Home ›› 30 Jan 2023 ›› Editorial
People are extremely worried about the way the climate is changing and about the natural disasters that are happening all over the world nowadays. Even the wisest of people cannot find the right way to deal with such problems.
The biggest problem is that people are not taking the kind of measures that need to be taken in this situation. It is as if the destruction of nature has become the main task of man. Forestry is important in this regard. This can be easily carried out and can play an important role in environmental protection, climate change, and natural disasters.
Forestry generally works to protect against natural disasters and mitigate climate change. Eco-tourism can be used to travel into the wild and earn a good income. Biodiversity in forests plays an important role in many aspects, including the environment.
According to a recent statistic, 42 crore hectares of forests have been deforested across the world in the last three decades. Between 2015 and 2020, one crore hectares of forest land were destroyed each year. Global deforestation is very bad news. Day by day, deforestation is decreasing in Bangladesh. There are many reasons for this. However, the information that emerges from a seminar on tobacco organized by Ahsania Mission on last January 15 is terrible. As stated there, 12 kg of wood are required to burn 1 kg of tobacco. One tree is cut for 300 cigarettes. 31 percent of forests are being cleared for tobacco cultivation, etc. How is the situation of forestry in Bangladesh?
According to the sources of the Forest Department, Bangladesh currently has 2.57 million hectares of forest land. Out of this, 1.88 million hectares are under the Forest Department. which is 73 percent of the total forest area. The remaining 0.69 million hectares (27%) are under the Chittagong Hill Tracts District Administration.
Various measures are taken in all countries to increase forest cover. In our country too, the government has taken various steps to increase forest cover. According to the sources of the Forest Department, in the early 1960s, the government started working outside natural forest areas for social forestry with the aim of expanding forests in the country. Since then, the work of social forestry is still ongoing. The main objective of social forestry is socio-economic development and poverty alleviation in rural areas. At the same time, social forestry plays an important role in climate change mitigation, adaptation, and the conservation of biodiversity by maintaining the balance of the environment.
At one time, there were very few plants in the northern region. The harshness of the climate there was very detrimental to the environment. During 1981–82, the then government started afforestation in the government forests of the northern region under a community forestry project in the seven larger districts of the region through participatory social forestry. Around 2000, social forestry programs were included in the Forest Act of 1927. After that, it was brought into a legal framework. To further strengthen social forestry, the government introduced the Social Forestry Regulations in 2004. It was then amended in 2011 to make it more effective and convenient. The revised rules create opportunities for investment by local communities in afforestation on government forest land.
According to Forest Department sources, about 1,05,283 hectares of woodlot plantations and 78,832 kilometers of strip plantations have been created under the social forestry implementation program between 1981 and 1982 and 2021 and 2022. The gardens have a total of 7 lakh, 57 thousand, and 606 beneficiaries. Among them, the number of women beneficiaries is 1 lakh, 50 thousand, and 942 people. From 2002 to 2015-2016, 10 crore, 15 lakh, and 40 thousand saplings have been sold and distributed across the country for the purpose of extensive afforestation.
In reality, different opinions are heard about the way the government interprets the issue of social forestry. Many concerned people say that people have suffered in the name of social forestry. According to the rules, in the case of a woodlot garden, the person who owns the land with the Banabuhmi will also get a share of the garden. But in reality, many do not get it. Allegedly, the original landowner did not get a share of the garden in the woodlot garden from the beginning. Because the forest department authorities ask them for money to gain ownership of part of land. Those who could not pay were not given shares. Another complaint about social forestry is that these plantations are usually planted with exotic species of trees such as Eucalyptus and Acacia, which are not environmentally friendly.
How effective is social forestry in practice, and how much of it is used? People of the Madhupur area say that in the name of social forestry, the forest department is cutting down saplings and planting trees there. It damages two things. One. The environment is being damaged by the destruction of natural forests to plant acacia and eucalyptus trees. Two. The forest department is taking away the land of the local people and making them homeless. They are losing agriculture and becoming day laborers. Thus, many people are leaving the area for Dhaka or other places in search of a livelihood. It is happening not only here but all over the country.
The forest department said that such allegations in the name of social forestry are false and unsubstantiated. People have many misconceptions about social forestry, they say. Eucalyptus trees were banned long ago after they were found to be harmful. And acacia trees are rarely planted. In social forestry, korai, mahogany, akasmani, and various types of fruit trees (jackfruit, olive, etc.) are usually planted. Basically, it involves planting trees that have financial aspects. The money that is sold can be given to the beneficiaries. Because an important aspect of social forestry is poverty alleviation, if any tree in the social forest is over 12 years old, it is cut down and sold. Part of the proceeds from the sale are given directly to the beneficiaries through checks issued by the Prime Minister during the National Tree Fair.
The reality is that social forests have proven benefits. The northern region is proof that it is very beneficial for the environment. Thirty-four years ago, the northern region was almost a desert. Now it has become green through social forestry. This can be seen while traveling by air from Dhaka to northern region, and anyone will admit that it is true. Besides, the issue of social forestry partnerships is also very important. In this, the beneficiaries get 55 percent, landowners (e.g., abandoned land of railways, forest departments, etc.) get 20 percent, 10 percent is for reforestation, 5 percent is for the development of the concerned Zilla Parishad, and the revenue department gets 10 percent.
But social forests do not live in the same environment as natural forests. A natural forest usually provides wood, food, water, grass, fodder, medicinal plants, foliage, honey, straw, fish, crab vegetables, edible leaves, stems, etc. The tribals and poor people living around such forests get all these things from the forest and essential vitamins, proteins, and calories from the food. The forest also has biodiversity.
Soil, water, plants, and animals are all deeply linked to the environment, which is found in natural forests. A social forest consists of soil and trees. Forests will be self-sustaining and eco-friendly if water and wildlife are maintained here. However, the government is talking about protecting forest areas through mixed-species forestry, agroforestry, mother tree conservation, tissue culture, and the creation of skilled professional manpower with the help of local people. If it is implemented, then forest land will play a special role for the environment and people.
Despite the complaints about social forestry, there is no doubt that social forestry is particularly beneficial for the environment and poor communities. The government should investigate complaints about social forestry and take action to make it more effective. Through this, the government needs to be more focused on the role of rural poverty alleviation. The benefits of social forestry are so great that they need to be scaled up across the country. Also, it is necessary to strengthen the issue of forest protection through local people. Then the desired results of social forestry will be achieved.
Social forestry is practiced in many countries around the world and is sustainable. In Zurich, Switzerland, social forestry has been successfully maintained. The Philippines have also seen success with it. When it comes to social forestry, the local population is empowered in each of these nations. The local population is heavily involved in social forestry and is provided with excellent facilities. For this, they are properly sensitized and made to understand the importance of social forestry for them and the environment. Therefore their government, takes commitment and monitors their social forestry problems. In Bangladesh, social forestry is working well. The government must ensure and monitor that the work is done correctly. The local people in the community should be well informed about the importance of social forestry and how it will benefit them. They should be made aware of this. In this situation, it is important to correctly implement the government's policy. If social forestry is properly implemented, all these factors will ensure its sustainability.
The writer is a freelance columnist. She can be contacted at shanu.mostafiz@gmail.com
