BANGLADESH JOURNAL OF FOREST SCIENCE
A Half-yearly Peer Reviewed Journal of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute
A Half-yearly Peer Reviewed Journal of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute
Agar defoliator, Heortia vitessoides Moore (Crambidae:Lepidoptera) is a major defoliator of agar
tree (Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk.) in Bangladesh. The larva of this pest causes partial or complete
defoliation affecting the growth of the plant seriously. The pest has five to six overlapping generations in
a year. The peak infestation occurred during May-June. The mean percentage of trees infested ranged
from 48-72 %. The intensity of attack was more in the trees grown in the open than under shade.
Chemical pesticides Malathion 57 EC (malathion), Ripcord 10 EC (cypermethrin) and botanical pesticide
Neem oil were applied to control the pest both in the laboratory and field conditions. Among these,
Malathion 57 EC showed best performance followed by Ripcord 10 EC and Neem oil respectively.
A seasoning schedule was developed for different thicknesses of ghora-neem [Melia sempervirens (L.)
All.] wood. The seasoning time of 2.5 cm thickness of sawn wood required 9-10 days to attain 16% moisture
content in solar kiln and 22-23 days in air dry conditions, respectively. On the other hand, for thickness 4.0
cm and 5.0 cm sawn wood required 12-13 days and 16-17 days in solar kiln and 27-28 days and 31-32 days
in air dry conditions, respectively. Moisture content decreased with increase in time duration.
A study was carried out on the herpetofauna of the Baraiyadhala National Park in Chittagong,
Bangladesh by direct field observations during August 2012 to July 2013. In total, 38 species of
herpetofauna belonging to 3 orders (Anura, Testudines and Squamata), 16 families and 32 genera were
recorded. Out of the 38 species, 10 (26.32%) were amphibians and 28 (73.68%) reptiles. Among the
reptiles, 2 (7.14%) species were turtles, 12 (42.86%) lizards and 14 (50%) snakes while all but one (Asian
Common Toad, Duttaphrynus melanostictus) amphibians were frogs. Among the amphibians, Cricket
Frog (Fejervarya sp.) constituted the highest density and Bengal Leaping Frog (Hylarana tytleri)
accounted for the lowest. The density of South Asian Giant Gecko (Gekko gecko) was the highest and
Indian Rock Python (Python bivittatus), Gray Cat Snake (Boiga siamensis) and Banded Krait (Bungarus
fasciatus) were the lowest among reptiles. Local status (relative abundance) of herpetofauna were
assessed where 15 (39.47%) species were rare, 11 (28.95%) fairly common, 9 (23.68%) common and 3
(7.9%) were very common. Of the recorded species, 15 (39.47%; 2 amphibians and 13 reptiles) were
threatened including 2 Critically Endangered (CE), 6 Endangered (EN) and 7 Vulnerable (VU).
The strength and seasoning properties of timber species, Swietenia macrophylla King were studied. S.
macrophylla is found moderately strong. The volumetric shrinkage is higher and the specific gravity is
lower than that of Chittagong teak which was recommended as standard for comparison of other timber
species of Bangladesh. The species can be seasoned properly in the solar kiln and in air-drying yard. The
species is found suitable for making furniture and other household articles as far as Seasoning and strength
properties are concerned.
Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre is a fast
growing medium-sized, nearly evergreen tree
species. It attains a height up to 25m, with straight
or crooked trunk up to 50 cm diameter (Allen and
Allen 1981). The crown is broad, spreading or
dropping branches with dense foliage. The species
is found in humid and sub-tropical environments.
It occurs naturally in lowland, near canals, rivers,
waste places, along the edges of mangrove forest
and tidal streams. In Bangladesh, it usually grows
on the sandy mud in the coastal districts and in the
fresh water swamp forests of the north-eastern
wetlands.
Hopea odorata Roxb (telsur) is a timber
species of the family Dipterocarpaceae. It is
available in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar,
Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand and
Vietnam. In Bangladesh, telsur occurs naturally in
the forests of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong and
Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT), and also planted in
forest plantations and as road side avenue trees
(Hossain 2015). The tree reached up to 45m in
height with the base of stem diameter of 4.5m.The
timber is valued for its durability, resistance to
insects and use for weight-bearing construction.
Telsur is a commercially valuable species, but
significantly disappearing from the natural
habitats. Therefore, Hopea odorata is currently
assessed as vulnerable in IUCN red list of
threatened species. Therefore mass plantation of
telsur is necessary for the national aspect.
This paper presents some indigenous or traditional technical knowledge on jhum
(shifting cultivation) cultivation and management in Bandarban hill district in
Bangladesh. These include indicators for jhum land selection, fire management in jhum
field, three- phase seed sowing technique in jhum, use of colored flower plants to keep
away insects from jhum, slope differentiation of hills in crop selection, use of local
climate for crop selection, altitude and wind velocity in crop selection, indigenous seed
collection and germplasms management, indigenous seed storage method, seed
distribution, indigenous nursery method for raisings citrus seedlings, and indigenous
ginger storage method by the Bwam community in Bandarban hill district of
Bangladesh. Three-phase seed sowing technique in jhum is the new documentation of
indigenous knowledge. An integration of indigenous and scientific knowledge will
help to develop sustainable management of indigenous farming practices.
Rajkoroi (Albizia richardiana King and Prain) is an important tree species
extensively planted as fuel wood and timber in home garden and road sides as avenue
tree in the southern part of Bangladesh. Volume table of this rajkoroi species has been
prepared by deriving volume equations. 15 selected model were tested for deriving
volume equation by regression technique. Among them the logarithmic model log(V)=
a + b log (G) for one way and log (V) = a + b log (G) + c log(H) for two way analysis
appeared to be the best model for estimating the rajkoroi tree volume. Estimated
volume table is applicable for any size of rajkoroi tree planted of the southern part of
Bangladesh.
Coastal plantations mainly with SiMHerafifl fluids have been established by the Forest
Department on the newly accreted lands in the coastline of Bangladesh since 19*65-66, An
underplanting trial of 11 mangrove species was conducted in the existing S. ajritila plantations
along the western coastline [Patuakhali and Bhda) to assess the site-suitability and growth
performance of these species. Sun ival, height and diameter growth data from 16-21 years old
experimental stands of these species were analyzed. The highest survival was found in
EYCurrmu agallodin (62% and 59%) followed bv fiws (51% and 39%) and Xj/lucujpj(s
wAorigeusrf; (48% and 26%) among the I rec species at Rangaba 11 island of Patuakhali and Char
Kukri-Mukri island of Bhcla district. Among the shrub and palm species, the highest survival
was found in twruridu/mw (63%) followed bv fVwju.T ptiudtWJ (58%) and Nyjw
fndieain (4Q%) at Rangabali and the highest survival in P. p/dtithmti (71%) followed be N.
fnitnnus (56%) and A. cornkwtaftmj (46%) at Char Kukri-Mukri. The mean maximum height
growth was observed in E. (9.31 m and 9.29 m) followed by X. Miefcoji^usjs (6.84 m and
6.84 m) and H. Jews (6.19 tn and 5.65 m) in both Ute areas. The mean maximum diameter
growth was also observed in F. flrgnPoc/ifT (9.83 cm and 9.49 cm) followed by X, JMcAragrtisrs (7,97
cm and 7.34 cm) and (5,87cm and 5,34 cm) in bold Ihe nreas. Among the shrub and
palm species, A. curwkwMfwwr, P. pultidier and N. fridtmrs showed good height growth
performance in both die study areas, Therefore, these promising mangrove species (E. rtgiTifodm,
IE follies, X. luekiut^Hsis, A. amtfoulaiittH, P. pithkfcsw and M/hrfk’ims) may be suitable for raising
second rotation crops inside S. tqvtaJa plantations for sustainable management of coastal
forests
Ruhiwr seed oil is a promising by-product of rubber plant (Htweit lirasi/iensts MuelL Arg.),
lias so far been unknown to the rubber growers of Bangladesh. A Laboratorv-based research
was madft on different aspects of rubber seed oil of fourselected clones (RRlM-fiOO, RRIM-605,
PB-255 and GT-1J grown in toe country. Results show that rubber seeds of the clones contain
2844% edible oil which is will be cheaper than soybean and palm oil, Gas Liquid
Chromatography (GLC) analysis shows that the seed oil contains 83-89% essential unsaturated
fatly acids and 17-22% saturated fatty acid. On the other hand, the seed-cakes contain 29-39%
proteins which is determined by the Macro KjeJdahl Procedure Can he used as animal feed.
Besides, die seed-cakes contain six minerals (N, P, K, Na, Ca and F:e), where percentages
ol N, P and K have been found lobe 5.5%, 2.8%, and 1.4% compared to those in ground nut
(7.1%, 1.3%, and 1,2%) and cotton seed (3.8, 1.1% and 1.4%). It has also been estimated that if
proper initiatives are taken, at least Tk. 49.32 crore could be earned per annum from toe seed
oil of the existing 37,64b ha plantations of the country. The seed oil and the deroiled seed-cakes
will not only create emptormerit opportunity and ffow of eionumic activities, but will also save
substantial amount of foreign exchange from importing other edible oils and the essential
ingredten Is o f anima I feed.
Welcome to the Bangladesh Journal of Forest Science (BJFS) – a leading platform for advancing the knowledge and understanding of forest science in Bangladesh and beyond. Established with a commitment to excellence, BJFS serves as a cornerstone for researchers, practitioners, and enthusiasts dedicated to the sustainable management and conservation of forest ecosystems.
