The New Nation - Internet Edition

BANGLADESH had once vast tracts of land covered with natural forest where wild animals thrived. But a rapid deforestation process destroyed major part of the age-old primary forests. While a country should have at least 25 percent of its land areas covered by forests for a healthy environment, Bangladesh reportedly has only 9 percent forest cover now. The mangrove forest of the Sundarbans, once spread over vast coastal regions, is now limited to the southwestern corner of the coast. As a result, the existence of many species of wild animals has been threatened.

The government has been carrying on a tree plantation drive for several decades. But this drive, according to experts in forestry and wildlife, is not suitable for ecological balance and bio-diversity and has endangered many species of wildlife. The experts aired the opinion that in the name of afforestation Bangladesh is actually carrying out plantation with the only aim of increasing number of a few species of trees. The aim has not been to develop and protect trees and plants and creepers that grow and create a particular ecology and environment. A natural forest where all sorts of bushes, herbs and creepers are also important will consist of possibly all types of local plants that used to supply food for the herbivorous animals. But the plantation programme that is being implemented hardly takes note of the species and quality of plants and the ecology into consideration. It is alleged that Bangladesh is now implementing a British plantation policy of 1873. The country's natural forests are being destroyed while exotic trees are being planted. According to media reports, 80 percent of the trees planted under this programme for more than a decade were imported from foreign countries. The wildlife has been threatened by such plantation.

The monoculture forests cannot provide diverse foods for the animals. Such types of forests destroy the ecological balance and wildlife. Animals are dependent on trees for their survival. The food habits of animals of a particular region are characterised by nature of the vegetation of that area. So, while taking up an afforestation project, the government must pay due attention to the requirement of wildlife. The people generally follow a balanced policy of plantation. They prefer local trees that would supply them not only fruits but also timber. The government should stop the monoculture afforestation policy and immediately adopt an eco-friendly one. Experts suggest reserving at least 10 percent of the country's total land for local plants to grow naturally. Exotic trees for timber and fuel wood should be planted after careful study. Arbitrary selection of trees will be disastrous for ecological balance. The afforestation programme needs to be guided by a definite policy. Its aim should be to develop such forests that would help maintain ecological balance and provide sanctuary to wildlife.