Bandarban District Research Articles

Medical ethnobotany of the Marma community of Rangamati district of Bangladesh

The ethnomedicinal practices of Marma indigenous community of Bangladesh is considered rich. This study aimed to compile their medicinal plant usage to get fresh insights into newer ethnobotanical uses. Ethnomedicinal information was collected through open‐ended/semi structured techniques following field interview, plant interview and market survey from key informants. Documented data was further analyzed using different quantitative indices. The Jaccard index was also calculated to show the degree of similarity with previous studies conducted in Bangladesh and abroad. A total of 196 plants from 75 families belonging to 164 genera were documented in the survey. Gastrointestinal disorders epitomized the foremost complaints sort with the use of 72 plant species, followed by pain and inflammation (63 species). Leaves (42.8%) were the principal source of medication while trees were the major plant type used in the ethnobotanical practice. The original application of ethnomedicinal plants within our study was compared with 44 previous ethnomedicinal research studies and the Jaccard index (JI) ranged from 0.78 to 46.78. The highest similarity within the country was recorded with studies from the Bandarban district while the lowest was from the northern region. Similarly, the highest similarity with reports from neighboring countries was with Chanduali district of UP, India and the lowest with FATA, Pakistan. Importantly, our literature study exhibited that this study recorded 23 species with new ethnomedicinal uses. The Marma community still depends on plants to treat different complaints/diseases. This compilation may provide a future resource for further phytochemical and pharmacological studies.

Edible wild field cricket (Brachytrupes portentosus) trading in Bangladesh

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate the market channels, relationship between market intermediates and their functions along with the marketing cost and profit margin of edible wild field cricketBrachytrupes portentosus in Bangladesh. Male respondents were dominantly involved in the insect collection procedure and female were widely engaged in the market. The field cricket trading totally depends on its availability from nature. Generally, this insect becomes available in the winter season (November to February). It was found that insect collectors, wholesaler cum retailers, and local trader cum retailers are the key market intermediates of the four different marketing channels of wild field cricket in Bandarban district of Bangladesh. Among the four observed marketing channels, the channel from insect collectors to the consumer held the big share in the local market. Approximately 43% of the total collection of the wild field crickets occurred through this channel. Both local trader cum retailers and wholesaler cum retailers processed and graded theB. portentosus on the basis of size and sex with the demand of consumers. The net marketing margin was the highest in insect collectors followed by wholesaler cum retailers and local trader cum retailers. The returns on operating capital of insect collectors, wholesaler cum retailers, and local trader cum retailers were 283.7, 48.7 and 42.9%, respectively. The major constraint of edible insect marketing was poor transportation and processing.

Molecular genetic characterization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with upland rice in Bangladesh

Understanding the community composition and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in agricultural ecosystems is important for exploring their potential for use in sustainable crop production. In this study, we collected rice root samples from upland rice fields under different agricultural practices in four districts of Bangladesh (Khagrachori, Rangamati, Chattogram, and Bandarban) to estimate the AMF colonization rate and to investigate the taxonomic diversity and community composition of indigenous AMF by high-throughput Illumina amplicon sequencing. The AMF colonization rates of the rice root samples ranged between 14 and 47%, and were positively correlated with the soil pH (4.58–5.93), suggesting that more AMF colonization is likely to form under slightly acidic conditions. This result suggests that AMF colonization rate in upland rice roots might be affected by soil pH; however, no significant correlation with soil available phosphorus contents was observed. In total, eight different AMF genera were detected by amplicon sequencing. Glomus and Paraglomus were found to be the dominant genera in all the regions, followed by Scutellospora, Acaulospora, Claroideoglomus, Diversispora, Gigaspora, and Archaeospora. Shannon’s diversity index and Pielou’s evenness were significantly higher in the Bandarban district than the other districts, whereas Faith’s phylogenetic diversity and richness showed no significant difference between the four districts. The beta diversities of AMF community composition based on the Bray-Curtis dissimilarities were significantly differentiated among the districts. The soil available phosphorus contents were significantly correlated with the AMF beta diversities between the four districts. This is the first study to report on the AMF community composition and diversity in upland rice roots and on how AMF communities are affected by the soil chemical properties in different locations in Bangladesh.

Dietary Behavior of Pregnant and Lactating Women of Bandarban Hill District, Bangladesh

Background: The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is the least developed in all aspects of life and livelihoods in comparison with other parts of Bangladesh. People of this area suffer from extreme poverty due to different natural and man-made disasters resulting in increasing vulnerability, food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly for women, youth and children. In CHT, Bandarban district has a high proportion of people living in extreme poverty, combined with high rates of stunting, under-nutrition and food insecurity along with maternal under-nutrition, low birth weight, preterm birth, maternal anemia. The dietary behavior of the people living here is a major factor of these nutritional disasters. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the dietary behavior of selected pregnant/lactating women from different sub-districts of Bandarban hill district. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted from September 2018 to December 2018 at Lama & Rowangchori sub-districts of Bandarban hill district with participation of 126 pregnant women and lactating mothers. For the study, those were selected who were in their early pregnancy or lactation stage by simple random sampling. Findings: The study findings show that 34% respondents consume 3 or less food groups, 29% respondents consume 4 food groups, 25% respondents consume 5 food groups, 7% respondents consume 6 food groups and 5% respondents consume 7 or more food groups. The study also found significant relationship among the dietary diversity with the respondent’s income, household size and the level of education of the respondents. Conclusion: As dietary behavior is a major factor to trigger good nutritional status, thus it can be concluded that awareness and nutrition education programme implementation in the Bandarban hill district area can help to achieve favorable dietary behavior of the pregnant and lactating women as well as good nutritional status.

Geospatial Modeling of Landslide Vulnerability and Simulating Spatial Correlation with Associated Factors in Bandarban District

The present study aims at identifying and predicting landslide vulnerable areas in Bandarban District of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) using weighted overlaying of the multiple geospatial layers to determine landslide hazard areas. The historical landslide inventory map was prepared using Google Earth image and through PRA technique. Then ten landslide triggering factors including landuse, rainfall, slope, elevation, cut-fill, soil types, geology, distance to rivers, roads and stream orders, population density, income, education of the inhabitants were chosen as effective factors on a landslide in the study area. Subsequently, the landslide vulnerability map was constructed using the weighted overlay model in Geographic Information System (GIS). Bandarban District has 348 landslides vulnerable locations. Among them, 6 are extremely vulnerable and 342 are highly vulnerable to landslides. Model results show that the Upazila Ruma and Thanchi are extremely vulnerable to landslides. About 91 percent of the landslides will occur within 10 degrees of slope, about 65 percent will occur within 50 meters elevation. The model shows that there is a strong relationship between landslides and physical, economic and social variables.
 The Dhaka University Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 8(2), 2019, P 51-56

Impact of crop diversification on livelihood improvement and sustainable land management in Chattogram Hill Tracts of Bangladesh

The study was conducted at Sorai union of Lama Upazilla under Bandarban district of Chattogram Hill Tracts. It was found that total 19 plant species including bamboos, timbers and fruit crops have been widely cultivated in the area. Among the species five bamboo (Mitinga, Baijja Muli, Borak and Kali), six timbers (Acacia, Eucalyptus, Garjon, Teak, Gamar and Rubber) and eight fruits (Mango, Olive, Papaya, Guava, Coconut, Hog pulm, Orange and Betel nut) were recorded. Bamboo based agro-forestry modules were developed and practiced which produced a very good cropping diversification to sustain the crop productivity, protection of land sliding, soil erosion, water shade and soil fertility in the hill areas. It has been observed that farmers’ have a very good positive attitude and perception in diversified cropping system to get better yields than mono cropping agricultural practice at their home- stead and farm- lands. It has a very good opportunity to make the crop diversification for sustainable production of hill farming and resource management.
 J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2020, 6(1): 1-8

Revamping of Community Managed Reserve Forest by the Ampu Para Murong Communities of Bandarban Hill District, Bangladesh

Bandarban Hill District, Bangladesh is the native home of thirteen tribal communities. Ampu Para is a hundred years old Murong village located on the south of Bandarban district headquarter. It is situated at an elevation of 900m amsl. It is inhabited by a Murong Community; those conserve a community reserved forest surrounding the village to maintain a mini watershed. The community reserve is disappearing rapidly. Major driving forces are pressure from increased population, infrastructure development and obviously loss of traditional norms. A local level conservation model is suggested for biodiversity conservation in which includes development of a management plan for enrichment planting with water holding native tree species by community members, documentation of traditional knowledge and awareness rising.

Tree species diversity and structural composition of village common forest in Bandarban District, Bangladesh

Abstract. Jannat M, Kamruzzaman MD, Hossain MK. 2020. Tree species diversity and structural composition of village common forest in Bandarban District, Bangladesh. Asian J For 4: 76-83. Village common forests (VCF) are community-based forest management that has been practiced for a long time in Bangladesh. Currently, this form of forest management is threatened with various anthropogenic factors, urging for study regarding the state of its biodiversity. The study was conducted to explore indigenous tree species diversity of Babu Para village common forest (VCF) in Bandarban District, Bangladesh. Tree species diversity was assessed through stratified random sampling method using sample plots of 20 m × 20 m in size. Babu Para VCF with an area of 40 acres had more than 406 individuals of 74 tree species belonging to 30 families, including eight unidentified species. Euphorbiaceae and Moraceae were the most dominant families containing 7 species followed by Anacardiaceae (5 species), Mimosaceae (6 species), and Meliaceae (5 species). Both the number of tree species and number of individuals decreased regularly with the increase of total height except ? 30 m height range. Number of species and number of individuals was highest in the height range of (5-<10) m. Similar trend was found for dbh (cm) class distribution. Both the number of species and number of individuals were highest in the dbh range of (5-<15) cm. Babu Para VCF had diverse floristic resources that were reflected from the Shannon-Wiener’s diversity index (3.94), Simpson’s diversity index (0.025), Margalef’s richness index (12.15) and Species evenness index (0.92). The results depict the presence of rich indigenous tree species diversity in the studied VCF.

Effects of Integrated Nutrient Management on the Performance of Mango on Hills in Three Districts, Bangladesh

This experiment was conducted in a mango garden at Bandarban, Khagrachari and Rangamati district in hilly area of Bangladesh from 15 October 2015 to 30 May 2017 to study the effects of integrated nutrient management on the performance of mango in hills. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. There were four treatments Mango (5-10 yrs. old). The treatments are: 4 (four) Fertilizer packages * T1= Control, T2= N230P53K100 S 36Zn3 B4 + CD/Compost 20000 g/plant, T3= 125% of T2 and T4= 150% of T2. In Khagrachari site, Mango yield varied from 7.72-22.30 kg/plant. The highest mango yield 22.30 kg/plant wasin T4 treatment (150% of T2). In Bandarban site, Mango yield ranged between24.13-48.25 kg/plant. The highest mango yield 48.25 kg/plant found in T3 treatment (125% of T2). In Rangamati site, Mango yield varied from 9.62-23.10 kg/plant. The highest mango yield 23.10 kg/plant found in T4 treatment (150% of T2). In most cases the significant difference in yields were found in T4 treatments in three districts.

Preliminary Report of Pyrethroid Resistance in Anopheles vagus, an Important Malaria Vector in Bangladesh.

According to the WHO, unmanaged insecticide resistance may lead to increases in malaria-related mortality and morbidity. Bangladesh, having made significant progress in malaria control efforts, has recently seen an upswing in malaria cases-58% of which occurred in Bandarban district. Toward identifying entomological drivers of increased malaria, an entomological survey including Anopheles susceptibility to the insecticides in use was conducted in Bandarban. Anopheles vagus, the primary vector of malaria, was found to be resistant to both permethrin and deltamethrin-with only 29% and 55% mortality at 30 minutes, respectively. Intervention strategies in this area-all based on pyrethroids, may need to be reevaluated toward closing this gap in protection and increasing intervention efficacy.

Rapid assessment of amphibians at Milonchari Area in Bandarban District, Bangladesh

Rapid assessment of amphibians at Milonchari Area in Bandarban District, Bangladesh

Self-reported health problems of tobacco farmers in south-eastern Bangladesh

Poor farmers are cultivating tobacco because they can obtain great profit and support from tobacco companies. However, they overlook tobacco-related health problems and consequences. In this study, we explored the impact of tobacco farming on farmers’ health, drawing on an empirical study in seven villages of Ruposhipara union, Bandarban district in Bangladesh. Following a mixed research method, data were collected by administering 200 pre-tested structured questionnaires, five group discussions and five in-depth interviews. We also reviewed existing and proposed policies related to tobacco control in Bangladesh. We followed grounded theory for analysing qualitative data and conducted a Chi-square test to observe any significant associations for selected quantitative data. Farmers’ self-reported tobacco-related sicknesses were nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, weakness, cough, dyspnoea and hypersalivation. Children, women and older people were equally affected. They experienced diverse tobacco-related health problems at different stages of tobacco farming. Continuous contact with tobacco leaves and not using any safety measures had put the farmers at greater risk of tobacco sickness. The proposed “Tobacco Cultivation Control Policy, 2017” emphasised to provide necessary supports to farmers for growing alternative crops. Implementation of this policy would encourage farmers to give up harmful tobacco farming and lessen their health problems.

Tribal Medicinal Plants: Documentation of Medicinal Plants Used by a Mogh Tribal Healer in Bandarban District, Bangladesh

Tribal Medicinal Plants: Documentation of Medicinal Plants Used by a Mogh Tribal Healer in Bandarban District, Bangladesh

Socio-Economic Condition, Dietary Pattern and Nutritional Status of Pre-School Children among Settlers and Ethnic Communities in Bandarban District of Bangladesh

Socio-Economic Condition, Dietary Pattern and Nutritional Status of Pre-School Children among Settlers and Ethnic Communities in Bandarban District of Bangladesh

Geochemical Characterization of Exposed Black Shale Sediments of Matamuhari Anticline, Bangladesh

Matamuhari anticline is one of the largest anticline situated at Bandarban district of Bangladesh which is 60 km long and 20 km wide in the part of Bangladesh. Like other part of Bangladesh the whole sequence of exposed rocks of Matamuhari anticline is composed with Neogene sedimentary rocks of shale, sandstone, siltstone, silty shale, tabular and spheroidal calcareous concretions. Seven outcrop black shale samples were collected during February 2013 from the different parts of the anticline namely Boro Bari Jhiri, Ochir Jhiri and Tak Chara area were mineralogically and geochemically examined in order to better understand the depositional environment in the studied area. The major and trace elements were analyzed using XRF spectrometry. Two distinct lithofacies assemblages, mud and silty-clay are found in the collected sediments. The shales are predominated by quartz, kaolinite, chlorite, mica (muscovite and biotite), feldspar (both K-feldspar and plagioclase), and in addition to a variable ratio of vermiculite. Lithologial characteristics and geochemical data demonstrated that sediments are enriched with TOC contents ranging from 0.39 to 0.67 wt.% and shows distinctive correlation to concentration of TOC and particle size distribution. These shales are characterized by a low Mg and K as well as high Al and Fe contents. Studies also show that the values of MgO/Al2O3 and K2O/Al2O3 ratio ranges from 0.15 to 0.17 and 0.18 to 0.20 respectively. The relationship of log MgO/Al2O3 and log K2O/Al2O3 values reveals that all of the studied samples fell within the marine environment. Ni/Co ratio of the studied shale samples ranges from 2.84 to 3.88 (average 3.36). These low values of Ni/Co ratio suggest that the sediments were deposited under oxic conditions. However, the above observations suggest that the sediments of Matamuhari anticline area were deposited in a shallow marine environment under oxic conditions.

Socio-economic condition, dietary pattern and nutritional status of pre-school ethnic children in Bandarban district of Bangladesh

Nutrition is a foundation to ensure good health. The geographic and demographic factors affect food and nutrition. This study focuses socio-economic condition, dietary pattern and nutritional profile of preschool ethnic children at a single point in a specified time in sadarupazila of Bandarban district. This area was conveniently selected to collect sample. Sample was collected by visiting door to door. The dietary energy intake was determined by three days 24hours recall method. Statistical Package for Social Sciences 22.0 version was used for data analysis. Nutritional status was determined by ENA for SMART - Software. Mean age of the children was 4.21±0.80years. Most of the parents completed primary education. Father of the children was day labor and mother were housewife. Average monthly family income was 10316.53±10013.97 BDT. Average weight and height of children was16.18kg weight and 97.45cm height. Normal and underweight ethnic children were 84.80% and 15.20%. Distribution of normal and stunted children were 62.80% and 37.20%. About 8.60% children were wasted. Average calorie intake was 1037.33kcal per day. Protein, carbohydrate and fat intake were 30.39gm, 175.78gm and 21.31gm respectively. Statistically significant association was found between condition of latrine and child nutritional status (HAZ) (p=0.010<0.05). Statistically significant association was found between source of drinking water and ethnic children nutritional status (WAZ) (p=0.045<0.05). Statistically significant association was found between immunization status and ethnic children nutritional status (WAZ, WHZ) (p=0.004<0.05, p=0.015<0.05). Statistically significant association was found between deworming status and ethnic children nutritional status (WAZ) (p=0.004<0.05). There was positive correlation between nutritional status (HAZ) of ethnic children and monthly family income and it is statistically significant (p=0.024<0.05). This research findings will be helpful for policy maker and planner to develop new plan and strategy to combat under nutrition.

Performances of improved and traditional rice based jhum cultivation in a hill district of Bangladesh

Jhum is a customary farming which is very important for the livelihood of the alpine people of Bangladesh. Total productivity of the traditional practice of jhum cultivation is very low. The study was conducted to identify the yield gap between improved and local practices in Bandarban district of Bangladesh during March to September; 2017.The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with ten replications. Improved jhum practice produced the higher yields of rice (3113kg/ha), seed cotton (456 kg/ha), sesame (478 kg/ha) and maize (627 kg/ha) than traditional local jhum. Rice Equivalent Yield (REY) was also higher (40.23%) in improved jhum (6786.8kg/ha) than local jhum (4339.8 kg/ha). Improved jhum’s rate of returns (2.15) was higher than traditional jhum’s rate of returns (1.56). Improved practice in jhum cultivation increased yield and it was economically profitable over traditional practice.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(2): 193-197, August 2018

Quantitative Ethnobotany of Medicinal Plants Used by Indigenous Communities in the Bandarban District of Bangladesh

This study documents information on significant ethnomedicinal plants, which was collected from the traditional healers of three indigenous communities of Bangladesh. The documented data were quantitatively analyzed for the first time in this area. The information was obtained through open-ended, semi-structured questionnaires. The benefits, importance and coverage of ethnomedicine were expressed through several quantitative indices including Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Use Value (UV), Frequency of Citation (FC), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) and Relative Importance Index (RI). The agreement of homogeneity between the present and previous studies and among the indigenous communities was evaluated using the Jaccard Index (JI). A total of 159 ethnomedicinal plant species, which were distributed in 132 genera under 62 families, were documented from 174 informants. Of these, 128 plants were native and 31 were exotic. Of a majority of documented species, herbs and leaves were the most utilized plant parts for the preparation of ethnomedicines (45.28%) whereas pastes (63.03%) were the most popular formulations. Among the documented species, the dominant families were the Asteraceae (14 species) and the Lamiaceae (12 species). The highest ICF value was 0.77 for digestive system disorders. Based on UVs, the five most commonly used ethnomedicinal plant species in the study area were Duabanga grandiflora (0.43), Zingiber officinale (0.41), Congea tomentosa (0.40), Matricaria chamomilla (0.33) and Engelhardtia spicata (0.28). The highest RFC was recorded for Rauvolfia serpentina (0.25). The highest RI value was calculated for both Scoparia dulcis and Leucas aspera (0.83). Importantly, 16 species were reported with new therapeutic uses and to our knowledge, 7 species described herein have never been ethnobotanically and pharmacologically studied, viz: Agastache urticifolia, Asarum cordifolium, C. tomentosa, E. spicata, Hypserpa nitida, Merremia vitifolia and Smilax odoratissima. The present study showed that traditional treatment using medicinal plants is still widespread in the study area. Documentation of new ethnomedicinal species with their therapeutic uses shall promote further phytochemical and pharmacological investigations and possibly, lead to the development of new drugs.

Socio-Economic Condition, Dietary Pattern and Nutritional Status of Internally Displaced Pre-School Children in Bandarban District of Bangladesh

Socio-Economic Condition, Dietary Pattern and Nutritional Status of Internally Displaced Pre-School Children in Bandarban District of Bangladesh

Utilization of maternal health care services among indigenous women in Bangladesh: A study on the Mru tribe

ABSTRACTDespite startling developments in maternal health care services, use of these services has been disproportionately distributed among different minority groups in Bangladesh. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with the use of these services among the Mru indigenous women in Bangladesh. A total of 374 currently married Mru women were interviewed using convenience sampling from three administrative sub-districts of the Bandarban district from June to August of 2009. Associations were assessed using Chi-square tests, and a binary logistic regression model was employed to explore factors associated with the use of maternal health care services. Among the women surveyed, 30% had ever visited maternal health care services in the Mru community, a very low proportion compared with mainstream society. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that place of residence, religion, school attendance, place of service provided, distance to the service center, and exposure to mass media were factors significantly associated with the use of maternal health care services among Mru women. Considering indigenous socio-cultural beliefs and practices, comprehensive community-based outreach health programs are recommended in the community with a special emphasis on awareness through maternal health education and training packages for the Mru adolescents.