Promoting ecotourism in Bangladesh

 

Ecotourism industry is a dynamic sector to develop economic growth all over the world including Bangladesh.  It indicates sustainable tourism, focused on learning and conserving about nature. Nature provides lot of attractions for tourists. It is an important factor for the development of any country. Bangladesh is a land of natural wonders and beauties for rising ecotourism. As per The International Ecotourism Society defined Ecotourism as "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.  Education is meant to be inclusive of both staff and guests."

The tourism industry involves a wide range of business, government agencies and private organizations. Tourism activities only focused on making profits but not concern about nature enough. Ecotourism considers about social economic and environmental aspects. It is the meld of two concepts "Ecology" and "Tourism". It deals with environmental conservation and responsible travel to create economic opportunities for the local communities.

In modern approach, ecotourism started in the early 1980s. But it was finally focused in 2002 when the United Nations declared it as "International year of Eco-tourism". According to the International Ecotourism Society (TIES), 80 per cent of developing countries rely on ecotourism revenue while others, such as Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nepal, Kenya, Madagascar and Antarctica also rely on ecotourism revenue as the major contributory factor in their gross domestic product (GDP) and employment level calculations.

Generally ecotourism is an ideal indicator to minimize the socio-economic and environmental impacts. It works as a substitute to mass tourism, which is more applicable for the conservation of biodiversity and economic development. It also helps to create jobs as well as to minimize the harmful impacts on the environment by engaging local people.

Ecotourism is the driving force to ensure the viability of economy, sensibility of ecology, appropriateness of tradition and culture. In Southeast Asia, government and nongovernmental organizations are working together to spread the economic benefits of ecotourism. India, Bhutan, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia are full of amazing ecotourism destination.

Ecotourism has the golden opportunity to contribute to our national economy, except to the eastern hilly region almost all over the country lies in the active delta part. Naturally, Bangladesh is covered by mangrove forest, wetlands, rivers, hills, wild lives, tea gardens, beaches, green forests and also by archaeological and cultural heritage. Therefore, ecotourism can be categorized in two parts on the basis of nature and culture.

The Sundarbans mangrove forest is one of the largest mangrove forests in the world. In 1987 UNESCO declared the wildlife sanctuaries of the Sundarbans as World Heritage Site in the world. Sundarbans has the unique natural characteristics with its aesthetic beauty. Thus it has vast possibility for ecotourism to protect the mangrove forest. The Chattogram hill tracts, the only extensive hilly region in Bangladesh, covered with three districts as Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachari. About half a million tribal people live in hill tracts area with their own culture. Ecotourism can also be based on tradition, culture and ethnicity.

Cox's Bazar is the longest sea beach in the world and has huge possibility for rising ecotourism industry. Saint Martin's Island is the most important place for development and promotion of ecotourism. Tea plantation in greater Sylhet division is close to the Meghalaya state of India. Green forests, haors, rivers are consist of wild lives and biodiversity. Ecotourism activities will be recognised all over the country, which has natural significant value. The ancient civilizations like Paharpur, Gobinda Temple, Mahathasthangarh, Lalbag fort etc also have potentials for ecotourism industry.

Ecotourism is about responsible travel to natural areas that promote conservation, bring harmony among communities, and sustains well being of local people (TIES, 2015).

People who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should adopt the following ecotourism principles:

*    Minimize physical, social, behavioural, and psychological impacts;
*    Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect;
*    Provide positive experiences for both visitors and local people;
*    Provide direct financial benefits for environmental conservation;
*    Generate financial benefits for both local people and private industry;
*    Deliver memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climates;
*    Design, construct and operate low-impact facilities.
Bangladesh government took some initiatives.

In 1992 government has enacted the National Environmental Policy (NEP) for the protection and sustainable management of the environment. In 1995, Environment Conservation Act was enacted to fulfil their major objectives as conservation, improvement of environmental standards, control and mitigation of the environmental pollution. Therefore to protect the environment and biodiversity, Bangladesh government should proceed for ecotourism development.

To develop tourism industry, Government has been implementing the "National Tourism Policy" in 2010, which is a part of sustainable tourism. Through this policy Bangladesh may improve in national and international economic level.

Ecotourism often remains in the backseat because for several reasons. Lack of proper accommodation, policy making, transportation facilities, knowledge and training about ecotourism are extremely responsible for environmental degradation. Moreover, climate change is one of the significant issues. From that purposes, social and cultural phenomenon of the local communities are obstructed. Threatened should be tackled by preserving natural resources and biodiversity of the environment. Adequate knowledge and proper initiatives can make sure to promote ecotourism industry.

Ecotourism experts observed that Bangladesh has enormous scope to contribute in the international market through exploring ecotourism industry.

Shah Israt Azmery is an MPhil fellow of Dhaka University