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
Keora (SonneratiaapetalaBuch.-Ham.faccourds
for almost 95% of the successful mangrove plantations
in the coastal areas of Bangladesh (RIMS
1997). In Chittagong coast, it constitutes 22% of the
plantations. It is not much commercially valuable
species. Moreover, the plantations are severely
infested by a beehole borer, Zeuzera conferta (Baksha
1996). Replacement of S. apetala preferably by
more valuable species that appear at later stages of
succession is needed to ensure sustainability of
the plantations. With this in view, underplanting
trial in the established S. apetala plantations with
different mangrove species was initiated. An interim
report (Siddiqi et al. 1992) shows success and
suitability of underplanting in western coastline
Physical and mechanical properties, durability and treatability characteristics of
21 timber species have been collated. Enduses of these species have been evaluated.
Based on the various uses, the species have been recommended as priority species for
plantation.
The production of pulp can be substantially increased by addition of anthraquinone
as a catalyst in kraft and soda pulping. However, a greater benefit can be
achieved in soda pulping. In assessing jute fibre as an alternative raw material for
pulping, it shows a promising prospect. The use of neutral sulphite anthraquinone
process can make conifer-like pulp from jute fibre.
Seedlings of Bambusa tidda Roxb. and Dendrocalamus strict us Nees were grown in the
nursery under four different light conditions, viz. sunlight, partial sunlight, shade, and
6 hours photoperiod up to nine months of age. Almost all the seedlings were dead (80 to
90%) under shade and 6-hr grolux electric light photoperiod conditions after 200 -270
days. Survival was highest (80-95%) under both sunlight and partial sunlight condition.
The seedlings were comparatively healthy, green and tall under partial sunlight. Under
these two light conditions seedings started clump formation within three months of age.
The clump formation was delayed and a very few bamboo seedlings formed weak clumps
under shade and 6 hours photoperiod conditons.
The paper describes particleboard making characteristics of three common bamboo
species, namely, Banibusa balcooa, Banibusa vulgaris and Melocaiina baccifera grown in
Bangladesh. Urea formaldehyde resin was used as the binder. The particleboards from
these bamboo species compare almost an equal strength properties with those from
wood species.
The shoots of ten bamboo species of Bangladesh have been tested in respect to
taste, flavour, texture and colour of the edible parts. The shoot colour and shape of
each species were described. The weight of outer cover (sheaths) and internal edible
portions of shoots are more or less same in most the ten bamboo species. Only three
species, Bambusa polymorpha, Melocantia baccifera, and Dendrocalaimis longispathns
were found to produce shoots with somewhat slight bitter to sweet taste and pleasant
flavour a t raw state. Shoots of the remaining seven species B. banibos, B. Longispicidata,
B.vidgaris, B. tidda, D. gigaiiteus, Schizostachyum dullooa, Thyrsostachys oliveri possessed
varying degree of bitterness or astringency. Fairly acceptable taste and easy
availability of shoots of M. baccifera made the species most common bamboo
vegetable for the tribal people of Bangladesh.
In all the species shoots production both by number and weight per clump was
found to increase in the second and third year, if continuously harvested. However,
the shoot production decreased per clump after third to fifth year if the harvesting
continued, and after sixth year of continuous harvest some species even stopped
shoot production. Continuous harvesting of bamboo shoots has been discouraged
and selective harvesting in every year has been advised.
Gamar defoliator, Calopepla leayana Latr. (Chrysomelidae : Coleoptera) is a major
defoliator of gamar (Gnielina arborea RoxbJ in Bangladesh. Both the larva and the adult
feed on the leaves making irregular holes on them. The distribution, description and
biology of various developmental stages of the pest are provided. The pest has three
generations in a year, hibernating as an adult from November to May. A common pupal
parasite, Brachymeria sp. and an egg parasite, Tetrasticlnis sp. were recorded. Biological,
chemical, physical and mechanical method for the control of the pest have been
discussed.
The properties of particleboard produced from l-,2-,3- and 4-year old Bambusa
vulgaris Schrad, the commonest village bamboo in Malaysia, were ascertained.
Culms of two years old or more were found to yield good particles for particleboard
manufacture. Three particleboards with the density of 561,641 and 721 kg/m^ were
produced by using urea formaldehyde resin as the binder at the resin contents of 6,
8 and 10%, pressing time of 6 minutes and temperature of 160°C. All the boards
tested passed the minimum requirements of the British Standards BS 5669-1989.
This indicates the suitability of this bamboo species for the manufacture of
particleboard.
The survey on visitors of Bhawal National Park reveals that picnicking was the
highest participated outdoor recreation activity (79.62%), and sightseeing was the
second highest activity (12.83%) with respect to all socio-economic variables viz.
gender, age, education, and income. Male visitors (82.26%) are higher than the
female visitors (17.74%). Age-groups of 26-35 and 16-25 years are more interested
in participating outdoor recreation activities which are 40.38% and 35.09% respectively.
Participation in outdoor recreation activities increases with the increase of
education level. Majority of the visitors are from middle class (47.19%) and high
middle class (24.34%). Visitors from all gender, age, education level and class
participate in outdoor recreation activities in Bhawal National Park. So, development
of proper planning and scientific management of outdoor recreation facilities
of the park are needed in order to ensure sustainable benefits to the visitors.
Species diversity and economic returns of five different components namely
timber, fruit, fuelwood, vegetables and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in
homestead agroforestry system were studied at two smallest administrative units
(Union) namely Betagi and West Demsha under Chittagong district. Most of the
available species under each component at both locations were common. With little
exception, the frequency distribution of each component species was similar in all
household categories at each study location. Tree components for timber and fruit
were more in West Demsha than in Betagi, whereas components for fuelwood,
vegetables and NTFPs were more in Betagi. However, the economic returns from
vegetable component were more than those from any other component in both the
study locations. The results indicated that homestead agroforestry systems in the
study locations were traditional, and generally immediate income generating
component like vegetables had been selected by the small and medium households
in the establishment of such system.
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.
