The Sundarbans, a treasure trove of diverse flora and fauna, has always been a great place of interest for local and foreign tourists alike.
However, the number of tourists visiting the world’s largest mangrove forest is alarmingly decreasing due to a range of issues, of which the most pressing is the lack of infrastructure and facilities for tourists.
According to the Sundarbans authorities, a total of 116,560 local and 3,854 foreign tourists visited the forest in 2013-2014 fiscal year. But the number has drastically come down to only 9,186 local and 1,197 foreign tourists in 2014-2015.
With a view to boost tourist influx, the authorities in 2010 submitted four proposals worth Tk13 crore 61 lakh to the Ministry of Environment & Forests.
The projects aimed to establish four tourist centres at Karamjal, Harbaria, Chandpai and Shoronkhola. However, the project is yet to be approved even after long five years.
Despite the appeal of ecotourism, there is hardly any facility for tourists. Lack of modern ships, restaurants, resting areas, drinking water and English speaking experienced guides is a huge drawback for this major tourist destination.
The proposal that the Forest Department sent to the ministry suggested a number of actions. The five-year plan sought to build four tourists centres, breeding centres for crocodiles, deer, snakes and monkeys. It also mentioned to erect observation towers, 22 resting places, rest rooms, walking trails and display maps at various points for the tourists.
Another aspect of the proposal is the enhanced maintenance of the forest. It recommended to construct a jetty, establish solar panels, buy audio-video equipment, multimedia projector, tranquilising guns and build various vehicles.
Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury, a forest department official, said the project was yet to be approved by the ministry. However, work to build an observation tower and crocodile breeding farm was already underway in Karamjal.
He said tourists would flock to the forest if the facilities could be enhanced.
The Sundarbans, with an area of 4,143 square kilometre of forest and 1,874 square kilometre of water body, has about 450 rivers and canals, 343 plant species and 375 species of animals including the famed Royal Bengal Tiger.