Proceedings of the International Conference on Biodiversity – Present State, Problems and Prospects of its Conservation January 8-10, 2011 University of Chittgaong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh Eivin Røskaft David J. Chivers (Eds.) Organised by Norwegian University of Science and Technology NO 7491, Trondheim, Norway University of Chittagong Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Education (SIU), NO 5809, Bergen, Norway i Editors Professor Eivin Røskaft, PhD Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Department of Biology, Realfagbygget, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway. E-mail: [email protected] David J. Chivers, PhD University of Cambridge Anatomy School, Cambridge CB3 9DQ, United Kingdom. Contact address: Selwyn College, Grange Road, Cambridge CB3 9DQ, United Kingdom. E-mail: [email protected] Assistant Editor A H M Raihan Sarker, PhD Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Department of Biology, Realfagbygget, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway. E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected] Cover photo: Mountains from Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh is a part of Teknaf Peninsula and located in the south-eastern corner of Bangladesh near the Myanmar border. It was the first protected area in Bangladesh established in 1983 to protect wild Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). (Photograph © Per Harald Olsen, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway). ISBN 978-82-998991-0-9 (Printed ed.) ISBN 978-82-998991-1-6 (Digital ed.) ISSN 1893-3572 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, re-use of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other way, and storage in data banks. Duplications of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the Norwegian Copyright Law in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from editors who are liable to prosecution under the Norwegian Copyright Law. ii Preface The continued growth of human populations and of per capita consumption has resulted in unsustainable exploitation of global biological diversity, exacerbated by climate change, ocean acidification, and other anthropogenic environmental impacts. Therefore, the effective conservation of biodiversity is essential for human survival and the maintenance of ecosystem processes. Despite some conservation successes especially at local scales and increasing public, and government interest in living sustainably, biodiversity continues to decline. Although we now have a great deal of information on the state of biodiversity, the biological and social processes that affect it, and the pressures and underlying drivers that result in its continued decline, there are also some key knowledge gaps. There are few data on the status, trends, or functional importance of microbes, invertebrates, and many plant groups, or of wild genetic diversity. How different components of biodiversity contribute and relate to the provision of services or create resilience to environmental change is poorly understood. Our knowledge of ecosystem management and restoration is inadequate to meet the challenges of reconciling increased production with sustaining ecosystem services, or of ameliorating the negative effects of climate change. Existing knowledge, often including extensive traditional knowledge, is generally underused in decision-making at local, national, and international levels. There is an urgent need both to learn from practical experience and to disseminate research findings to practitioners. In addition, scientific capacity is not equally shared across the globe, and in particular is concentrated in rich developed countries rather than in the regions that face the most substantial challenges to maintaining and enhancing biodiversity. Finally the Proceedings of the International Conference on Biodiversity – Present State, Problems, and Prospects of its Conservation (08-10 January 2011, Chittagong, Bangladesh) are completed. It took us more than a year! The editors would first of all like to thank the organising committee, particularly Professor Farid Ahsan, Professor Md. Abdul Gofur Khan, Professor Benazir Ahmed, and all their assistants from the Zoology Department – University of Chittagong, Bangladesh for a perfect conference. We would also like to acknowledge all the speakers and participants for interesting contributions and good discussions. Although this was an international conference – almost all papers were about biodiversity problems and challenges in Bangladesh, which is also reflected in these proceedings. Of the 5 keynotes and 18 papers presented in the conference, 3 keynotes and 13 papers are presented in these proceedings. We would like to give a special thanks to Professor Mohammad Mostafa Feeroz, Jahangir Nagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Mr. Craig Ryan Jackson, and Mr. Per Harald Olsen, NTNU, Norway for their contributions and inputs to these proceedings, and at least but not the least to Dr. A H M Raihan Sarker for his contributions behind the scene – both in organising the conference as well as in his endless work to finalise the proceedings report and layout. March 2012 Eivin Røskaft David J. Chivers iii Conference Organising Committee Conference Chair Vice-Chancellor University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh. Vice-Chairman Pro-Vice Chancellor University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh. Head of Scientific Committee Professor Eivin Røskaft, PhD Department of Biology Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO 7491, Trondheim, Norway. Deputy Head of Scientific Committee David J. Chivers, PhD Reader and Head, Wildlife Research Group, Anatomy School, University of Cambridge CB3 9DQ, United Kingdom. Professor Md. Abdul Gofur Khan, PhD Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh. Member-Secretary Professor M. Farid Ahsan, PhD Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh. Reviewers Professor Eivin Røskaft, PhD NTNU, Trondheim, Norway. David J. Chivers, PhD Selwyn College, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. Professor Hafezur Rahman, PhD Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Professor Md. Abdul Gofur Khan, PhD Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh. T. A. Thorpe, PhD Professor Emeritus, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada. Professor Mohammad Mostafa Feeroz, PhD Department of Zoology, Jahangir Nagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Sponsor Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Education (SIU), NO 5809, Bergen, Norway. iv Message from Honourable Ambassador Royal Norwegian Embassy, Dhaka, Bangladesh The United Nations marked the year 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. Protecting the environment and pursuing sustainable development are two essential and interconnected concerns for our time. There is an urgent need to conserve the biodiversity in order to ensure the resource availability to the future generations. The wildlife is an anchor of the forest ecosystem and one of the crucial links to the future. Governments have made commitments in multilateral and bilateral contexts. However, these global partnerships must be translated into action. In response to this, the Royal Norwegian Government has undertaken many initiatives to assist in improving the biodiversity status of developing countries. Cooperation between universities and research institutions in Norway and corresponding institutions in developing countries, and efforts to promote increased South - South cooperation are part of these efforts. It also includes the project on Ecology, behaviour, and conservation of some wildlife of Bangladesh. The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka appreciates the joint research venture between the Department of Biology, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway and the Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong (CU), Chittagong, Bangladesh. This cooperation has been established within the framework of the Norwegian Council of Universities’ Programme for Development Research and Education (NUFU) Cooperation for development, research, and education. It is financed by NUFU and the Norwegian Government. I am confident that by working together under a joint initiative between Norway and Bangladesh, which allows for sharing of knowledge, building capacities and exchanging best of practices will contribute to better protection of wildlife and habitats and make a real impact on the ground. This international conference organised in collaboration between NTNU and CU on Biodiversity- Presents State, Problems, and Prospects of its Conservation at the University of Chittagong, is accordingly very welcome. I am hopeful that the Chittagong Conference 2011 will come up with useful recommendations and arrive at conclusions, which might contribute to the revival of the wildlife and the rejuvenation of forest in this tropical region. I am wishing the success of the Chittagong Conference - 2011. January 2011 Ragne Birte Lund Ambassador The Royal Norwegian Embassy Dhaka, Bangladesh v Message from Rector NTNU, Trondheim, Norway The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU, Trondheim is highly appreciated to organise an international conference on Biodiversity – Present State, Problems, and Prospects of its Conservation