Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Attitudes of Local People Towards Community Based Eco-tourism in the Sundarbans

Tanmoy Dey
Bangladesh Forest Research Institute; Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bangladesh & Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.

Md. Kamruzzaman
Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.

Md. Akramul Islam
Bangladesh Forest Research Institute; Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bangladesh & Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.

Bichitra Kumar Bachar
Bangladesh Forest Research Institute; Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bangladesh & Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.

Md. Najmus Sayadat Pitol
Bangladesh Forest Research Institute; Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bangladesh & Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Tourism especially nature based tourism is increasing throughout the world day by day. The Sundarbans Reserve Forest (SRF) in Bangladesh is a suitable place for developing tourism. The purpose of the study was to find out the attitudes of local people’s towards community based eco- tourism (CBET) in the Sundarbans. The study was carried out by a questionnaire survey with purposive selection based on diversity of occupation and sex in that area. A 5- point rating Likert scale was used to measures the local people’s attitude towards community based eco-tourism. Most of the people of the study are poorly based on income and depends on the forest as well as are fisherman among male and housewife among women. Natural beauty of this area, scope to watch wildlife, tourist security, house or eco-cottage quality, toilet and bathing facilities are favorable as well as communication and infrastructure facilities are an obstacle for developing CBET here. CBET will increase alternative job opportunities and income as well as it will reduce disturbance of forest and illegal harvesting according to the respondents. Forest Department is cooperative and tourists are more conscious now than before. People are now satisfied with CBET and keen to involve with this. This research is important for tourism policymakers in Bangladesh for their decisions.

Keywords: Sundarbans, Resources, Community Based Eco-tourism, local community participation

Location: Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat and Patuakhali coastal districts of South and South-Western Parts of Bangladesh.

Start Date: 00-00-2016

End Date: 00-00-2016

Program Area: Resource Development and Management

Non-commodity: Tourism

Objectives:

To find out the attitudes of local people’s towards community based eco- tourism (CBET) in the Sundarbans.

Methodology:

Sundarbans mangrove forests and the people of the impact zone of the Sundarbans are mostly concentrated in Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat and Patuakhali coastal districts of South and South-Western Parts of Bangladesh. Out of these four districts, Khulna (Dacope Upazila) and Satkhira (Shyamnagar Upazila) districts adjacent to the Sundarbans were selected purposively for this study. Dacope Upazila is located between 22°12’ to 23°59’ North latitude and between 89°14’ to 89°45’ East longitudes under Khulna district as well as Shyamnagar Upazila is located between 21°36’ to 22°54’ North latitude and between 88°54’ to 89°20’ East longitudes under Satkhira district. We conducted a reconnaissance survey in the study area prior to data collection to get an idea about the study area and acquire some basic information regarding community based ecotourism. Purposive sampling design was used during the interview to ensure a representative proportion of major community based ecotourism stakeholders like beneficiary and local stakeholders. In these study, four villages (Dhangmari, East Dhangmari, Vojonkhali and Khoilashgonj) of Dacope Upazila under Khulna district and three villages (Munsiganj, Kalichi, Burigoalini) of Shyamnagar Upazila under Satkhira district were selected purposively nearby Sundarbans. A total of 100 respondents (50 in Dacope Upazila and 50 in Shyamnagar Upazila) were selected purposively for taking the interview. The questionnaire was made to consider the aspects of obtaining the information. All the necessary information needed for the study was collected with meticulous care. For fulfilling the objectives of the study we used two types of methods like the qualitative or described and quantitative analysis. A questionnaire survey of 100 respondents and two Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) was conducted for collecting the quantitative and qualitative information respectively during January of 2016. A single person questionnaire interview using 5 points Likert scale and FGD consists of 10-15 members (who are mainly dependent on the Sundarbans) was conducted in quantitative and qualitative part respectively. Secondary information was collected from various Government and Non-government organizations (NGO) such as Forest Department, Relief International (Khulna), Joar Ecotourism (Munsiganj, Satkhira), Rupantor Ecotourism (Khulna), relevant papers from internet and related books from Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna. We processed, analyzed and interpreted the data for finding the result of the study. After completing the data collection from personal interviews and FGD, we transferred schedules to a master sheet for facilitating tabulation. The report of the study is written and analysis is done through the systematic way by using a computer program of MS word, Microsoft Excel and SPSS of version 20.

Source of Information: International Journal of Business, Management and Social Research; 2020; Vol. 09, Issue 02: 528-535

Article Link (Online Journal): https://doi.org/10.18801/ijbmsr.090220.55

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

An overall positive and favorable attitude towards community based eco-tourism was found among the interviewees in the study area. Community participation for the ecotourism activity is highly satisfactory besides most of the respondents of the study area want to involve in community based ecotourism. Since the interviewee is a representative of a region, there has a great scope for the development of community based eco-tourism and it can be a good example for our country. The people of the study are getting benefits from the tourism activity directly and indirectly. The local administration has a favorable attitude towards the development of ecotourism activities in the study area and it is also accepted by local stakeholders strongly. Bangladesh is also an overpopulated country, so it has important to involve local people with ecotourism. The people of the study areas are now continuing the community based ecotourism activities on small scale. It is necessary to improve their economic condition because most of the people of the study area are poor. They are facing problems due to the limited knowledge about CBET, poor transportation and communication facilities, poor infrastructure, limited drinking water facilities etc. The government should formulate and implement sound ecotourism policy and improve the security of the tourists, accommodation facility as well as transportation and communication infrastructure for supporting local tourism development programs in the Sundarbans. Carrying capacities of each popular site should be assessed on yearly basis and visitors should be limited at that level.

Knowledge Management: Journal