Many forest reserves in Bangladesh have been converted to protected areas (PAs) to conserve the forests resources from further depletion. This study has investigated if such initiatives have improved the state of biodiversity of these PAs amid tremendous anthropogenic pressure on forest resources. We have assessed the phytosociological attributes of the PAs in the country through a case study at Kaptai National Park (KNP) and compared the attributes with those of the adjacent areas and of the tropical forests across the world. We have identified 52 species belonging to 45 genera and 28 families. The most dominant species in KNP was Dipterocarpus spp. and the adjacent area was dominated by Tectona grandis. Unexpectedly, the Shannon-Wiener index of KNP has dropped down from 2.98 in 2000 to 0.90 in 2014. However, in terms of relative density, relative dominance, and relative frequency, KNP was better than the adjacent areas. In contrast, the mean Shannon-Wiener index in KNP (0.90) was smaller than that in the tropical countries (2.99). We recommend strengthening effective comanagement of PAs and enabling nonforestry income generation activities for the forestdependent people so that the biodiversity of the PAs can be enriched while people's livelihoods are ensured.

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Field trials were conducted during the rainy seasons of 2006, 2007 and 2008 at the Institute for Agricultural Research (I.A.R.) Farm, Samaru to determine the performance of extra early maize (Zea mays L.) as affected by intra-row spacing, nitrogen and poultry manure rates. The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of three intra-row spacing (20, 25 and 30 cm), three rates of nitrogen (40, 80 and 120 kg ha -1 ) and four rates of poultry manure (0, 2, 4 and 6 t ha -1 ). The treatments were laid out in a split-plot design with three replications. Combinations of nitrogen and poultry manure rates were assigned to main plot, while intra-row spacing was assigned to the sub plot. The results showed increase in intra-row spacing from 20 to 25 cm significantly increased number of rows cob -1 , cob diameter, 100-grain weight and grain yield. The effect of nitrogen on such yield components as cob diameter, cob length and 100-grain weight was significant as the response was in the range of 80 to 120 kg ha -1 . Varying level of poultry manure had a significant effect on the performance of the crop. The high level of 2 t ha -1 poultry manure significantly out yielded the control but at par with 4 and 6 t ha -1 in most of the yield attributes. The optimum yield (2.26 t ha -1 ) was obtained by the combination of 25 cm intra row spacing, 82 kg N ha -1 and 1.91 t poultry manure ha -1 and should therefore be adopted by extra early maize farmers in Northern Guinea Savanna agro ecology.

An epidemiological investigation was conducted to ascertain the prevalence of anaplasmosis in cattle in Sirajganj district of Bangladesh, during the period of December 2013 to November 2014. During one year study period a total of 395 cattle were examined, and where 102 were found to be infected with Anaplasma spp. On Geimsa stained blood smear examination, it was observed that the overall prevalence of anaplasmosis in cattle was recorded as 25.82%. The effect of area, age, sex, breed and season was observed in cattle during this study. The highest prevalence (34.19%) was reported in the older cattle (> 3 years of age) and the prevalence was higher in female (28.88%) than male (19.20%). All crossbred cattle was showed higher prevalence than local cattle. The prevalence of anaplasmosis infection was noticed as the highest in the rainy season (30.68%) in relation to summer (27.50%) and winter (15.15%) season. From the study it was evident that cattle were infected with the organism and caused a serious economic loss which will assist to take necessary preventive interventions. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ralf.v1i1.22370 Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.1(1): 97-103, Dec 2014

A study was conducted to ascertain the prevalence of Bovine tuberculosis at 135 commercial dairy farms of five upazilas of Sirajganj district of Bangladesh during the period from January 2012 to December 2013. During two years study period a total of 270 blood samples were tested by Antigen® Rapid Bovine TB Ab test kit. The overall prevalence of bovine tuberculosis was recorded as 7.78%. Distribution on the basis of age, sex and breed revealed the significant relationship among the infection, breed, sex and age in the population. The prevalence was relatively high in older cattle (10.23%) and the highest prevalence was observed in the female (9.09%). The prevalence of tuberculosis infection was considerably high in most of large herds. It was evident from the study that cattle were infected with organism and caused a serious economic loss.

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Lack of non-forestry income sources for the forest-dependent community was one of the major causes of continued biodiversity loss in Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS). A livelihood support program was implemented from July 2012 through June 2015 to reduce people's forest-dependence for their livelihoods. We evaluated the efficacy of this program in enhancing the biodiversity health of CWS. An Ordinary Least Square regression framework was used to estimate the difference in difference of the income between the control and the treatment households. Alongside, the biodiversity attributes of the CWS were measured in 2012 and 2015 and were compared. The intervention increased a treatment household's monthly non-forestry income by BDT11,781 and decreased its monthly forest income by BDT2128. In contrast, with increased natural regeneration of 8.43%, 12 out of the 16 major species at CWS showed increased importance value index (IVI). The IVI increased by 48.03% for Acacia auriculiformis and decreased by 56.30% and 31.76% for Dipterocarpus turbinatus and Tectona grandis, respectively. As confirmed by the households, this biodiversity improvement could be attributed to the livelihood intervention program at CWS. Continued monitoring is important to sustain the successes of the program.

The study estimated the benefit and rates of returns to investment on turmeric research and development in Bangladesh. The Economic Surplus Model with ex-post analysis was used to determine the returns to investment and their distribution between the production and consumption. Several discounting techniques were also used to assess the efficiency of turmeric research. The adoption rate was found increasing trend over the period. The yield of BARI developed modern varieties of turmeric was 41 to 73% higher than those of the local variety. Society got net benefit Tk. 9333.88 million from the investment of turmeric research and extension. The net present value (NPV) and present value of research cost (PVRC) were estimated at Tk. 1200.84 and 157.88, respectively. The internal rate of return (IRR) and benefit cost ratio (BCR) were estimated to be 68% and 10.45, respectively indicated investment on turmeric research and development was a good and profitable investment. Seed production programme of turmeric should be taken largely to increase production by increasing area adoption.