The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Chittagong

The Department of Forest has taken an initiative to expand and popularise Agar plantation in the country considering the economic value of such a unique forest resource, particularly for its demand in the international market.

Agar or Eagle Wood in English and scientifically known as "Aquilaria Agalocha Roxb" is a medium-sized evergreen plant mainly available in East Himalayan lands, Bhutan, Assam, greater Sylhet, Chittagong and CHT districts.

Agar tree is eco-friendly which has enormous economic importance as it is used in making costly and splendid perfume and medicine. There was huge demand of Agar in international perfume markets, particularly in the Middle Eastern countries, where people are in a habit of using perfume regularly.

According to a survey, about 5,000 metric tons of Agar wood were traded by 20 countries in global markets during the period of 1995 to 2001. Forest Department sources said there are 121 Agar processing factories in the country with oil producing capacity of 1,200 kilogram annually. But the country was now producing about 800 kilogram Agar oil per year as it has not been able to get maximum production from the factories due to shortage of Agar wood. Experts said about 25 gram or two tolas of oil can be harvested from a 13-year-old Agar tree and in the local market per tola Agar oil is being sold at a price ranging between Taka 5,000 and 7,000. One can earn Taka one crore from Agar output over one hectare of land. Currently the country earns Taka 30 to 35 crore in foreign exchange annually by exporting Agar wood by private sectors.

Forest officials said they have been going with "participatory or social afforestation concept" to popularise and encourage poor-segment of the population to plant Agar wood which ultimately would help them to improve their economic condition. As per the concept, a portion of economic outcomes from the Agar garden will be given to the participants who would look after and help growing the garden.

The Forest Department has successfully implemented Taka 26.72 crore 1st phase of experimental Agar cultivation project with a 5-year term from 1998-1999 to 2004- 2005 in many potential places in Sylhet, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and the districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts.

On the basis of success of the 1st phase, the department has taken up another Taka 15.14 crore project for a 5-year term titled "Agar Garden Plantation Project" (2nd phase)" which began in 2007.

Sources said the Agar plantation has been gaining popularity among the poor people at different parts of the district after successful implementation of the first phase of the project. Under the 2nd phase, the Forest Department is planning to expand Agar plantation by bringing 106 hectares of land during the current fiscal year by spending Taka 21.54 lakh.

Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) of Chittagong North Forest Division (CNFD), Mohammed Safiul Alam Chowdhury told BSS that they set a target to bring another 100 acres of land under Agar plantation in next fiscal and finally bring vast potential hilly areas of the district under new plantation after evaluating the progress of the on-going project.

Forest Department for the first time started Agar plantation in Korerhat area under Mirsharai upazila over 14.46 hectares of land during 1999-2000 fiscal.

Later, the CNFD has launched the programme in a bigger way and expanded the plantation in over 114 hectares of land at Narayanhat, Mandakini, Dhurang, Shobalchari in the district. A total of 192 inhabitants of the areas have been given responsibility to look after the garden under participatory afforestation programme.

Officials hoped that the participants will be benefited economically after collecting Agar oil from the garden after five years.

Officials informed that 1,600 Agar saplings are planted on each hectares of land and one member has been given responsibility to take care of the garden of a particular area. A good number of marginal poor and landless people of the hilly areas including a good number of females were involved in the programme. The members were asked to nurse and protect the fresh garden for their own benefit.

Forest officials said they have received encouraging response from the people to participatory afforestation programme of Agar plantation.