Homestead Plant Biodiversity in the South- Western Coastal Zone Of
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Final Report CF # 13/07 Homestead Plant Biodiversity in the South- Western Coastal Zone of Bangladesh: Way Forward to Identification, Utilization and Conservation By M. Mahfuzur Rahman, Principal Investigator M Atikulla, Ph D Student Department of Botany Jahangirnagar University and Md Giashuddin Miah, Co-Investigator Department of Agroforestry and Environment Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University This study was carried out with the support of the National Food Policy Capacity Strengthening Programme July 2009 1 This study was financed under the Research Grants Scheme (RGS) of the National Food Policy Capacity Strengthening Programme (NFPCSP). The purpose of the RGS was to assist in improving research and dialogue within civil society so as to inform and enrich the implementation of the National Food Policy. The NFPCSP is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Food Planning and Monitoring Unit (FPMU), Ministry of Food and Disaster Management with the financial support of EC and USAID. The designation and presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO nor of the NFPCSP, Government of Bangladesh, EC or USAID and reflects the sole opinions and views of the authors who are fully responsible for the contents, findings and recommendations of this report. 0 Acknowledgement First of all I would like to express my gratitude to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Head Office for the approval of the project as well as for allocation fund. I thank the EC and USAID for their financial support to carry out the study. I also appreciate the efforts of the FPMU, MoFDM for their advice and suggestions on policy issues from time to time. I am highly grateful to Mr. Ad Spikers, FAO Representative in Bangladesh and to Dr. Ciro Fiorillo, Chief Technical Adviser, NFPCSP, FAO, for their sincere help during signing of the agreement. Sincere thanks are due to Dr Lalita Bhattachajee and Prof. S.A. Sabur, Technical Assistance Team Members, NFPCSP for their continuous monitoring and suggestions during the project period. I am highly grateful to Dr Nur A. Khondaker, Research Grant Administrator, NFPCSP for regular communication and assistance during the whole project period. I wish to express my gratitude to the Chairman and other teachers of the Department of Botany, Jahangirnagar University for their help especially in providing facilities for use at the Plant Ecology Laboratory. I am also thankful to the authorities of Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI), Bangladesh National Herbarium (BNH), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BSS) and Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) for their assistance in procuring some secondary data, plant identification and related information. I am grateful to Upazilla Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) of Upazillas of Patuakhali and Barguna Districts for their continuous help during field works. I am also grateful to all the farmers and villagers of the study areas for their support and sincere cooperation during the field work. i Executive summary As homestead and homestead products play vital rules on the socio-economy of rural areas, a detailed study was conducted on homestead plant biodiversity in the south-western zones of Bangladesh through the National Food Policy Capacity Strengthening Programme (NFPCSP), funded by Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). Three villages (namely, Chawlapara of Aamtali, Barguna; Nayapara of Kalapara and Kalisuri of Bauphal, Patuakhali) were selected for this study. The main focuses of the project included the documentation and characterization of the existing homestead plant species, their utilization and impact assessment on the livelihood of local inhabitants especially, on their food security and alternative or additional income generation through homestead plant products. The study was conducted on the basis of primary data sources, extensive field surveys using questionnaire, species recording and enumeration in different seasons, oral interviews with cross sections of local people, photographs and focus group discussions. Standard methods were followed for data analysis and interpretations. In addition with the survey and recording of homestead plant biodiversity resources, the existing socio-economic status and problems were also identified. Some of the key findings obtained through the research project include that homestead is the most important natural resource in Bangladesh comprising a huge number of diversified plant species. Records and check-lists obtained during project period pointed out to the fact that homestead plant biodiversity is still rich in south western coastal region of Bangladesh. Livelihood of rural inhabitants in this region is closely related with homestead plant diversity where the people are dependent on plant resources for their food, medicine, timber, house making materials, fodder and other minor products. Some of the homestead species serves as life support species. It is noteworthy that during last devastating SIDR cyclone (on last 15 November, 2007) and post cyclone period the affected people survived only by consuming different homestead plants and plant products. Homestead plant diversity also playing potential role on the socio-economic development of rural people in coastal region. It is evident through the present research project that in one side homestead plant diversity can ensure food security mainly for landless people, on the other hand homestead products provide alternative or (and) additional income generation which enable rural people for a better livelihood. ii During the research period, some problems were also identified which play negative impact on homestead and homestead plant diversity. Results show that homestead plant resources are under increasing pressure due to human exploitation on one side and regular natural catastrophes as the other side. A well-planned and organized homestead programme is very important for the utilization and sustainable management of homestead plant resources which will ensure better life of the rural people in the coastal region. iii Table of contents Contents Page no. Acknowledgement i Executive summary ii Table of contents iv List of tables v List of figures vi List of appendices vi List of photographs vi 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Rationale 2 1.2 Objectives of the study 3 1.3 Risks of the study 3 2 Methodology of the study 3 2.1 Area of the study- approaches and analytical tools 4 2.2 Salinity status in study sites 4 2.3 Site selection 6 2.4 Survey data collection 6 2.5 Questionnaire 6 2.6 Data collection 6 2.7 Sample size and sampling 7 2.8 Duration of the study 7 2.9 Relative prevalence and species diversity index 7 2.10 Focus Group Discussions (FGD) 8 2.11 Economic plants species 8 2.12 Secondary information collection 8 2.13 Data analysis 8 3 Result and discussion 9 3.1 Age categories of the respondents 9 3.2 Education level of the respondents 9 3.3 Family size of the respondents 10 3.4 Land holding of the respondents 10 3. 4.1 Ownership pattern of land of the respondents 11 3.4.2 Land holding and leasing system of this area 12 3.4.3 Factors for increasing and decreasing of land 13 3.5 Status of homestead space utilization 14 3.6 Trees species richness 15 3.6.1 Vegetable species richness 15 3.7 Relative prevalence of tree species in different saline zone 16 3.8 Species diversity index of different categories of species 17 3.9 Sources of planting materials 18 3.10 Saline tolerant and non-tolerant species 19 3.11 Major economic and profitable timber-yielding species 19 3.11.1 Major economic and profitable fruit-yielding species 22 3.11.2. Threatened and rare species need to be conserved and immediate 23 action in these study areas. 3.12 Food security 24 iv 3.12.1 Stored food in the homestead of different farm category 24 3.12.2 Food intake of the household at the study areas 25 3.13. Relative role of on-farm and off-farm occupation in the varying 26 saline areas 3.14 Impact of homestead plant biodiversity in the income generation 26 and livelihood supports 3.15 Management practices of homestead production 27 3.16 Problems faced in homestead production and management 29 3.17 National and International progress on biodiversity 30 3.17.1 The Earth Summit 30 3.17.2 Policy Document 30 3.17.3 Strategy and Action Plan for conservation of biodiversity 31 3.17.4 National Initiatives for ex-situ and in-situ conservation 32 3.17.4.1 The Forest Department Initiatives: 32 3.17.4.2 Bangladesh National Herbarium 32 3.17.4.3 Baldah Garden 32 3.17.4.4 National Botanical Garden 32 3.17.4.5 Deparment of Agriculture Extension (DAE 32 3.17.4.6 Academic institutions 32 3.17.4.7 Research Institutions 33 3.17.4.8 UN Organization Initiatives 33 3.18 Conservation of homestead biodiversity 33 3.19 Women role in homestead biodiversity conservation 34 3.20 Policy implication and Recommendations 34 3.21 Areas for further research 35 5.22 Conclusions 36 List of tables Table Page no. no. 1 Upazilla wise soil salinity level of Patuakhali and Barguna 5 Districts 2 Education level of the respondents 10 3 Average family size of the respondents 10 4 Household land holdings 11 5 Land ownership pattern 12 6 Factors for increasing and decreasing of land at the study areas 13 7 Status of homestead space utilization in varying saline zones of the 14 study. 8 Higher RP value species in different farm categories 16 9 Species diversity index and equitability of different farm 18 categories 10 Sources of planting materials 19 11 Saline tolerant and non-tolerant species 20 12 Threatened and rare species need to be conserved and immediate 24 action in this study areas 13 Food store in homestead of different farm categories 25 v 14 Cooked food and intake habit 25 15 Role of farm and off-farm occupation in the varying saline areas 26 16 Impact of homestead plant in the income generation and livelihood 27 supports 17 Management practices of homestead production 28 List of figures Figure Page no.