International Journal of Robotics and Control Systems
The use of renewable energy, especially solar photovoltaic, has grown more and more necessary in ... more The use of renewable energy, especially solar photovoltaic, has grown more and more necessary in the context of the diversification of the use of natural resources. Sb2S3 is emerged as an attractive candidate for today's thin-film solar cells due to its band gap of 1.65 eV and high absorption coefficient greater than 105 cm-1. Cadmium Sulfide is the most commonly used buffer layer material in thin film solar cells, but cadmium is a metal that causes severe toxicity in humans and the environment. This article tried to avoid cadmium for solar cell generation. This paper presents the findings of a computer simulation analysis of a thin film solar cell based on a p-type Sb2S3 absorber layer and an n-type ZnSe buffer layer in a structure of (Sb2S3/ZnSe/i-ZnO/ZnO: Al) utilizing simulation software (SCAPS-1D). The simulation included detailed configuration optimization for the thickness of the absorber layer, buffer layer, defect density, temperature, and series-shunt resistance. In th...
International Journal of Robotics and Control Systems
The main objective of this study is to present an energy harvesting approach to scavenge electric... more The main objective of this study is to present an energy harvesting approach to scavenge electrical energy from mechanically vibrated piezoelectric materials.A mechanical energy harvester device has been developed and tested. The fundamental benefit of this mechanical device is that it can function effectively in a wide range of ambient vibration frequencies, whereas traditional harvesters are limited. A suitable conditioning circuit for energy scavenging has been proposed which can achieve optimal power stream. For controlling the power flow into the battery a circuit has been designed consisting of an AC to DC rectifier, an output capacitor, a switch mode DC to DC converter, and an electromechanical battery. An adaptive control system has been described for switching any electronics devices and maximizing battery storage capacity. Experimental results reveal that the power transfer rate can be enhanced by approximately 400% by utilizing the adaptive DC to DC converter. Various inv...
A study was conducted to investigate the land-use pattern change over a period of 18 years (1988-... more A study was conducted to investigate the land-use pattern change over a period of 18 years (1988-2006) by using remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) technologies, in the West Bhanugach Reserved Forest, a hill forest, in Sylhet Forest Division of Bangladesh. The images were processed using ERDAS Imagine software. Both supervised and unsupervised approaches were applied and ground control points were collected using a GPS. Maps were prepared using GIS software. Results showed that vegetation cover drastically decreased from the year 1988 to 1996 (1 826 ha to 1 714.85 ha), but increased gradually from the year 1996 to 2006 (1 714.85 ha to 1 847.83 ha) due to the initiation of co-management practice involving local communities. Change in bare land was inversely proportionate to the amount of vegetation cover changes unless any other land-uses were converted into bare land. The area of water bodies increased from the year 1988 to 1996 (307.67 ha to 379.53 ha), but decreased from the year 1996 to 1997, then remained invariabile from the year 1997 to 2006. Some recommendations were also made for applying the RS and GIS techniques to study the land-use pattern change in the Bhanugach Reserved Forest and to create a GIS data base for the study area.
This review describes the non-timber forest products (NTFPs) used for different aspects of beauty... more This review describes the non-timber forest products (NTFPs) used for different aspects of beauty-care in Bangladesh on the basis of extensive literature survey. The diverse plant species, including used parts and using patterns for hair care, facial treatments and body care, were summarized in 13 tables. This paper accumulate the scattered knowledge regarding the use of plants in beauty-care in Bangladesh, to draw the extent of use of NTFPs in health care and to record the knowledge for assessing the possibilities of further implementation in herbal cosmetics industries. The structured knowledge can be used in policy making process for sustainable management of these valuable NTFPs leading to the conservation of the country's biological diversity. It is suggested that intensive field level research is necessary for securing sustainability of NTFPs.
Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science, 2014
ABSTRACT For many years foresters have been using statistical probability density functions to de... more ABSTRACT For many years foresters have been using statistical probability density functions to describe and characterise stand structure. Predicting the current and future yields of a stand is essential for successful stand and timber management. Implicit prediction of current yield is accomplished by using diameter distribution methods. All diameter distribution yield systems predict the number of trees per unit area by diameter class. In this study, the normal, lognormal and the three-parameter Weibull probability density function were compared to characterise the diameter distributions of Sal (Shorea robusta) plantations grown at Tilagarh Eco-park, Bangladesh. Data from 70 plots, established in three plantations, were used for this study. The Weibull parameters were estimated by the maximum likelihood and moments estimator methods. A one-sample Kolmogorov?Smirnov test was used for the goodness of fit for all models. The Kolmogorov?Smirnov test results showed that both lognormal and Weibull distributions were suitable to characterise the diameter distributions of Sal plantations in the study area and may be applicable for other Sal forests in Bangladesh.
Twenty groundwater samples were collected from two different areas in Satkhira Sadar Upazila to i... more Twenty groundwater samples were collected from two different areas in Satkhira Sadar Upazila to identify the source of salinity in deep groundwater aquifer. Most of the analyzed groundwater is of Na-Cl-HCO 3 type water. The trends of anion and cation are Cl-[ HCO 3-[ NO 3-[ SO 4 2and Na ? [ Ca 2? [ Mg 2? [ K ? , respectively. Groundwater chemistry in the study area is mainly governed by rock dissolution and ion exchange. The dissolved minerals in groundwater mainly come from silicate weathering. The salinity of groundwater samples varies from *1 to *5%, and its source is possibly the paleo-brackish water which may be entrapped during past geologic periods.
Bangladesh Medical Research Council Bulletin, 2009
The study was conducted using the exit interview with patients (n=120), in depth interview with h... more The study was conducted using the exit interview with patients (n=120), in depth interview with health care providers (n=87) and focus group discussion (n=16) with stakeholders to assess the perceived level of quality of care in maternal and newborn health at public facilities in Bangladesh. Both clients and providers expressed dissatisfaction for inadequate quality of care represented by poor cleanliness, long waiting time with less consultation time, poor compassion by providers, inadequate supply of drugs and unnoticed cost for services varied by level of facilities. Inadequacy in human resource and absenteeism and poor laboratory service were reported to worsen the condition especially at lower level of service delivery. Thus this study explored some important factors like poor quality of care, inadequate technical competencies, information exchange and follow-up services. A deficit in supplies and logistics are strong barrier in regards to quality of care at various levels whi...
This study was conducted to explore the traditional utilization pattern and indigenous management... more This study was conducted to explore the traditional utilization pattern and indigenous management practices of wild date palm (Phoenix sylvestris Roxb) in the rural agrarian regions of Bangladesh. A multistage sampling method with 10% intensity and a semi-structured questionnaire were used for the study. The farmers manage the palm mainly for sap production with which sugar based secondary goods are manufactured. The sap is either used fresh as drink or after some sort of processing as molasses and/or alcoholic beverage. Seven diversified sites support the palm as its habitat and most palms (20.40%) occur in orchards. Besides growing naturally, the palm is also established in orchards using the wildings as the staple planting material. Though the medium category farmers own most of the palms (33%), a considerable portion (28.68%) of it is managed by the landless farmers, who earn a substantial livelihood from the palms. The farmers practice their own indigenous wisdom in every stage of the palm's maintenance from planting through tapping for sap collection to processing of products. If managed more scientifically on a sustainable basis with the collaboration of farmers' indigenous knowledge, this familiar palm could be able to support the rural economy of the country to a great extent. Side by side, it would also be able to contribute on the richness of biodiversity in the region.
Bangladesh is a land scarce country where per capita cultivated land is only 12.5 decimals. It is... more Bangladesh is a land scarce country where per capita cultivated land is only 12.5 decimals. It is claimed that every year about one percent of farm land in the country is being converted to non-agricultural uses. The study is based mainly on field survey covering 2 villages (Narikel Baria and Baze Silinda) from 10 sub-urban villages around Rajshahi City Corporation under Paba Upazila of Rajshahi district. The study area was selected purposively and the respondents of this research work were selected randomly. The major focus was on to mention the general land use pattern of the area, estimates the agricultural land conversion besides determining the causes and consequences affecting such conversion. Both Narikel Baria and Baze Silinda villages were selected as study area because of its relatively higher growth in infrastructure. In order to fulfill the goal of this study, primary and secondary data were collected from various sources and to analyze and process of collected data the ...
Imposing logging ban has become widespread in the tropics. Bangladesh government enforced logging... more Imposing logging ban has become widespread in the tropics. Bangladesh government enforced logging bans in 1970s and 1980s to halt deforestation. Such bans have been considered as a strategy to protect and conserve forests although success requires rigorous analysis. In this paper, the performances of the existing logging bans in Bangladesh are examined to assess their effectiveness. Responses of forest management systems, policies, production and governance in attaining the objectives of logging bans are thoroughly addressed and investigated. From this study it is evident that unwise implementations of logging bans have failed to secure forest conservation and production related objectives of the government. Based on the findings, five future directives are advised: (I) continuation of bans in critical natural forests, (II) reinitiating of management practices in the plantations, (III) introducing multipurpose forestry in the protected area co-management systems, (IV) adoption of adaptive community based forest management, and (V) ensure good forest governance.
Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science, 2012
Tree biomass plays an important role in sustainable management and in estimating forest carbon st... more Tree biomass plays an important role in sustainable management and in estimating forest carbon stocks. The objective of this study was to select the best model for measuring stem biomass of Acacia auriculiformis in the study area. Data from five hillocks and 120 individual trees from each hillock were used in this study. Twelve different forms of linear, power and exponential equations were compared in this study to select the best model. Two models (VI and XI) were selected based on R , adjusted R , the Akaike information criterion, F-statistics and the five assumptions of linear regression. Model VI was discarded based on the Durbin-Watson value of autocorrelation of the residuals, then the ARIMA (2, 0, 1) model was used to remove the autocorrelation from the model and the final bias-corrected model XI was derived. The model was validated with a test data set having the same range of DBH and stem height of the training data set on the basis of linear regression, Morisita's similarity index, and t-test for mean difference between predicted and expected biomass. A comparison between the best logarithmic and non-linear allometric model shows that the non-linear model produces systematic biases and overestimates stem biomass for larger trees. The overall results showed that the bias-corrected logarithmic model XI can be used efficiently for estimating stem biomass of A. auriculiformis in the northeastern region of Bangladesh.
Abstract The state of urban seedling nurseries in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh is exami... more Abstract The state of urban seedling nurseries in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh is examined with a focus on production and profitability of the enter-prises. Twenty-eight sample nurseries out of the 97 nursery enterprises in Sylhet town were selected at random, and operators ...
Throughout the world ornamentation of body with mehedi (Lawsonia inermis L.) leaf paste, with the... more Throughout the world ornamentation of body with mehedi (Lawsonia inermis L.) leaf paste, with the trade name ‘henna body art’ is becoming increasingly popular. The worldwide increasing demand of mehedi leaf encourages many countries to adopt commercial farming of the plant. Farmers living in central Bangladesh recently commenced small-scale mehedi farming, primarily with the purpose of meeting national demand. A
International Journal of Biodiversity Science & Management, 2007
Schumannianthus dichotoma (Murta) is widely grown in wetland areas of Bangladesh, providing the r... more Schumannianthus dichotoma (Murta) is widely grown in wetland areas of Bangladesh, providing the raw material for prayer and bed mats and also minimizing flood risk and soil erosion. The study was carried out in two villages in Gowainghat Thana (subdistrict) in Sylhet district, to determine techniques for traditional management of Murta plantations and its role in the household economy. On average, about 13% of the total homestead area is used for Murta plantations. Propagation was from rhizomes and branch cuttings, and little intensive management was required. Harvesting was usually done annually, from mid-September to the end of March. Three-quarters of respondents were directly involved in Murta-based cottage enterprises, providing an average annual income of US$216: 43% of total income. Net average profit per man-day from selling articles varies from US$0.23 to 0.73. Middlemen make significant profits, due to lack of marketing knowledge and available market information and marketing facilities of the villagers. The cultivation and processing of Murta has great potential for the rural economy of such areas.
International Journal of Biodiversity Science & Management, 2007
An exploratory study was conducted on the hunting and gathering of wildlife by the Mro tribe in t... more An exploratory study was conducted on the hunting and gathering of wildlife by the Mro tribe in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) of Bangladesh, highlighting the target animals, preference, frequency and various indigenous techniques of hunting. The farmers are primarily dependent on shifting cultivation and hunting is a secondary occupation, particularly important for poor people. Though the tribe rears some domestic animals for sacrificing on special occasions, game meat appears to be a highly welcomed dietary supplement. A total of 34 species of wildlife were harvested from forests, from insect larvae to elephants. Wild boar ranked first for rich and medium farmers, and monitor lizards were ranked second by all the farmers. The indigenous knowledge about their living patterns and animals has potential for use in commercial animal farming to fulfil the protein demand and improve the socioeconomic condition of the Mro.
International Journal of Biodiversity Science & Management, 2009
This study considered the traditional ethno-medicinal practices of the rural people of Feni distr... more This study considered the traditional ethno-medicinal practices of the rural people of Feni district, Bangladesh focusing on their utilization of medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge. Ninety households were interviewed, using a semi-structured questionnaire. Plant resources are used to treat 26 different ailments ranging from simple cuts to complex diabetes. In total, 46 medicinal plants are as used; a third are trees. Homesteads are the primary source; few medicinal plants are cultivated. Above-ground plant parts are most used, particularly leaves. The diverse patterns of use of different medicinal plant parts shows the considerable indigenous knowledge of the rural people, and this is generally widely available.
Page 1. Forests, Trees and Livelihoods, 2008, Vol. 18, pp. 305-318 1472-8028 $10 ?? 2008 AB Acade... more Page 1. Forests, Trees and Livelihoods, 2008, Vol. 18, pp. 305-318 1472-8028 $10 ?? 2008 AB Academic Publishers-Printed in Great Britain RESEARCH PAPER SAP PRODUCTION FROM KHEJUR PALM (PHOENIX SYLVESTRIS ...
The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) region of Bangladesh, covering a considerable portion of ‘hill ... more The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) region of Bangladesh, covering a considerable portion of ‘hill forest type’ of the country, is rich in biological diversity; in terms of flora, fauna and ethnicity. A number of aboriginal and tribal communities enrich the cultural heritage of the region. Thanchi upazilla (sub-district) of Bandarban district in the CHTs is the remotest forested area where
Probable sources and mechanisms of arsenic (As) release in shallow aquifer in eastern Bangladesh ... more Probable sources and mechanisms of arsenic (As) release in shallow aquifer in eastern Bangladesh are evaluated using statistical analysis of groundwater compositions. Dissolved As in 39 samples ranged from 8.05 to 341.5 microg/L with an average of 95.14 microg/L. Ninety seven percent of wells exceed the WHO limit (10 microg/L) for safe drinking water. Principal component analysis is applied to reduce 16 measured compositional variables to five significant components (principal components--PCs) that explain 86.63% of the geochemical variance. Two component loadings, namely PC 1 and PC 2 (45.31% and 23.05%) indicate the natural processes within the aquifers in which organic matter is a key reactant in the weathering reactions. Four groups of wells are defined by the PCA and each group of wells represents distinct physicochemical characteristics. Among them, group III groundwater shows higher As concentration together with high concentrations of Fe, Mn, dissolved organic carbon, PO4(3-) and HCO3(-) than groups I and II. Speciation calculations suggest that only wells of group III are saturated with respect to siderite, and all groups of samples are supersaturated with respect of rhodochrosite. The relationship of As with these parameters in the different groups of wells of the study area suggests that reductive dissolution of Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides with microbially mediated degradation of organic matter is considered to be the dominant processes to release As in groundwater.
International Journal of Robotics and Control Systems
The use of renewable energy, especially solar photovoltaic, has grown more and more necessary in ... more The use of renewable energy, especially solar photovoltaic, has grown more and more necessary in the context of the diversification of the use of natural resources. Sb2S3 is emerged as an attractive candidate for today's thin-film solar cells due to its band gap of 1.65 eV and high absorption coefficient greater than 105 cm-1. Cadmium Sulfide is the most commonly used buffer layer material in thin film solar cells, but cadmium is a metal that causes severe toxicity in humans and the environment. This article tried to avoid cadmium for solar cell generation. This paper presents the findings of a computer simulation analysis of a thin film solar cell based on a p-type Sb2S3 absorber layer and an n-type ZnSe buffer layer in a structure of (Sb2S3/ZnSe/i-ZnO/ZnO: Al) utilizing simulation software (SCAPS-1D). The simulation included detailed configuration optimization for the thickness of the absorber layer, buffer layer, defect density, temperature, and series-shunt resistance. In th...
International Journal of Robotics and Control Systems
The main objective of this study is to present an energy harvesting approach to scavenge electric... more The main objective of this study is to present an energy harvesting approach to scavenge electrical energy from mechanically vibrated piezoelectric materials.A mechanical energy harvester device has been developed and tested. The fundamental benefit of this mechanical device is that it can function effectively in a wide range of ambient vibration frequencies, whereas traditional harvesters are limited. A suitable conditioning circuit for energy scavenging has been proposed which can achieve optimal power stream. For controlling the power flow into the battery a circuit has been designed consisting of an AC to DC rectifier, an output capacitor, a switch mode DC to DC converter, and an electromechanical battery. An adaptive control system has been described for switching any electronics devices and maximizing battery storage capacity. Experimental results reveal that the power transfer rate can be enhanced by approximately 400% by utilizing the adaptive DC to DC converter. Various inv...
A study was conducted to investigate the land-use pattern change over a period of 18 years (1988-... more A study was conducted to investigate the land-use pattern change over a period of 18 years (1988-2006) by using remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) technologies, in the West Bhanugach Reserved Forest, a hill forest, in Sylhet Forest Division of Bangladesh. The images were processed using ERDAS Imagine software. Both supervised and unsupervised approaches were applied and ground control points were collected using a GPS. Maps were prepared using GIS software. Results showed that vegetation cover drastically decreased from the year 1988 to 1996 (1 826 ha to 1 714.85 ha), but increased gradually from the year 1996 to 2006 (1 714.85 ha to 1 847.83 ha) due to the initiation of co-management practice involving local communities. Change in bare land was inversely proportionate to the amount of vegetation cover changes unless any other land-uses were converted into bare land. The area of water bodies increased from the year 1988 to 1996 (307.67 ha to 379.53 ha), but decreased from the year 1996 to 1997, then remained invariabile from the year 1997 to 2006. Some recommendations were also made for applying the RS and GIS techniques to study the land-use pattern change in the Bhanugach Reserved Forest and to create a GIS data base for the study area.
This review describes the non-timber forest products (NTFPs) used for different aspects of beauty... more This review describes the non-timber forest products (NTFPs) used for different aspects of beauty-care in Bangladesh on the basis of extensive literature survey. The diverse plant species, including used parts and using patterns for hair care, facial treatments and body care, were summarized in 13 tables. This paper accumulate the scattered knowledge regarding the use of plants in beauty-care in Bangladesh, to draw the extent of use of NTFPs in health care and to record the knowledge for assessing the possibilities of further implementation in herbal cosmetics industries. The structured knowledge can be used in policy making process for sustainable management of these valuable NTFPs leading to the conservation of the country's biological diversity. It is suggested that intensive field level research is necessary for securing sustainability of NTFPs.
Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science, 2014
ABSTRACT For many years foresters have been using statistical probability density functions to de... more ABSTRACT For many years foresters have been using statistical probability density functions to describe and characterise stand structure. Predicting the current and future yields of a stand is essential for successful stand and timber management. Implicit prediction of current yield is accomplished by using diameter distribution methods. All diameter distribution yield systems predict the number of trees per unit area by diameter class. In this study, the normal, lognormal and the three-parameter Weibull probability density function were compared to characterise the diameter distributions of Sal (Shorea robusta) plantations grown at Tilagarh Eco-park, Bangladesh. Data from 70 plots, established in three plantations, were used for this study. The Weibull parameters were estimated by the maximum likelihood and moments estimator methods. A one-sample Kolmogorov?Smirnov test was used for the goodness of fit for all models. The Kolmogorov?Smirnov test results showed that both lognormal and Weibull distributions were suitable to characterise the diameter distributions of Sal plantations in the study area and may be applicable for other Sal forests in Bangladesh.
Twenty groundwater samples were collected from two different areas in Satkhira Sadar Upazila to i... more Twenty groundwater samples were collected from two different areas in Satkhira Sadar Upazila to identify the source of salinity in deep groundwater aquifer. Most of the analyzed groundwater is of Na-Cl-HCO 3 type water. The trends of anion and cation are Cl-[ HCO 3-[ NO 3-[ SO 4 2and Na ? [ Ca 2? [ Mg 2? [ K ? , respectively. Groundwater chemistry in the study area is mainly governed by rock dissolution and ion exchange. The dissolved minerals in groundwater mainly come from silicate weathering. The salinity of groundwater samples varies from *1 to *5%, and its source is possibly the paleo-brackish water which may be entrapped during past geologic periods.
Bangladesh Medical Research Council Bulletin, 2009
The study was conducted using the exit interview with patients (n=120), in depth interview with h... more The study was conducted using the exit interview with patients (n=120), in depth interview with health care providers (n=87) and focus group discussion (n=16) with stakeholders to assess the perceived level of quality of care in maternal and newborn health at public facilities in Bangladesh. Both clients and providers expressed dissatisfaction for inadequate quality of care represented by poor cleanliness, long waiting time with less consultation time, poor compassion by providers, inadequate supply of drugs and unnoticed cost for services varied by level of facilities. Inadequacy in human resource and absenteeism and poor laboratory service were reported to worsen the condition especially at lower level of service delivery. Thus this study explored some important factors like poor quality of care, inadequate technical competencies, information exchange and follow-up services. A deficit in supplies and logistics are strong barrier in regards to quality of care at various levels whi...
This study was conducted to explore the traditional utilization pattern and indigenous management... more This study was conducted to explore the traditional utilization pattern and indigenous management practices of wild date palm (Phoenix sylvestris Roxb) in the rural agrarian regions of Bangladesh. A multistage sampling method with 10% intensity and a semi-structured questionnaire were used for the study. The farmers manage the palm mainly for sap production with which sugar based secondary goods are manufactured. The sap is either used fresh as drink or after some sort of processing as molasses and/or alcoholic beverage. Seven diversified sites support the palm as its habitat and most palms (20.40%) occur in orchards. Besides growing naturally, the palm is also established in orchards using the wildings as the staple planting material. Though the medium category farmers own most of the palms (33%), a considerable portion (28.68%) of it is managed by the landless farmers, who earn a substantial livelihood from the palms. The farmers practice their own indigenous wisdom in every stage of the palm's maintenance from planting through tapping for sap collection to processing of products. If managed more scientifically on a sustainable basis with the collaboration of farmers' indigenous knowledge, this familiar palm could be able to support the rural economy of the country to a great extent. Side by side, it would also be able to contribute on the richness of biodiversity in the region.
Bangladesh is a land scarce country where per capita cultivated land is only 12.5 decimals. It is... more Bangladesh is a land scarce country where per capita cultivated land is only 12.5 decimals. It is claimed that every year about one percent of farm land in the country is being converted to non-agricultural uses. The study is based mainly on field survey covering 2 villages (Narikel Baria and Baze Silinda) from 10 sub-urban villages around Rajshahi City Corporation under Paba Upazila of Rajshahi district. The study area was selected purposively and the respondents of this research work were selected randomly. The major focus was on to mention the general land use pattern of the area, estimates the agricultural land conversion besides determining the causes and consequences affecting such conversion. Both Narikel Baria and Baze Silinda villages were selected as study area because of its relatively higher growth in infrastructure. In order to fulfill the goal of this study, primary and secondary data were collected from various sources and to analyze and process of collected data the ...
Imposing logging ban has become widespread in the tropics. Bangladesh government enforced logging... more Imposing logging ban has become widespread in the tropics. Bangladesh government enforced logging bans in 1970s and 1980s to halt deforestation. Such bans have been considered as a strategy to protect and conserve forests although success requires rigorous analysis. In this paper, the performances of the existing logging bans in Bangladesh are examined to assess their effectiveness. Responses of forest management systems, policies, production and governance in attaining the objectives of logging bans are thoroughly addressed and investigated. From this study it is evident that unwise implementations of logging bans have failed to secure forest conservation and production related objectives of the government. Based on the findings, five future directives are advised: (I) continuation of bans in critical natural forests, (II) reinitiating of management practices in the plantations, (III) introducing multipurpose forestry in the protected area co-management systems, (IV) adoption of adaptive community based forest management, and (V) ensure good forest governance.
Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science, 2012
Tree biomass plays an important role in sustainable management and in estimating forest carbon st... more Tree biomass plays an important role in sustainable management and in estimating forest carbon stocks. The objective of this study was to select the best model for measuring stem biomass of Acacia auriculiformis in the study area. Data from five hillocks and 120 individual trees from each hillock were used in this study. Twelve different forms of linear, power and exponential equations were compared in this study to select the best model. Two models (VI and XI) were selected based on R , adjusted R , the Akaike information criterion, F-statistics and the five assumptions of linear regression. Model VI was discarded based on the Durbin-Watson value of autocorrelation of the residuals, then the ARIMA (2, 0, 1) model was used to remove the autocorrelation from the model and the final bias-corrected model XI was derived. The model was validated with a test data set having the same range of DBH and stem height of the training data set on the basis of linear regression, Morisita's similarity index, and t-test for mean difference between predicted and expected biomass. A comparison between the best logarithmic and non-linear allometric model shows that the non-linear model produces systematic biases and overestimates stem biomass for larger trees. The overall results showed that the bias-corrected logarithmic model XI can be used efficiently for estimating stem biomass of A. auriculiformis in the northeastern region of Bangladesh.
Abstract The state of urban seedling nurseries in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh is exami... more Abstract The state of urban seedling nurseries in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh is examined with a focus on production and profitability of the enter-prises. Twenty-eight sample nurseries out of the 97 nursery enterprises in Sylhet town were selected at random, and operators ...
Throughout the world ornamentation of body with mehedi (Lawsonia inermis L.) leaf paste, with the... more Throughout the world ornamentation of body with mehedi (Lawsonia inermis L.) leaf paste, with the trade name ‘henna body art’ is becoming increasingly popular. The worldwide increasing demand of mehedi leaf encourages many countries to adopt commercial farming of the plant. Farmers living in central Bangladesh recently commenced small-scale mehedi farming, primarily with the purpose of meeting national demand. A
International Journal of Biodiversity Science & Management, 2007
Schumannianthus dichotoma (Murta) is widely grown in wetland areas of Bangladesh, providing the r... more Schumannianthus dichotoma (Murta) is widely grown in wetland areas of Bangladesh, providing the raw material for prayer and bed mats and also minimizing flood risk and soil erosion. The study was carried out in two villages in Gowainghat Thana (subdistrict) in Sylhet district, to determine techniques for traditional management of Murta plantations and its role in the household economy. On average, about 13% of the total homestead area is used for Murta plantations. Propagation was from rhizomes and branch cuttings, and little intensive management was required. Harvesting was usually done annually, from mid-September to the end of March. Three-quarters of respondents were directly involved in Murta-based cottage enterprises, providing an average annual income of US$216: 43% of total income. Net average profit per man-day from selling articles varies from US$0.23 to 0.73. Middlemen make significant profits, due to lack of marketing knowledge and available market information and marketing facilities of the villagers. The cultivation and processing of Murta has great potential for the rural economy of such areas.
International Journal of Biodiversity Science & Management, 2007
An exploratory study was conducted on the hunting and gathering of wildlife by the Mro tribe in t... more An exploratory study was conducted on the hunting and gathering of wildlife by the Mro tribe in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) of Bangladesh, highlighting the target animals, preference, frequency and various indigenous techniques of hunting. The farmers are primarily dependent on shifting cultivation and hunting is a secondary occupation, particularly important for poor people. Though the tribe rears some domestic animals for sacrificing on special occasions, game meat appears to be a highly welcomed dietary supplement. A total of 34 species of wildlife were harvested from forests, from insect larvae to elephants. Wild boar ranked first for rich and medium farmers, and monitor lizards were ranked second by all the farmers. The indigenous knowledge about their living patterns and animals has potential for use in commercial animal farming to fulfil the protein demand and improve the socioeconomic condition of the Mro.
International Journal of Biodiversity Science & Management, 2009
This study considered the traditional ethno-medicinal practices of the rural people of Feni distr... more This study considered the traditional ethno-medicinal practices of the rural people of Feni district, Bangladesh focusing on their utilization of medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge. Ninety households were interviewed, using a semi-structured questionnaire. Plant resources are used to treat 26 different ailments ranging from simple cuts to complex diabetes. In total, 46 medicinal plants are as used; a third are trees. Homesteads are the primary source; few medicinal plants are cultivated. Above-ground plant parts are most used, particularly leaves. The diverse patterns of use of different medicinal plant parts shows the considerable indigenous knowledge of the rural people, and this is generally widely available.
Page 1. Forests, Trees and Livelihoods, 2008, Vol. 18, pp. 305-318 1472-8028 $10 ?? 2008 AB Acade... more Page 1. Forests, Trees and Livelihoods, 2008, Vol. 18, pp. 305-318 1472-8028 $10 ?? 2008 AB Academic Publishers-Printed in Great Britain RESEARCH PAPER SAP PRODUCTION FROM KHEJUR PALM (PHOENIX SYLVESTRIS ...
The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) region of Bangladesh, covering a considerable portion of ‘hill ... more The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) region of Bangladesh, covering a considerable portion of ‘hill forest type’ of the country, is rich in biological diversity; in terms of flora, fauna and ethnicity. A number of aboriginal and tribal communities enrich the cultural heritage of the region. Thanchi upazilla (sub-district) of Bandarban district in the CHTs is the remotest forested area where
Probable sources and mechanisms of arsenic (As) release in shallow aquifer in eastern Bangladesh ... more Probable sources and mechanisms of arsenic (As) release in shallow aquifer in eastern Bangladesh are evaluated using statistical analysis of groundwater compositions. Dissolved As in 39 samples ranged from 8.05 to 341.5 microg/L with an average of 95.14 microg/L. Ninety seven percent of wells exceed the WHO limit (10 microg/L) for safe drinking water. Principal component analysis is applied to reduce 16 measured compositional variables to five significant components (principal components--PCs) that explain 86.63% of the geochemical variance. Two component loadings, namely PC 1 and PC 2 (45.31% and 23.05%) indicate the natural processes within the aquifers in which organic matter is a key reactant in the weathering reactions. Four groups of wells are defined by the PCA and each group of wells represents distinct physicochemical characteristics. Among them, group III groundwater shows higher As concentration together with high concentrations of Fe, Mn, dissolved organic carbon, PO4(3-) and HCO3(-) than groups I and II. Speciation calculations suggest that only wells of group III are saturated with respect to siderite, and all groups of samples are supersaturated with respect of rhodochrosite. The relationship of As with these parameters in the different groups of wells of the study area suggests that reductive dissolution of Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides with microbially mediated degradation of organic matter is considered to be the dominant processes to release As in groundwater.
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Papers by Abdul Halim