A large number of tourists are visiting the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world, braving the winter weather coupled with dense fog sweeping the region over the last couple of days.
Tourists from home and abroad are enjoying the scenic beauty of different parts of the forest, traveling aboard trawlers and launches amid a festive mood.
On the two-day weekend, Friday and Saturday, huge numbers of tourists were seen at Karamjal, one of the main tourist spots.
Speaking to media at the Karamjal tourist spot on Sunday, Ranjan Majumder, a private university student, said his experience was very enjoyable.
He said that no one can truly appreciate the natural beauty of the Sundarbans by merely reading about it in books.
He further said that there is much to learn from the forest, including its diversity.
Shawkat Chowdhury from Narayanganj, visiting the forest for the first time, expressed his delight at the lush beauty, saying he thoroughly enjoyed the experience despite the cold weather.
Hawlader Azad Kabir, officer-in-charge of the Karamjal Tourist and Wildlife Breeding Centre, said a significant number of tourists are visiting every day, particularly on weekends, despite the winter weather.
The increasing number of visitors is boosting revenue, he added.
Azad Kabir noted that foreign tourists are also contributing to the enthusiasm, with 16 tourists from England and Russia visiting on Saturday.
Earlier, on Wednesday, the first day of the New Year, 38 foreign tourists from eight countries toured the forest.
He predicted that this trend would continue until February.
Speaking to media, Mihir Kumar Doe, conservator of Forests in Khulna, said that they have already opened three additional eco-tourism centres, with another one set to launch in the Sundarbans to accommodate the growing number of tourists.
The Sundarbans is experiencing a sharp rise in tourist numbers, prompting the authorities to establish four more eco-tourism centres at Alibanda, Andamanik, Shekhertek, and Kalabagi.
Currently, there are seven eco-tourism centres at Karamjal, Herbaria, Kalagachia, Katka, Kochikhali, Dubla Char, and the Heron Point area for tourists.
The authorities have constructed watchtowers, hanging bridges, full walking trails, round rooms for seating, pontoons for boarding and alighting from waterways, and rest houses at various locations.
Tourists typically visit the three main centres at Karamjal, Herbaria, and Kalagachia with a fixed entry fee and return within the day.
On average, more than one lakh local and foreign tourists visit the Sundarbans every year, generating revenue exceeding Tk1 crore.
The Sundarbans directly and indirectly support the livelihoods of over 1 million people, acting as a shield to protect coastal communities from cyclones and floods.
A feasibility study is also underway to develop a world-class tourism facility near the Sundarbans while preserving its ecosystem, aiming to make the mangrove forest one of the most attractive tourist destinations.
