The number of tourists in Sundarbans Karamjal has increased amid three consecutive days of holiday including weekly and Christmas holidays.
Forest guards are struggling to cope with the rush of tourists since Saturday.
Shahinur Akhter, a school teacher who came from Dhaka to Karamjal, said: “Since the Padma Bridge has been opened, we have rushed to visit the Sundarbans as a family in just three hours from Dhaka. Many have come here like us.”
Howladar Azad Kabir, officer-in-charge of Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Centre, said: “On the first day of the holiday, about 2,000 tourists came here on Friday. Many VIPs are also coming.”
He added: “These three days of holiday would generate significant revenue.”
Tour operators Sohag Mollah, Zahid Mollah and Ali Akbar said that at least 100 trawlers and launches have entered the Sundarbans since Friday morning, the first day of the three-day holiday. About 2,000 tourists have travelled on these boats.
Mihir Kumar, conservator of forest (CF) of Khulna Circle, said: “In addition to Karamjal in Sundarbans, tourist traffic has increased in Hiron Point, Herbaria, Katka, Kachikhali, Kalagachi and Dobeki tourist spots. Most tourists are in Karamjal.”
He added: “Number of tourists increase during winter as there are more holidays. The forest department has undertaken various developmental projects to provide more facilities to the visiting tourists.”
