Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (DFIDB)

Managing Institute:
Department For International Development (DFIDB)

Project Code: 139-500-011	Start Date: 23-May-90	End Date: 30/06/1997
Commitment: £995,000	Status: Awaiting Confirmation of Completion	Type of Funding: Bilateral - TC

Project Background:
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio in June 1992 raised the international issue of maintenance of biodiversity and protection of indigenous genetic resources as a national obligation for all countries for the general benefit of mankind as a whole. Bangladesh was a signatory to the relevant resolutions which are now being ratified.

A report prepared in January 1990 with the assistance of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUNC) reviewed and updated a 1989 GoB proposal for establishment of a National Herbarium in its own purpose-designed building in Dhaka. The project has received specific mention as a high priority for GoB in the Annual GoB/UK aid talks in both 1992 and 1993.

A properly equipped and staffed National Herbarium would allow Bangladesh to comply with its international obligations for plant genetic resources.

The Project is consistent with the broad goals of the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) Fourth Four-Year Development Plan (FFYP). The plan contains a major thrust toward the increased production of fuelwood and timber and this includes the effective use of locally adapted species. The Plan also indicates GoB commitment to diversification of crop production and management of the natural environment for sustainability, while the focus on poverty alleviation will require that all possibilities are examined for the use of plant species for income generation and empoyment through direct use or through industrial processing.

Project Objectives:
To improve the capacity for identification, classification and preservation of plant genetic resources in Bangladesh as a basis for sustainable management and exploitation of such resources for the economic and social development of the country.

To construct a purpose-designed Herbarium building at the agreed site adjacent to the National Botanical Gardens at Mirpur.

To train technical staff for the cost-effective, efficient operation of the Herbarium services to Bangladesh and to the international community.

Sustainable management of the plant genetic resources of Bangladesh.

Intended Outputs:
Purpose-designed Herbarium building.

National facility for collection, identification and preservation of plant genetic resources; with cost recovery system for commercial users.

National repository for information on plant biodiversity in Bangladesh.

Cadre of trained local staff.