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:

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:

1. Establishment of an Information and Education Centre in Khulna for both the international and domestic visitors to the SRF

2. Establishment of a Mangrove Interpretation and Visitor Centre in Karamjal, at the boundary of the SRF

3. Putting into practice the first Code of Ethics and Conduct for visitors to the Sundarban

4. Licensing of tour operators conducting eco-tourism operations in the Sundarban

5. Promotion and enforcement of the first Tour Operators Eco-tourism nature guidelines

6. Production of wildlife and eco-tourism videos for educational purposes, environmental awareness and promotion and marketing

7. Publication of a Sundarban wildlife photography book

8. Organisation of the first Sundarban international photography contest

9. Production of promotional material and sales promotion for education, environmental awareness and marketing of eco-tourism

10. Assistance to the eco-tourism industry in the opening of new Sundarban eco-tourism web pages

11. 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

12. Courses and workshops for the tourism industry, especially tour operators operating or planning to operate in the Sundarban

13. Specialised courses to the private tourism industry on topics like product development, tour guiding and opening of new markets

14. Public relations at international forums and exposure to specialised tourism trade shows

15. The organisation of familiarisation trips for specialised international tour operators and conservation agencies that conduct eco-tourism programs

16. Identification and promotion of local craft products from micro-enterprises of the impact zone

17. Organisation of an international eco-tourism conference on the Sundarban

18. Assistance to tour operators in technical matters, and in their cooperative promotion and marketing

19. Assistance and coordination of activities with the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation

20. Encouraging to increase the current boat carrying capacity in the Sundarban for low-impact river based eco-tourism

21. 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
[email protected] 

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.