Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences1028-88801812-5735Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/pjbs.2004.1322.1326MiahMd. YunusMannanM. A.MahmudK. G. Quddus M.A.M.BaidaT. 8200478This study was conducted during the period of May to December 2001 in four thanas under three southwestern districts of Bangladesh. In the present study structured interview schedule was used as data collection tool. In the surveyed area most of the farmers (45%) having above 4 acres of land and only 23% farmers had 2 acres of land. The major field crop of the study area was rice (aman/boro). Other crops like jute, sesame, groundnut, potato, mustard, vegetables (especially winter vegetables) were also grown in limited areas. About 41% farmers mentioned the salinity intrusion as a major barrier for crop cultivation and 23% farmers mentioned that the increase of salinity in river water is another major cause for salinity increase in cropland. Different farmers described the consequences of salinity in various dimensions, the major effect was the reduction in crop yield (34% farmers). The increasing trend of salinity in southwest region of Bangladesh is reducing the farmers` interest to cultivate various agricultural crops. In the study area, the fruit trees like mango, bettle nut, coconut, sapota, date palm, giant taro, jack fruit, black berry, wax jambu etc are disappearing gradually. The effect of salinity is not only functional on crops but its impact on environment is now well recognized. Declining tree species, reducing soil fertility, increasing disease and insect infestation in field crops, increasing human and animal diseases are the major impact of increasing salinity. Native fish species in open and fresh water bodies are also disappearing gradually.]]>Chowdhury, M.S.U.,1993pp: 38pp: 38Mollah, M.D.H., M. Akhtaruzzaman and S.M. Saheed,20012001Mazid, M.A.,19981998pp: 133-140pp: 133-140Habibullah, A.K.M.,1986pp: 66pp: 66