0435-A2
Raihana Siddiqui 1
Eco-tourism is a new form of tourism that has developed very fast in the last 15 years. There are many forms of tourism recently developed, but eco-tourism has been found most popular and acceptable to many countries. This year has been declared as World International eco-tourism year
IUCN Eco-tourism as `Environmentally responsible travel to undisturbed natural areas to enjoy and appreciate nature that promotes conservation and provides benefit to the local community through active socio economic involvement.'
The international Eco-tourism Society (TIES) defined eco-tourism as `Responsible travel to nature areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well being of local people.' Now-a-days there are many other terms of eco-tourism are being used. Such as `soft tourism', `green tourism', `nature tourism', `low impact tourism' etc.
Mostly the tourist are holiday travelers and they go for different kinds of tourism such as Mountain tourism, Sea tourism, Riverine tourism, Skiing tourism, City tourism, Cultural tourism, Historical tourism, and Special interest tourism. Eco-tourism comes under special interest tourism who has nature base tourism. In Bangladesh Eco-tourism exist only in Sundarban in a limited scale. In Sundarban eco-tourism has been identified as a tool to promote conservation for environmental awareness and education and for the enjoyment of nature for both international and domestic visitors.
The Sundarban reserved forest (SRF) in Bangladesh is the single largest mangrove forest in the world. Sundarban is very famous for unique ecosystem, river networks, which is a landmark of ancient heritage of mythological historical events with magnificent scenic beauty and natural resources for its wide Biodiversity of mangrove flora and fauna both on land and water.
In 1999 UNESCO declared the wildlife sanctuaries of the Sundarban as World Heritage Sites in order to protect the unique natural resources, plants, animals and the existing ecosystem.
The main attractions of the Sundarban are wildlife enthausiasm. The opportunity to sail in the solitude of wilderness through its hundreds of channel, to learn more about the Royal Bengal Tiger and the possibility to view the majestic creature, to view the estuarine crocodile on the mudflat banks, a number of deer and to learn more about the mangrove forest. Tourists can visit different methods of fishing and specially appreciate otter fishing which is unique, Most important of all to be in Sundarban away from all location in the calm and wilderness area.
The development of eco-tourism in the Sundarban is one of the top priorities of the Forest Department It forms part of the existing Government national objectives concerning existing and proposed tourism policies in Bangladesh. The Eco-Tourism Development and Management Plan advises on legislation, tourism practices, structural changes, training and facilities requirements, environmental impact, and marketing and promotion strategies. It will contribute to the development of a healthy, responsible and sustainable type of eco-tourism for the benefit of all.
The Sundarban Forest covers 10,000 km2 of mangrove forest west of the main outflow of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Malancha rivers. Around 60 % of this area is part of Bangladesh territory and entirely gazetted Forest Reserve, which was a phased process starting in 1885. The remaining 40 % is part of India. Within the Sundarban Reserved Forest (SRF). 3 Wildlife Sanctuaries were established in 1974 under the Bangladesh Wildlife Act of the same year.
Around the Sundarban Reserved Forest the Sundarban Biodiversity Conservation Project has identified a so-called "Impact Zone" where most of the direct users of the forest are residing.
The Sundarban ecosystem is characterised by a very dynamic environment due to the effect of tide, flooding, salinity and cyclones. As a result several remarkable species are found such as estuarine crocodile (Crocodilus porosus), spotted deer (Axis axis), dolphins (Platanista gangetica, Orcaella brevirostris, Peponocephala electra, Neophocaena phocaenoides), marine turtles (Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas, Eretmochelys imbricata, Lepidochelys olivacea and Dermochelys coriacea) and, the flagship species, the Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris).
Eco-tourism is defined as `Environmentally responsible travel to undisturbed natural areas to enjoy and appreciate nature that promotes conservation and provides benefit to the local community through active socio economic involvement'.
The development of eco-tourism in the Sundarban is one of the top priorities of the Forest Department It forms part of the existing Government national objectives concerning existing and proposed tourism policies in Bangladesh. The Eco-Tourism Development and Management Plan advises on legislation, tourism practices, structural changes, training and facilities requirements, environmental impact, and marketing and promotion strategies. It will contribute to the development of a healthy, responsible and sustainable type of eco-tourism for the benefit of all.
The Sundarban has been considered as the largest mangrove forest in the world consisting of cluster of island having diverse and rich natural resource and intersected by a network of rivers and channels.
The Sundarbani is a very unique habitual and ecosystem that has been recognized globally for its importance in terms of Biodiversity and resources. The Sundarban support as wide range of important flora and fauna, both in quantity and diversity, some of which are endangered, both domestically and worldwide. Presence of the Royal Bengal Tiger, estuarine crocodile, a variety of dolphins, reptiles and a certain number of birds and highly endangered species has created lot of importance to eco-tourism in Sundarban.
Some of the important , unique features and positive factors that can benefit the development of the eco-tourism activities in Sundarban are summarized as follows:
The six distinct ares in the Sundarban including impact zone that offer the most potential for tourism, recreation and eco-tourism activities:
Katka-Kachikhali:
Katka-Kachikhali is very good image because of its beautiful khals, flore, fauna and proximity to the Bay of Bengal. This khals offers possibilities to see deer, monkeys, masked fin-foot, monitor lizard, snakes and chance to see a tiger crossing a khal. There is a beach and a observation tower on the open grass land where large number of deer can be seen and sometimes tiger can be found. This is the most hot spot of Sundarban.
Dubla Island:
It is the only permissible largest fishing center specially for dry fish for winter season. Every year in November in full moon Rash mela a religious festival takes place.
Nill Komol / Hiron Point:
It is another good potential area for tourists. Where the World Heritage Sites plague has been erected.
Mandarbaria:
It is situates in the south west side of the Sundarban and it is very isolated and quiet. Tourists like this place for exclusive wilderness.
Karamjal visitors and interpretation center:
It is the main entry gate to the Sundarban Reserved Forest where number of day visitors come. This should be developed as a visitor and interpretition center. Some wildlife has already been kept there in captivity, There is a mangrove arboratam in Karamjal.
Fluorescent plankton:
During the winter months quite often the river water in the sea face is found to glow at night, due to the pressure of millions of microorganisms. The entire atmosphere turns into a fairyland. Even the forests flanking the steams are illuminated by swarms of fireflies. The most attraction in the Sundarban is the cruising by boats in the canals in creeks to spot a tiger and to see the natural beauty of Sundarban Mangrove Forests.
Impact Zone Attraction:
In the Sundarban Royal Bengal Tiger is one of the star attractions and Bangladesh is one of the few countries where one can find them. Apart from the Royal Bengal Tiger, the Sundarban Forest the largest mangrove forest in the World has many other attractions and potentials.
In the Sundarban and other unspoiled natural attractions, Bangladesh has gold mines, but these are to be properly exploited to get the benefit. Ther has to be reason for tourists to choose to visit one destination rather than other. The attraction is usually a combination of natural and man made features. Bangladesh has a wealth of both.
1 Deputy Conservator of Forest
Forest Department
Ban Bhaban, Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212 Bangladesh