1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Decision Support for Mainstreaming and Scaling out Sustainable Land Management (GEF-FAO / DS-SLM)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Bangladesh Forest Department (Bangladesh Forest Department) - Bangladesh

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

FAO Bangladesh (FAO Bangladesh) - Bangladesh

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Assisted natural regeneration (ANR) is a simple, low-cost forest restoration method that can effectively convert deforested lands to more productive forests.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Medhakachapia National Park (MKNP) is nationally known for protecting the most extensive stands of mature critically endangered Garjan (Dipterocarpus turbinatus) trees in Bangladesh. Other native trees present in MKNP include Telsur Hopea odorata, Boilam Anisoptera scaphula, Gamar Gmelina arborea and Chapalish Artocarpus chaplasha. MKNP is tropical semi-evergreen forest in the low hills of the Fulchari Forest Range and covers 396 hectares. The park is located in Chakaria Upazila, not far from Cox’s Bazar in the southeast part of the country. Originally, the entire park area was densely covered with Garjan forest, but now there are about 9000 mature Garjan trees as many parts have been encroached upon with agriculture. MKNP is bordered by 13 villages where most of the people depend directly or indirectly upon the forest. Encroachment by settlements and agriculture has been associated with illegal tree cutting, hunting, and collection of fuel wood, bamboo and cane and other forest products. These activities are encouraged by sawmills in the vicinity and unemployment. Due to reduced canopy coverage, the forest soils have been exposed degraded. In order to restore forest health, the Bangladesh Forest Department introduced Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) practice. The access for public recreation and education and research is allowed inside national park. However, the collection of fuel woods and non-timber forest product from national park area by the local communities is a common scenario here.
ANR aims to accelerate, rather than replace, natural succession processes by removing or reducing barriers to natural forest regeneration such as competition with weedy species and recurring disturbances (e.g., fuel wood collection, grazing, fire and wood harvesting). Compared to conventional reforestation methods, which involve planting tree seedlings, ANR offers the significant advantage avoiding costs associated with propagating, raising, and planting seedlings. ANR is most effectively utilized at the landscape level in restoring the forest protective functions, such as soil protection, and is most suitable for restoring areas where some level of natural succession is already in progress. ANR offers distinct advantages over other forest restoration methods but also has some limitations. ANR is much cheaper to implement and can be applied over larger areas than other restoration planting approaches, but may be less effective in enhancing floristic diversity at the initial stages. Some of ANR’s disadvantages can be overcome by enrichment planting with desirable species. ANR aims to accelerate, rather than replace natural succession process by removing or reducing barriers to natural forest regeneration.
Soil degradation of MKNP has been greatly reduced through practicing ANR and co-management. In MKNP co-management was established on 2009 engaging local communities. As a part of co-management activities, the Forest Department (FD) formed a Community Patrolling Group (CPG) with 35 members from the local community to protect the Garjan trees and look after the whole forest along with forester officers. Under the support from Climate-Resilient Ecosystems and Livelihoods (CREL) project of USAID, the CPG along with FD intensively patrol the forest in rotating groups to ensure that no harm is done to the mature trees and natural seedlings. As a result, sufficient tree regeneration is now taking place and their growth is accelerating. Even where weeds dominate, seedlings of pioneer tree species are often found. The minimum required number of preexisting seedlings to implement ANR depends on the acceptable length of time for the forest to be restored and site-specific conditions that influence the rate of forest recovery. As a general reference, a density range of 200–800 seedlings/ha (>15 cm in height; counting clumps in 1 m2 as one seedling) has been suggested for ANR reforestation, and it has been estimated that at least 700 seedlings/ha are needed during the early treatment period in order to achieve canopy closure within three years. Although the forest restored through ANR in MKNP will have lower commercial value in terms of timber, it will support greater biodiversity and more effectively provide for the subsistence needs of the local people compared to commercial plantations.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2014

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Climate-Resilient Ecosystems and Livelihoods (CREL) project of USAID

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• create beneficial social impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• natural and semi-natural forest management
• improved ground/ vegetation cover

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Earlier the ground vegetation was suppressed by weeds and non-valuable plant species. Various alien invasive plant species also disturbed the natural succession process of these area. The management practice also changed from plantation in vacant area to assisted natural regeneration with the involvement of local community.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• reduce land degradation

Comments:

Canopy coverage of the area were poor and top soil erosion occurred due to exposed forest cover. Through ANR the canopy coverage will be regained and reduce land degradation.

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

BDT

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

84.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Site preparation (Boundary demarcation, site map preparation with GPS, marking of woody regeneration)	May-June
2.	Care and maintenance of natural regeneration (liberation and tending of woody regeneration, protection from disturbance)	June-July

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Survey for map preparation and marking of woody regeneration	person-days	1.0	500.0	500.0
Labour	Tying up seedlings and young trees	person-days	4.0	500.0	2000.0
Labour	Tending of woody regeneration	person-days	10.0	500.0	5000.0
Labour	Application of fertilizers	person-days	4.0	500.0	2000.0
Equipment	Weeding equipment (manual weeding tool)	lump sum	1.0	1000.0	1000.0
Equipment	Bamboo sticks for tying up seedlings	pieces	800.0	2.0	1600.0
Equipment	Rope	lump sum	1.0	1000.0	1000.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Compost fertilizer	Kg	625.0	4.0	2500.0
Construction material	Rod, Cement, Sand, Khoa, etc for RCC signboard	Lump sum	1.0	1000.0	1000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					16600.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					197.62

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

Bangladesh forest department is the land user and the total cost of the establishment borne by CREL project

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	1st year weeding	3 times
2.	2nd year weeding	3 times
3.	3rd year weeding	2 times
4.	4th year weeding	2 times
5.	5th year climber cutting	1 time

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	1st year weeding	person-days	15.0	500.0	7500.0
Labour	2nd year weeding	person-days	15.0	500.0	7500.0
Labour	3rd year weeding	person-days	10.0	500.0	5000.0
Labour	4th year weeding and 5th year climber cutting	person-days	15.0	500.0	7500.0	100.0
Equipment	Weeding equipment (manual weeding tools)	lump sum	1.0	1000.0	1000.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					28500.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					339.29

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

The 4th year weeding and 5th year climber cutting borne by forest department

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The most important factor affecting the costs is labor

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• state

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

No

Specify:

Under co-management system

Comments:

Co-management of forest ensures active participation of all concerned parties in the management or maintenance of natural resources on the basis of consensus among the stakeholders involved in the management of the natural resources of an area

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	well
seasonal temperature	summer	increase	well
annual rainfall		decrease	moderately
seasonal rainfall	wet/ rainy season	increase	moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
landslide	not well

Comments:

Note to coping with landslides; Due to the events of landslides in the upper slope sometimes the seedlings and young trees suffered at the foot slope. The degraded upland area can be recovered through ANR with enrichment planting to reduces the events of landslides and slope stabilization.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 91-100%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
It is a low cost intervention to regain the protective roles of the forest.
Community Patrolling Group (CPG) are involved in maintenance of ANR forest through co-management of natural resources. Regular patrolling activity reduces the disturbance in forest and help to prevent land degradation.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Biodiversity conservation and wildlife habitat restoration are accelerated through ANR.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
ANR is less effective in enhancing floral diversity than techniques e.g. mixed plantation, enrichment plantation, selection cum improvement etc. It promotes the existing regeneration and significant portion of regeneration comes from the dominant trees of the stand.	Enrichment plantations with ANR can increase the floral diversity.
The forest restored through ANR may have less commercial value in terms of timber compared to commercial plantation. This weakness of ANR is only valid for the forest which is managed for production purpose.	Desirable timber species can be planted as enrichment with ANR.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
ANR is suitable for areas where some level of natural succession is in progress. This, because sufficient tree regeneration must be present on the targeted site so their growth can be accelerate through ANR.	Plantation activity with other restoration method should be practiced where natural succession is low or absent.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Shono, K., E. A. Cadaweng & P. B. Durst (2007) Application of assisted natural regeneration to restore degraded tropical forestlands. Restoration Ecology, 15, 620-626.

Available from where? Costs?

http://www.fao.org/forestry/19102-0bf30dd3d800687636a5ddc85e409044a.pdf

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Medhakachapia National Park

URL:

http://nishorgo.org/project/medhakachapia-national-park/

7.4 General comments

The WOCAT questionnaire covers all the technical aspects of this SLM practice