The valuation of natural ecosystems helps policymakers to allocate adequate resources for the provision of ecosystem services they provide. Cultural ecosystem services are the non-material benefits we obtain from nature, which include but are not limited to recreation, aesthetic enjoyment, physical and mental health benefits. They are essential for a proper sense of a place, human health, and wellbeing. We quantified the recreational and other non-material benefits of Lawachara National Park (LNP), one of the oldest and most diverse forest protected areas and tourist attractions in northeast Bangladesh. A Modified Travel Cost Method (MTCM) was applied for quantifying the recreational and other non-material values of LNP. Altogether 309 respondents were interviewed, covering both peak season and slack season. In our MTCM, we considered several additional factors, unlike the commonly used Travel Cost Method (TCM). The value of cultural ecosystem services of LNP was estimated to be Taka 476.70 million and Taka 476.44 million per annum using MTCM and TCM, respectively. The value estimated using MTCM was marginally higher than the value estimated using TCM and was due to the additional variables we considered in our modified approach. We believe our estimates using MTCM will guide policymakers to properly value natural ecosystems and facilitate adequate resource allocation for ecotourism in LNP and elsewhere.

/pdf/visitor-s-willingness-to-pay-for-cultural-ecosystem-services-3tlw74c8pw.pdf

Visitor’s Willingness to Pay for Cultural Ecosystem Services in Bangladesh: An Assessment for Lawachara National Park, a Biodiversity Hotspot

Staurogyne argentea Wall. (Family: Acanthaceae) is an important medicinal plant that has many traditional uses in tribal areas of Bangladesh. The current study emphasizes the pharmacological investigations of n-hexane, chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions of ethanol extract of leaves of S. argentea to justify the traditional uses of this plant species in Bangladesh. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of S. argentea was confirmed by inhibition of egg albumin denaturation and erythrocyte membrane stabilizing methods. In both experiments, the aqueous fraction at concentration of 160 μg/ml exhibited significant inhibition of egg albumin denaturation by 76.91% with IC50 value of 24.22 μg/ml compared to standard Diclofenac-Na. In membrane stabilization assay, the aqueous fraction showed prominent anti-inflammatory activity by protecting the human erythrocyte membrane against hypotonic solution induced lysis. In addition, among all the aqueous fraction at 100 μg/ml also showed maximum antioxidant potential via the inhibition of DPPH scavenging by 75.05% (IC50= 42.92 μg/ml). The test materials were subjected to evaluate for the anti-diabetic activity by both in vitro starch iodine method as well as by oral glucose tolerance test in Swiss albino mice. In both experiments, the aqueous fraction showed maximum blood glucose lowering activity which is comparable to standard glibenclamide. The chloroform fraction (Conc. 500 mg/kg bw) exhibited moderate inhibition of both acetic acid-induced writhing reflex and yeast-induced pyrexia in mice. During sedative activity screening, different solvent fractions produced mild to moderate activity in comparison with standard diazepam. These findings revealed that S. argentea is a valuable source of bioactive compounds with diverge pharmacological actions, which validates its use in Bangladesh folk medicinal practices.
Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 26(1): 89-98, 2023 (January)

/pdf/in-vitro-and-in-vivo-pharmacological-studies-of-leaves-of-1y9jed4j.pdf

In vitro and in vivo Pharmacological Studies of Leaves of Staurogyne argentea Wall.

The focus of this paper is to study the Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC), Prevention, Mitigation methods in Babile Elephant Sanctuary, Eastern Ethiopia. Purposive and random sampling methods were used for primary data collection. Accordingly, a total of 138 Households were selected from four Peasant Associations that were close to the sanctuary for interview. Moreover, Focus group discussion, site observations, and secondary data of the last five years (2016-2020) related to HEC. The result showed, 87.7% of respondents thought that crop-raiding by elephants and 85% of them viewed, death of 16 elephants by humans were the cause for conflict. Above 54.3% and 37.7% of them also thought as 22 human and 24 livestock died respectively. Besides, 27% of them indicated, 647.32 quintal of Zea mays (31.27 %) and Sorghum bicolor (46.22%) costing, 67,107.2 ETB-Ethiopian Birr (out of 87,657.27 ETB or 2,369.62 USD) were lost. However, all (100%) of them thought that there was no compensation given for the lost crops. Visual signals (setting fire and lighting torches) and shouting and hitting metal objects (acoustic methods) were used as a major mitigation measure. While beehives fences and digging trenches were identified as minor preventive measures. Based on the study results, the following inference is drawn: identifying and documenting the existence of HEC information to build the knowledge gaps on areas where these challenges prevails and implementing various measures of technical(biological and physical methods: farming of cash crops which is less attractive to elephants, fencing), socio-economic (building community owner ship and educational programs to school, benefit community by employee in development works),and financial strategy set up (compensation losses and revenue sharing) are crucial methods to reducing conflict and co-exiting human and elephant.

Study on Human–elephant (Loxodonta africana,Blumenbach, 1797) conflict, prevention and mitigation in Babile Elephant Sanctuary, Eastern Ethiopia

The investigation delivered in this chapter intends to discover out the apparent economic, environmental, and sociocultural influences of ecotourism by locals who live in village in the heart of the southern marshes of Iraq near Chibayish area, south of Dhi Qar Province, south of Iraq. The investigation is qualitative and experiential which emphasizes on the locals’ approaches to the economic, environmental, and sociocultural variations owing to ecotourism. A total of 350 participants were questioned from the locals using a conveyed questionnaire containing 9 demographic features and 30 influence articles categorized into economic, environmental, and sociocultural classes. The study displays the influence articles concerning economic and socio-cultural features that attained higher ranks. Contrariwise, articles linked with the environmental feature attained lower ranks. Such results signify that locals prefer both the economic and sociocultural influences of tourism as they certainly supposed both influences, whereas the environmental influence was least preferred by the locals. Also, it was observed that local’s approaches to ecotourism differ with the disparities in revenue, job, and gender. This investigation resolved that locals recognize economic and sociocultural assistances carried by ecotourism without forgoing environmental and aesthetic features. Additional investigations are suggested to reveal the tendencies of ecotourism and its influences on locals and the marshes.

Locals’ Awareness of Ecotourism in the Southern Marshes of Iraq

Abstract Local people have both positive and negative attitudes towards ecotourism. It is because they are the beneficiaries of ecotourism, though sometimes, they are also the victims of its activities. Expression of the residents’ perception depends on multiple drivers. This study is an attempt to assess the drivers influencing local peoples’ perception on impacts of ecotourism in Satchari National Park (SNP) - a biodiversity rich forest protected area and famous ecotourism spot in Bangladesh. Interview surveys on local people of purposely selected four villages in and around SNP supplemented by the questionnaire were conducted during the September-October period in 2022. This study reveals that socio-cultural aspects secured higher ranks by processing higher mean values which follow economic and environmental aspects respectively. It is also found that local people’s attitude towards ecotourism varies with the variation in education, occupation and income. Policy makers and forest department’s officials should undertake necessary actions to solve the negative impacts of ecotourism. 

Multiple Drivers Influencing Residents’ Perception of Ecotourism in a Biodiversity Rich Forest Protected Area of Bangladesh

Medicinal plants play in an important role in the primary health care system. The paper deals with the indigenous knowledge related to ethnomedicinal knowledge and plant parts application for curing various ailments by the ethnic community of Thanchi Upazila of Bandarban Hill District. Semi-structured questionnaires, interviews, group discussions, and specific plant sample collection were done from July 2019 to December 2021 to procure ethno-medicinal data from local herbalists and elderly villagers for this study and from the forest areas. A total of 129 plant species under 110 genera and 63 families have been documented, which have been traditionally used by the ethnic people for the treatment of different ailments. Traditional knowledge and information about medicinal plants such as local names, scientific names, families, habits, habitats, plant-parts used, names of ailments, modes of use, etc. were recorded, validated, and documented. Plant families namely, Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae were represented by the highest (8) number of species, followed by Fabaceae, Verbenaceae, Apocynaceae, Araceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Lamiaceae, Rubiaceae and Zingiberaceae. The most widely used medicinal plants included Anacardium occidentale, Bombax ceiba, Calotropis gigantea, Terminalia chebula, Aegle mermelos, Ageratum conyzoides, Andrographis paniculata, Aristolochia indica, Blumea balsamifera, Bryophyllum pinnatum, Celosia cristata, Centella asiatica, Melastoma malabathricum, Mimosa pudica, Musa paradisiaca, Oroxylum indicum, Plumbago indica and Vitex negundo. Herbs (36%) were found to be the most used plant, followed by shrubs (33%), trees (17%), climbers (9%) and fern (5%). Most medicinal plants were used for the treatment of fever, skin diseases, cough problems, menstrual problems, body pain, indigestion, headaches, stomachaches, constipation, swelling problems, wounds and others. Among the plant parts, mostly leaves were used (43%), followed by roots (21%), whole plants (10%), stems (6%) along with fruit, rhizome, flower, bark, seed and latex for the treatment of diseases. The most common formulations prescribed to treat various diseases were juices. The findings will be useful for future research in the Bandarban Hill District.
Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2022, 8 (2), 123-140

Medicinal plants used by the tribal communities of Thanchi Upazila in Bandarban Hill District, Bangladesh

The only freshwater swamp forest of Bangladesh namely Ratargul Freshwater Swamp Forest (RFWSF) has a great contribution to the livelihoods of the surrounding local communities. Local communities or residents of the area depend heavily on this biodiversity-rich swamp forest for income, employment, fuelwood, and non-wood forest resources. An exploratory study was carried out in the swamp forest to explore the availability and consumption pattern of various forest Original Research Article Das et al.; AJEE, 13(2): 51-64, 2020; Article no.AJEE.60434 52 resources, and dependency levels of residents on the RFWSF. Data were collected using a semistructured questionnaire from 301 respondents (randomly selected from the residents) of the surrounding nine villages. The study revealed that respondents were dependent largely on the RFWSF for fuelwood, bamboo, cane, murta, ornamental resource, and other raw materials for cottage industries. Among the respondents 27% were involved in the harvesting of fish resources, followed by fuelwood (23%), grass (11%), and fodder (6%) collection. Bamboo was the main source of fuel for 41 % of the respondents and 40% depended on twigs and branches of trees. The findings of the study revealed that residents were highly dependent on the non-wood forest resources of the RFWSF for their livelihoods. Besides, a substantial amount of wood resources was consumed by the residents as fuelwood. Excessive unscientific exploitation of the forest resources disturbed the ecological functions and threatened the wildlife habitats of the RFWSF tremendously. The study recommended raising awareness and capacity building among the forest-dependent residents, proper implementations of forest law, and sustainable management could be the effective pathway for the upliftment of the resident’s condition with ecological rehabilitation in the RFWSF.

/pdf/residents-dependency-on-forest-resources-a-case-study-on-2f2zogn9v6.pdf

Residents’ Dependency on Forest Resources: A Case Study on Ratargul Freshwater Swamp Forest of Bangladesh

Aims: The study aims at finding out the perceived economic, environmental and socio-cultural impacts of ecotourism by residents who live near the Ratargul freshwater swamp forest. Study Design: The study is qualitative and empirical which focuses on the residents’ attitudes towards the economic, environmental and socio-cultural changes due to ecotourism. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the villages near the Ratargul freshwater swamp forest located in Gowainghat Upazila of Sylhet District of Bangladesh. The study period was from November 2014 to February 2015. Methodology: A total of 301 respondents were interviewed from the residents using a formulated questionnaire consisting of nine demographic variables and thirty-five impact items classified into economic, environmental and socio-cultural categories. A five-point rating scale was incorporated Original Research Article Mree et al.; AJRAF, 5(3): 1-11, 2020; Article no.AJRAF.55641 2 into each impact item for both belief and evaluation components. The sampling method was arbitrary (non-probability sampling) but without preconceived bias. Results: The study shows the impact items regarding economic and socio-cultural aspects secured higher ranks by possessing higher mean values. Contrarily, items associated with the environmental aspect possessed lower mean values. These findings denote that residents favored both the economic and socio-cultural impacts of tourism as they positively perceived both impacts, whereas the environmental impact was least favored by the residents. Besides, it was also found that resident’s attitudes towards ecotourism vary with the variations in income, occupation, and gender. Conclusion: The study concluded that residents acknowledge economic and socio-cultural benefits conveyed by ecotourism without sacrificing environmental and aesthetic aspects. Further studies are recommended to find out the trends of ecotourism and its impacts on residents and the forest.

https://www.journalajraf.com/index.php/AJRAF/article/download/30083/56448

Residents’ Perception of Ecotourism in Ratargul Freshwater Swamp Forest of Bangladesh

Ethno-botanical study on medicinal plant species utilized by Marma community of Wagga Union in Rangamati Hill District, Bangladesh

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Medicinal plants used by the tribal communities of Thanchi Upazila in Bandarban Hill District, Bangladesh

Residents’ Dependency on Forest Resources: A Case Study on Ratargul Freshwater Swamp Forest of Bangladesh

Residents’ Perception of Ecotourism in Ratargul Freshwater Swamp Forest of Bangladesh

Ethno-botanical study on medicinal plant species utilized by Marma community of Wagga Union in Rangamati Hill District, Bangladesh