Dragonflies and damselflies play key roles in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. They are the indicators of different biotypes and habitats and have been used as tools to assess the biological health of aquatic habitats. They are also considered model organisms to assess the effects of global climate change.
In order to uphold the importance & conservation awareness of this insect, Jiban Bikash Karjocrom (JBK), a non-government organization (NGO) in association with Department of Forest (FD) and IUCN Bangladesh financial support for book publication, is going to hold country’s first book unveil and photography exhibitions program entitled of ‘Dragonflies & Damselflies of Bangladesh, inventory 1st phase – likely to be inaugurated at La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka on 5th August 5.00 pm 2016.
Mr. Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmed, Country Representative, IUCN Bangladesh has given his kind consent to be present in the inaugural session as the Chief Guest. Mr. Ashit Ranjan Paul, Conservator of Forests, Wildlife and Nature Conservation Circle, Department of Forest will grace the occasion as the Special Guest. Mr.Prof. Dr Abdul Jabber Howlader, Dean, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Jahangirnagar University also attend the occasion as Guest of Honor.
The inventory first phase spans from November 2013 to May 2016 and was covered 30 districts of Bangladesh [Bandarban (Lama, Sadar & Thanchi upazillas), Bhola, Bogra, Chandpur, Comilla, Cox’s Bazar, Dhaka, Gaibandha, Gazipur, Habigonj, Jessore, Joypurhat, Kishoreganj, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Laxmipur, Manikganj, Moulavibazar, Mymensingh, Narail, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Natore, Netrokona, Panchagarh, Rangamati, Rangpur, Sunamganj, Sylhet and Tangail].
The phase is very much imperative for us not only in terms conduct the baseline survey of large geo-locations of Bangladesh but also able to work on areas of dragonflies and damselflies biodiversity hot spot of Chittagong and Sylhet Divisions.
It is mentionable, the study also particularly covered Lawachara National Park, Satchari National Park, Razkandi Reserve Forest, Kaptai National Park, Himchari National Park, Bhawal National Park, Char Kukri Mukri Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhabkunda Eco Park and National Botanical Garden at Mirpur.
A total of 3, 00,972 images comprising 62 species under 9 families had been documented during the initial phase of this study. Among them 03 Aeshnidae, 03 Gomphidae, 33 Libellulidae, 03 Calopterygidae, 02 Chlorocyphidae, 11 Coenagrionidae, 03 Euphaeidae, 01 Lestidae and 03 Platycnemididae were documented.
So far 04 species (Rhyothemis triangularis Kirby, 1889; Tetrathemis platyptera Selys, 1878; Onychothemis testacea Laidlaw, 1902 and Dysphaea walli Fraser, 1927) was considered as country’s new records in this phase and definitely it was the most worthy outcome for odonata research in the country as a whole.
Each species along with its individual taxonomic information also included in this publication. Other important parameters like common name, physical description, habitat and ecology, flight seasons, abundance, country distribution, global IUCN-Red list status and geographic range in the book. The publication also featured with metrological data of the study areas during the inventory tenure.
The exhibition will continue till 5-13 August 2016, Monday to Thursday from 3.00- 9.00 pm and Friday and Saturday form 9 am -12 noon and 5 pm to 8 pm. Sunday is closed.
