Estimation of the Optimal Forest Rotation of Sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo) Plantations in Bangladesh

Abstract

Using various criteria, the paper estimates the optimal rotation period for Sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo) plantations in Bangladesh. Plantations data were collected during 1999-2000 from purposively selected Forest Divisions aged at least 5 years. Under the present management system, mode of marketing, market mechanism and all economic criteria for Bangladesh as a whole, the optimal rotation of Sissoo tree is estimated to be at 8 years for fuel wood and 12 or 13 years for timber. If the Mean Annual Increment (MAI) is considered as rotation criterion, rotation period as 6 years for fuel wood and 11 to 13 years for timber are suggested. The elimination rates varied from 10% to 72% depending on plantation year, location, biotic interference and sissoo mortality. Irrespective of locations, it was revealed that the highest NPV (Tk 6395599), IRR (85%), B/C ratio (6.57), and  (Tk 2608031) start from the 13 year-old plantation.

Keywords: Sissoo, Optimal rotation, Forest management, Bangladesh.