We have bright future and prospects of eco-tourism development in Chittagong hill tract. Although, unknown too many prospective tourists across the globe, Chittagong hill tract geographical diversity provides it fairly rich in flora and fauna. There are many of identified plants and species of which sizable number are flowering plants over thousand birds, thousands of insects, hundreds of amphibians and reptiles, many worms and several hundred mammals found in Chittagong hill tract. The co-existence of man and nature can best be studied in Chittagong hill tract, which provides a great emotional and educational experience to the visitor. Bangladesh can also offer a variety of nature such as open-air jeeps, elephants, boats, bicycles, cycle rickshaws, from atop a machan or watch tower and of course, walking.
The study has found that Eco-tourism in Chittagong hill tracts suffers from a poor image; eco-tourism potential on the contrary is rated high. Now it is in a very early but promising at stage of development. Experts are unanimous that Bangladesh has great potentials for the development of tourism in general and eco-tourism in particular.
The Government of Bangladesh announced a National Tourism Policy in 1992. The policy acts as a guideline for the overall development of the tourism industry in the country. Public and private sectors could play their respective roles for its promotion, earning of foreign exchange and creation of job opportunities.
A strategic Master Plan has also been formulated by World Tourism Organization with the assistance of UNDP for integrated development of tourism in the country. Steps have been taken to develop tourism infrastructure in phases as per the recommendations of the Master Plan, which include creation of tourism facilities at various places. It is expected that the whole country will come under a tourism network. Therefore, both public and private sectors concerted efforts are necessary to development and utilization of the potentials of the industry.
Chittagong hill tract is known to all of the country that, it has bright future and prospect of eco-tourism development in Bangladesh. So if we develop the eco-tourism management plan properly by private public initiator in Chittagong hill tract, we can create the potential job opportunities and will be earn a huge foreign exchange.
People involved in Eco-Tourism
Humans are part of the eco systems that eco-tourism seeks to protect. Eco-tourism is not only a means for visitors, governments and scientists to conserve protector areas, but also recognizes that local communities are stakeholder in the eco-tourism process and its success and failure. Different group of people involved in Eco-tourism in Bangladesh to protect eco-system. They are:
Local inhabitants
Local inhabitants are the most important group to enhance the eco-tourism. Eco-tourism focuses on local cultures and wilderness adventures. Local cultural heritage is the primary attraction of the eco-tourism. Eco-tourism includes programs that minimize the adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. As a result, eco-tourism is an integral part for the local inhabitants to the creation of economic opportunities.
Hotels, Motels & their employee
Another group involved in eco-tourism activities is the owners of hotels, motels, resorts and privet guest house and their officers & workers. This group of people involved in the tourism industry need to make good relation with tourist for better impact. With a view to making the tourism industry more popular and viable co-operation and supports from all sides are necessary.
Tour operators
Various Govt. and private tour operators are actively involved to established eco-tourism in different spots in Bangladesh. BPC is one of them tour operator. Other privet tour operators are the Guide Tour Ltd. Unique Tour and Travel, Overseas Tour Operators, Airlines, Travel Agencies, Hotels and Motels etc. Bangladesh Tourist Corporation developed eco-tourism in the Sundarban, which is one of the top priorities of Forest Department and the SBCP (Sundarban Biodiversity Conservation Project).
Drivers and helpers of local buses and cars
Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well being of local people. It means that those who implement and participate in Eco-tourism activities. Therefore, drivers of local buses, cars are closely related with tourism and its development.
Artists: cultural and Drama etc
Many artists of cultural and drama organization have been involved in developing eco-tourism policies. Cultural conservatism and preservation are related to Eco-tourism, in which, people concerned and related with cultural and drama are activity perform their work so as to enhance attraction of tourists.
Local leaders, NGOs workers and Youth
They are supporting partners to eco-tourism and highly involve providing services to the local and foreign tourists.
Reporters of the newspapers and Electronic media
Reporters of the newspapers and Electronic media are working for environmental awareness and education of all stakeholders for the enjoyment of nature for international and domestic visitors.
Eco-tourism recognizes the idea of the local community’s involvement preservation of nature. Eco tourism has the potential not only provide quality employment, income generation and business opportunities for local people, but also to acts a catalyst for the preservation of natural environment and indigenous or tribal cultures. Though there are many problems remaining in eco-tourism in Chittagong hill tract, there are also remaining some possibilities of this sector.
Findings
Eco-Tourism means making as little environmental impact as possible and helping to sustain the indigenous populace, thereby encouraging the preservation of wild life and habitats when visiting a place. This is responsible form of tourism and tourism development, which encourages going back to natural products in every aspect of life. It is also the key to sustainable ecological development. In fact some national and international researcher and research organizations make examined Eco-Tourism from their point of views. The findings after this research are-
Problems loaded with managerial confinements lead to the distraction of tourist spots, Lack of communicable system, extensive effort from the governmental bodies as well as lack of secured investment by corporate tourist organizations results in the fragile tourist system,Presence of alienation between the tourist system and the local inhabitants puts the possibilities of vibrant tourist at stake.
Specific emphasizes on few familiar tourist spots with aggravated sense of artificial naturalness destroys the authenticity of nature and thus makes the ecosystem vulnerable,
Media related pieces of information often leads to the discouragement of the tourist.
Eco-tourism is becoming an increasingly popular expression of the awareness about environment. It is now one of the post popular concepts in the tourism industry, throughout the world in the environmental sectors. In fact, tourism is now the largest industry of the world.
It can be noted here that eco-tourism is a fastest growing segment. We need to take proper steps that may help to overcome or minimize the problems leading to growth and development of eco-tourism for betterment of the country. The recommendations are as follows:
(To be continued)
Generate greater awareness
It is necessary that we generate greater awareness among public authorities and the private sector regarding eco- tourisms capacity to contribute to the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage, which will affect tourists and help the improvement of standard of living of the people of those areas.
Disseminate eco- tourisms method
To protect eco-systems we should disseminate methods and techniques for the planning, management, regulation and monitoring of eco-tourism to guarantee its long-term sustainability.
Increase marketing opportunity
Our authority should increase opportunities for the efficient marketing and promotion of eco-tourism destinations and products on international markets.
Capture global tourism market
The aim of the eco-tourism development in our country should be capture a portion of the huge global tourism market by attracting visitors to natural beauty spots and using the revenues, to fund local conservation and fuel economic development.
Publish necessary handbooks
The authority should publish necessary hand books and related materials and distribute the same to the concerned following levels of people for their awareness and conscientization building without delay: i) local people and tribal and primitive or native inhabitant’s society. ii) National and international tourists. iii) Group of people involved in tourism industry.
Publicity about eco-tourism through media
Different information about eco-tourism should be arranged for publicizing in the daily news papers and broad casting the same through media like radio, T.V. etc for enhancing public awareness.
Education and training
Education and training are most important factors that enhancing the links between biodiversity conservation planning and tourism. Hotels, motels, restaurants and tour operators should be provided with various training programs among their staff at every level.
Development infrastructure facilities
The government of Bangladesh and the BPC need to understand that eco-tourism is an industry. It is the fastest growing industry in the world and would provide the country with big amount of foreign currencies. So, it needs a ground to create and develop eco-tourism, which is based on understanding the need of eco-tourism and create a safe and sanc environment. The tourist should be given easy and cheaper visa facilities, safe water, food and security, infrastructure comforts, emergency managements, availability of basic amenities and communication. Therefore, infrastructure development is most required element for expansion of eco-tourism facilities to the tourists. For a good infrastructure the role of airlines, good accommodation, recreation etc cannot be over emphasized.
Exhibitions
These may be arranged to project eco-tourism potentials of our country: to established linkage for the growth of inbound, to bring together travel related agencies, BPC, airlines, hotels, motels, tour operators, credit card companies, cargo and air express companies etc to facilitate exchange of information and ideas among the partners in travel trade.
Need investment by private entrepreneurs
To develop eco-tourism we need more investment by the private entrepreneurs. We expect that private entrepreneurs might come forward to invest in the tourism sector. However, private entrepreneurs have to be provided with necessary facilities and infrastructures and for that there is need of implementation of some develop projects.
Improve moral obligation
We should improve our moral obligations for loving the nature and be friendly environment. The interaction of tourism and biodiversity conservation should be known at different schools level along with technical, university, where tourism is taught.
Incentives offer by the Government
The Government should offer incentives and allot necessary land to encourage private entrepreneurs in establishing enough accommodation along with restaurant facilities in the tourist areas. The private sector will definitely need initial financial assistance from the govt. or some outside source.
Form Eco-Tourism Council
The Government of Bangladesh should form Eco-Tourism Council. It is essential to coordinate different ministerial function to promote eco-tourism in our country.
Expand National Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (NHTTI) activities
The activities of the National Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (NHTTI) should be expanded all over the country. The NHTTI will provide skill to concerned personnel through local and foreign training. Moreover, the training institution can also provide formal and informal training for youth workers, tourism industry workers, tourism guides, and transport workers in the tourism business.
Building positive image of Bangladesh Biman
Bangladesh Biman difficulties need to be overcome. We should ensure good quality of services, on board; ensure maintenance& entertainment on board etc. As a promotional measure airlines could offer cheaper tickets and packages for tourist. Obviously something can be done to promote the tourism of Bangladesh in collaboration with the hotel, airlines, and tour operators at international level. It is opined that Bangladesh whose image aboard is at lowest ebb as the poorest country in the world and prone to natural calamities like flood and cyclone. Bangladesh government need to take effort to dispel the image and depict that Bangladesh really is the country with unspoiled natural beauty and a charm that comes from friendly and hospitable people.
Organizing workshops and seminars
We need holding workshops, seminars and discussion with the people of different levels, irrespective of caste, creeds religion race and political affiliation to protect our nature.
Bangladesh has potentials for growth of eco-tourism. Its geographical location down the highest mountain peak- Everest has made our country a subject of interest of people in the world. With the ecological and environmental interests today, ecological themes and aspects are growing more and more popular in tourism. We have land mass is crossed by major rivers and natural lakes. The Mangrove forest- Sundarbans is a major object of interest for local and foreign tourists. Three hill districts are very interesting for local and foreign tourist. Eco-Tourism can change the unequal relationships of conventional tourism. So if we develop the eco-tourism management plan properly by private public initiator in Chittagong hill tract, we can create the potential job opportunities and will be earn a huge foreign exchange.
