Tourists set to return to Sundarbans

On the verge of completing a somewhat opportunistic three-month ban on tourism in the Sundarbans, there is a growing buzz within the travel and tourism community over the opportunity to return to, or experience anew its unique wonder and tranquillity.

The Bangladesh portion of the world’s largest mangrove forest, also the country’s first World Heritage Site as designated by Unesco, is set to reopen for tourists from home and abroad on September 1.

Earlier, the Forest Department had imposed a three-month ban on tourists from June 1 to August 31 in the Sundarbans, to coincide with what is the peak breeding season for most animals in the forest.

It came on top of the various limits and restrictions that piled up over two years during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Forest Department was able to announce the tourism ban during the breeding season this year due to the already depressed state of the industry.

Now with the ban set to be lifted, to go with the world reverting fast to its pre-Covid state, prospective tourists from home and abroad are looking forward to the first tourist season in the Sundarbans, which usually lasts from October to February.

There is also what can only be described as the “Padma Bridge effect”. Tour operators have taken all-out steps to welcome visitors in large numbers, as they are expecting a high number of tourists due to the smooth communication on offer by road between capital Dhaka and the country’s south-west, where the Sundarbans sits, since the opening of the Padma Bridge.

Meanwhile, sources at the Forest Department are even keen to play up the apparent success of the 3-month tourism ban. They say the animals were able to move about freely during this period and safely engage in breeding.

Officials say the number of wild animals has increased while the animals like deer, monkeys, pigs, snakes, pythons and birds were seen roaming the forest fearlessly. The famous Royal Bengal Tigers were also heard roaring from deep inside the forest.

The unique ecosystem and rich biodiversity of the Sundarbans have always attracted tourists, especially the beautiful scenery of Karamjal, Harbaria, Kalagachia, Katka, Kachikhali, Dobeki and Heron Point areas.

While visiting the Sundarbans, travellers can easily go for a daylong tour of Karamjal, Harbaria and Kalagachia.

There are some 450 small- and big-sized rivers and canals inside the Sundarbans.

It is home to 334 species of trees, 165 species of moss, 13 varieties of orchids, and more than 375 species of wild animals.

The tiger is at the top of the food chain, and according to the last completed camera survey, there were 114 Royal Bengal Tigers in the Bangladesh part of the forest.