Govt withdraws ban on tourist launch movement in Sundarbans

The authorities lifted a ban on tour operation in the Sundarbans on Friday, a day after it was imposed.

The Inland Water Transport Authority took the decision at a joint meeting with the Tour Operator Association of Bangladesh and Tour Operator Association of Sundarbans (TOAS) on Thursday night.

The ban has been withdrawn on the condition that Covid health rules must be maintained and the number of tourists is limited, said Md Abdur Razzak, Deputy Director of Khulna River Port and Traffic Department.

“The 11 point government directive does not say anything about suspending water vehicles. We will operate launches and ships carrying a limited number of passengers,” said Moinul Islam Jomaddar, president of TOAS.

Nazmul Azam Devid, general secretary of TOAS, said the ban would have hurt the operators as most of them has taken advance booking till February.

After the decision was revised, the tour launches set for Friday started for the Sundarbans, he said.

Earlier on March 26, 2020, a restriction was imposed on a tour of the Sundarbans, which was later eased a bit on November 1 after the Covid-19 situation improved.

On April 3 last year, a ban again was imposed on tourists visiting the mangrove forest, which was later withdrawn on September 1.