The Delta Plan 2100' proposed ocean-based economic activities that could expand sustainable development of the country. There is also a huge potential for expending coastal eco-tourism- which could generate employment for coastal communities and for educated youths. However, tourisms in an eco-friendly way- addressing all security concerns are the main source of growth in tourism industries.
Bangladesh is a beautiful country; especially coastal regions are colourful with natural and cultural heritage. Coastal tourism means ocean-based recreational activities, such as hiking, sea bathing, swimming and cruising etc. Cruise Tourism is based on travelling by small cruise ships. For growth in this sector- there is a need to maintain a sustainable tourism business model and a tourism friendly environment.
'The Delta Plan 2100' recommended for conserving wetlands ecosystems, as well as developing ecotourism and marine cruises. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) is accountable for expanding tourism sector; providing service to local and foreign tourists and encouraging private tourist companies. Research could be done on 'International tourism market development' to increase employment.
The scope of tourism includes 'cultural, historic and natural resources'. 'Tourism' is a booming industry, can be domestic or international. Now-a-days, a number of private companies are active in this sector as huge number of domestic and foreign tourists' visit in Bangladesh. The total contribution of tourism to GDP was 4.4% in 2013. Educational, heritage tourism and business tourisms can bring many socio-cultural, environmental and economic benefits.
Bangladesh is a land of rivers with a coastline of 580 kms. The coastal regions have geographical diversity located from Cox's Bazar to the Sundarbans. Coastal tourist attractions include historical monuments, resorts, and beaches, forests, migratory birds and wildlife. Through maintaining a dynamic navigation, as well improving roads and rail-way, tourism industries could be expended.
The Chattogram on the north-east part of the Bay of Bengal is the principal maritime gateway to the country. The Patenga is a nice sea beach at the mouth of the Karnaphuli near port city of Chittagong. In port city, different patterns of natural maritime tourisms could be developed with proper plan.
The coastal regions of Cox's Bazar concentrate many tourists. The Cox's Bazar is the longest sandy sea beach and longest marine drive road of the world. There are hilly areas along the sea beaches. St Martin's Island is a small beautiful coral island- situated in south tip of Cox's Bazar. Coastal tourist attractions could be enhanced by the hospitality and beautifications of beaches.
It is proposed to lease 10kms of Cox's Bazar beach areas among tourist companies for developing light infrastructures and beautification. The management of St Martin's Island could be given to an authority- involving public and private stakeholders for maintaining its beauty and reducing pollutions. Entrance fee should be introduced beaches for increasing revenues.
In south-western part, the largest mangrove forest of the world, the Sundarbans is situated. This forest is densely covered by mangrove forests, and has enlisted as one of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Kotka sea-beach having main attractions of the Sundarbans: the Royal Bengal Tiger and deer.
Protection of deforestation, creation of new mangrove forests, wild life conservation could be enhanced by law and order, and motivational scheme. Deep forest in Sundarbans is needed to increase breeding ground of the Royal Bengal Tiger and deer. Protection of rivers from pollution is important for saving fishes and dolphins. All these will save the Sundarbans and will attract more tourists.
Kuakata is a sandy sea beach located in Potuakhali famous for enjoying sun rise and sun set. On the eastern end of the beach- there is an ever green forest. Kuakata beach and nearby deep sea Payra port based tourism will further expend with the development of roads and high ways.
There is a huge prospect for 'Coastal Tourism' based on 'artificial beautician of an islands and adjacent lands' at the river estuary. As a long term vision- 'coastal beautification project' based on coastal protection, reclaimed new lands with reservoir could be developed, as like the Marina Bay of Singapore. The Marina Bay is located in Singapore, was built on reclaimed land, onverting the basin into 'Marina Reservoir' with very nice out looks.
'A coastal beautification project' could be taken in many beautiful Islands: Sonadia, Cox's Bazar; Urir Char, Noakhali; Sonar Char, Patuakhali and Dublar Char, Khulna etc. However, in coastline under Noakhali district- the natural land formation are much active and those areas are best for beautification project based on 'reclaimed new lands and adjacent natural Islands'.
A beautiful small Island 'Swarna dweep' located near Hatiya, Noakhali- could be a Singapore of Bangladesh- as mentioned by the Honourable President of Bangladesh, M Abdul Hamid. This indicates that beautiful 'Swarna dweep' and other Islands in the Meghna estuary- could be utilized as 'paradise of the sea' and as an 'idol of land reclamation, beautification and tourisms project'.
A multi-purpose 'coastal beautification project' has been proposed within "Sandwip-Urir Char-Noakhali Cross Dam". The entire areas could be surrounding by cross dam. The beatification project activities including: reservoir construction by dam (artificial wall), land reclamations, navigation and culverts- roads in eastern side of the Meghna estuary. A distinctive image including hotels and mortals will be developed that will be a focal point for tourism.
The 'lower Meghna River' near Chandpur has potentiality to be enlisted, as one of the UNESCO World Heritage site. The river enters to the Bay of Bengal through four principal mouths- receives combined flow of the Padma and the Meghna- water discharge is the third highest of the world. The river is straight up to the' Bay of Bengal' and is so wide that banks are not seen. 'The Balu Char' known as "Mini Cox's Bazar" is a sandy island near to Chandpur Ghat.
One interesting beauty of 'the lower Meghan River near Chandpur' has drawn attraction of tourists. The lower Meghna receives flow of the Padma and the upper Meghna. When muddy water flow of the Padma come into contract with clear water flow of the Meghna- two streams don't mix up, proceed side by side- showing half of river flow as 'muddy' and other half as 'clear water. There is need to draw the attention of tourists in these places.
On the Meghan estuaries near Chandpur, high-low tides, river bank erosion/accretion is going on. So, bank protection, dredging, land reclamation, reservoir and beautification might be prioritized there. A master plan for creating 'distinctive image of the river bank'- could be built up that will become a focal point for tourism.
"Cultural Tourism" is expanding in recent years. Bangladesh is a country of diversified culture, enriched with glorious heritages- reflected in its 'music, architecture, painting, dance and literature'. 'The Baul songs' and 'traditional art of weaving Jamdani' has enshrined in list of Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
Visual arts and crafts of tribal people have attractions of tourists. With such assets, "Cultural Tourism" is important to tourisms of Bangladesh.
'Bangladesh Tourism Board' has been established involving public and private sectors to meet the demand of tourists and tourism professionals. The board could work actively with government to develop tourism industries through 'strategic planning, creating better communication channel, developing human resource, providing better tourism services and marketing techniques of private sectors' etc.
'The Delta Plan 2100' has proposed an integrated approach for booming tourists sector of Bangladesh. 'Coastal tourism' based large investment, beautification of tourist spots and tourist friendly environments could be built-up, involving public and private stakeholders and emphasizing infrastructure development and cultural tourism. In future, Bangladesh could be a major tourist attractive country and could earn huge foreign currencies.
The writer is Chief Scientific Officer, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur
