Restoration and rehabilitation potential of the remnant natural forests of Himchari National Park (HNP) in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Abstract

Abstract. Hossen S, Hossain MK, Uddin MF. 2019. Restoration and rehabilitation potentials of the remnant natural forests of Himchari National Park (HNP), Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Asian J For 3 : 25-30. Himchari National Park (HNP) in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh has been threatened by various anthropogenic activities, yet there are opportunities that the remaining vegetation can regenerate either naturally or with assistance. This study aimed to investigate the process of forest regeneration in Himchari National Park by looking at the state of regenerating vegetation, its community composition and biodiversity indices. As many 51 stratified random sample quadrats (20 m x 20 m) were surveyed. The result showed that natural vegetation (dbh ? 5cm) was found in dominance in 16 plots, equaling 31% of the total 51 plots sampled. The highest number of regenerated seedlings was Grewia nervosa (12.37%) followed by Acacia auriculiformis (8.95%). The maximum Importance Value Index (IVI) of regenerated seedlings was found for Grewia nervosa (26.43) followed by Acacia auriculiformis (20.27). The Shanon-Wiener's diversity index, Shanon's maximum diversity index, species evenness index, Margalef's diversity index, and Simpson's diversity index were 3.166, 3.714, 0.853, 6.03 and 0.057, respectively. Maximum coverage of natural regeneration was observed in the sampled plots of natural and plantation forest types rather than remnant natural forests or patches. Based on result, we recommend: (i). Evaluation of forest harvesting impacts on the forest ecosystems, (ii). Development of rehabilitation methods on logged-over forests and degraded forest lands, (iii). Development of silvicultural techniques on plantation and degraded lands, (iv). Network on the restoration and rehabilitation of degraded forest ecosystems.