Analyzing the contributing factors of timber demand in Bangladesh

This study investigates timber demand in Bangladesh. In evaluating timber demand, the significant contributing factors like forest land cover, frequency of furniture manufacturing, price of timber substitute, population growth and railway density have been examined. Panel data over a longer period for a developing country like Bangladesh were not easily available. The data sources were very sporadic for the study - there was no common data pool. A panel dataset over a 17-year period was simulated and analyzed for the study. Increase of railway density and population growth rate have been identified as factors having highest leverage on pulling up the demand for country's timber resources. Although social forestry programs are playing a positive role in timber supply, it cannot keep pace with the increasing demand for timber for a vast population of over 150 million. Social forestry programs should be strengthened further, and concurrently, population growth rate needs to be checked to bridge the gap between demand and supply of timber in Bangladesh. The study is expected to provide important policy recommendations to meet timber demand in the country. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.