This paper gives the experience of a tour study in the Sundarbans forest by
the author and Dr. Hubert Hcndrich, a West German Zoologist during 1970. It
also deals with the present status of wildlife population in Bangladesh. Some hints
have also been given regarding suitable sites for recreational purposes in Bangladesh

There are more than 500 tropical hardwood species and a number of grass
and bamboo species in Bangladesh. Only a handful of these are, at present, used
for the manufacture of pulp, paper, fibreboard and rayon. Sundri and gewa of the
Sunderbans and a number of hardwood species of the Chittagong area are used
for the manufacture of paper and fibre boards. Rice straw and bagasse are also
used for the same purpose. Besides, some bamboo species of the Chittagong Hill
Tracts and three grass species of Sylhet district are, at present, used for the manufacture
of pulp and rayon. Most of the other minor hardwood and grass species
have practically no industrial use.
In this study, 20 minor hardwood species and 20 grass species of Bangladesh
have been taken up with a view to determine their suitability for the manufacture
of pulp. Runkel ratio, flexibility co-efficient and relative fibre length have been
found out from the fibre length, fibre diameter, cell-wall thickness and lumen
diameter of the fibres. From those data the tensile strength, tearing resistance and
general suitability of the fibres for the manufacture of pulp and paper could be
estimated. From the Runkel ratio obtained, it can be predicted that most of the
species under study will be suitable for the manufacture of quality paper. Only
Kannari and Jaikkagola among the wood species, daloo and lata bans from the
bamboo species and nal, ikra and khagra among the grass species are likely to
yield moderate quality pulp.