Disgraceful dent in our tree canopy
Friday, 25 September 2009
Mohiuddin Babar
The government in Bhutan has recently warned its citizens over use of wood-sticks in making poles for prayer flags. Concerned by cutting down of tens of thousands of trees to make the poles to hold colourful flags at religious rites, the government has urged people to recycle the poles or use metallic poles instead. Though the government is yet to convince the citizens to breakaway from the tradition, the concern merits prudence in view of the pertinent need to save trees and forests in the backdrop of impending impacts of global warming and climate change.
With over 72 per cent of its land area having forest coverage and the country's constitution itself stipulating guardianship of forest resources, this Himalayan kingdom may not be as vulnerable to the impacts of global warming and climate change as countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, the Maldives and several other low lying ones. Nevertheless, the country seems to be in the front-seat to mitigate or adapt to the impacts of climate change that have already stirred concerns and hectic discussions at all levels worldwide.
Quite contrary to the situation in Bhutan, an incident of felling 30,000 full grown trees along the edge of sea front in Teknaf in south eastern tip of Bangladesh couple of weeks ago should be considered as utterly shameful. If cutting down of around 50,000 trees in one year in Bhutan can shake state level thoughts, what should have been expected when 30,000 matured trees are felled in just one week in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has one of the lowest forest coverage in the region. Forest canopy in the country is estimated to be around 15 per cent while in neighbouring Myanmar it is 49 per cent. India has a forest coverage of little more than 20 per cent and has taken up one billion dollar project to increase the coverage nationwide. The north eastern region of India is enriched with 42 per cent forest coverage.
Forests are regarded as natural sinks for carbon dioxide, one of the major greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. Bangladesh is more vulnerable to the effects of global warming and climate change than any other country in the region.
Though forestry development has made progress in the country over the decade, it is still far below the desired level. Bangladesh is one of the most fortunate countries in having three main different kind of forests. It is blessed with mangrove forests in the south western edge, hill forests in the south east and plain forests in the central region. However, due to carelessness, ignorance, corruption, encroachment, human settlement and industrialization, forests were slowly but steadily lost. The vegetation map of the country will clearly show thick concentration of human habitat within or in close proximity of the forests, particularly the plain forests in the central region. Illegal logging in the Sundarbans has been rampant and spillage of oil from vessels calling at the Mongla port has been adding to the decay of the mangrove forest resources as well.
Forests or tree coverage are considered as great treasures not only in the context of ecology or their anthropogenic qualities but for economic benefits as well. Millions of people worldwide are dependent on forest resources for their livelihood. The rooted out-branches and fallen leaves alone cater to the domestic needs of thousands of families. Besides, they offer the sanctuary to wildlife, flora and fauna.
In the backdrop of today's hardcore climate negotiations, forests assume a special significance. That is why, there are tremendous efforts in various countries to augment forest and tree coverage. In many countries, a wide range of financial incentives are being given for regenerating, maintaining and improving forest and tree cover. India expects its forests and tree cover to neutralize about 12 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions from industries, transport and residential sectors. In Thailand, massive deforestation took place during the seventies to eighties to make room for agriculture and to cater to cultural needs of building or decorating houses with wood. This led to a steep drop in tree coverage from 60 per cent to 20 per cent and the country had to witness colossal damages to national economy due to increase in floods, storms, erosion and land degradation. The government took a quick reversal policy in imposing a total ban on logging and creating innumerable nature parks across the country. With a plethora of incentives mixed with widespread motivational campaigns, the country is now heading towards a 40 per cent forest and tree coverage and hoping to be key player in the global carbon credit scheme.
Scientifically, one tree is said to be absorbing one ton of CO2, one of the principal greenhouse gases. So, mathematically, by felling down 30000 trees in Teknaf we have already lost the capacity of absorbing 30000 ton of CO2. Besides, the incident has put the location to danger's thaw as the trees would have served as barriers to tidal surges. It is unfortunate that only the media decried the incident. The action from the authorities seemed lackluster, at least in view of the gravity of the incident. It was not only a dent in the efforts to create a good canopy of forests and trees so desperately needed to mitigate the impacts of climate change which would fall upon us seriously. We are inviting the troubled water sooner than it would come. It is an utter disgrace.
(The writer can be reached at
e-mail: babar.mohiuddin@gmail.com)
The government in Bhutan has recently warned its citizens over use of wood-sticks in making poles for prayer flags. Concerned by cutting down of tens of thousands of trees to make the poles to hold colourful flags at religious rites, the government has urged people to recycle the poles or use metallic poles instead. Though the government is yet to convince the citizens to breakaway from the tradition, the concern merits prudence in view of the pertinent need to save trees and forests in the backdrop of impending impacts of global warming and climate change.
With over 72 per cent of its land area having forest coverage and the country's constitution itself stipulating guardianship of forest resources, this Himalayan kingdom may not be as vulnerable to the impacts of global warming and climate change as countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, the Maldives and several other low lying ones. Nevertheless, the country seems to be in the front-seat to mitigate or adapt to the impacts of climate change that have already stirred concerns and hectic discussions at all levels worldwide.
Quite contrary to the situation in Bhutan, an incident of felling 30,000 full grown trees along the edge of sea front in Teknaf in south eastern tip of Bangladesh couple of weeks ago should be considered as utterly shameful. If cutting down of around 50,000 trees in one year in Bhutan can shake state level thoughts, what should have been expected when 30,000 matured trees are felled in just one week in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has one of the lowest forest coverage in the region. Forest canopy in the country is estimated to be around 15 per cent while in neighbouring Myanmar it is 49 per cent. India has a forest coverage of little more than 20 per cent and has taken up one billion dollar project to increase the coverage nationwide. The north eastern region of India is enriched with 42 per cent forest coverage.
Forests are regarded as natural sinks for carbon dioxide, one of the major greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. Bangladesh is more vulnerable to the effects of global warming and climate change than any other country in the region.
Though forestry development has made progress in the country over the decade, it is still far below the desired level. Bangladesh is one of the most fortunate countries in having three main different kind of forests. It is blessed with mangrove forests in the south western edge, hill forests in the south east and plain forests in the central region. However, due to carelessness, ignorance, corruption, encroachment, human settlement and industrialization, forests were slowly but steadily lost. The vegetation map of the country will clearly show thick concentration of human habitat within or in close proximity of the forests, particularly the plain forests in the central region. Illegal logging in the Sundarbans has been rampant and spillage of oil from vessels calling at the Mongla port has been adding to the decay of the mangrove forest resources as well.
Forests or tree coverage are considered as great treasures not only in the context of ecology or their anthropogenic qualities but for economic benefits as well. Millions of people worldwide are dependent on forest resources for their livelihood. The rooted out-branches and fallen leaves alone cater to the domestic needs of thousands of families. Besides, they offer the sanctuary to wildlife, flora and fauna.
In the backdrop of today's hardcore climate negotiations, forests assume a special significance. That is why, there are tremendous efforts in various countries to augment forest and tree coverage. In many countries, a wide range of financial incentives are being given for regenerating, maintaining and improving forest and tree cover. India expects its forests and tree cover to neutralize about 12 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions from industries, transport and residential sectors. In Thailand, massive deforestation took place during the seventies to eighties to make room for agriculture and to cater to cultural needs of building or decorating houses with wood. This led to a steep drop in tree coverage from 60 per cent to 20 per cent and the country had to witness colossal damages to national economy due to increase in floods, storms, erosion and land degradation. The government took a quick reversal policy in imposing a total ban on logging and creating innumerable nature parks across the country. With a plethora of incentives mixed with widespread motivational campaigns, the country is now heading towards a 40 per cent forest and tree coverage and hoping to be key player in the global carbon credit scheme.
Scientifically, one tree is said to be absorbing one ton of CO2, one of the principal greenhouse gases. So, mathematically, by felling down 30000 trees in Teknaf we have already lost the capacity of absorbing 30000 ton of CO2. Besides, the incident has put the location to danger's thaw as the trees would have served as barriers to tidal surges. It is unfortunate that only the media decried the incident. The action from the authorities seemed lackluster, at least in view of the gravity of the incident. It was not only a dent in the efforts to create a good canopy of forests and trees so desperately needed to mitigate the impacts of climate change which would fall upon us seriously. We are inviting the troubled water sooner than it would come. It is an utter disgrace.
(The writer can be reached at
e-mail: babar.mohiuddin@gmail.com)