Medhakachapia National Park

Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar.

Medhakachapia National Park (MKNP) is nationally known for protecting the most extensive stands of mature critically endangered Garjan Dipterocarpus turbinatus trees in Bangladesh. The park is located in Chakaria Upazila, not far north of Cox’s Bazar town in the southeast of the country. MKNP is tropical semi-evergreen forest on low hills in Fulchari Forest Range and covers 396 hectares. It was declared as a national park by a gazette notification of Ministry of Environment and Forest on 4 April 2004.

Originally the entire park area was a rich Garjan forest, but parts have been encroached with agriculture. Other associated native forest trees present include Telsur Hopea odorata, Boilam Anisoptera scaphula, Gamar Gmelina arborea and Chapalish Artocarpus chaplasha. Notable wildlife includes Hog Badger, and it is home to noisy flocks of White-crested Laughing Thrush and the globally vulnerable Great Slaty Woodpecker which attract bird enthusiasts.

MKNP is bordered by 13 villages where most of the people depend directly or indirectly upon the forest. Encroachment by settlements and agriculture has been associated with tree poaching, hunting, and collection of fuel wood, bamboo and cane and other forest products. This is encouraged by sawmills in the vicinity and unemployment

WHY IS MEDHAKACHAPIA NATIONAL PARK IMPORTANT?

Home to Majestic tall groves of critically endangered Garjan Dipterocarpus turbinatus trees.

High species diversity: 13 amphibian species, 30 reptile species, 21 mammal species, 168 bird species.

Restoring forest here offers the scope to sequester 687 tons of CO2 per hectare for climate change mitigation.

Local people are poor and depend on forest resources, threatening for the Biodiversity

Photo: Obaidul Fattah Tanvir

CO-MANAGEMENT HELPS PROTECT CRITICAL FOREST HABITATS IMPORTANT FOR A WIDE RANGE OF CREATURES AND PLANTS, INCLUDING GLOBALLY THREATENED SPECIES …

Garjan (Dipterocarpus turbinatus)

Please support this important work

This majestic tree is found in the humid eastern forests of Bangladesh and is globally critically endangered. Mature trees reach heights of 30 to 40 meters and present a striking image with their tall straight trunks and umbrella-like canopy. Distributed from northeast India to Vietnam, it is disappearing due to logging. Medhakachapia protects some fine groves of mature garjan but there were few saplings, encouraged by comanagement local schools are planting and protecting seed so that future generations of people and wildlife can enjoy the forest.

Sustaining Nature, Biodiversity, and Local Communities

Medhakachapia Co-Management Committee engages with local communities to conserve Medhakachapia National Park and its threatened species, including Garjan trees, through climate-resilient natural resources management and diversified livelihoods

Co-Management was established in Medhakachapia NP on 17 November 2009 when it was recognized through a Ministry of Environment and Forests order. Medhakachapia CMC formally works with and includes Bangladesh Forest Department as well as all key local stakeholders including local government and of course representatives of the surrounding 13 villages who are organized into a common forum. The CMC is active in promoting sustainable diversification of livelihoods away from forest dependence, promoting nature conservation, guarding the forest, and informing local people how to reduce vulnerability to climate change threats in an area of 707 ha around the NP.

Photo: Obaidul Fattah Tanvir

MEDHAKACHAPIA CO-MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (CMC)

KEY OBJECTIVES:

Ensure long term conservation of biodiversity – notably mature Garjan forest
Mobilize local people including youth as environmental stewards and stakeholders
Assist natural resource users to enhance and diversify their livelihoods, reduce extraction from forests, and reduce vulnerability to hazards and climate change
Encourage eco-tourism, and provide adequate facilities for visitors
Provide a forum for discussions,consultations, and conflict resolution

How You Can Help ?

Please support our efforts to strengthen conservation. The work of Medhakachapia CMC and associated organizations involves local communities working with Bangladesh Forest Department and local government. These activities depend on support from grants and outside resources.

Medhakachapia CMC has a bank account, Agrani Bank, Khutakhali branch, Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar) and can receive grants from domestic sources. For international assistance, funds can be channeled through Nature Conservation Management (NACOM) a national NGO which has helped establish the CMC. NACOM is registered with Bangladesh NGO Affairs Bureau, no. 481. NACOM focuses on environment, climate change issues, development of grassroots people and nature protection.

Your donations to Medhakachapia CMC will support:

Improving protection of forest, and their threatened species, through community patrols and forest restoration
Creating awareness among the local people and increasing alternative income source.
Promoting eco-tourism (e.g. establishing and maintaining visitor facilities and publicizing Medhakachapia)
Increasing community sustainability (e.g. reducing disaster vulnerability and improving services)
Sustainability of co-management movement.

Photo: Obaidul Fattah Tanvir

Contacts

President
Medhakachapia CMC
Khutakhali, Chakaria,
Cox’s Bazar
Tel: 01710 106 828

Forest Department
DFO, Cox’s Bazar North Forest Division, Bhana Vhabon, Cox’s Bazar
Tel: 0341-62095

Member Secretary
Medhakachapia CMC
Khutakhali, Chakaria,
Cox’s Bazar
Tel: 01712 662 302

NACOM
Dr. Abdur Rob Mollah
Chairperson
House No. 20-21, Flat D2 & C5, Road No. 12, Block F,
Niketan, Gulshan 1, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh
Tel: 02-8832073, 02-8832103
Email: nacom@nacom.org