Introduction
Field trips can be defined as a sequence of field demonstration with a view to gain practical experience on different matter. It is important because here people experience directly the purpose and processes of the concerning subject and thereby achieve benefit from it in future. So we the students of department of Forestry and Environmental Science are go to in a field trip in every semester. As a consequence, we the 2nd year 2nd semester students made a field tour on 14th September to 18th September, 2012 at IFESCU and Bandorban as a part of the course FES-316.
Objectives
Objectives of field trip tour are many. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. To Understand forest ecosystem. To identify Forest trees. Realize the difference between natural and artificial forests. See the biodiversity of forest. To explore forestry related problems and their remedial measure.
The main objective of this tour was as followed To know the present status of the forest To identify flora and fauna of this forest To explore the problem related to this forest Participation
Mohammad Redowan Assistant Professor, Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, SUST Mohammad Golam Kibria Lecturer Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, SUST
Time Frame and Schedule
On the 14th September we started our journey from Sylhet railway station. Our train departure at about 9 pm. We reach Chittagong at 6.30 am. Quick after that we got on a shuttle train for Chittagong University. We arrived at Institute of Forestry and Environmental Science, Chittagong University (IFESCU) campus at about 9 am. On that day we briefed by Dr. Mohammed Jashimuddin, Professor, IFESCU. Then we visit IFESCUs nursery and plantation in the campus. The next day headed to Bandorban, Chittagong. We stayed at a hotel. On our first day in Bandorban we visit the Golden Temple and then the office of the DFO, Bandorban Pulpwood Plantation Division. Next day we visit Chimbuk Mountain, Nilgiri Mountain, Shailopropat and Meghla Ecopark. At 18th September we come back to Chittagong and pay a visit to the Ethnological Museum situated at Agrabad, Chittagong. Then we also visit the shelterbelt coastal afforestation at Potenga Beach. On that day we got on train at 9pm and returned to our train for Sylhet. We reached at Sylhet station at 7 am o 19th September.
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Institute of Forestry and Environmental Science, Chittagong University
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Science, Chittagong University (IFESCU) starts its journey at the year 1976 for only On Service Masters Program for the Foresters. But soon they realize the importance of Forestry Graduates. The First session of the Forestry Undergraduates is 1977-78. This institute is enriched with a big seminar library, sufficient lab, Lab demonstrator and many experienced professors and teachers. It has a nursery about 2 hector big. The name of the nursery is Professor Dr. Md. Kamaluddin Nursery and Research Center which is named after the founder of this nursery and a very genius professor Dr. Md. Kamaluddin. The Activities of IFESCU: 1. 470 acre plantation out of 800 acre barren hill. 2. 470000 Plats are planted 3. Total 120 plant species exists there 4. 9 species of bamboo is present there 5. 9 species of bet is also present there Professor Dr. Md. Kamaluddin Nursery and Research Center The nursery is maintained by Mr. Kalamuddin, Senior Plantation Officer. There is a propagation chamber where plants are artificially regenerated. There is also a Fruit Germplasm Cabin. There is also a Mother Tree Garden of different fruit species. They are given bellow Mango (Fazli, Mohanonda, Gopal Vog, Lengra, Amropali and Dudhsor) Lichi (Bedana and China-3) Sofeda, Kamranga and Jambura
Bandorban Pulpwood Plantation Division
In bandorban, there is a hill side plantation for the supply of pulpwood to the Karnafuli Paper Mill, Kaptai. Its total area is 8.72 hector. The Divisional Forest Officer Mr. Saleh Uddin Brief us about this plantation division. There are total 8 ranges under this Division 1. Sadar Range 5. Rowangchori Range 2. Tacha Range 6. Poli Range 3. Chemi Range 7. Painkhong Range 4. Mibyakha Range 8. Remakring Pransa Range There are mainly two species planted there. They are 1. Gamar (Gmelina arborea) 2. Kadam (Anthocephalus Cadamba)
Unclassified State Forest and Shifting Cultivation
Approximately 0.73 million ha are depleted and denuded state-owned forests, known as unclassified state forests (USF), under the control of the civil administration and subject to various disturbances, particularly through shifting cultivation by tribal people, since time immemorial.
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In Bandorban, There are many USF, which is out of the authority of forest department and which is being used for shifting cultivation instead of afforestation by the local people. We saw many barran hill lands where a plantation program may be done. As per Government policy, forestry land should be used only for forestry purposes and none other. But in Bangladesh, reality does not allow this and at present the Forest Department controls about 1.46 million ha (10.15% of the land) which is in fact, under scientific management. An additional 0.73 million ha of land, known as unclassified state forest, is under the control of the civil administration. Shifting cultivation and unscientific management in these areas at present has lead to their becoming almost barren and in need of immediate rehabilitation. Encroachment is a serious problem in our country, the main reasons being because of scarcity of agricultural land to meet the demand for food, urbanization and industrialization. We also visit a hill where shifting cultivation is ongoing. The species local people grow are turmeric, banana, sugarcane, rice, pineapple, maze, wheat, vegetables etc.
Potenga Coastal Afforestration
In potenga beach, there are coastal afforestration program has been done several years ago to protect the coastal area and life. 4 strip plantation is done there. 1st one is Jhau (Casuarina equisetifolia) 2nd one is Akasi (Acacia auricaliformis) and Sisso (Delbargia sisso) and 3rd and 4th one is again Jhau (Casuarina equisetifolia). It is also work as wind break and shelterbelt for the coastel area. It starts from the potenga beach and extents to Nijhum Dip, Noakhali.
Problems of Chittagong Forest Management
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 1. 2. 3. 4. Illicit felling. Transport problem. Lack on manpower. Encroachment. Shifting Cultivation. Lack of harvesting No action of local administration to protect the hill tract. Conflict between tribal people and local people. Illicit felling should be prohibited. Encroachment should be properly monitored. Manpower should be increased. USF should be turned into protected area.
Recommendations
Conclusion
Forestry is a branch of applied botany. Study tour helps us to see the forest and their activities. It also helps us to understand the management of forest. Every student of forestry should visit forest.
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