—

As a protected forest area, eco-tourism should be given the most importance for sustainable tourism industry in Sundarbans. For this purpose, everyone involved in this sector should come forward. And it can be implemented through an integrated initiative. Speakers said these things at a workshop aimed at formulating a master plan for eco-tourism in the Sundarbans yesterday. Mihir Kumar Do, forest conservator of Khulna area, was the chief guest at the workshop organized by the Sundarbans West Forest Division and in collaboration with USAID. Under the chairmanship of Dr. Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain, DFO of Sundarban West Forest Division, Prof. Dr. AK Fazlul Haque, Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Khulna University, Deputy Chief of Party of USAID’s Eco-Tourism Activity, Prof. Dr. Wasiul Islam, Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation spoke on the occasion. Department DFO Nirmal Kumar Pal, Khulna Journalists Union President Farooq Ahmed, Researcher and Journalist Gaurang Nandi, Tour Operators Association of Sundarbans General Secretary Nazmul Alam David and representatives of various organizations participated in the workshop.
Speakers at the workshop said that tourist spots should be increased to reduce the boredom of tourists. Also, the use of non-engined boats should be increased to reduce loud noise in public vehicles and to enter small canals. Also, in the implementation of eco-tourism, the people who depend on the Sundarbans should be given job opportunities in tourism companies. Arrangements should be made to attract tourists by setting up eco villages at various places adjacent to the Sundarbans. It should be noted that with the suggestions from these workshops, a 20-year eco-tourism master plan will be developed under the initiative of the forest department.