Indigenous
Technology
The indigenous knowledge
of the local population regarding
land management may be encouraged
as these are generally environment
friendly. In Sal Forest Region of
the Madhupur Tract, tree species like
mango, Mahogany and Jackfruit grow
in upland (chalas) around homestead
where lower slopes (baid) are used
for growing paddy. Sometimes gentle
slopes and chalas are used for growing
vegetables, maize etc.
This practice increases
moisture retention, improves soil
fertility and crop yield; and reduces
surface runoff and thus halts soil
erosion. Home garden system provides
healthy ecosystem for humans, animals,
birds, livestock, and miscellaneous
flora and fauna. Homestead bamboos
are planted because these develop
rapidly and are good soil binders.
Use of homestead ash is done to supplement
potassium in the soil and to keep
insects away from crops. Banyan trees
are considered as a symbol of preservation
of ecosystem because through its extensive
root systems it holds large chunk
of soil and provides shelter and food
for birds and other wild animals.
Khari development
is encouraged in the Barind area to
make storage of water by making embankment
in some segments of a drainage/ irrigation
channel. Trees and shrubs are planted
to reduce further evaporation. Pond
digging in is done to facilitate judicious
use of storage water for domestic
and agricultural purposes. People
of the entire village or community
decide where to dig the pond and entire
operation and digging and maintenance
thereafter are being done on a cooperative
basis. In the past, such ponds were
also used as storage of rainwater.
These days they don’t get sufficient
water in the dry season as ground
water recedes further below. We have
to improve upon this technique to
include arrangement of rainwater harvesting
and storage. Cropping pattern and
choice of crops and cereals in some
areas are adjusted keeping conformity
with the water balance of that area.
The dry areas are now looking for
suitable alternative cash crops like
cotton, maize, sunflower, melon.
The practice of agro-silviculture
creates a favourable environmental
condition that reduces evapotranspiration
and produces fuelwood, timber and
fodder. Many indigenous systems are
practiced in the hilly regions to
facilitate various local problems
related to watershed management and
utilization of natural resources.
Use of bamboo in earth dam construction;use
of brushwood and waste woody material
for soil conservation; harvesting
of forest product by skidding; and
production of various useful tools
and implements are good examples of
application of the indigenous system
in the Hill Tract region.
Source: National Action Programme
(NAP) for Combating Desertification
in Bangladesh
Department of Environment, Ministry
of Environment and Forest and
IUCN – The World Conservation
Union
