Approximately 18 percent of Bangladesh’s land mass (2.56 million
hectares) is classified as forestland area. However, only 0.84 million hectares
(or 6 percent) has acceptable forest vegetation. The rest of the forestland
is treeless, and at best covered by grass or brush. With the country’s
population of 122 million (1997) growing at 2.2 percent per year, the
pressure on the remaining forest resources is severe.