CHAPTER ONE
Introduction:
1. 1. General Information:
Bangladesh is a developing country in south Asia located between 20º34’ to 26º38’ north latitude and 88 º 01׳ to 90 º 42׳ east longitudes, with the area of 147,570 square km and with the border on the west, north and east with India, on the southeast with Myanmar, and the Bay of Bengal is to the south (State of Environment, 2004). There is a large marshy jungle coastline on the bay of bangle and popularly known as Sundarban, Sundarban is one of the largest mangrove forests in the world and this forest is the home of Royal Bengal Tiger. Bangladesh located in the Ganges Delta, that is largest delta is formed by confluence of the Ganges (Padma), Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers. On the south is a highly irregular deltaic coastline of about 600 km., fissured by many rivers and streams flowing into Bay of Bengal (BPC, undated).
As a destination for eco-tourism, Bangladesh is truly hard to beat. For thins country there is definitely a lot to see, enjoy and do here. Its tropical beach resorts on the Bay of Bengal should be a paradise for the sun vacationers. But the main attraction of Bangladesh should be its opportunities for eco-tourism with its variety of animals, birds, forests, hills and hillocks and aquatic life. There are many place in Bangladesh located in the various districts which are prospectus for establishing ecotourism site (Bngladesh Parjatan Corporation, undated).
From the ancient history of civilization tourism developed to become one of worlds most important industrial sectors, growing twice as fast as the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) for the last 30 years. Europe is the most important region for tourism in the world, attracting all most 60% of the international tourist arrivals and 53% of tourism revenues. For the European Union overall tourism is currently generating 5.56% of GDP and 6.5% of employment, while abstracting 75% of the European tourism revenues and 39% of the world’s amount. At the country level it has been greater economical significance by generating in 199, 7.9% of France’s GDP and 7% of Greece’s (WTO, 2001).
Bangladesh is a land of rivers, wetlands known as haors, hills, forests, mangrove, sandy beaches, and the diversified cultures of the Bangali people and its numerous communities. For development and proper management of these attractive place and collect sufficient revenue, in the 1994 Bangladesh Forest Policy placed great emphasis on eco-tourism. Eco-tourism is a new concept and pattern of tourism that has developed very fast in the last 15 years. This new idea is driven force to protect and conserve the areas which are in front of destroying. Recently, many forms of tourism developed, but eco-tourism has been found most popular and acceptable to many countries. The international Eco-tourism Society (TIES) defined eco-tourism as `Responsible travel to nature areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well being of local people.' Now-a-days there are many other terms of eco-tourism are being used. Such as `soft tourism', `green tourism', `nature tourism', `low impact tourism' etc (Bngladesh Parjatan Corporation, undated).
Recently, Bangladesh Government has taken initiative to establish ecotourism spot at different places of the country. Various tourism facilities have been developed in many of the potential tourism areas by the Bangladesh Parjatan (Tourism) Corporation and other government, semi-government and non-government agencies. The Government of Bangladesh formulated a National Tourism Policy in February 1992.
In 2004, Bangladesh earns about $67 million as foreign exchange earnings from tourists, which is 1.4% of what India earned; it is 14%, 26%, 9% and 8% of what Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Srilanka earn respectively in that year(WTO, 2005). So that it is clearly shows that Bangladesh remains far behind neighboring countries, although it formulated a National Tourism Policy in 1992. The country’s 1999 Industrial Policy identified tourism as a thrust sector. Tourism sector is one of the most employment houses for the people, and it can provide a lot of employment opportunity for educated and uneducated people.
Now in our country about 150 private tour operators and 78 of them formed an association called TOAB (Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh) in 1992. These private organizations provide various facility and guideline for tourist. Some Bangladeshi tour operator works abroad and some foreign tour operators work in Bangladesh. (Source: FORUM, a monthly publication of The Daily Star, volume 2, issue 9, November 2007).
Recently, Bangladesh Government has taken initiative to establish ecoparks at different places of the country. The first ecopark has been inaugurated at Chandranath Hill and surrounding areas, located in Sitakunda upazila of Chittagong.
Another Ecopark going to be established in Sherpur District under Mymensing Forest Division. Ranger, Md. Wadud Bhuya, Mymenshing Forest Division stated that, this project was initiated in 1999-2000 and is expected to be completed by the year 2004. In Nalitabari Upozila, Sherpur District, Dhaka Division, an ecopark going to be established named “Modhutila Eco-Park”, start in 1999, under the project of LGED. About 100-120 years ago this park area was covered by sal tree, called “Garo Pahar”. In the year 1950-57, these area became totally barren, due to the over exploitation, wrong management and unstable political situation. Within 30 years these area became unproductive and captured by local people. After 1985, social forestry program start and in 1995 participant got their percentage. Then they are not interested in social forestry, noted that social forestry project is enable to fulfill the demand of local people. In the year 1998, Parliament Member Begum Motia Choudhuri (Minister, Ministry of Agriculture) first thinks to start a park in the target area.
Beat officer, Md. Azad Kabir, Mymenshing Forest Division stated that, the construction of Modhutila Ecopark is not finished, but by this time it became very much popular within the districts and also all over the country. Now this park is one of the most attractive tourist spots in Mymensing region. It's about 25 km far from Sherpur town and takes one hour drive to reach there. Modhutila Ecopark is also a scenic spot nearby amidst tea gardens and rate beauty of small hill, locally called “Tilla”. Due to the availability of this attractive natural feature many tourists visit the area everyday. The local people are dependent on this spot in many ways for their livelihood. Different tourism related business has been developed to provide the local people with their earning sources.
My study focuses on how this park play role to develop the socioeconomic condition of local people living near the area, and find out the various problem of the park. I think this study will help the sustainable tourism management of Sherpur region by creating awareness among the administrative bodies as well as the people in general.
1. 2. Objectives of the Study:
Objectives of my study are as follows:
1. To assess the tourism potentials of Modhutila Eco Park.
2. To assess the impacts of EcoPark in local people.
3. To identify the major problems of Modhutila EcoPark.
1. 3. Limitation of the Study:
This study tried to find out the various positive impacts on surrounding community, development of the socioeconomic condition & the various problems of park management. To fulfill this objectives sufficient secondary data to materialized validity of collected primary data. Need sufficient efforts to make the study as reliable as possible. But I faced some problem during study work. These are as follows:
1. Insufficient secondary data & information about park.
2. No previous study on the projected area.
3. There is a huge gap of visitor monitoring system.
4. Sometimes respondents were biased.
1.4. General Description of Project Area:
Sherpur is border line area located in northern part of Bangladesh in Dhaka division, at distance of approximately 200 km from capital. Nalitabari is one Upazila of five. Nalitabari upazila located at 25°05′00″N 31°30′12″E to 25.0833°N 31.5033°E . It has 42698 units of house hold and total area 327.61 km² (Banglapedia, undated, BBS, undated).
As of the 1991 Bangladesh census, Nalitabari has a population of 226332. Males constitute are 50.75% of the population, and females 49.25%. This Upazila's eighteen up population is 103043. Nalitabari has an average literacy rate of 19.5% (7+ years), and the national average of 32.4% literate (Banglapedia). The annual population growth rate of Nalitabari Upazila is estimated to be 2.85% (www.in2bangla.com, undated). Apart from tourism and wildlife, the district also contributes to the national economy through agriculture, livestock, forestry, day labor etc. All these activities are heavily dependent on this park area. In order to protect the park, development and human activity as well as the land resources within the Park must be managed in a way that ensures sustainability and minimizes adverse impacts on the area. Ecotourism where local residents are involved in and gain economic returns from conservation efforts offers crucial link in environmental management.
The area has a tropical maritime climate and the rainfall concentrated during the monsoon period from june to septembre. There are generally four to five months of dry period. The relative humidity is about, 68-75%. This area located with Indian border, for that it has a hot, wet and humid tropical climate, annual average highest temperatures of 23°C (Aug-Oct) and average lowest temperature of 10°C (Jan). Nearly 65% of the annual average rainfall of 2,928 mm occurs between May and September (IUCN, 2005).
Picture-1: Lake of Modhutila Ecopark.
Picture 2: Road inside the park Picture 3: Teak plantation
1.4.1. Pictures of Modhutila Ecopark
1.4.2. Map of Nalitabari Upazila Showing Project Area
1.4.3. Essential Information about Modhutila Ecopark:
History of Park:
Modhutila Ecopark located in two villages Shomchura and Dhupakura with Indian border. Construction of this Ecopark start in 1999 under a project of LGED with an area of 384 acre, among this area 210 acre is the property of Forest department and rest area is the property of DC office.
In 2003, to complete the construction of park, two phases was made, first phase-2004-2005, second phase, 2005-june, and 2009. Until construction of various structures, like lake, stair, flower garden, mini zoo and sanitation facility are not finished. Before establishment of park, about 80 families live inside the park now they are shifted to another Forest Department land. Each family got 5000 BDT and equal land. Now they are involve in the construction work of Park.
Vegetation: Once upon a time this area was covered with Sal forest, they are totally disappeared. But after establishment of park, various trees are planted for different purpose. Trees are planted in different section; specific species are planted in each section. These are shown in table:
Table 1.1: Species composition of the Park
| Type of garden | Tree species | Area (hector) | Plantation year |
| Medicinal plant garden | Amloki, Haritoki, Bohera, Arjun, Nim, | 15 | 2005 |
| Woodlot | Teak, Sal, Mahagoni, Acacia. | 20 | 2001-2004 |
| Fodder | Jack Fruit, Ipil Ipil, And Local Species. | 8 | 2004-2005 |
| Beautification garden | Bokul, Mohua, Devdaru, Thuja, Jhau, Krishnochura, | Over the park | 2002- |
| Rare species garden | Garjan, Chikrashi, Chapalish, Lombu, Nageshawr, Pitraj, Bokul, Holud, Tun, Khoer, Kadam, Gamari. | 10 | 2006-2007 |
(Source: Ranger, Md. Uadud Bhuya, Mymenshing Forest Division)
1.5. Causes of Establish an Ecopark in this Area:
• Increased tourism revenue for the local community and diversification of the tourism base;
• Reduced pressure on natural resources as a result of anthropogenic pressures associated with mass tourism;
• Increased community participation and involvement in tourism and conservation;
• Promotion of nature business plans that support development of tourism infrastructure and markets; and
• Improved management and conservation of bird-life and other natural resources.
Modhutila Eco Park has enormous ecotourism potentials that include natural, cultural products and other tourist activities like stair on hill, star bridge, lake, boating, mini zoo, walking through forest, landscape viewing, side view tower, information tower, car parking facility and many others. To ensure picnic facility, authority provides 10 picnic spot, a lot of benches in the park, umbrella and a no. of public toilet. A no of jewelry, showpiece shop are available inside and outside of the park. Also provide a nice rest house inside park
