Biodiversity of Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Eco-park: Flora

Bangladesh Forest Department attempted ecological restoration of its denuded natural forests by establishing the first Botanical Garden and Eco-park at Sitakunda in Chittagong, Bangladesh in order to conserve both native and exotic biodiversity. In the present study, an attempt has been made to assess the floral diversity, regeneration status, tree structural composition, conservation strategy and ecotourism potentiality of Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Eco-park. A total number of 312 plant species (304 angiosperm and 8 gymnosperm) belonging to 249 genera and 129 families were recorded from the park area. Sungrass (Imperata cylindrica) infestation and fire hazards are two main problems in this Eco-park. The impact of ecotourism was found very encouraging for the conservation of biodiversity in this Botanical Garden and Eco-park. This book will be an immense help in providing information about the floral diversity and ecotourism potentiality of Botanical Garden and Eco-park to the relevant stakeholders. This publication will also help the Forest Department, foresters and researchers as baseline information for future management and biodiversity conservation of Sitakunda Eco-park.