Eco Tourism
- Sundarban
Eco-tourism is a major component of the
Sundarban Biodiversity Conservation Project. It comprises a range of
integrated activities. These activities are part of the SBCP Sundarban
Eco-Tourism Development and Management Plan prepared last year and
presently being implemented.
The development of eco-tourism in the Sundarban is one of the top
priorities of the Forest Department and the SBCP. 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 Eco-tourism Plan consists of a range of activities that involve many
of the different components of the SBCP project.
These activities will ultimately
contribute to:
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The development and the improvement
of eco-tourism policies
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The practice of responsible
guidelines
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The compliance of new eco-tourism
regulations
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The development of well planned
limited infrastructure and facilities for visitors
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Capacity development and training of
the Park Rangers and other forest department officials
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The training and assistance of tour
operators in specialised topics
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The development, marketing,
promotion and positioning of the SRF as a new and alternative
world-class eco-tourism destination.
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Eco-tourism in the Sundarban already
exists on a limited basis. In the SBCP it has also been identified as a
tool to promote conservation, for environmental awareness and education
of all stakeholders and for the enjoyment of nature for both
international and domestic visitors.
Eco-tourism will provide an important alternative source of revenue for
the funding of Forest Department environmental and conservation
initiatives. It will generate funds for the protected areas as well as
the creation of new employment opportunities and local enterprises of
the surrounding communities in the impact zone.
Although generally it has been said that tourism in Bangladesh suffers
from a poor image, eco-tourism potential on the contrary is rated high.
Presently it is in a very early but promising stage of development.
Potential for eco-tourism in the Sundarban Reserved Forest (SRF) lies in
the fact that the total area is large and that its boundaries have been
fully protected by the Forest Department for many years; permanent
settlements of individuals and encroachments are not allowed in the
forest. This constitutes a solid base and a good starting point for good
planning, development and management of responsible eco-tourism in one
of the most interesting mangrove forest areas of the world, where the
wilderness value is pronounced.
The Sundarban hosts one of the most spectacular and strongest predators
of the world, the Royal Bengal Tiger. The probability to spot one of the
hundreds of them that roam the forest area is less than the probability
that the tiger detects you first, but the forest is full of pugmarks.
Many tigers have been spotted by visitors this year, perhaps a sign of
early population recuperation
 due to
recent conservation efforts by the Forest Department. It is estimated
that the Sundarban provides a habitat for more than 450 animal species:
40 mammal species including 5 species of whales and dolphins, more than
270 different species of birds, 45 species of reptiles, 120 species of
fish, including species of rare shark, and about 334 plant species; the
counting is still going on. The SBCP has detected early in the project
the reappearance of some species thought extinct or almost extinct and
is presently conducting a range of scientific studies on some of these
species and on other biodiversity subjects.
The main attractions of the Sundarban are for wildlife enthusiasts, the
opportunity to sail in the solitude of wilderness through its hundreds
of channels, to learn more about the tiger behaviour and the possibility
to view this majestic creature on a sand bank or crossing a river or
devouring its prey, to see an old Hindu temple in the middle of nowhere,
to view estuarine and marsh crocodiles under the stars, and to learn
more about the mangrove forest and its importance. Tourists can visit
the local communities of the SRF impact zone, and appreciate the
unimaginable methods of fish and shrimp harvesting and collection. Most
important of all is to be here, away from it all at the location of one
of the most spectacular natural phenomena of the world, the Bengal Delta
ending in the Indian Ocean.
The most important eco-tourism activities
planned for the SBCP are the following:
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Establishment of an Information and
Education Centre in Khulna for both the international and domestic
visitors to the SRF
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Establishment of a Mangrove
Interpretation and Visitor Centre in Karamjal, at the boundary of the
SRF
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Putting into practice the first Code of
Ethics and Conduct for visitors to the Sundarban
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Licensing of tour operators conducting
eco-tourism operations in the Sundarban
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Promotion and enforcement of the first
Tour Operators Eco-tourism nature guidelines
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Production of wildlife and eco-tourism
videos for educational purposes, environmental awareness and promotion
and marketing
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Publication of a Sundarban wildlife
photography book
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Organisation of the first
Sundarban international photography contest
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Production of promotional material and
sales promotion for education, environmental awareness and marketing
of eco-tourism
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Assistance to the eco-tourism industry
in the opening of new Sundarban eco-tourism web pages
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In-house specialised training for the
Forest Department personnel, in particular information officers, Park
Rangers and front line staff at management and operations levels
dealing directly with the public
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Courses and workshops for the tourism
industry, especially tour operators operating or planning to operate
in the Sundarban
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Specialised courses to the private
tourism industry on topics like product development, tour guiding and
opening of new markets
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Public relations at international forums
and exposure to specialised tourism trade shows
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The organisation of familiarisation
trips for specialised international tour operators and conservation
agencies that conduct eco-tourism programs
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Identification and promotion of local
craft products from micro-enterprises of the impact zone
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Organisation of an international
eco-tourism conference on the Sundarban
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Assistance to tour operators in
technical matters, and in their cooperative promotion and marketing
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Assistance and coordination of
activities with the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation
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Encouraging to increase the current boat
carrying capacity in the Sundarban for low-impact river based
eco-tourism
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Under certain guidelines, promotion of
the use of certain types of small boats restricted to certain channels
to enhance the quality of the total eco-tourism product and the total
travel experience
The Eco-tourism Component wishes to thank
all the people that are currently working in association with the SBCP
and would like to invite domestic and international organisations to
contribute with ideas and proposals. For this purpose any interested
party is welcome to submit an inquiry directly to
Luis G Chaves,
Eco-tourism Specialist
lchaves@bangla.net
Eco-tourism requires the active participation and feedback of all its
stakeholders at all stages of development and the Sundarban Reserve
Forest belongs to all of us.
For visitors, officials, planners,
developers or managers, preserving the SRF for future generations is
your responsibility. |
