Journal of Threatened Taxa |
www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 July 2021 | 13(8): 19070–19078
ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893
(Print)
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5922.13.8.19070-19078
#5922 | Received 28 March 2020 | Final
received 29 January 2021 | Finally accepted 02 June 2021
Status and conservation needs of Cycas
pectinata Buch.-Ham. in its natural habitat at Baroiyadhala National Park, Bangladesh
M.K. Hossain 1 , M.A.
Hossain 2, S. Hossen 3, M.R.
Rahman 4, M.I. Hossain 5, S.K. Nath 6 &
M.B.N. Siddiqui 7
1,2 Institute of Forestry and
Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh.
3 Department of Forestry and
Environmental Science, Rangamati Science and Technology University, Rangamati
Hill District, Bangladesh.
4 Faculty of Environment and
Natural Resources, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität
Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg, Germany.
5 Project Management Unit, Forest
Department, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
6 Climate Change and Protected Area
Management Officer, CREL Project, Community Development Centre (CODEC),
Bangladesh.
7 Forestry Development and Training
Centre (FDTC), Bangladesh Forest Department, Kaptai,
Rangamati, Bangladesh.
1 mkhossain2009@gmail.com, 2 akhter.hossain@cu.ac.bd
(corresponding author), 3 saddamhossen.cu@gmail.com,
4 rayhanur.pavel@gmail.com, 5 iftienv@yahoo.com,
6 smati71@yahoo.com, 7 baktiar1971@gmail.com
Editor: Aparna Watve,
Biome Conservation Foundation, Pune, India. Date
of publication: 26 July 2021 (online & print)
Citation: Hossain, M.K., M.A. Hossain, S. Hossen, M.R. Rahman, M.I. Hossain, S.K. Nath & M.B.N.
Siddiqui (2021). Status and conservation needs of Cycas
pectinata Buch.-Ham. in its natural habitat at Baroiyadhala National Park, Bangladesh. Journal of Threatened Taxa 13(8): 19070–19078. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5922.13.8.19070-19078
Copyright: © Hossain et al. 2021. Creative Commons Attribution
4.0 International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and
distribution of this article in any medium by providing adequate credit to the
author(s) and the source of publication.
Funding: The research was supported and funded
by Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD) and Community
Development Centre (CODEC) through Climate Resilient Ecosystem and Livelihoods
(CREL) project.
Competing interests: The authors
declare no competing interests.
Author details: Mohammed Kamal
Hossain is Professor
of the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of
Chittagong. He received his B.Sc. (Hons.) and M.Sc. in Botany from the Chittagong
University, and PhD in forestry from Aberdeen University, UK. His field of
interest is Silviculture, Biodiversity Conservation, Forest Ecology, and
Plantation Forestry. Md. Akhter Hossain is Assistant
Professor of the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University
of Chittagong. He received his BSc (Honors) and MS in forestry from the same
institute. Biodiversity conservation, forest ecology, forest inventory,
ecosystem services, and community based natural resource management are his
fields of interest. Saddam Hossen is working as a Lecturer in the Department of
Forestry and Environmental Science, Rangamati Science and Technology
University. He received his BSc (Honors) and MS in forestry from the Institute
of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong. His teaching
and research focus on Forestry along with related fields. Md.
Rayhanur Rahman, studying MSc In European
Forestry under Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Programme
at the University of Freiburg, Germany. Currently, he is writing his master
thesis with the Chair of Forest and Environmental Policy. Mohammad Iftekher
Hossain is the Project Manager of project titled “Strategic
Environmental Assessment (SEA) of South West Region of Bangladesh for
Conserving the Outstanding Universal Value of the Sundarbans Project” Project
Management Unit (PMU), Bangladesh Forest Department, Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change. Shital Kumar Nath is working as the
Project Director in a USAID funded and implemented by CODEC. He received M.Sc.
(Zoology) from the University of Chittagong and EMBA (Marketing) from the
Southern University Bangladesh. Biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services,
community-based natural resource management etc. are his fields of focus. Md. Baktiar Nur Siddiqui is Deputy Conservator of
Forests of Bangladesh Forest Department. He achieved B.Sc. (Honors) in Forestry
from University of Chittagong and Masters in Business Administration with Major
in International and Development Economics from Bangladesh Open University.
Currently he is heading the Forestry Development and Training Centre of
Bangladesh.
Author contributions: MKH—conceptualization,
methodology, field data collection, species identification, supervision,
manuscript drafting and proof editing; MAH—field data collection, manuscript
drafting, proof editing and revising; SH—methodology, field data collection,
manuscript drafting; MRR—methodology, field data collection, manuscript
drafting; MIH—conceptualization, methodology, communication, supervision;
SKN—conceptualization, methodology, communication, supervision;
MBNS—conceptualization, methodology, field data collection, communication,
supervision.
Acknowledgements: The authors are highly grateful
to the Community Development Centre (CODEC) and Bangladesh Forest Department
(BFD) for support and funding the study, through CREL project, to determine the
status and prepare a conservation plan for Cycas pectinata
at Baroiyadhala National Park, Sitakunda,
Chattogram. Special thanks to the officials and field
staffs of Chittagong North Forest Division for providing the field support
during the field work of the study. Thanks to members of the Co-management
Committee (CMC) of Baroiyadhala National Park,
officers and field staff of CODEC for untiring support during the field visits.
Abstract: The widespread cycad Cycas pectinata was first discovered in the Bengal region by
William Griffith in Baroiyadhala forest of Chattogram in 1838. In Bangladesh, this species is confined
to a few hills at Baroiyadhala, Sitakunda
upazila of Chattogram
district. Though the Baroiyadhala forests were
declared a national park in 2010, the loss of this native gymnosperm from this
forest is alarming. The present study aimed to assess the status of C. pectinata populations in its native range, identify the
drivers responsible for ongoing losses, and identify locations of C. pectinata occurrence in Baroiyadhala
National Park suitable for in situ conservation. A random quadrat survey with
21 sample plots of 100 × 100 m was conducted during April–June 2018 in Baroiyadhala National Park. Population and growth data for C.
pectinata were collected from each sample plot,
along with observations of disturbances. Four focus group discussions (FGDs)
were conducted with adjacent local people. The study revealed presence of 12
C. pectinata individuals per hectare and five
seedlings per hectare in the study area, and significant numbers of dead and
burned Cycas were also found in some sites. Based on density, five C. pectinata hotspots were identified for in situ
conservation programs. Habitat destruction, indiscriminate fire, and
unsustainable harvesting of leaves and male and female cones are responsible
for rapid declines in C. pectinata populations
in its wild habitat. Measures for protection and restoration of the species are
creating awareness among the local people about ecological importance of this
species; enhancing protection; banning trade of Cycas; creating opportunities
of sustainable livelihood for local people to reduce dependency on forests.
Keywords: habitat destruction, in situ
conservation, IUCN Red List, protected area, natural regeneration, stand
structure, species association, unsustainable harvesting.
Cycads are
an ancient group of seed plants that originated over 280 million years ago.
Globally, there are 10 genera and 352 species of cycads, with 117 species
belonging to the genus Cycas (Stevenson et al. 2018) under the Cycadaceae family. In the Indian subcontinent eight species
of Cycas are reported, among which only Cycas pectinata
grows naturally in Baraiyodhala, Bangladesh
(Lindstrom & Hill 2007). The species was first recorded in 1826 by
Buchanan-Hamilton in Bengal. Natural distribution of the species is reported
from Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam
(Stevenson et al. 2018).
Cycas pectinata Buch.-Ham., commonly known as Cycas, is an
evergreen palm-like tree up to 3m in height that was first discovered by
William Griffith from Baroiyadhala forest of
Chittagong in 1838. Additional descriptions of the species were later added by
Lindstrom & Hill (2007), Khuraijam & Singh
(2014), and Stevenson et al. (2018), along with many other researchers. In
Bangladesh, it is naturally confined to a few hills near Baroiyadhala
in Sitakunda (Khan et al. 2001; Rahman 2006; Dutta et
al. 2014; Harun-Ur-Rashid et al. 2018). The present Baroiyadhala
National Park (BDNP) is one of the main native sites of Cycas species in the
country. The species is very important to the locals, e.g., leaves of Cycas are
widely used for bouquets, megasporophylls are sold in
the local markets as the seeds are thought to be aphrodisiac. The stem yields
coarse sago, which with the fruits is eaten by the hill people in Sikkim (Watt
1889). Similar uses of C. pectinata were also
reported from northeastern India by Khuraijam & Singh (2015). Singh & Khuraijam (2010) mentioned that population of this species
becoming endangered in several regions of India. Widespread illegal extraction
of the reproductive parts (male and female cones) limited the distribution and
sustainable reproduction of C. pectinata (Khuraijam & Singh 2016). In addition, habitat
degradation causes rapid dwindling of populations in its native ranges. Moreover,
the population of wild Cycas is further decreasing due to habitat degradation
and forest fire.
Few
conservation measures have been taken in Bangladesh for protection of the
species, aside from declaring Baroiyadhala as a
National Park. If the current situation prevails and proper conservation
initiatives are not initiated, it may further reduce the existing small
population of C. pectinata and ultimately
cause regional extinction (Singh & Khuraijam
2010). To conserve the remnant C. pectinata population
in its wild habitat, it is important to know the present status (e.g., density,
distribution, regeneration) and the threats of the species in its natural
ranges. Unfortunately, there is dearth of information regarding the population
structure, distribution, regeneration, disturbances, and prominent threats of C.
pectinata in its natural habitat of Bangladesh.
The present
study aimed to assess of the status of C. pectinata
in its native range of BDNP, measure the extent of disturbances (i.e., death,
illegal cutting, burnt), identify threats, and recommend conservation needs.
Findings are expected to be helpful in preparation of a comprehensive in situ
conservation plan for this species. The study is also expected to be helpful
for a regional threat assessment of the species and which may turn out the
species to have higher threat status than that given in global assessment.
Baroiyadhala National Park (BDNP) lies between
22.650–22.783N latitude and 91.583–91.683E longitude covering an area of
2,933.61 ha in the hilly area of Sitakunda and Mirsharai upazilla of Chattogram district. BDNP is under the jurisdiction of
Chittagong North Forest Division and includes the entire area of Baroiyadhala and Wahedpur blocks
of Baroiyadhala forest beat and Kunderhat
block of Bortakia forest beat under Baroiyadhala Forest Range. The National Park is located
approximately 207 km south-east from Dhaka and 40 km north from Chattogram city. BDNP, consisting of tropical
semi-evergreen forests, was established in 2010 through a gazette notification
under Bangladesh Wild Life (Preservation) (Amendment) Act, 1974.
The area is
characterized by tropical monsoon climate. The south-west monsoon provides the
majority of the annual rainfall. Average annual rainfall of the area is 3,000
mm with a range of 1,611–3,878 mm. On average highest rainfall occurs in July
(727 mm) and the lowest rainfall in January (5–6 mm). Temperature range of the
area is 12.5–37 oC. Temperature and
humidity range 7.2–38.9 oC and 67–88 %
respectively round the year (Hossain 2015). The low hill ranges cover part of Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary (HWS) while the rest is in
the Bengal flood plain. The soils in this area range from clay to clayey loam
on level ground and from sandy loam to coarse sand on hilly land.
Community
Development Centre (CODEC) with support from the BFD and United States Agency
for International Development (USAID) established forest co-management program
in the BDNP in November 2014 under the Climate Resilient Ecosystems and
Livelihoods (CREL) project (USAID 2018). It formed the co-management committee
(CMC) which had a critical role in protecting the forests. Though, now-a-days,
due to lack of financial supports, the CMC activities are very limited but,
apparently, the CMC played significant role in the governance and management of
the protected area. The FD conducted afforestation and enrichment plantations
for increasing green coverage and restoration of degraded forests. A large
number of the surrounding communities from both Mirsharai
and Sitakunda upazila are
more or less dependent on the landscape for different types of forest
resources. It is supposed that, all these may have greatly influenced the
overall forest condition.
Field data
for the study is collected C. pectinata
population and natural regeneration related data through surveying randomly
selected quadrats in the forests of BDNP. In addition, a community consultation
in the form of focus group discussion (FGD) has been made to identify the
threats, possible solutions to those threats and finding effective ways of
conserving C. pectinata habitats.
C. pectinata occurs sporadically being mixed with other
mixed- and semi-evergreen tropical hardwood tree species in the hilly terrain
of BDNP. Simple random sampling (SRS) was appeared to be one of the simplest
and appropriate method to study the Cycas species considering its distribution,
overall forest conditions along with the time and scope of the study following
Kohl & Magnussen (2016). SRS provides the same selection probability for
all possible distinct samples (Schreuder et al. 2004; Kohl et al. 2006). A total
of 21 quadrats of 100 × 100 m size were laid to cover a sample intensity of
about 0.72%. Total height, diameter at base (10 cm above the ground) and top
(just beneath the base of lowest frond), number of fronds of all the Cycas
individuals were collected from each plot. The tree species occurred in the
sample plots were treated as the associated tree species of C. pectinata and recorded with the names along with the
nature of origin. Numbers of seedlings were also counted and recorded from the
same sample plot to assess the natural regeneration status of this threatened
species. Cycas having ≤10 cm total height was defined as regeneration.
Disturbances (i.e., fire, illegal cutting, etc.) to the Cycas, if observed
during the quadrat survey, were also recorded.
FGD is
commonly used to explore and construct knowledge about a particular topic in
small groups (Liamputtong 2011; Krueger & Casey
2015). It has been proved as an efficient and informative tool for conducting
participatory research data collection regarding different aspects of forests
at local level by Kumer & Urbanc
(2020) and Egunyu et al. (2016). Encouraged by the
popularity of qualitative research tools for empathizing the link between
forests and society, we used FGD to explore the prevailing threats to the Cycas
following the methods of Miller & Scoptur (2016)
and Kumer & Urbanc
(2020). Four FGDs were set for gathering community perceived information about C.
pectinata. The local stakeholders were consulted
in the FGDs at four different locations of BDNP. The FGDs were guided through a
semi-structured questionnaire. Community perceived information about the
distribution of the Cycas, present status in its natural territory, threats and
possible control measures to the existence and natural regeneration of the
species were discussed. Finally, a stakeholder consultation meeting in the Baroiyadhala CMC office was conducted to obtain community
opinions and recommendations in order to prepare a future conservation
strategy.
The quadrat
survey data were compiled in MS Excel for assessing the density and stand
characteristics (i.e., average height and diameter) following Sharma &
Zhang (2004) and Caceres et al. (2019). Based on the higher density of Cycas
individuals, five locations of higher abundance were marked in BDNP.
Pearson correlation was used to compare terrestrial tree species with density
of Cycas. The qualitative information gathered from the FGDs was presented as
tables and visuals. Based on the FGD data, we computed the community perceived
extent of the imminent threats to this species. The probable solutions to the
identified threats and proposed conservation measures were emphasized as per
the priority given by the communities.
The quadrat
survey revealed that density of C. pectinata
individuals is 11.57±1.88 stem/ha and distribution varied across the BDNP.
Inside the BDNP, numbers of individuals varied from one in Khoiyatoli
to 26 stem/ha in nearby areas of Napittachara and Fhulgazi villages. The species occurs mainly in the steep
hill slopes and altitudes ranging from 30–150 m. A few individuals were also
found on the stream banks. However, in some localities i.e., Khoiyachara and Bhawadhala of
BDNP, no C. pectinata were observed. Khuraijam & Singh (2014) mentioned presence of this
species near water bodies in India. Moreover, they reported higher density of
this species at 50–250 m altitude. The species is found at 1,250 m altitude
though the usual distribution is 500–800 m (Lindstrom & Hill 2007; Osborne
et al. 2007). Considering the density of C. pectinata
in BDNP, five high density areas were identified and shown in the map
(Figure 1). The C. pectinata specific
conservation and management activities may be emphasized centering
these high-density locations but not ignoring the low-density areas.
Field
observations indicated that C. pectinata grows
below the canopy of both native and exotic tree species in both natural (i.e., Amloki Phyllanthus emblica,
Bahera Terminalia bellirica,
Bhadi Lannea coromandelica, Chatim Alstonia scholaris,
Dumur Ficus hispida, Kanchan Bauhinia acuminata,
Koroi Albizia procera, Sheora Streblus asper, and Simul Bombax ceiba)
and plantation forests (i.e., Akashmoni Acacia auriculiformis, Gamar Gmelina arborea,
Jarul Lagerstroemia speciosa, South American
Raintree Albizia saman,
and Segun Tectona grandis).
Ficus hispida is the most
widely occurring species (52.4% sample plots) in the study area followed by T.
grandis and B. acuminata
(each with 42.9% sample plots) and A. saman
and A. auriculiformis (each with 38.1% sample
plots). Comparatively higher positive correlations (Pearson correlation +0.41)
was found between C. pectinata and B. acuminata followed by S. asper (Pearson
correlation +0.25) and B. ceiba (Pearson correlation +0.20). The study
indicates that positive correlation of the density of Cycas exists with only
native tree species except S. saman (Pearson
correlation +0.19) which is a naturalized exotic tree species in Bangladesh.
Besides, occurrence of Kuruch Holarrhena
antidysenterica showed comparatively higher
negative correlation (Pearson correlation -0.29) with density of Cycas followed
by Sungrass (Imperata
cylindrica, -0.23). However, none of the positive
correlations were statistically significant. Singh & Khuraijam
(2010) mentioned Bamboo, Rattans, and Sal Shorea
robusta as the associated species in Sikkim and
West Bengal of India but in BDNP we haven’t found these species in association
of C. pectinata. It indicates growth of the
Cycas with wide range of associated species.
Stand
structure of C. pectinata in BDNP is presented
through total height (0.96 ± 0.12 m), base diameter (9.72 ± 1.21 cm), top
diameter (5.11 ± 0.57 cm) and number of leaf (10 ± 0.90). The mean stem height
of Cycas varies from 0.72 m to 1.42 m in BDNP, whereas the highest
height (1.42 m) of the species is recorded from Jambagan
(Table 1). Jambagan is also represented by Cycas with
highest average base and top diameter (13.58 cm and 6.78 cm, respectively). The
average number of leaf per Cycas plant varied from 7 in Taraghona to 13 in Jambagan. It
seems that Cycas in Jambagan is in better
health than other hotspots. Cycas can grow up to 18 m as reported by Khuraijam & Singh (2014) from northeastern
India where they showed that most of the Cycas were between 1–3 m height range.
The mean height and DBH of this species in Assam are 3 m and 15 cm,
respectively, whereas height and DBH are 1.6 m and 10 cm, respectively, in
Manipur. The study methods differ, but provide an overall impression that C.
pectinata growing in BDNP are close to those of
Manipur in terms of height and diameter.
This study
provides insights into the status of natural regeneration of C. pectinata through the assessment of the number of
seedlings per hectare. The forest survey revealed that there were about five C.
pectinata seedlings per hectare area of BDNP. The
density of seedlings varied widely across the national park. In the five high
density locations, the seedling density varied from 7 seedlings/ha in Dottorichora to 14 seedlings/ha in Taraghona
hill (Figure 2). The reproductive rate of C. pectinata
is also very small in Sikkim and West Bengal (Singh & Khuraijam
2010). There are a number of reasons behind the poor natural regeneration.
Cycads are slowly growing plants taking 3–10 years to become sexually mature
(Dyer 1965). Cycads can reproduce naturally using both short-lived seeds and
stem offshoots or suckers (also called pups) (Demiray
et al. 2017). The seeds of Cycas spp. are held in the cones for about
nine months. Very few seeds germinate in nature, resulting in few seedlings in
the wild and thus decline of Cycads (Forsyth & Staden
1983). Moreover, Cycads are dioecious plant and only very rarely the timing of
cone development in male and female plants match (Cheek 2000; Lindstrom &
Hill 2007). Woodenberg et al. (2010, 2014) mentioned rare
pollination and sensitivity of seeds to desiccation as two more reasons for
poor natural regeneration of Cycads.
Anthropogenic
disturbances, i.e., cutting, collection and forest fires were observed in BDNP,
which severely affected the C. pectinata.
Illegal cutting of Cycas at a rate of 0.29 (± 0.21) stem/ha is observed
across the study area, whereas number of C. pectinata
damaged by fire is 0.81 (±0.61). Two percent of the C. pectinata
population is affected by illegal cutting, while forest fires affected about
5.9% of the population. Fire is severe in some locations of BDNP, e.g., Hutukhola and Dottorichora.
Moreover, there are other anthropogenic disturbances like collection (i.e., Cycas
leaf for decoration, sporophylls for medicinal
purpose), habitat destruction through excessive extraction of forest resources,
trade of Cycas plant, grazing, agricultural expansion, etc. (Figure 3). The
forest survey indicated the number of died C. pectinata
individuals is 1.95 (±1.21) individual/ha. Taking into account the loss due to
forest fire and illegal cutting, the study estimated that about 7.8% of the
total C. pectinata population is being lost
due to the disturbances. However, the simultaneous natural regeneration of the
species may fill the loss and restore the C. pectinata
population if protected from disturbance. Mortality of Cycas is high in
a number of locations, i.e., Hutukhola (12
individuals/ha), Dottorichora (5 individuals/ha), Ruposhijhorna (3 individuals/ha), and Khoiyatoli
(2 individuals/ha).
The study
identified 10 prominent threats to Cycas through FGD and field observation. The
threats may put the species at higher danger in near future if left unattended.
Fire infestation, over-exploitation of forest resources including Cycas plant
parts (e.g., leaves, fruit) are the major threats as mentioned by all the
participants in FGDs (Figure 4). Cycads are of great ornamental value which
makes people greedy to uproot young basal suckers, unscrupulously collect
leaves and cones (Image 1) to sell in the market. Besides these, landslide and
anthropogenic habitat destruction are two prominent threats that may cause
significant damages to Cycas population in the future. Singh & Khuraijam (2010) also mentioned illegal trade and Cycas
habitat destruction as two major threats responsible for depletion of its
population in the wild of Sikkim and West Bengal, India. Similar threats are
also mentioned by researchers worldwide as contributing to reduction of Cycad
populations (da Silva et al. 2014; Khuraijam &
Singh 2015; Demiray et al. 2017).
Strengthening
patrolling and enforcement of forest law through building capacity of BFD to
implement the newly adopted managerial measures are the suggested means to be
taken immediately for addressing threats. Moreover, raising mass awareness is a
must for making the initiatives sustainable. Table 2 describes threat-specific
measures.
Globally,
cycads are threatened with many species at high risk of extinction. There was a
common belief that the species is common across northeastern
India, but it is actually mostly restricted to native habitats (Whitelock 2002; Lindstrom & Hill 2007). C. pectinata being the most wide spread cycad is now under
threat as populations are declining rapidly compared to other Cycas (Khuraijam & Singh 2014), and the species is at the
verge of extinction in northeastern India. The
threats originate from anthropogenic interferences including agricultural
expansion through destruction of wild populations, strip mining, collection of
cones for medicinal uses, domestic & commercial development, and the trade
of ornamental plants (Osborne 1995; Donaldson et al. 2003; Vovides
et al. 2003).
Conservation
of floral resources is a must for sustainable management of the natural
resources of any country. Conservation is essential to maintain the existence
of life on earth (Subrahmanyam & Sambamurty
2006). According to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), CBD is
the key instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of biological
diversity. It also promotes fair and equitable share of benefits arising from
the use of genetic resources. The conservation methods will, however, vary
according to the specific objectives of conservation, and the distribution and
biological nature of the material to be conserved. Conservation methods are
often used to denote in situ conservation, ex situ conservation, ecosystem
conservation, static conservation, selective conservation, conservation in use,
and possibly more.
A variety of
conservation actions can be undertaken for threatened trees, each approach
offering different merits. Not all approaches will be suitable for cycads, and
the appropriate action will be dependent on the nature, distribution and
habitat features of this species. Cycads are considered having a high
conservation priority from both scientific and biodiversity point of view as
they don’t have very close living relatives (Norstog
& Nicholls 1997; Donaldson 2003).
These plants
have very specialized pollinators, and their re-establishment in nature is
unlikely to be successful without a profound knowledge of their biology.
Against this background, we firstly promote interest in, and appreciation of,
these plants by propagating and growing them as horticultural subjects.
Secondly, we actively encourage scientific research and the documentation
thereof so that we can keep the captive and remaining wild plants alive in
years to come.
The global
status of Cycas pectinata as per IUCN Red List
is ‘Vulnerable’ A2c due to an estimated 30% reduction in global population in
past 90 years and a decline in the habitat quality (Nguyen 2010). In Bangladesh
the species is not assessed yet as per IUCN Red List categories and criteria.
An initiative is undertaken in 2020 by BFD under Sustainable Forest and
Livelihoods (SUFAL) project to assess 1,000 plant species of Bangladesh
including C. pectinata. (Singh & Khuraijam 2010) suggested to prohibit all international
trade of this species by putting it in the Appendix I of CITES. In urban areas,
C. pectinata are grown in gardens and private
nurseries as ornamental plants, but in forest areas the species is not popular
for plantation programs. Considering the rapid depletion of the population of
Cycas, both in situ and ex situ conservation programs are proposed.
Further
research to develop better germination techniques by studying germination behavior of the seeds and tissue culture to propagate the
rare endangered cycads can be an effective way for mass production and
germplasm preservation. There is also a need for ecological niche modelling and
population viability analysis for C. pectinata.
Interventions based on the lessons learned (i.e., awareness raising of the
local villagers, studying ecology and environment, development of management
techniques) from the cycad conservation projects (i.e., Debao
Cycad Conservation Project) accomplished across the world might be helpful for
undertaking the best actions.
To date no
comprehensive conservation measures have been taken for the protection of the
species in Baroiyadhala National Park. According to
Bangladesh Wildlife (Preservation), (Amendment) Act of 1974, any kind of
killing, hunting or trapping of any wildlife, agricultural activities, living
or entering in to the sanctuary of any persons or destruction to the sanctuary
habitat are strictly prohibited. Finally, if a proper conservation plan is
taken, it will be possible to protect and conserve the remnant C. pectinata populations in Baroiyadhala
National park. It is our foremost responsibility to protect this native species
along with bringing back the natural forests.
Table 1. Stand parameters of C. pectinata
in five identified hotspots of Baroiyadhala National
Park.
|
Location of plots |
n* |
Average total height (m) |
Average base dia. (cm) |
Average top dia. (cm) |
Average number of leaves |
|
Dottorichora |
18 |
0.72 |
9.68 |
4.71 |
10 |
|
Jambagan |
26 |
1.42 |
13.58 |
6.78 |
13 |
|
Amtola |
21 |
1.03 |
9.50 |
5.40 |
12 |
|
Fhulgazi |
26 |
0.93 |
10.65 |
5.74 |
10 |
|
Taraghona Hill |
22 |
0.72 |
5.18 |
2.93 |
7 |
*n=
Number of individuals sampled per location.
Table 2. Suggestions to address threats mentioned by
the participants of FGD.
|
|
Threats |
Suggestions to address the threats |
|
1 |
Anthropogenic habitat destruction |
Regular patrolling by BFD staff; Raising mass awareness among
people living in vicinity of the National Park about the importance of
habitat protection; Regular meeting between BFD and
local stakeholders; Collection of monitoring data
for assessing habitat indicators to track the changes of habitat quality. |
|
2 |
Extraction of forest resources |
Forest law enforcement; Creating opportunity for
alternative livelihood generation of the forest dependent local people (i.e.
providing AIGA, training for diversifying income sources, promoting
eco-tourism etc.); Raising mass awareness about the
importance of maintaining natural habitat of C. pectinata; Empowering existing CMC for
persuading people to stop illegal forest resource extraction; Regular field visits and meeting
with the local people might help. |
|
3 |
Cycas extraction |
Forest law enforcement for C.
pectinata plant part (i.e. leaf, fruit)
collectors and users; Involving CMC for motivating
local collectors and protecting Cycas population; Banning collection of cones or sporophylls for any medicinal purpose; Strict prohibition of selling or
buying any Cycas plant parts; Installing signboard and posters
in relevant locations about the offences and associated punishments for Cycas
collectors. |
|
4 |
Fire infestation |
Enforcement of strict rules and
regulations for not allowing smoking in the forest, making any fire for any
purpose and doing any interference in the forest which may be a reason to
create fire inside forest; Formation of local fire response
team; Raising mass awareness about the
damaging impact of fire; Make fire lines around
conservation plots; Involving CMC for monitoring and
fighting fire in BDNP. |
|
5 |
Grazing |
Control grazing in terms of
Forest Act and PA Management Rules; Involving CMC to help local BFD
staff to control grazing; |
|
6 |
Hunting |
Informing people about the
negative sides of hunting and conservation of faunal diversity; Creating social barrier for
people involving in hunting and poaching; CMC can help prohibiting people
carrying any sort of traps, guns, baits and poison etc. |
|
7 |
Lack of effective management |
Recruit and allocate sufficient
skilled manpower for BFD; Train and motivate BFD staff to
make them knowledgeable, dedicated and skilled for effective forest management; Give special attention for
management of C. pectinata in the PA
management programs. |
|
8 |
Lack of mass awareness |
Distributing posters and
installing billboards or signboards highlighting the forest resource
management and conservation issues, i.e., C. pectinata,
biodiversity, fire infestation, forest resource extraction, AIGA, eco-tourism
etc. Conducting education and
outreach activities on C. pectinata to the
villages; Proving training and conducting
periodic campaign on concurrent issues; Involve CMC, local government,
social and religious leaders to aware local people; Recognizing the species as an
important and valuable part of our heritage and environment; Local leaders from different
social strata can be invited in different meetings, seminars and workshops on
issues related to forest management, biodiversity conservation,
threatened/native species conservation etc. |
|
9 |
Lack of political will |
Nature loving political elites
can be invited in BDNP who may motivate local politicians to help BFD local
units for effective PA management; Local politicians should be
given due respect by involving them in forest management activities and
inviting them in relevant seminars and workshops; Local politicians can be made
aware about the existing laws, rules and government policies regarding forest
management and conservation. |
|
10 |
Landslide |
Strict patrolling before the
monsoon to prevent any practices that may promote landslide; Conducting plantations with site
specific/local/native species after settlement of the collided soil in
landslide regions; Identify hills (i.e., barren
hills, hills with soil erosion) with prone of landslide and conduct
afforestation or enrichment plantation. |
For
figures & image - - click here
Cheek, B. (2000). An introduction to Cycad
reproduction. In: Biology of Cycads. Downloaded on 26 March 2020.
http://www1.biologie.uni-hamburg.de/b-online/library/cycads/reproduction.htm.
da Silva, J.A.T., W.R. Woodenberg & S. Zeng (2014). Cycads in vitro. Plant Tissue
Culture and Biotechnology 24(2): 287-301.
de Caceres, M., S. Martín-Alcón, J.R. González-Olabarria
& L. Coll (2019). A general
method for the classification of forest stands using species composition and
vertical and horizontal structure. Annals of Forest Science 76(2): 40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-019-0824-0
Demiray, H., A.E. Dereboylu,
Z.I. Yazici, S. Bildik, K. Bülbül, S.G. Şenol & A.F. Pirhan (2017). In vitro seed germination of Cycas revoluta
Thunb. Bangladesh Journal of Botany 46(2):
559-564.
Donaldson, J., K. Hill & D.
Stevenson (2003). Cycads of the
world: an overview, pp. 3-8. In: Donaldson, J. (ed.). Cycads: Status Survey
and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK,
United Kingdom. 8 pp.
Dutta, S., M.K. Hossain, M.A.
Hossain & P. Chowdhury (2014). Floral diversity of Sitakunda Botanical
Garden and Eco-Park in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Indian Journal of Tropical
Biodiversity 22(2): 106-118.
Dyer, R.A. (1965). The cycads of southern Africa. Bothalia 8(4): 405-408. https://doi.org/10.4102/abc.v8i4.1636
Egunyu, F., M.G. Reed & J.A. Sinclair
(2016). Learning through new approaches to
forest governance: evidence from Harrop-Procter community forest Canada. Environmental
Management 57(4):784–797. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-015-0652-4
Forsyth, C. & J.V. Staden (1983). Germination of Tagetes minuta LI Temperature effects. Annals of Botany
52(5): 659-666.
Harun-Ur-Rashid, M., S. Islam &
S.B. Kashem (2018). Floristic diversity (Magnoliids and Eudicots) of Baraiyadhala National Park, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Bangladesh
Journal of Plant Taxonomy 25(2): 273–288. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjpt.v25i2.39532
Hossain, M.K. (2015). Protected area management plan for Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary and Baraiyadhala
National Park: 2015 – 2025 Bangladesh Forest Department-Ministry of Forests and
Environment, Dhaka, Bangladesh,109pp.
Khan, M., M. Rahman & M. Ali
(Eds.) (2001). Red Data
Book of Vascular Plants of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh National Herbarium, Dhaka, Bangladesh,179pp.
Khuraijam, J.S. & R. Singh (2014). Population assessment and
distribution of Cycas pectinata
Buchanan-Hamilton in Northeast India. Pleione 8(1): 17-25.
Khuraijam, J.S. & R. Singh (2015). Ethnobotany of Cycas pectinata Ham. in Northeast India. Encephalartos
119: 18-23.
Khuraijam, J.S. & R. Singh (2016). Illegal trade of Cycas cones
in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Cycads 1(1): 20-21.
Köhl, M., & S. Magnussen (2016). Sampling in Forest Inventories, pp
777-837. In: Pancel, L. & M. Kohl (eds.). Tropical
Forestry Handbook. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 3633pp. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54601-3_72
Köhl, M., S. Magnussen & M.
Marchetti (2006). Sampling
Methods, Remote Sensing and GIS Multiresource Forest
Inventory. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 373pp. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-32572-7
Krueger, R. & M.A. Casey (2015). Focus groups: a practical guide
for applied research. Sage, Thousand Oaks, California, 280pp.
Kumer, P. & M. Urbanc
(2020). Focus Groups as a Tool for
Conducting Participatory Research: A Case Study of Small-Scale Forest
Management in Slovenia, pp 207-220. In: Nared, J.
& D. Bole (eds.). Participatory research and planning in practice.
Springer Nature Switzerland AG, Cham, 227pp. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28014-7_13
Liamputtong, P. (2011). Focus group methodology:
principles and practice. Sage, London, 224pp. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781473957657
Lindstrom, A. & K. Hill (2007). The genus Cycas (Cycadaceae) in India. Telopea
11(4): 463-488.
Miller, P. & P. Scoptur (2016). Focus groups: hitting the bull’s-eye. Association for Justice,
Washington DC, 262pp.
Nguyen, H.T. (2010). Cycas pectinata.
In: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010. Downloaded on 02 January
2020. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T42062A10617695.en
Norstog, K.J. & T.J. Nicholls (1997). The Biology of the Living Cycads.
Cornell University Press, Ithaca., New York, USA,384pp.
Osborne, R. (1995). An overview of cycad conservation
in South Africa, pp. 1-7. In: J. S. Donaldson (ed.). Cycad Conservation in
South Africa, Issues, Priorities and Actions. Cycad Society of South
Africa, South Africa. 7pp.
Osborne, R., K.D. Hill, H.T. Nguyen
& P.K. Loc (2007). Cycads of Vietnam. Satooz, Brisbane, Australia, 116 pp.
Rahman, M. (2006). Cycas – a rare and
endangered indigenous species of Bangladesh to the verge of extinction. Biodiversity
Bangladesh 8(1&2): 1-4.
Schreuder, H.T., R. Ernst, & H.
Ramirez-Maldonado (2004). Statistical
techniques for sampling and monitoring natural resources. Gen. Tech. Rep.
RMRS-GTR-126. Fort Collins, CO: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,
Rocky Mountain Research Station, 111pp.
Sharma, M. & S.Y. Zhang (2004). Height–Diameter Models Using Stand
Characteristics for Pinus banksiana and Picea mariana. Scandinavian
Journal of Forest Research 19(5): 442-451. https://doi.org/10.1080/02827580410030163
Singh, R. & J.S. Khuraijam (2010). Status and survey of Cycas pectinata Buchanon-Hamilton in Sikkim and West Bengal. Pleione
4(2): 235-239.
Stevenson, D.W., L. Stanberg & M.A. Calonje
(2018). The World List of Cycads, pp.
540-576. In: N. Li, D. W. Stevenson and M. P. Griffith (eds.). Cycad Biology
and Conservation: The 9th International Conference on Cycad Biology,
Shenzhen, China. 1-7 December 2011. Memories of the New York Botanical Garden. https://doi.org/10.21135/893275389.035
Subrahmanyam, N. & A. Sambamurty (2006). Ecology, 2nd edition. Alpha Science International, Oxford,
664pp.
USAID (2018). Hazarikhil
wildlife sanctuary: sustaining nature, biodiversity, and local
communities. United States Agency for
International Development (USAID), Dhaka, Bangladesh, 6pp.
Vovides, A., M.A. Perez-Farrera,
J. Gonzáles-Astorga, D. González, T. Gregory, J. Chemnic, C. Iglesias, P. Octavio-Aguilar, S. Avendafio & C. Bareenas (2003). An outline of our current knowledge
on Mexican cycads (Zamiaceae, Cycadales).
Current Topics in Plant Biology 4: 159-174.
Watt, G. (1889). A Dictionary of the Economic
Products of India. Cosmo Publications, Delhi, India, 675pp.
Whitelock, L.M. (2002). The Cycads. Timber Press.
Portland, Oregon, 532pp.
Woodenberg, W.R., P. Berjak
& N.W. Pammenter (2010). Development of cycad ovules and
seeds. 1. Implication of the ER in primary cellularisation of the
megagametophyte in Encephalartos natalensis Dyer and Verdoorn.
Plant growth regulation 62(3): 265-278.
Woodenberg, W.R., P. Berjak,
N. Pammenter & J.M. Farrant (2014). Development of cycad ovules and
seeds. 2. Histological and ultrastructural aspects of ontogeny of the embryo in
Encephalartos natalensis
(Zamiaceae). Protoplasma
251(4): 797-816.