Tourists flock to Sundarbans as three-month ban ends
The Sundarbans is bustling with local and foreign tourists every day as visitors flock to various tourist spots after the world's largest mangrove forest reopened to the public on September 1, following a three-month tourism ban.
Visitors can now travel by launches, tour boats, trawlers and other vessels to Katka, Kachikhali, Harbaria, Hiron Point, Dublar Char, Neelkamal and other coastal and forest destinations.
The eastern part of the Sundarbans is witnessing a higher influx of tourists, with Kachikhali and Katka wildlife sanctuaries emerging as particularly popular destinations.
Fishermen, tour operators and launch and boat operators dependent on the forest have also resumed their activities in the Sundarbans.
More than 1,200 tourists visited the Sundarbans from September 1 to 4, with the number of tourist vessels carrying visitors to different spots increasing after the ban ended on August 31.
Earlier, the Forest Department imposed a ban on fishing in the rivers and canals of the Sundarbans and tourist movement from June 1 to facilitate breeding and conservation of 291 species of fish and 375 species of wild animals, including the Royal Bengal tiger and deer.
This year, for the first time, the government provided financial assistance to the affected fishermen.
Acting officer of Kachikhali Wildlife Sanctuary, Forester Dilip Majumder, told BSS that hundreds of tourists, including women and children, visited Kachikhali on Thursday and Friday despite rain and adverse weather.
Tourists usually visit Kachikhali before moving to Katka Wildlife Sanctuary. Parts of the area were inundated by tidal water amid the rough weather. Even so, tourists walked through the forest during high tide to enjoy its natural beauty.
Secretary of Tour Operators of Sundarbans (TOAS) Mazharul Islam Kochi told BSS that tour operators had received advance bookings even before the three-month restriction ended. Seven vessels carrying more than 300 tourists entered the Sundarbans on the first day after the ban was lifted, while another tourist vessel entered on Friday.
Over 1,200 tourists entered the various tourist spots till Friday, he said, adding that vessels were operating after considering prevailing weather conditions and ensuring navigational safety.
According to the Forest Department, around 53 percent of the Sundarbans has been designated as a wildlife sanctuary, where fishing and unrestricted movement are prohibited. Tourists are required to remain within designated tourist spots and approved routes.
The department said Boat Licence Certificates (BLCs) are being issued to 12,000 vessels in phases across four ranges under the eastern and western forest divisions.
Forest officials urge tourists not to carry out activities harmful to the environment and to dispose of plastic bottles, food packets and other waste in designated bins.
Talking to BSS, Divisional Forest Officer of the Sundarbans West Forest Division A Z M Hasanur Rahman said necessary pontoons had been repaired and tourist spots cleaned ahead of the reopening.
He said forest camps and stations had been instructed to remain vigilant to ensure the safety of tourists and fishermen.
Responsible behaviour by tourists, fishermen and forest-dependent people is an integral part of the efforts to protect the Sundarbans' biodiversity and wildlife, he added.
Acting officer of the Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Centre Hawladar Azad Kabir said several development projects were being implemented to improve tourism facilities. A one-kilometre foot trail, a suspension bridge and an RCC bridge have been constructed at Karamjal, allowing visitors to move more safely.
An information centre has also been established at Karamjal to provide tourists with information about the Sundarbans.
Divisional Forest Officer of the East Division Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said all necessary security measures had been taken to ensure the safety of tourists.
Md Saiful Islam, Director of Sundari Eco Resort, said an eco-village has been set up in Dhangmari, and they are working on developing community-based tourism.
"We have provided employment to hundreds of locals, and the local stakeholders are also being benefited through this," he said.
According to the Forest Division, at present, 114 Royal Bengal tigers, 375 species of wildlife, including around 200,000 deer, 334 species of plants including Sundari, 165 species of algae, 13 species of orchids, and 300 species of birds are found in the Sundarbans.