IMPACT OF FOOTPATH DISTANCE ON FUELWOOD COLLECTION, SOIL MOISTURE CONTENT AND REGENERATION OF SINGRA SAL FOREST

Abstract

A study was conducted to find out the effect of distance from the main pathway on fuelwood collection, soil moisture content and regeneration success of Singra Sal forest Dinajpur during July 2021 to June 2022. Simple random sampling method was applied to collect data from four different distances from the main pathway inside the Sal forest. The distances were 0-20 m, 21-40 m, 41-60 m and >60m from the path. In each distance data were taken from 3 quadrants of size 10m ×10m randomly. Therefore, a total of 12 quadrants were taken for collecting data for this study. Regeneration data were recorded as number, height and canopy coverage of trees at different distances. Litter fall and soil moisture data were measured at four distances. The amount and price of fuelwood were surveyed with the help of a pre-structured questionnaire. Results revealed that the number of plants of all growth stages was recorded highest at the furthest distance (i.e. >60m) from the main pathway. The highest number of seedling (23,333/ha) was recorded at >60 m distance while lowest number (6666/ha) was recorded at 0-20 m distance from the main path way. Same trend was observed in case of the number of pole, young, adult, mature and old categories of trees. In case of height class, furthest distance (i.e.>60m away from main path) showed the highest number of plants in different height classes. Similarly, litter fall depth (4 cm) and canopy coverage (37.3%) were found highest in the furthest distance compared to nearest distance (litter fall depth was 2 cm and canopy coverage was 15.9 %).Fuelwood collection was highest at 0-20 m so litter depth was the lowest (2 cm). Due to the increase the distance from main path, the moisture level rose from 5.1% to 7.33%, between 0-20m and >60m distances respectively.Natural disturbances such as cyclone, insect infestation, forest fire and drought were also surveyed during a three years of time. In 2023, 2022 and 2021, number of trees fallen by storm was recorded as 300, 200 and 350 respectively. In that period, there was no documented case of bug infestations causing harm to trees. Number of trees died from drought was found 10 in 2021, 20 in 2022 and 15 in 2023. Overall, present findings conclude that nearby distances from the main footpath of forest played key role to collect fuelwood,reduce litter depth as a result of decrease soil moisture and hamper natural regeneration of Sal seedlings in the Singra Sal forest .Therefore, to reduce the impact of footpath distance on forest, fuelwood collection should be restricted which will ensure optimum soil moisture content and regeneration status of Singra Sal forest.