Sundarbans officials are investing over Tk25 crore to promote eco-friendly tourism in order to attract visitors to the world’s biggest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans.
Officials expect to finish the work on the current initiative to build four new tourist attractions by the end of this year, having accomplished around 30 percent of the work so far this year.
The forest department is developing the centers at Shekhertek and Kalabagi in the Khulna Range of the Sundarbans, Alibandha in the Sarankhola Range, and Andharmanik in the Chandpai Range, which are located in the western and eastern forest divisions of the Sundarbans, respectively.
According to authorities, there are presently seven tourist sites located inside the forest, which get around 200,000 visitors every year, with the number of visitors rising year after year.
It is planned to construct seven fiber body trawlers, three pontoons and gangways, three kilometers of RCC roads and six public restrooms, as well as watchtowers and foot rails to allow visitors to access the forest as part of the new project. The project is expected to be completed by 2020.
It also strives to contribute to the socio-economic development of the local community in order to minimize the society’s reliance on natural resources.
There are seven ecotourism locations in the Sundarbans, according to Khulna Forest Conservator Mihir Kumar Doe. “The government has taken some steps to develop eco-tourism in the Sundarbans in the future. “There are seven ecotourism sites in the Sundarbans (Karamjal, Harbaria, Katka, Kachikhali, Dublar Char, Hiron Point, and Kalagachhi).
Several locations are being enlarged, and four new eco-tourism facilities are being built as a result of this, according to him.
Mihir went on to say that Shekhertek, located in the Khulna Range, is home to an old temple. Many people are unable to get to the area despite their desire to do so due to a lack of infrastructure.
There are now plans in place to establish an eco-tourism facility in the area. In addition, a new eco-tourism complex is being built in Kalabagi, which is located in Dakop.
He went on to say that the project, which began in 2021, is expected to be finished this December.
The Sundarbans, which are located in Bangladesh’s southwest coastal area, are made up of around 200 river islands that are linked by almost 400 interconnecting tidal rivers, canals, and creeks.
According to Banglapedia, there are around 50 species of animals, 320 species of inland and migratory birds, 50 species of reptiles, eight species of amphibians, and 400 species of fish in the country’s natural environment.
