Desk Report,
Eucalyptus-Akashmani debate: Enemy of the environment or source of wood?
A row of eucalyptus trees has grown in front of Basudebpur High School in Charghat Upazila of Rajshahi. File photo Prothom Alo
Eucalyptus-Akashmani debate: Enemy of the environment or source of wood?
Many foreign trees have become part of the vegetation of this country by integrating with the soil, water and weather of Bangladesh. However, there is a controversy about eucalyptus and akashmani. Recently, the government banned the production, planting and sale of seedlings of the two trees. In view of this, the issue of controversy has come to the fore again.
There are various complaints about eucalyptus and acacia trees, such as excessive water absorption, soil degradation, and creating an unsuitable environment for birds. Although the two trees play a major role in meeting the country’s wood demand.
Research shows that in order to meet the wood demand and reduce pressure on natural forests, the Bangladesh Forest Research Institute started experimental planting of eucalyptus and acacia seedlings in the 1980s.
Botanists and researchers say that eucalyptus and acacia trees grow quickly and meet the wood demand, but they absorb more water and make the soil rough. Cows and goats do not eat the leaves of these trees. Birds also nest in the two trees. According to the Forest Department, the annual wood demand in Bangladesh is 8 million cubic feet. 3 million cubic feet of wood is imported from Myanmar and other countries. However, the department does not have information on how much wood from acacia trees and eucalyptus trees meets the demand.
On May 15, the government issued a notification banning the production, planting and sale of eucalyptus and acacia saplings. The notification stated that the decision was taken in the interest of preserving the environment, ecology and biodiversity, and in fulfillment of national and international commitments.
Regarding the issuance of the notification, Tushar Kumar Pal, Deputy Secretary of the Forest-1 Branch of the Ministry of Forest and Environment, said that various studies have shown that these trees have high water absorption capacity and make the soil rough. Therefore, instead of planting seedlings of invasive species, instructions have been given for afforestation by planting seedlings of indigenous species of fruit, forest and medicinal trees to protect the country’s biodiversity.
