The Sundarbans, largest mangrove forest in the world. Photo: BSS

KHULNA, Jan 24, 2025 (BSS)- Sustainable tourism not only supports conservation efforts and promotes environmental awareness but also creates employment opportunities, facilitates cultural exchange and enhances food security for the local communities.

Besides, eco tourism promotes traditional knowledge and practices related to the Sundarbans ecosystem. This helps preserve the cultural heritage of local communities and fosters pride in their unique way of life.

Prof Anwarul Kadir, Executive Director of Sundarbans Academy, said ecotourism in the Sundarbans has been recognized as a valuable tool for promoting environmental conservation and benefiting local communities.

The Sundarbans, largest mangrove forest in the world, covering 6,017 square kilometers of mangrove forest, is home to a wide range of important flora and fauna, including endangered species such as the Royal Bengal Tiger and estuarine crocodiles.

Prof Kadir mentioned Sundarban eco tourism development and management plans have been put in place to ensure that tourism practices are environmentally responsible and contribute to the well-being of the local people. 

Sundarbans is a very unique habitat and ecosystem that has been recognized globally for its importance in terms of biodiversity and resources serving as a nursery ground for numerous fish and crustacean species.

It can be defined on a map as the districts of Satkhira, Khulna, and Bagerhat. Hence, the forest is crucial to support the livelihood of the coastal communities.

Prof Abdullah Harun Chowdhury of the Environmental Science Discipline at Khulna University told BSS that the Sundarbans area is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including critically endangered species.

Around 35 lakh people live in the coastal region and make a living from forestry, fishing, shrimp production and agriculture. For them, protection of the mangrove forests and the ecologically sensitive embankment area is a matter of life and death.

However, the Sundarbans is under severe pressure and its protective function is rapidly being undermined by poaching, illegal logging and other means of unsustainable resource extraction.

Climate change and sea level rise have negative impacts as well: high tides are penetrating further inland each year, causing top-dying of the Sundari trees which are said to be intolerant to increased salinity

Prof Harun Chowdhury said ecotourism generates revenue used for park maintenance, wildlife protection, and conservation initiatives. This helps preserve the delicate balance of the Sundarbans ecosystem.

The forest department has already opened three more eco-tourism centres and another is going to be launched in the Sundarbans to manage the rising number of tourists.
 
Talking to BSS, Mihir Kumar Doe, Conservator of Forests in Khulna, said Sundarbans is seeing a sharp rise in number of tourists, prompting the authorities to set up more four eco-tourism centres in Alibanda, Andamanik, Shekhertek and Kalabagi.
 
There are already seven eco-tourism centres at Karamjal, Herbaria, Kalagachia, Katka, Kochikhali, Dubla char and Heron Point area for tourists.

Katka is an eye-catching and quiet island located in the north-west part of Sundarbans. It is an excellent and favourable spot, where visitors can enjoy bird watching, wildlife especially Royal Bengal Tiger and deer, roaming around by country boat through small creeks and canals and also by walking through the forest.

Likewise, Kachikhali is a roaming and breeding ground for the Royal Bengal Tiger and is also known as "Tiger Point". 

Besides, Nilkamal is a beautiful place along the Bay of Bengal. The World Heritage plaque was unveiled at Hiron Point of Nilkamal. Thousands of spotted deer, birds and sometimes a Royal Bengal Tiger can be seen from the tower.

The combined beauty of sea and green mangroves of Nilkamal must attract visitors from the watchtower of Keora Suthi, another attractive spot there. 

Apart from this, Dublar Char is an island famous for drying fish during the month of November-February in the winter season. Visitors come here to see the life of fishermen and their unique fish drying. These dry fish or 'sutki' is exported to domestic and foreign markets as a delicacy.

The authorities have erected watchtowers, hanging bridges, full trails for walking, round room for sitting and pontoons for getting on and off waterways and rest houses in different places.
 
Tourists normally visit the three centres in Karamjal, Herbaria and Kalagachia with a fixed entry fee and they return within the day.
 
On an average, more than one lakh local and foreign tourists visit the Sundarbans every year, bringing revenue more than Taka 1 crore.

Sundarbans directly and indirectly support the livelihood of more than 30 lakh people as this mangrove forest protects coastal people from cyclones and floods as a shield. 

A feasibility study is also being conducted to build a world-class tourism facility near Sundarbans, keeping its ecosystem intact to make the mangrove forest as one of the attractive tourist destinations.

Implementation of ecotourism in the Sundarbans has demonstrated significant potential in benefiting both the environment and local communities. 

By adhering to environmentally responsible travel practices and promoting the unique features of the area, Sundarban eco tourism has contributed to the preservation of the Sundarbans' natural beauty and biodiversity.