A Spatio-Temporal Study in Bandarban, Bangladesh

*Corresponding Author (paul.alak@cu.ac.bd)

Environmental Damage and Land Use Change from Tobacco Farming: A Spatio-Temporal Study in Bandarban, Bangladesh

Naznin Nahar Sultana, Naima Nazir, Md. Akib Jabed, Alak Paul*

Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh (Received: 20 May 2020, Revised: 3 June 2020, Accepted: 16 June 2020, Online: 30 June 2020)

Abstract

Tobacco cultivation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is becoming a concern as the environmental loss is already evident from this farming. This research was carried out to explore the consequent environmental problems and the land-use alteration from tobacco farming in the Ruposhipara Union of Lama Upazila, Bandarban district. Primary data were collected through 200 semi-structured questionnaires, five FGDs, and opinions from two experts. In addition, LANDSAT TM satellite images for three different years were analysed with the help of ArcGIS 9 and Erdas Imagine ascertaining the tobacco-induced land-use changes within the last 23 years. From the perception of people, this study has revealed that the continuous cultivation of tobacco has declined the fertility of the soil and used agrochemicals that have severely deteriorated the fish population in freshwater bodies of the study area. Tobacco fields are being expanded by clearing forests and cutting down of hill and such natural destructions have resulted in the decrease of different animals which were abundant in the past. Conversely, analysis of satellite images revealed that within 23 years (1989-2012), there was an increase of nearly 1921322.79 sq. Metres of tobacco land which represents a total 95.05%

increase of tobacco fields by altering the forests, hills, and other crops field. This study suggests that more research should carry out and land use regulations should be made to prevent the expansion of tobacco farming in the CHT.

Keywords: Tobacco Cultivation, Environmental Problems, Land Use Alteration, Spatio-temporal Research.

Introduction

Tobacco farming continues to rise in the developing and underdeveloped countries, including Bangladesh (Rahman et al., 2019; Paul et al., 2019). Since the liberation, tobacco cultivation has become a part of agriculture in Bangladesh as British American Tobacco Company promoted it here (Kutub and Falgunee, 2015). This non-traditional agricultural product has already spread in different parts of the country that is threatening the crop cultivation, health (Paul et al., 2019), and environment (Mottaleb et al., 2016; Hossain and Rahman, 2013). Considering the availability of fuel wood, tobacco production was started in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), more specifically in Lama and Ali Kadam Upazila of Bandarban District since 1984. Initially, tobacco was grown on 740 acres, but it was increased on 4,750 acres in 2005–2006, an increase of 540% (Akhter, 2011).

For decades tobacco production has moved from one location to another, not due to the increased interest of farmers but rather due to the loss of soil fertility and destruction of fuelwood sources in

areas under production. During 2008, tobacco was produced in 73,811 acres of 16 districts and produced 40,272 metric tons of tobacco leaves (BBS, 2009). In 2006-07, tobacco production was on 75,860 acres and in 2009-10, it increased to 182,780 acres which means there was an increment of 141% tobacco production (Akhter, 2011). However, following the DAE, in 2014 tobacco has been grown on 108,000 hectares of land, whereas it was 70,000 hectares in the last season (2013) (Khan et al., 2016). Another report presents that during the crop season of 2016-17, tobacco was planted throughout 145,000 hectares land in Bangladesh which was expected to result in total production of 150,000 metric tons of tobacco in 2018 (Schmid, 2018).

Tobacco cultivation, processing, production, and disposal harms the ecology immensely (Chaturvedi, 2017). Diverse negative impacts of tobacco cultivation are also evident. Tobacco production has extensively led to the deforestation (Sitati, 2016). Deforestation is one of the largest contributors to CO2 emissions and climate change. Loss of biodiversity is another consequence, and has been associated with tobacco-driven habitat fragmentation in Bangladesh (Motaleb and Irafanullah, 2011), Brazil (Moreno-Peñaranda and Kallis, 2010), Cambodia (Lecours, 2014), Tanzania (Yanda, 2010; Ntongani et al., 2010), Uganda (Obua et al., 2010) and Zimbabwe (Lown et al., 2016). It is also associated with land degradation or desertification in the form of soil erosion reduced soil fertility and productivity, and the disruption of water cycles (WHO, 2017). On the other hand, desertification from tobacco cultivation has been observed in various countries of the Miombo zone (Mandondo and German, 2015). In a study of Willcock and his colleagues (2016), it is demonstrated that crops such as tobacco and maize replaced 74% of forest cover (2.8 million ha) in eastern Tanzania between 1908 and 2000 (Willcock et al., 2016), which represents tobacco cultivation as indirectly liable for the greenhouse effect (WHO, 2017). Contrariwise, tobacco is usually produced as a mono-crop, which means it requires large quantities of agrochemicals (e.g., pesticides, fertilisers, and herbicides) to ward off pests and diseases. Moreover, tobacco ranks sixth among all agricultural trade goods in the number of pesticides used per acre (Ash-Scotland, 2014;

Ali et al., 2015). Tobacco is prone to many diseases; therefore, it requires up to applications of 16 pesticides including those which are banned for use such as Aldrin, Dieldrin, DDT (Hossain and Rahman, 2013; Chaturvedi, 2017). Considering the effect of tobacco on the environment, forests and people’s health at large, the World Bank in 1991 announced that it would no longer lend, invest or extend loans for tobacco production, processing, or marketing (Chaturvedi, 2017).

Overall, tobacco cultivation and curing are part of one of the most environmentally destructive agricultural practices in low- and middle-income countries (Lecours, 2014).

The Chittagong Hill Tracts is environmentally one of the most vulnerable areas due to extensive tobacco cultivation. Despite its harmful effects, there is an insignificant number of research regarding the negative consequences of tobacco cultivation on the environment of CHT. Moreover, there is no research on Spatio-temporal land-use change due to tobacco farming. Sporadic newspaper articles sometimes pointed out the issues though lack of detailed or in-depth work concerning the tobacco cultivation in Bandarban. This research is aimed to assess the environmental impacts of tobacco farming in the Lama Upazila of Bandarban district. Moreover, there is an endeavour to examine the magnitude of temporal and spatial changes in land cover due to tobacco cultivation in hilly parts of the Chittagong district.

Materials and Methods Location of the Study Area

Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is the only extensive hilly area in Bangladesh lies in the south-eastern part of the country located between 21°25'N to 23°45'N latitude and 91°54'E to 92°50'E longitude, consisting three districts Bandarban, Khagrachari, and Rangamati (Banglapedia, 2015). The study village is Ruposhipara Union located in the Lama Upazila (sub-district), Bandarban, Bangladesh (Figures 1A). Ruposhipara Union is surrounded by Matamuhuri River and Lama Pourashava in the north and west side, Alikadam Upazila at the south and Thanchi Upazila at the east. According to the local union office, the area of Ruposhipara Union is 55,351.605344acres (1 acre= 4 046.85642 metres) and around 2750 families are residing in that village. The total population of the study village is 13,805.

(Source: Based on Landsat Imagery, Banglapedia, and LGED) Figure 1: A. Location of the Study Area; B. Data collection sites (Ruposhipara Union).

Environmental Data Collection and Analysis

The research has employed a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques to perceive the environmental damages from tobacco cultivation in the Ruposhipara Union (Figure 1B). The primary data collection methods are Questionnaire Survey, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), and Expert’s Interview. A total of 200 pretested semi-structured questionnaires were implemented to

A B

collect data regarding the existing environmental problems, particularly the impacts of tobacco cultivation on soil and water, uses of pesticides, fertilisers etc.. Samples were chosen based on the purposive sampling methods where only adults (more than 18 years old) have been selected for the interviews. On the other hand, five FGDs and two experts’ interviews were conducted to understand tobacco farming induced environmental degradation and land-use change. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted based on a predefined theme at the crop field and each FGD consisted of 5-9 cultivators. Every questionnaire interview and FGD took 40 to 60 minutes to be completed.

The present study has analysed quantitative data using the SPSS 20v while the qualitative data were evaluated by following the ‘grounded theory method’ (Kitchin and Tate, 2000). Furthermore, necessary secondary data have been obtained from the published and unpublished sources including the Govt. Office, NGOs, libraries, public universities, journals, local newspapers, books, and so on.

Collected data are demonstrated qualitatively with some quantitative inferences.

Land Use Database and Analysis

To fulfil the objectives of this study, satellite images were collected from Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO), Bangladesh. Images of 23 years of satellite data with eleven years interval on average (Table 1) have been examined to detect the land- use changes from tobacco cultivation. The satellite data of 23 years covered by three sequential satellite images namely LANDSAT TM_1989, LANDSAT TM_2000 and LANDSAT TM_2012.

Based on Geographic and Remote sensing data, some statements are also presented in this research.

Table 1: Spatial Data used in the Present Study Sl. No. Types of

data Date Resolution Bands Pixel Depth Description 01 Landsat TM February 22,

1989 30 Meters 6 8 Bit FCC

02 Landsat TM January 05,

2000 30 Meters 6 8 Bit FCC

03 Landsat TM February 02,

2012 30 Meters 3 8 Bit FCC

Other Features

Scale: Scale of all images are digital

Format: Format of all images are .img (ERDAS IMAGINE) Source: SPARRSO, Bangladesh

A critical analysis of satellite images in the aspect of the tobacco cultivation area has been done successfully with the help of GIS technology. ArcGIS 9 (version ArcMap 9.3) platform is adopted to detect the changes in the cultivation area and pattern of tobacco farming between 1989 and 2012.

Current research has used Global Positing System (GPS) device to locate the existing tobacco fields in the map and to make image analysis more reliable. In addition, the Google Earth engine has substantially supported the detection and comparison of tobacco cultivation changing patterns with the elapse of time. Ruposhipara Union map was produced through the combined use of Local

Government and Engineering Department (LGED) map, satellite images (taken help only from LANDSAT TM_2012) and Google Earth.

Considering the colour combination, pixel, etc. of the satellite images, the tobacco cultivation area was identified very carefully. After identifying the cultivated area from the satellite images, area measurement was done for each para (local sub-unit of a village) separately. After that mathematical, and statistical methods were applied for the calculation and diagrams were produced in Microsoft Excel 2016. To find out the rate of fluctuation of tobacco cultivation, overlaying of two maps have been performed in ArcMap software.

Results and Discussion

People’s Perception of the Tobacco Cultivation Impacts on Soil

Most of the tobacco farmers (about 80%) in the study area think that soil fertility has deteriorated somehow from the tobacco husbandry (Figure 2). The questionnaire interviews and FGDs with the farmers revealed that the tobacco plant needs a very high amount of pesticides, insecticides, and fertilisers. The intensive use of fertiliser and pesticides are gradually reducing the fertility of soil informed by the cultivators of the Ruposhipara Union. Even, the land beside the kiln turns into barren land. As tobacco farming reduces soil fertility, other crops do not grow well (Akhter, 2011;

Motaleb and Irfanullah, 2011; Chaturvedi, 2017). In an FGD, a farmer of the study area Mangru Marma (55) stated,

“Tobacco decreases soil fertility. The production capacity of our agricultural land has gradually decreased. With the continuous cultivation of tobacco on this land, the soil has significantly lost its production capacity in the last 10 years. We can realize it from the average production in a year nowadays. I assume the excessive application of chemicals has resulted in such conditions of the soil. I’m afraid if our land will become infertile someday”.

The study represented that within 10-12 years, the field loses its productivity and then Tobacco Company searches for the new field. This is the main reason to shift tobacco cultivation from one region to another (Akhter, 2011; Rahman et al., 2012). Since tobacco rapidly depletes the soil nutrients, the soil must be refilled over time using expensive chemical fertilisers. It was known from the farmers that on an average 300 kg or more of chemical fertilisers such as Urea, Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) and zinc are used for cultivating an acre of tobacco. The farmers stated that tobacco could not be grown in a land continuously more than 2 to 5 years which indicates the depletion of soil fertility status. Moreover, tobacco farming needs much more chemical fertilisers compared to the other crops which are harmful to soil and the environment. The farmers also opined that organic fertilisers cause harm to tobacco leaf which is also a limitation to maintain soil fertility.

The greater use of fertilisers and pesticides for higher yields is environmentally damaging. Tobacco cultivators are familiar with the destructive effects of tobacco farming on human health, the environment, and the social well-being of people. Yet, the motivation of greater financial return and immediate cash drive them cultivating tobacco continuously.

(Source: Field Work, 2017) Figure 2: Respondent’s perception of the impact of tobacco cultivation on soil fertility.

Tobacco Cultivation Impacts on Freshwater Bodies

The present study has identified that tobacco requires large quantities of water for tobacco production and these fields are mostly located near the flowing water bodies. Since large amounts of fertilisers, pesticides, insecticides are applied to the tobacco plants, the chemical residue flows back to the water bodies when the fields are irrigated (also stated by Rahman, 2012). The contamination spreads through water use in domestic and other purposes both in the study area and in the downstream. Riquinho and Hennington (2012) also identified that pesticides are a major source of water contamination along with the soil.

However, the tobacco field pollutes the nearby water bodies through the mixing of various chemicals used in the field. This mainly hampers fish production and the aquatic environment in the water bodies as stated by many farmers. The experiences shared by the people revealed that the fish population has reduced considerably in their nearby water bodies. Furthermore, numerous dead fishes have been found by many respondents in the river especially in the rainy season. The tobacco fields quickly drain the soil into the river water during rain resulting in depleted water quality and water contamination. Apart from river pollution, water ecology has also been deteriorated by the proximity of the tobacco field to the internal water bodies.

In the study area, two significant water features are Matamuhuri River and Lama Khal along with several small water flows. As far as eyes go, tobacco cultivation becomes visible throughout the study area. Most of the tobacco lands are connected or linked with the two water bodies demonstrate the relationship between water pollution and the tobacco fields. Tobacco cultivation requires fertile

37.5 24.5

18 15.5 4.5

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Highly Dereased Decreased Moderate No Change

Increased

Perceptions

People's Perception about the Status of Soil Fertility

Percentage

land and sufficient water, subsequently, this farming mostly takes place next to the rivers/ flowing water bodies in Ruposhipara Union. The writing of Bashar (2011) and UBINIG (2011) also identified that tobacco cultivation pollutes the water and ecology of the Matamuhuri River. A tobacco farmer Kutu Barua (58) said,

“The fertilisers, pesticides, insecticides which are being used in the tobacco field, ultimately go to the nearby water bodies. There used to be an abundance of fishes in the Lama Khal and Matamuhuri River but nowadays availability of fishes became a good memory for the people of this area. We saw a lot of dead fishes floating on the river water last year. I think it happened because of pesticides used in the tobacco field washed away into the river during irrigation or rain.”

Tobacco Cultivation Induced Deforestation and Hill Cutting

During the data collection, the people of the Ruposhipara Union were observed to gather an enormous amount of firewood from the nearby forests. Most of them admitted that they often collect huge amounts of timber for curing the tobacco leaves. Curing tobacco leaves requires large amounts of fuelwood, which is unusually high than any other commercial cash crop. The high demand for fuelwood provokes deforestation while the use of straw and crop residues as fuel provokes the loss of soil organic matter and causes long-term soil degradation (Chaturvedi, 2017). Furthermore, trees are logged indiscriminately, and the environment is polluted by poisonous smoke (Hossain and Rahman, 2013; Chaturvedi, 2017). The cultivators informed that about 320 kg of fuelwood is required for burning and producing 100 kg of tobacco leaves. Tobacco cultivators usually go to the hilly forest during the curing period of tobacco and bring the fire-woods by mini truck or tractor.

They completely depend on forest woods for the final preparation of tobacco leaves by paying small amounts of money to either forest departmental officials or local musclemen. A teacher of Matamuhuri Degree College, Lama assumed that if tobacco farmers continue with the present scenario of firewood collection, the forest will be turned to a bare land soon. About 44% of the respondents mentioned that overall deforestation has highly increased in the last few decades while another 34% also gave their consent regarding the expansion of nearby forest clearing and decline of forest density significantly (Figure 3). In this regard, a tobacco cultivator uttered,

“I used to go to the forests and get nearly one track of wood every week, for curing tobacco because wood fuel makes the perfect colour of tobacco leaf than other fuel. Today people completely rely on wood from the forests. Curing tobacco requires about two tractors of firewood per round of barn use. Earlier we used to bring the firewood and wood sticks from nearby forests. But wood is now scarcely available in those forests, as they have heavily been consumed”

Otanez (2007) found one pound of tobacco requires 20 pounds of wood. Nearly 600,000 acres of forest land cleared for tobacco every year worldwide. Motaleb and Irfanullah (2011), and Akhter (2011) reported to their project that tobacco cultivation is a major cause of deforestation in Bangladesh. Also, a tribal local representative, Chaching Pru Marma, Chairman of Ruposhipara Union said,

“Tobacco cultivation is responsible for deforestation and wild animal loss in this locality. One load of kiln needs so much wood fuel that is burned in a brickfield in one year. We cannot prevent people from cutting forests because most of them earn their bread and butter from tobacco cultivation.”

(Source: Fieldwork, 2017) Figure 3: Respondent's Opinion about Changing Status of Deforestation and Hill Cutting from Tobacco Cultivation.

As Ruposhipara Union consists of the high and medium hills, here people’s livelihood, forest cover, ethnicity and biodiversity are highly related to these hills. Unfortunately, these physical features of the study area are being degraded gradually to make room for the tobacco cultivation. The researchers themselves observed the massive hill cutting taking place all around and in the Ruposhipara Union. It was identified that most of the people who were cutting the hills are either tobacco farmers or the labourers hired by the farmers. Furthermore, one-fifth people opined that recently hills are cutting down to expand the plain land for tobacco cultivation. Masing Ching Marma of Ruposhipara Union said that tobacco growers have cut almost half of the hills in this area. The extensive rate of clearing hills and forest are up surging flash flood and landslides vulnerability of the area. Stassen (2012) discussed apart from deforestation and soil degradation, tobacco farming is associated with the species extinction due to habitat fragmentation and overexploitation. A respondent named Karuna Kanti Dash of Anglapara of Ruposhipara Union said,

“In the past, we saw elephants, monkeys, different type of birds but now these are hardly seen in this area due to clearing forest mainly for tobacco cultivation”

Moreover, the study reflects the reduction of cattle, goat, etc. in the tobacco cultivated areas. The land under tobacco is harmful to both domestic animals and poultry birds because of using various dangerous poisons on the cultivable land. A Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Lama Forest Division opined that tobacco cultivation should be prohibited immediately for the sake of the environment. Though the Government is challenged to take the decision as the companies contribute a large amount of revenue in the government budget.

43.5 34 10 9.5 0.5 2.5

19 34 25 12.5 0.5 9

H i g h l y I n c r e a s e d

I n c r e a s e d M o d e r a t e l y I n c r e s e d

D e c r e a s e d H i g h l y D e c r e a s e d

N o C h a n g e

Percentage (%)

R e s p o n d e n t ' s O p i n i o n A b o u t C h a n g i n g S t a t u s o f D e f o r e s t a t i o n & H i l l C u t t i n g F r o m T o b a c c o

C u l t i v a t i o n

Status of Deforestation Status of Hill Cutting

Spatio-Temporal Changes in Land Cover Use

Tobacco farming is being practiced in Lama Upazila of Bandarban district for the last few decades.

Recently, the frequency of tobacco cultivation has been increased and spreading out to new areas.

With the help of satellite imagery and GIS technology, the expansion and changes of cultivated areas have identified. Thereafter, this study has calculated the total amount of land under tobacco cultivation through area measurement in the GIS platform. The findings are presented in the following sub-sections.

Detection of Tobacco Cultivation Area in 1989

Tobacco cultivation was started in the fertile land of Matamuhuri delta along with other food crops in the Bandarban district in the mid-‘80s which are found in the satellite image (of Ruposhipara Union) in 1989 (Figure 4). Ruposhipara Union of Lama Upazila of Bandarban was divided into several villages or Para (neighbourhood) in 1989 where tobacco cultivation was on a small scale (Figure5). Only ten Para in Ruposhipara Union were dominant under tobacco cultivation. Tobacco cultivation was predominant in Master Para in 1989 where 124.86 acres (1 acre=4 046.85642 sq.

metres) of land out of 499.51 acres was under tobacco. In other words, 25 percent of the total tobacco cultivated land was in Master Para in 1989. The second highest tobacco cultivation land was detected with 79.90 acres at Dardari Para which covered 16 percent of tobacco land. Apart from these Para, both sides of the Matamuhuri River in the middle stream zone were associated with the amount of 75.37 acres of land which was considered as the third largest dominated tobacco cultivation area. The downstream zone of the river was associated with the amount of 39.02 acres of land under tobacco cultivation in 1989. Both the middle and downstream zone of the Matamuhuri River placed a significant amount (114.39 acres) of land which indicates the causes of environmental degradation through river and soil pollution in the study area.

Detection of Tobacco Cultivation Area in 2000

Tobacco cultivation was found in 10 Para in 1989 in Ruposhipara Union, which expanded to 12 in the year 2000. The newly added areas are Police camp Para and Bakkum Para which indicated additional 48.32 acres of land with the previous tobacco cultivated area. Like 1989, tobacco cultivation was predominant in Master Para in 2000 as well as analysed where 224.55 acres of land under tobacco out of 1103.22 acres of tobacco cultivated land. In 2000, Master Para encompassed about 20 percent of the total cultivated tobacco fields. Nearly 99.69 acres of newly tobacco field was added in 2000 along with the previous lands of Master Para indicating the high growth of land cover by tobacco.

Both the middle and downstream zone of the Matamuhuri Riverside contained a huge amount of land (290.16 acres) for tobacco cultivation. The total land of both sides of the river along with other lands was increased at the rate of 3.15 percent than the year 1989. The figures ultimately have shown that natural forests decreased drastically in the whole area and the total ecosystem exposed to the threat of extinction. Along with the riversides, tobacco has also taken the piedmont of hills for cultivation. The map is showing the cultivated area of tobacco in the Ruposhipara Union in 2000 (Figure 5).

(Source: Prepared from Landsat Imagery of 1989) Figure 4: Detection of Tobacco Cultivation Area in 1989.

(Source: Prepared from Landsat Imagery of 2000) Figure 5: Detection of Tobacco Cultivation Area in 2000.

Detection of Tobacco Cultivation Area in 2012

The satellite data of 2012 represented that most of the area of the Ruposhipara Union was covered by tobacco cultivation. In the image, blue colour indicated river channel and indigo indicated water bodies; red and reddish-green colour indicated physical landform, natural forest and homestead forest; and pink colour indicated tobacco cultivation areas in Matamuhuri delta (Figure 6). The analysis indicated that tobacco cultivation in Gogon Master Para, Monjupro Para, Hridoy Master Para and downstream zone of Matamuhuri River of Ruposhipara Union were predominant in 2012.

All the clusters in the study area had a range of 57 to 87 acres of tobacco land signifying its high extent. Like1989 and 2000, Master Para was the largest tobacco cluster in the study area in 2012.Out of 974.28 acres, 207.52 acres of land (21 percent) were under tobacco cultivation in Master Para. Although the amount was declined in 17.02 acres in comparison to the year 2000 but increased in the amount of 82.66 acres than the year of 1989. The second highest tobacco cultivation area was the middle stream zone of Matamuhuri River. The area occupied 177.80 acres covering 18 percent of cultivated land. In comparison to 2000, the cultivated area dropped about 20.88 acres though it showed a growing amount of 102.43 acres from 1989. Dardari Para was measured 162.83 acres under tobacco cultivation occupying 17 percent of the cultivated land area and obtained the third position. This area displayed an ever-increasing trend of tobacco farming including 69.31 acres and 82.93 acres cultivated land in the year 2000 and 2012 respectively. Similar to Dardari Para, Noya Para and Police camp Para also presented consistently growing trends of tobacco cultivation. The lowest tobacco cultivation area was found in Muslim Para which was slightly static in comparison to the year 2000 (Figure 8). However, there was an overall growing trend in the total amount of tobacco cultivation in 2012.

(Source: Prepared from Landsat Imagery of 2012) Figure 6: Detection of Tobacco Cultivation Area in 2012.

Spatio-temporal changes of tobacco cultivation in Ruposhipara Union

The present research shows a critical finding made by overlaying three satellite images (Figure 7) of 23 years. This approach evidences the changes of the cultivation area under tobacco year to year.

Some areas have been changed drastically in recent years which has posed some serious effects on the environment, biodiversity, forest coverage as well as vegetation. The research found that total land under tobacco farming is 499.5108 acres (Figure 8) in 1989 which consists of 2.61% out of the total land area (according to the laboratory analysis total area of Ruposhipara Union is 19,162.94 acres). After 11 years, the area under tobacco cultivation went up to 1103.2273 acres which comprise 5.76% of the total land in 2000.

On the other hand, tobacco was being cultivated covering 974.28 acres of land (Figure 8) that was 5.08% of the total cultivable land of the study area in 2012. Although the primary stage of tobacco cultivation was found static in 1989, its highest expansion had been taken place in 2000. After that, in 2012, the tobacco cultivation has slightly declined (Figure 7). Within 11 years (between 1989 and 2000) more than 603.7165 acres of land has been added under tobacco farming in Ruposhipara Union. The increasing rate of tobacco cultivation in that period was 120.86%. However, between 1989 and 2012 the tobacco cultivated area has enlarged by 474.7692 acres which represents 95.05%

expansion of tobacco farming in 2012 compared to 1989. According to the farmers, the reasons behind such high intensity of tobacco farming were largely influenced by the support of tobacco companies. This means tobacco farming was expanded only when there has been more support from the tobacco companies for the farmers.

Figure 7: Chronological changes of Tobacco Cultivation Area Along 1989, 2000, and 2012.

(Source: Prepared from Landsat Imagery of 1989, 2000 and 2012)

(Source: Field Work, 2017) Figure 8: Fluctuation of tobacco cultivation in Bandarban (1989-2012).

There are four companies namely BATB, Dhaka Tobacco, Abul Khaiyer, and Sonali tobacco who support farmers for cultivating tobacco in Ruposhipara Union. They provide an advance loan or cash payment for cultivating tobacco and farmers get involved with this farming instead of doing another sort of agricultural practice like seasonal crops, winter vegetables, and paddy. As a result, the regular agricultural land is losing its fertility and resulted in the lowering of the total production of food.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Bangladesh has already been experiencing numerous environmental hazards, while tobacco cultivation is adding an extra burden with many detrimental effects on the environment. This research project was conducted to unveil the people’s perception of the resulted environmental impacts from tobacco farming and associated land-use change from this cultivation.

It was reported that soil fertility of the study area has been decreasing gradually due to the continuous tobacco husbandry. Many people have claimed that the increasing number of agrochemicals has spoiled the quality of soil and the most notable matter is tobacco plant requires much more pesticide, insecticides, and fertilisers than other crops. Consequently, after every 10-12 years, tobacco fields need to be relocated. Tobacco requires a huge amount of fertiliser and chemical inputs including Urea, TSP/DAP, pesticide/fungicide (such as Bovistin, Ridmil) etc. for good production. Massive repeated application of all these requirements in a single land has some daring impact on the environment (Ali et al., 2015). Moreover, the use of such a huge number of agrochemicals is polluting the nearby water bodies and already resulted in the loss of fish population in Matamuhuri River and Lama Khal. On the other hand, forests cover in the study area are declining significantly due to the excessive extraction of firewood for tobacco kiln. Bangladesh is in the third position in the world among the countries where tobacco-related deforestation occurs (Akhter, 2011). Additionally, hill cutting, another anti-environmental exertion was observed during the study. The local people have admitted the decline of faunal species and their population as the

forests and hills are being destructed for tobacco farming. In the past, monkeys and elephants were seen in that area but they become quite invisible nowadays.

The analysis of 23 years of satellite images revealed a gradual land cover change of the Ruposhipara Union under tobacco farming. The change detection of every area has evaluated and revealed how much area has been decreased or increased in Ruposhipara Union under Bandarban district. This research has found that total tobacco farming was 499.5108 acres in 1989 which consists of 2.61%

of the total land area. After 11 years this amount went up to 1103.2273 acres of land that comprises 5.76% of the total land in 2000. On the other hand, tobacco is cultivated on account of 974.28 acres which covered 5.08% of the total cultivable land of the Ruposhipara Union in 2012. Although the primary stage of tobacco cultivation was static in 1989, its highest expansion occurred rapidly in 2000.With slight regression in 2012, presently the expansion of the tobacco field is ongoing. To save the environment and agricultural lands there are no alternatives but prohibit farming immediately. To determine future policy, strategies and actions, the present research offers the following recommendations based on the findings.

 The study reveals that farmers are familiar with the harmful effects of tobacco farming.

They are motivated and financially supported by the companies during cultivation.

Therefore, financial support such as incentives, loans for other agricultural crops will discourage them from tobacco farming.

 The tobacco farmers are ensured to sell their crops with instant cash and profit which are not secured for other agricultural crops. It is one of the main reasons for tobacco farming.

To reduce or impede the tobacco cultivation, farmers should be encouraged with the security of selling and decent price of agricultural goods.

 It is urgent to aware of the farmers about the environmental loss of tobacco farming which cannot be replaced with the money. Further extensive research should be conducted to assess environmental damage profoundly and share knowledge with local people who are engaged with tobacco farming.

 Strict laws should be imposed to prevent deforestation and hill cutting.

 The farmers should be motivated regularly through the relevant organisations and other farmers who shifted from tobacco farming to agricultural crop production.

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by a project grant of Chittagong University. The authors are very thankful to all respondents. Special acknowledgement to Bebek Kanti Das for analysing the satellite images and map preparation.

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