A full description of biodiversity of bd

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Introduction:
Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth. It includes diversity at the genetic level, such as that between
individuals in a population or between plant varieties, the diversity of species,and the diversity of
ecosystems and habitats. Biodiversity encompasses more than just variation in appearance and
composition. It includes diversity in abundance (such as the number of genes, individuals, populations or
habitats in a particular location), distribution (across locations and through time) and in behavior,
including interactions among the components of biodiversity, such as between pollinator species and
plants, or between predators and prey.
“Biological Diversity” means the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter
alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems,and the ecological complexes of which they are
part; it includes diversity within species between species,and of ecosystems (Article II, CBD, 1992).
Literal meaning of biodiversity is the diversity of all life forms on earth. This includes the various races
and species of all microbes, plants, and animals that live on earth, including their genetic differences,i.e.,
the gene pool of each species.
Biodiversity also incorporates human cultural diversity, which can be affected by the same drivers as
biodiversity, and which has impacts on the diversity of genes, other species and ecosystems.
Biodiversity has evolved over the last 3.8 billion years or so of the planet’s approximately 5 billion-year
history. Although five major extinction events have been recorded over this period, the large number and
variety of genes, species and ecosystems in existence today are the ones with which human societies have
developed, and on which people depend.
Present scenario of biodiversity in Bangladesh:
Bangladesh is a transitional zone of flora and fauna, because of its geographical settings and climatic
characteristics. As mentioned in the overview section of the report that there are many rivers and streams
existing in the country covering a length of 22,155 km. In addition to the regular inland waters, seasonally a
large part of the country remains submerged for 3-4 months during monsoon.
This country is rich in fish and aquatic resources, and other biodiversity (Table 3.4.1). Bangladesh’s inland
water bodies are known to be the habitat of 266 species of indigenous fish, 13 exotic fish, 56 prawns, about 26
freshwater mollusks, and 150 birds.
The marine water bodies (200 nautical miles along the coast) are also remarkable for being habitat of 442
species of fish. There are at least 36 species of marine shrimps. About 336 species of mollusks, covering 151
genera have been identified from the Bay of Bengal. In addition, several species of crabs, and 31 species of
turtles and tortoises, of which 24 live in freshwater, are found in Bangladesh (Sarker and Sarker, 1988; and
Ali, 1997). Ahmed and Ali (1996) published a species list of 168 seaweeds, 3 sponges, 15 crabs, 3 lobsters,
10 frogs, 3 crocodiles, 24 snakes, 3 otters, 1 porcupine, 9 dolphins, and 3 species of whale found in
Bangladesh.
There are numerous invertebrates in the country that are yet to be identified. Various authors have recorded
about 70 species of bees, and many species of wasps (Alam, 1967).

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In Bangladesh only about 8-10 per cent of the land area is under good canopy cover. It supports approximately
5000 species of angiosperms, out of which about 300 species are being cultivated. The list of medicinal plants
is currently being revised at the Bangladesh National Herbarium (BNH), and is expected to exceed 5000
species. Mia and Haque (1986) showed there are 224 species of timber yielding plants found in Bangladesh.
Khan and Mia (1984) described 130 species of indigenous fiber plants.
The IUCN Bangladesh Red Data Book (2000) has described 266 species of inland fishes, 442 marine fishes,
22 amphibians, 109 inland reptiles, 17 marine reptiles, 388 resident birds, 240 migratory birds, 110 inland
mammals, as well as 3 species of marine mammals in Bangladesh.
According to the Red List of IUCN, there are 54 species of inland fishes, 8 amphibians, 58 reptiles, 41 resident
birds, and 40 mammals, which are threatened throughout the country. Among the marine and migratory
species of animals, 4 fishes, 5 reptiles, 6 birds, and 3 mammals are threatened. So far, the Red
Data Book on plants, which is under preparation at BNH, lists 96 seed-bearing plant species that are
threatened.
The depletion of biodiversity is the result of various kinds of human development interventions and activities,
especially in the areas of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, urbanization, industries, chemicals, minerals,
transport, tourism, and energy.
Table: Flora and Fauna Recorded in Bangladesh
Category Total Number of
Species
Flora
Angiosperms 5000
Gymnosperms 5
Algae/seaweed 168
Fauna
Sponges 3
Corals 66
(Marine + freshwater) Mollusca (336+26) 362
Insects 2493
Mites 19
Shrimp/prawns 56
(Marine + freshwater) Crabs (11+4) 15
Lobsters 3
Echinoderms 4
(Marine + freshwater) Fish (442+266) 708
Amphibians 22
(Marine + inland) Reptiles (17+109) 126
Birds 628
(Marine + inland) Mammals (3+110) 113
Source: Khan, 1991; Ahmed and Ali, 1996; Alam 1967;
IUCN, 2000.
Biodiversity and Livelihoods in Bangladesh:
Ecosystem services form the basis of human survival. They help to meet the livelihood needs of the
farmers,fisher folk, forest dwellers, craft persons and others. So, ecological security and livelihood
security in Bangladesh are critically dependent on biodiversity and its components.

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Biodiversity in Bangladesh contributes significantly to the country’s economy. The people of Bangladesh
depend on biodiversity for their day-to-day sustenance as well as overall livelihood security. For example,
over 60 million people are dependent on aquatic resources every day. One million people are full-time
fisher folk and another 11 million have taken to part-time fishing in the country. Fifty to sixty-five per
cent of the country’s protein requirement is met by the consumption of fish.
The fisheries sector contributes about 3.3% of the GDP of Bangladesh, earning more than 11% or more of
the total export revenue, and employs 5% of the country’s total work force (Parveen and Faisal 2001).
The agriculture sector provides 63.5% of the country’s employment, contributing a considerable 24% to
the GDP. Of the sector’s contribution to the GDP, approximately 7.1% is covered by the forestry. The
various forestry-related projects in the country together generate 90 million person-days of job
opportunities every year. The Sundarbans provides livelihood and employment to an estimated 112,000
people (Khan 2001).
With more than 130 million people, a population growth rate of 1.48%, and a population density of 834
people per square kilometer, the pressure on the nation’s natural resources is tremendous. Box 1.2
provides more information on the future trends of Bangladesh’s populations and the natural resources on
which it depends.
The Future Scenario:
In the year 2020, the estimated population of Bangladesh will be 170 million and population density,
1118 per sq. km. Seventy per cent of the country’s land is currently under cultivation. Land resources for
agriculture consist approximately of nine million hectares which renders a per capita figure of 13 persons
per ha.
With the population reaching 170 million by 2020, this figure will increase to 20 persons per hectare
counting the possible loss of cultivable land to alternative uses like housing, urbanization, etc. The
pressure of the rising number of people on finite amounts of land, water and other natural resources has
already resulted in mounting deforestation (a reduction from 10 to 6 percent in forest cover) that may
become irreversible within the next 20 years,rising salinity and water logging of cultivated land,
declining water tables and soil fertility and high levels of erosion in the hills.
The riches of floodplain fisheries and wetlands have all been depleting precariously, caused by both
natural forces and human interventions. If the negative trends cannot be reversed,they could reduce the
current levels of fish production by 12 – 14 per cent. If the current two per cent per year deforestation rate
is not reversed at all, the country’s forests will probably disappear totally by 2020, and with them vanish
the centuries old heritage of biodiversity.
Source: The World Bank and Bangladesh Centre for Advance Studies, 1998.
Situation analysis and threats to biodiversity:
Around 100 of the estimated 6000 vascular plant species in Bangladesh have been listed as threatened to
date (Khan et al., 2001). Many others, especially medicinal plant species, are facing great pressure due to
loss of habitat and indiscriminate exploitation.
About 220 species of vertebrates,including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, have been
listed in the Red Data Books of Bangladesh as they are faced with the threat of extinction.

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An analysis of past and present trends in animal extinctions and population declines suggests that species
that are dependent on aquatic ecosystems are more vulnerable.
In contrast, among plants the most threatened species are those found in terrestrial forests,where
endemicity is also highest.
Following are some major reasons behind biodiversity depletion in Bangladesh:
High population density, extreme poverty and unemployment:
Bangladesh is one of the world’s densely populated countries with a population of more than 150 million.
Majority of the people of the country are still living under poverty line and without any permanent job.
Besides, more than 85% of the population of the country are living in rural areas and somehow depends
upon various natural resources which often lead over exploitation of plant and animal products for their
survival and income. Rural fuel consumption pattern is another important issue related to natural resource
depletion in the country. Still now, most of the people in rural areas depend on fuel wood which is
strongly concerned with degradation and unsustainable use of various woody and forested areas.
Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation:
Biodiversity is strongly associated with intact ecosystems and natural landscapes, however transformation
of land use patterns, expansion of agricultural lands, change in cropping patterns,introduction of high
yielding varieties (HYV),urbanization, expansion of road networks, unplanned embankments and other
manmade factors have caused immense damage of habitats in all ecosystems. The following are some
underlying factors related to this issue;
 Encroachment
 Shifting cultivation
 Urbanization
 Land use change and agricultural expansions
 Commercial shrimp cultivation in coastal mangrove areas
Illegal poaching:
There is a big international market (illegal!) on wild animals (and their part, e.g., teeth,bones, far, ivory
etc.) for their aesthetic and medicinal value. Peoples involved with this underworld syndicate sometimes
illegally hunting/trafficking wild animals to earn some easy cash. Besides,unregulated logging, illicit
felling, indiscriminate harvest of medicinal plants, Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs),unplanned
fishing, using bag nets, bottom trawling fishing, fishing in the breeding season and other factors are
causing depletion of biodiversity.
Environmental pollution and degradation:
One of the biggest threats to biodiversity in Bangladesh is pollution of air, soil and water. Water is the
greatest victim of contributed by toxic agro-chemicals (i.e., chemical fertilizers, insecticides), industrial
effluents that are causing depletion aquatic resources and riparian natural resources.
Invasive Alien Species:
A large number of exotic (non-native) plants have been introduced into Bangladesh for agriculture,
horticulture, forestry, animal husbandry and fisheries. Also some have become escapes accidentally and

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having adapted with local conditions proliferated profusely. Local people to different agro-ecological
conditions have nurtured some of these and some have become invasive over local flora and fauna
(Mukul et. al. 2006). Besides, replacing natural plantation with monoculture of short rotation and fast
growing species have threatens the existence of local fauna as they have not adapted with this species.
Absence of proper institutional arrangements,frameworks and monitoring:
Lack of adequate institutional or administrative frame works and suitable policies, weak implementation
of existing policies, lack of integration of sectorial activities are other major threats to biodiversity in
Bangladesh. Beside these, week institutional capacities and lack of trained manpower in all disciplines
dealing with biodiversity, poor coordination and cross sectorial integration, weak national information
system and inadequate knowledge on ecosystem structure and function are vital reason for biodiversity
loss in the country. Monitoring is particularly important in understanding the fate of ecosystems, habitats
and rare and endangered species.
Global climate change and sea level rise:
Bangladesh is supposed to be affected mostly due to global climate change which will ultimately
lead to sea level rises in near future. It has been roughly estimated that about one third of the
country’s land will go under water. Already, salinity intrusion and decreasing fresh water flow in
the mangroves of Sundarbans cause massive vegetation change in the area. It has been supposed
that top dying of Sundri and other mangrove species is also happen due to this change (Khan,
2003). Biodiversity may also be vulnerable due to variation in the length and period of climatic
events.
Lack of true political commitments and willingness:
Unfortunately, no political parties of the country been not included any forestry and biodiversity issue in
their political campaign and these issues have also overlooked or weakly recognized or poorly emphasize
when they are in power. In some cases political persons have been found responsible to illegal forest
activities (i.e., encroachment) and environmental degradation.
Lack of people’s awareness:
Lack of biodiversity related information and knowledge automatically leads to gaps in awareness. Gaps in
awareness have been identified at various levels. To start with, most people do not even know that there
are so many species of organisms in Bangladesh. Even the educated do not know that there are laws that
ban hunting and trade in wild animals, there are laws that protect certain species and ecosystems and that
there are laws that are meant to control environmental pollution. Different categories of Protected Areas
exist in the country. However,many including the policy makers are not aware of the different
management systems that the Protected Areas are placed under.
Policies:
For the conservation of biodiversity an all-out effort is necessary that encompasses the different levels of
stakeholders who are involved in its use, study, research, and protection. To this purpose, various steps need to
be taken, e.g., education, information dissemination, action programs, preventive measures, and policy
decisions. Without proper policy decisions it is absolutely impossible to protect biodiversity. A multisectoral
policy is required, because conservation of biodiversity involves various stakeholders. To help explore new
policy options on biodiversity, related policies should be analyzed and gaps should be identified.

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Some suggested measures are:
The national policy planning authorities should recognize the necessity for conservation of
biodiversity, and ensure multi-sectorial coordination for it.
Government agencies involved in biodiversity conservation should be strengthened, and new agencies
should be created wherever necessary.
Agencies for the survey of fauna and microorganisms need to be created.
The Wildlife Conservation Circle should be activated and strengthened.
As per the declaration made by the Environment Conservation Act, 1995, an ECA wing should be
created in the DoE. The Department of Environment should be strengthened for ECA management.
Establishment of a National Institute of Biodiversity.
A digitized national database on biodiversity.
Development of integrated management systems in the agriculture sector, animal husbandry, poultry
management and aquaculture.
Awareness about the need for conservation of biodiversity among all sections of society should be
encouraged.
Conservation regulations should be updated, and enforced strictly.
If necessary, revision and reallocation of resources should be made to make development sustainable.
Studies and development of environmentally sound biotechnology, and evaluation of the positive and
negative effects of biotechnology on biodiversity.
Recognize the value and importance of biodiversity for the Bangladesh people and document
properly its components, distribution and value.
Conserve ecosystems, species and genetic pool of the country to ensure that the present and future
wellbeing of the country and its people are secure.
Restore ecosystems and rehabilitate endangered species.
Promote equitable sharing of biodiversity conservation costs and benefits among different sectors of
the society.
Establish institutions for inter-sectorial implementing mechanism for the Bangladesh National
Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
Enhance Protected Area management, recognizing the benefits of collaboration with local
communities in their management (co-management).
Ensure wise use of wetland resources.

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Establish participatory mechanisms to receive and utilize the inputs from private sector, civil society,
academia and local communities about the different processes leading to biodiversity conservation,
use and sharing of benefits.
Develop a financial strategy that is innovative and sustainable.
Integrate biodiversity conservation into the national development making, planning and processes.
Conclusion:
As peoples of Bangladesh, depends chiefly on various natural resources for centuries, it is essential to
demonstrate the linkages between biodiversity/ecosystem services, livelihoods and socio-economic structure.
Another requirement is to delineate and restore country’s unique habitats (including existing protected areas)
and adopt measures to ensure that these areas are conserved.
An essential way of achieving this objective is through collaborative management regimes which has already
found effective in some regions of the country. The involvement of local communities in preventing over-
exploitation and poaching is essential to long-term conservation. Finally a separate national body or institution
is fundamental to ensure conservation; sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits arisen from
biodiversity.