ECO-TOURISM AND BANGLADESH ARMY: A FOCUS ON THE CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS

Abstract

Ecotourism provides opportunities for tourists to experience wonderful nature and local culture. At the same time, it generates income to local communities living in remote areas. With hills, valleys, forests, lakes and rivers, Bangladesh provides many ideal sites for ecotourism, though it is still a relatively new form of tourism in Bangladesh. Due to lack of integrated planning and infrastructure development, ecotourism projects could not be implemented. However, this can be developed in potential sites through proper planning and integrating Bangladesh Army with other stake holders. As such this study is undertaken and the objectives of this study is to examine the extent and nature of ecotourism in Bangladesh, to identify the role of Bangladesh Army in promoting ecotourism by focusing on the CHT and to  furnish some policy framework and future recommendations. The study is conducted based on secondary sources, interviews to key informants, limited field visits, survey, personal observations and  own analysis. The ecotourism implementation criteria are neither difficult nor very expensive. Thus, Bangladesh can implement ecotourism projects in untouched natural areas of the CHT. Security is one of the big challenges for implementing ecotourism projects in the CHT. However, this can be overcome through integration of Army, as they are presently deployed in the region. The construction projects run by SWO also ensure Army’s presence in the region. Thus it will be easy to implement ecotourism projects in the CHT integrating Army. But Army alone cannot implement this type of projects, other stakeholders of tourism sector also should be integrated in the overall framework and the framework has to be formulated through policy guidelines. Once the projects are implemented and the benefits are harnessed by the tribal communities, it would ensure permanent peace and stability in the regions after decade’s long bloodshed. This study recommends that; a high level committee involving all stake holders should identify the most potential ecotourism sites from Bandarban, Khagrachari and Rangamati region for implementing such projects giving initial lead role to Army.  Considering midterm and long term plan, initiative should be taken by MoCAT to activate all levels of action committee and allocate fund through concerned ministry/department. Media campaign with awareness programme should be under taken to promote ecotourism and attract the tourists from home and abroad.