and utilization of these resources, there are likely to be social benefits as well. (BCAS, 1997).

2.10.2 Strategies for reed lands resources management:

a) Two broad categories specially addressing the reed lands resources management:

· To identify, development management strategies that benefit both reed lands habitat, the component biota and the human population; and

· To identify key site which include those used by internationally migratory water fowls and those used by fish brood stock?

b) Special sanctuary areas should be established and the internationally important wetland containing reed land sites to create disturbance free zones for nesting and rooting birds.

c) The reed land which is getting degraded due to high level of human exploitations should be stabilized. (BCAS, 1997).

2.10.3 Strategies for rising public awareness for reed lands resources management:

a) There is an urgent need for public awareness development for reed lands resources management of Sylhet Forest Division. These should aim at creating awareness of;

The function and values of reed lands;
The threats to reed land sites and importance of reed land species; and
Sustainable use to prevent further destruction of reed lands.

b) As the rural poor living in and around the reed lands are the key actors in reed lands and their resources conservation, it is imperative to sick their cooperation and involvement in programs of critical local significance.

c) The curriculum of primary and secondary schools in which some components of natural resources conservation are already included, should further strengthened by inclusion of reed land resources conservation, demonstration projects, field training and voluntary services supported by video films and graphics.

d) The news media can play an important role in disseminating information on functions and value of reed lands.(BCAS,1997).

2.11 Threats to ecosystem in reed land areas:

The threats that once destroyed the ecosystem still exist. Though the protection that is in force by the FD is somewhat effective, this site receives low priority to the FD administration at divisional level, stationed at Sylhet. These sites are the first affected once of the acute shortage of manpower within the FD. These sites fail to fetch the required importance since they earn only a small amount of direct revenue for the government. During the visit, there have only one forest department staff that is entrusted all the field activities of these sites, including protection. This is little too much. The major threats are:

a) Encroachment of sites for agriculture.

b) Illegal collection of woody branches for open water fishing purpose.

c) Illegal collection of wood mostly for use as fuel wood.

d) Illegal catching of fishes.

e) Illegal collection of medicinal plants and honey. (Choudhury J.K. et.al.,2004)

CHAPTER THREE

Materials and Methods

3.1 Study Area

The study was conducted in the Ratargul forest beat, north Sylhet range-2. There different types of land such as low land marshy land etc were selected for the study.

3.1.2 Selection of the study area:

Ratargul area was declared as Reserved Forest under the Assam Forest Act in 1932. An area of 292.60 acres was declared as Reserved Forest vides notification number 1774-R dated June 9^th 1932. In the past these areas were allocated to “Pollarding Working Circle” under Sylhet forest division. It is proposed to be an eco-park. So it is selected as the study area purposively.

3.1.3 Description of the study area:

Ratargul is a wetland forest chunk under the Sylhet forest division. It is located at about 45 km on the North-west of Sylhet town on the bank of river Goyain. In the past the only approach to this area was by boat. Administrative location of the site is under upazilla Goainghat and district Sylhet. The administrative beat office of Ratargul is at latitude 25˚00.025΄N and longitude 91˚58.180΄ E. This area is on the north of Surma River. The Goyain River ultimately drains into the Surma River. The area gets flooded from the Goyain River water. These areas are important sites for the collection of “Patipata” that used to grow naturally in the past. These “Patipata” locally known as “Murta” are used for weaving mats, some of them are of very high quality known as “Shital patii”.

Map of the Study area:

Fig – 1: Map of the study area (Source: Sylhet Forest Division)

3.1.4 Floral diversity:

The ecosystem was visited, during these visits the flora found in the ecosystem were observed and noted. Technique is chosen after consideration of feasibility of working in the natural forest, economy and availability of time. The relative abundances are estimated while walking through the ecosystem. The heights of the top canopy are noted. The forest management and related forestry aspect are noted. Trees are identified and specialized character or peculiarities of the vegetation are noted. For proper identification of the species specimens have been collected and these materials are pressed so that herbarium sheets may be prepared and the species are properly identified later. The soil, water regime, aspect and related things were observed and noted. The trees were identified following Heining (1925) and Brandis (1906) and Prain (1903). Taxonomic literatures were consulted for correct nomenclature of the taxa.

3.1.5 Ecosystem in general:

Detailed discussion with local forest staff, officials, neighboring people and experienced persons for obtaining information about ecosystem especially to identified the threats and potentials. With the help assistance of local forest stuff and officials and a few of local old, well conversant and knowledgeable personnel living in and around the ecosystem were invented for discussion.

3.1.6 Land use pattern:

The existing land use pattern of the ecosystem was noted. The sites, adjoining ecosystem under study area, were briefly visited to observe the existing land use pattern of these areas in general. Discussions were held with local people to obtain some information and tips about the past land use pattern and past condition of the given ecosystem.

3.1.7 Location of the area:

Ratargul is located under the Goyainghat upazilla in Sylhet district. The area is on the north of Surma River. The Goyain River ultimately drains into the Surma River. Ratargul forest beat falls on the range of Jaintapur.

3.1.8 Physical features:

3.1.8.1 Geology:

The geology of ratargul forest is not uniform. The most of the land is plain or low land but rest of the land is surrounded by water.

3.1.8.2 Soil:

The soils of this region are gray, heavy, silty clay loam with clays that predominates. The soil under the vegetation is mostly clayey loam to clayey in texture. In general it was observed that the soil is finer grained i.e. more clayey as the locations are further from the river. The depression sites carry more clayey soil. These depressions are fish production. The soils of this site quickly become dry and hard at the end of the rainy season and during dry period often develop cracks especially where the vegetation cover is missing. The river bank is sandy to sandy-loam type. The soils of agricultural fields are loamy in general and are reported to be quite fertile.

3.1.8.3 The River:

This includes the river Goyain that is flowing adjoining the site. During monsoon the river flows full to the brim and floods to the banks. The water flows reduces to the minimum during dry period. During February to early April, one can easily walks across this river at many points. The banks are sandy to sandy-loam and harbor variety of annuals. Some of the location in the river bed, where the water becomes stagnant, harbors aquatic flora and fauna on a seasonal basis.

3.1.8.4 Land use pattern:

The existing land use patterns of the ecosystem are noted. The sites, adjoining the ecosystem under study, are briefly visited to observe the existing land use pattern of these areas in general. Discussion with local people to obtain information and tips about the past land use pattern and the past condition of the given ecosystem.

3.1.8.5 Climate:

The climate is tropical in general, but since the site is at the north eastern part of Sylhet, it usually receives a heavy rainfall. The nearest weather station to this site is Sylhet. The climatic data of Sylhet station will give an idea of the climatic condition of the site. The annual average rainfall is 4162 mm. July being the wettest have an average of about 1250 mm of rain, where December is the driest with no rainfall. May and October are the hottest months having an average maximum temperature around 32 C, while January is the coldest when the minimum temperature drops to 12 C. During December the relative humidity is about 74% while during July to August it is over 90%.

3.2 Methodology

3.2.1 Reconnaissance survey:

Reconnaissance survey was conducted two times before the selection of data collection method and collecting the actual field level data.

3.2.2 Collection of primary information:

Relevant primary data were collected from field survey by using different types of instrument such as: Spiegel relascope, dia tape, long tape etc. All data were collected through measuring and taking sample plot.

3.2.3 Collection of secondary information:

Available information, the maps and relevant information about the selected study site were collected as far as possible. Secondary data had been collected from various sources like Internet, DOE, Sylhet Forest Division, Daily Newspaper, and different published journals and books. Map and other demographic information were collected from Sylhet forest division office.

3.2.4 Sample plot selection:

Fifteen sample plots were chosen randomly from the study area with the assistance of local forest department stuffs. The size of the each sample plots was 10m*10m for tree and for shrub and Herb 2m*2m plot were taken within the tree plots. Sample plot were selected such a manner that it represents each and every ecological setting of the area.

3.8 Data analysis and report writing:

Sorting of data:

Finally all the information gathered from the field, relevant personnel and other data were analyzed carefully. All the secondary data were sorted carefully and other only necessary set aside for compilation and analysis to avoid unnecessary bulk of the paper. Intensive care was also taken regarding the applicability, reliability and validity of the information.

Measurement of parameters:

All plant species available in each sample plots were counted with the assistance of a local guide. In case of unfamiliar or unknown species their local name noted. Photograph and specimen were also collected. For each species their frequency, density per unit area, abundance etc were measured by the following formulas, which are used to obtain the data.

Frequency

=Total no of quadrates in which the species occur X 100

Total no of quadrates studied

Density of a species per unit area

=Total no of individual of a species in all sample plot

Total no of sample plots studied

Abundance of a species

=Total no of individual of the species in all quadrates

Total no of quadrates in which the species occurred

Abundance classes

The abundance of species found from the equation is used to find out the abundance classes of the species. The result obtain from the equation indicates the status of the species and the indication chart is given below.

Table 2: Abundance class measurement:

Classes	Stalks per square meter quadrate
Rare	1 to 4
Occasional	5 to 14
Frequent	15 to 29
Abundant	30 to 90
Very abundant	100+

The calculated results were presented in the form of table and graph respectively. For the purpose of convenience and better presentation, the findings from the sites have been clustered as texts, tables, maps and pictures.

CHAPTER FOUR

Result and discussion

4.1 Total no of plant species in the study area:

Total no of plant species found in the study is 30, among them 16 are trees, 9 are herbs and 5 are shrubs. The total types of species were 30 in twenty sample plots. The status of plants species found in the study area is shown in table 3.

Table3. Status of plant species in the study area:

Category of plants	Types of species	Total type of species
Herbs	9	29
Shrubs	5
Trees	15

Fig -2: Status of plant species in the study area

The status of plants species found in the study area is shown in figure-4. The study revealed that Trees are highest 52% followed by herbs 31% and shrubs 17% in the study area.

4.2. Floral diversity in the study area:

a) Tree diversity:

During the study 15 types of tree species were found in 20 sample plots. It has been found that most species are falls in Moraceae, Myrtaceae family followed by Lythraceae, Fabaceae, Capparidaceae, Rhamnaceae, Mimosaceae and Rutaceae family. Table -4, lists the name and family of species and their respective average height, average DBH at breast height and their total number of each species in twenty sample plots. The study revealed that Korach (Pongamia pinnata),Hijol (Barringtonia acutangulata), Jarul (Lagerstroemia speciosa ), and Bot (Ficus religiosa), were found at all sites in the study area and their total number is highest respectively 50,18, 12, and 11.(Table-4).

In case of average height kadm(Athocephalus chinensis) was the highest (8.96m) followed by Korach (Pongamia pinnata)(8.73m), Borun (Crataeva nurvala )(8.23m), Jaggadumur (Ficus racemosus)(7.93m) and Bot (Ficus religiosa)(7.87m) respectively.

In case of average DBH at breast height Jaggadumur(Ficus racemosus) (1.37m) was the highest and followed by Sheora (Strebulus asper)(1.32) Korach (Pongamia pinnata)(1.31) Kadam (Athocephalus chinensis)(1.30),Pakur (Ficus bengalensis)(1.29) and Jorbot (Ficus rumphii) respectively.

Here it can be said that in Ratargul fresh water swamp forest beat, the top story consist of trees, mostly Korach (Pongamia pinnata), Hijol (Barringtonia acutangulata), Borun (Crataeva nurvala ), Bot (Ficus religiosa) and Jarul (Lagerstroemia speciosa ).

Table – 4: Tree diversity of Ratargul swamp forest:

Sl no	Local name	Scientific name	Family	Average height (m)	Average DBH (m)	Total no
1	Korach	Pongamia pinnata	Fabaceae	8.73	1.31	50
2	Borun	Crataeva nurvala	Capparidaceae	8.23	1.12	9
3	Jarul	Lagerstroemia speciosa	Lythraceae	7.25	1.22	12
4	Hijal	Barringtonia acutangulata	Lythraceae	6.87	1.24	18
5	Boroi	Zizyphus mauritiana	Rhamnacae	5.86	1.01	2
6	Sheora	Strebulus asper	Rutaceae	5.38	1.32	8
7	Deshi gub	Diospyros peregrine	Ebenaaceae	6.68	1.17	4
8	Panijam	Syzygium fruticosum	Myrtaceae	7.21	1.23	6
9	Jagga dumur	Ficus racemosus	Moraceae	7.93	1.37	5
10	Kak dumur	Ficus hispida	Moraceae	6.82	1.46	6
11	Bot	Ficus religiosa	Moraceae	7.87	1.8	11
12	Jirbot	Ficus rumphii	Moraceae	6.35	1.46	3
13	Pakur	Ficus bengalensis	Moraceae	7.25	1.29	4
14	Pitali	Trewia nudiflora		7.57	1.02	2
15	kadam	Athocephalus chinensis	Rubiaceae	8.96	1.30	8

b) Herbs:

A total of 9 types of herbs were found in twenty sample plots. It has been found that most species are falls in Poaceae family followed by Lythraceae, Liliaceae, Asteraceae, Cyperaceae and Scophuariaceae. Table-5 lists the name and family of the species and their total number of clumps in twenty sample plots. The study revealed that Binna (Vetiveria zizanioides), Nal (Phragmites kakra) and Khagra (Sccharum spontanium) were found highest number of clumps respectively 650, 450,430. Table-5.

In Ratargul fresh water swamp forest, it harbors a number of medicinal plants such as Satamuli (Asparagus racemosus), Jangal mehedi (Ammania baccifera), Bish katali (Polygonum viscosum), Kasum (Scleria levis), Jayna (Schoenoplectus juncoides), Bondoni (Scoparia dulcis) and there is also usually growing species such as Binna (Vetiveria zizanioides), Nal (Phragmites kakra) and Khagra (Sccharum spontanium).

Table5. Herbs of Ratargul fresh water swamp forest:

Sl no.	Local name	Scientific name	Family	Total number
1.	Satamuli	Asparagus racemosus	Liliaceae	18
2.	Binna	Vetiveria zizanioides	Poaceae	650+
3.	Jangal mehedi	Ammania baccifera	Lythraceae	22
4.	Nal	Phragmites kakra	Poaceae	450+
5.	Khagra	Sccharum spontanium	Poaceae	430+
6.	Bish katali	Polygonum viscosum	polygonaceae	14
7.	Kasum	Scleria levis	Cyperaceae	7
8.	Jayna	Schoenoplectus juncoides	Cyperaceae	5
9.	Bondoni	Scoparia dulcis	Scophuariaceae	8

C) Shrubs:

During the study a total of 5 shrubs were found in the study plots. It has been found that most species were falls in different families followed by Table -6, list the name and family of the shrub species and their total number of each species in twenty sample plots. The study revealed that Murta/patipata (Schumanianthus dicotoma), Shitalpati/murta (Clinogyne dicotoma), Assam pata (Eupatorium odoratum) were found highest total number in 20 sample plots 185, 130 and 100 respectively (table: 6). Here it can say that in Ratargul swamp forest the second history consist of Patipata/murta (Schumanianthus dicotoma) (figure: 6). This areas are important for the collection of “Patipata/murta” (Schumanianthus dicotoma) that used to grow naturally in the past. The cover of “patipata” is dense. This “patipata” locally known as “murta” are used for weaving mats, some of them are of very high quality known as “Shitalpati (Clinogyne dicotoma)”. Each such mate measuring 7 feet by 6 feet fetches a price of about tk. 4000.

Table – 6: Shrubs of Ratargul fresh water swamp forest:

Serial number	Local name	Scientific name	family	Total number
01	White Bengal rose	Rosa involucrate	Rosasaceae	35
02	Assam pata	Eupatorium odoratum	Compositae	100
03	Murta/patipata	Schumanianthus dicotoma	Marantaceae	185
04	Shitalpati/murta	Clinogyne dicotoma	Marantaceae	130
05	Tree indicator	Melastoma malabathricum	Ablastomaceae	35

Figure 6: Murta

4.3. Frequency, density and abundance class of the species:

****** Abundance class was measured by table 2.

a)Tree:

Table 7: shows the frequency distribution, density of a species per acre and abundance class of tree species in the study area. It was found that Korach, Jarul, Hijal are very abundant and Boroi, Pitali are rare. The frequency distribution of Korach, Hijal, Sheora are highest 66.67, 53.33, 46.66 respectively. The density of Korach, Hijal and Jarul are highest 3.33, 1.2, and 0.8 respectively.

The branches of Hijol trees used to be cut and extracted by the local people on permit issued by the forest department.

Table 7. Frequency, Density and Abundance of tree species in the study area:

Sl no	Local name	Scientific name	Frequency distribution	Density per acre	Abundance
1	Korach	Pongamia pinnata	66.67	3.33	Very abundant
2	Borun	Crataeva nurvala	33.33	0.6	Frequent
3	Jarul	Lagerstroemia speciosa	40	0.8	Very abundant
4	Hijal	Barringtonia acutangulata	53.33	1.2	Very abundant
5	Boroi	Zizyphus mauritiana	13.33	0.13	Rare
6	Sheora	Strebulus asper	46.66	0.53	Frequent
7	Deshi gub	Diospyros peregrine	20	0.26	Occasional
8	Panijam	Syzygium fruticosum	26.67	0.4	Occasional
9	Jagga dumur	Ficus racemosus	33.33	0.33	Frequent
10	Kak dumur	Ficus hispida	33.33	0.4	Frequent
11	Bot	Ficus religiosa	60	0.73	Abundant
12	Jirbot	Ficus rumphii	20	0.2	Frequent
13	Pakur	Ficus bengalensis	26.67	0.26	Frequent
14	Pitali	Trewia nudiflora	13.33	0.13	Rare
15	kadam	Athocephalus chinensis	46.67	0.53	Abundant

b) Herb:

Table 8 shows the frequency distribution, Density and abundance of herb species of the study area. The frequency distribution of Binna, Nal and Kasum are highest 53.33, 40 and 40 respectively. In case of density Binna, Nal and Khagra are highest 43.33, 16.66 and 15.33 respectively.

Table 8: Frequency, Density and Abundance of herb species in the study area:

Sl no.	Local name	Sc. name	Frequency distribution (%)	Density of a spp. (per acre)	Abundance
1.	Satamuli	Asparagus racemosus	33.33	1.2	Frequent
2.	Binna	Vetiveria zizanioides	53.33	43.33	Very abundant
3.	Jangal mehedi	Ammania baccifera	26.66	1.46	Abundant
4.	Nal	Phragmites kakra	40	16.66	Very abundant
5.	Khagra	Sccharum spontanium	26.66	15.33	Very abundant
6.	Bish katali	Polygonum viscosum	20	0.93	Abundant
7.	Kasum	Scleria levis	40	0.46	Abundant
8.	Jayna	Schoenoplectus juncoides	26.66	0.33	Occasional
9.	Bondoni	Scoparia dulcis	20	0.53	Frequent

c) Shrubs:

Table 9 shows the frequency distribution, Density and abundance of shrubs species of the study area. The frequency distribution of Assam pata is highest 66.66 following White Bengal rose and Murta/patipata 46.66 and 46.66 respectively.

In case of density Murta/patipata is highest 12.33 following shitalpati and assam pata 8.66 and 6.66 respectively.

Table 9: Frequency, Density and Abundance of Shrub species in the study area:

Serial number	Local name	Scientific name	Frequency distribution (%)	Density of a spp. (per acre)	Abundance
01	White Bengal rose	Rosa involucrate	46.66	2.33	Very abundant
02	Assam pata	Eupatorium odoratum	66.66	6.66	Very abundant
03	Murta/patipata	Schumanianthus dicotoma	46.66	12.33	Very abundant
04	Shitalpati/murta	Clinogyne dicotoma	40	8.66	Very abundant
05	Tree indicator	Melastoma malabathricum	33.33	2.33	Very abundant

4.4. Overall discussion:

The study

CHAPTER FIVE

Recommendation and Conclusion

Recommendation:

· Polices are needed for sustainable management of the remaining reed forest. Govt. should take initiative to resolve the conflicts among the FD and the local community.

· Government of Bangladesh may be urged to declare such wet land sites as protected areas for sustainable management.

· The Government may put to practice, an ecosystem management approach for these sites, preferably with community participations, involving the NGO’s as well.

Conclusion:

Despite of a growing awareness of the need for protecting the environment, degradation has occurred during the last three decades. The county’s ecology has been damaged, forest depleted, wetlands destroyed and biodiversity considerably degraded. As a consequence of population pressure, the reed forests of Bangladesh are also under serious threat with most of the reed forest lands is being encroached by local people. In recent years, as a direct consequence of agricultural expansion, many wetlands have shrunk or disappeared. Such degradation has brought about a loss of biodiversity, reduction of fish habitat and loss of reed forest that are a valuable source of a wide range of non-timber forest products. In the past, conflicts have been arisen between the Forest Department and local communities, with the authorities being unsuccessful in evicting encroachers. The approach of attaching importance on the financial gain alone needs to be changed. The potentials of these wet land sites need to be recognized not only by the Government but also by the common people. These are typical wet land ecosystem which is rare and very limited. These sites deserve priority conservation. Most of our fresh water wet lands have got destroyed. The existing Ratargul forest sites are fresh water wet lands. These sites have improved a lot during the last couple of decades, under the forest department involvements. These sites may be declared as protected areas and subjected to an ecosystem management approach involving the communities through the NGO’s for its sustainability.

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The land found in the haors

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