Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts
of Bangladesh arc well known for natural
Garjan (Dipterocarpns tnrbinatiis Gacrtn. F.).
These are lofty trees having clean cylindrical boles and elevated crowns. The
wood is the major raw material for railway
sleepers, poles and boat-building. Due to
its high demand and consequent over exploi-

Until the partition of the British-India
in 1947, the use of hardwood in the territories
now under Bangladesh was restricted
only to railway sleepers, furniture and construction
materials for a few wealthy people. The demand of Wood was, therefore, very
little and this small amount of timber was
usually imported. As a result timber resources
of the country did not receive due importance
in the past.