Diversity of non timber products of the Sal Forests of Bangladesh

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) encompass all biological materials other than timber. NTFPs have attracted considerable global interest because of their increasing role in improving rural livelihoods. NTFPs of sal (Shorea robusta C.F. Gaertn) forests are important to rural people in terms of foods, medicines, fodder, and domestic requirements in the central part of Bangladesh. Species composition, richness, and diversity of NTFPs—including mushrooms, herbs, climbers, and shrubsx—were compared between unmanaged (natural, mixed tree species) and successional (pure species, regenerated naturally after clear cutting) stands of Madhupur sal forests. The main results were: (i) unmanaged stands showed higher species richness than successional stands; (ii) species richness of edible and medicinal plants increased with decreased canopy closure in unmanaged stands; (iii) species richness and abundances of medicinal and edible climbers were higher in mixed species stands compared to the pure sal stands; and (iv) species richness and abundance of mushrooms increased with increasing sal tree age. Based on the study, a sustainable management approach that protects the fl oral diversity of the ecosystem over the long run is recommended. Also, understanding and incorporating local knowledge about conservation of forest resources is essential to sustainable forest management