Sundarbans Eco-Tourism Blueprint Targets Sustainable Growth Over Next Two Decades

Gazi Moniruzzaman, Khulna, February 6, 2026: Authorities have prepared a long-term eco-tourism master plan aimed at preserving the Sundarbans while responsibly expanding tourism activities in the UNESCO-listed mangrove forest.

The Sundarbans Eco-Tourism Master Plan (2025–2045) sets out a framework for increasing both local and international visitors without compromising the forest’s fragile ecosystem.

Long-Term Planning with Tk 410 Crore Investment

The master plan proposes an estimated investment of Tk 410 crore, according to Dr Md Wasiul Islam, Deputy Chief of Party of the initiative and a professor at the Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline of Khulna University.

He said the plan is designed as a long-term strategy rather than a short-term tourism project, focusing on environmental protection alongside economic development.

Stakeholder-Driven and Community-Oriented Model

Dr Wasiul Islam said the plan was developed through consultations with a wide range of stakeholders, including government agencies, academic institutions, law enforcement bodies, port authorities, tour operators, and residents of Sundarbans-adjacent areas. A community-oriented eco-tourism model forms the foundation of the plan, ensuring local participation and shared benefits.

Foreign Visitors Seen as Key to Economic Returns

The blueprint places special emphasis on attracting international tourists in order to increase foreign exchange earnings. Dr Wasiul Islam explained that while domestic tourism supports local circulation of money, international tourism introduces new revenue into the national economy, contributing to long-term economic stability and growth.

Environmental Conservation Takes Priority

Unlike conventional tourism projects that rely heavily on infrastructure expansion, the master plan prioritises conservation and sustainable practices.

Developed over nearly two years, it includes a detailed technical roadmap aimed at protecting biodiversity while allowing controlled tourism growth.

Project officials believe the approach will help strengthen conservation efforts, expand the tourism sector, and create durable economic opportunities for communities living near the forest.

USAID Support and Institutional Collaboration

The initiative is funded by the American people and supported financially and technically by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Bangladesh Forest Department is implementing the project in partnership with Solimar International under the USAID Eco-Tourism Activity Pilot Project.

Alternative Livelihoods to Reduce Forest Dependence

The master plan seeks to reduce local dependence on forest resources by promoting tourism-based alternative livelihoods. Community involvement during the planning stage is expected to minimise conflict and ensure social, cultural, economic, and environmental benefits for local residents.

Eco-Guides and Disaster Preparedness Measures As part of the initiative, more than 200 eco-guides have already been trained to manage tourist movement, reduce human-wildlife conflict, and improve visitor safety. The plan also aims to strengthen the Sundarbans’ resilience to natural disasters such as cyclones and tidal surges by easing pressure on the ecosystem.

Forest Officials Stress Need for Responsible Tourism

Md Imran Ahmed, Conservator of Forests of the Khulna Circle, said the Sundarbans receives around 200,000 visitors each year. He noted that managing such numbers while ensuring environmental protection and effective waste management remains a major challenge.

He described the master plan as a timely initiative that promotes responsible eco-tourism and is currently awaiting approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Tour Operators Call for Better Facilities

Tour operators have welcomed the initiative but highlighted longstanding infrastructure challenges. Nazmul Azam David, General Secretary of the Tour Operators Association of the Sundarbans (TOAS) and Managing Director of Rupantar Eco-Tourism, said basic facilities such as emergency medical care, safe accommodation, clean drinking water, and security remain inadequate.

He also pointed out that several watchtowers and jetties inside the forest are in poor condition, underscoring the need for planned and sustainable improvements.

Munshi Firoz Al Mamun 2/06/2026 10:32:00 PM

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Road Safety Crisis in Dhaka: 219 Lives Lost in 2025 Crashes

Staff Correspondent

DHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 — A staggering 219 people were killed and over 510 others injured in 409 road accidents across the capital in 2025, according to a new report by the Road Safety Foundation (RSF).

The findings, released Wednesday, highlight a deteriorating safety landscape fueled by urban transport mismanagement and reckless driving.

The data, compiled primarily from media reports, reveals that men represent the highest number of casualties, accounting for 176 deaths (80.36%). The toll also includes 25 women and 18 children.

Pedestrians and Bikers Most at Risk The report identifies pedestrians as the most vulnerable demographic, making up 47% of total fatalities. Motorcycle-related incidents followed closely, contributing to 43% of the deaths. The remaining 10% of victims were passengers or drivers of buses, rickshaws, and auto-rickshaws.

Nighttime: The Deadliest Window An analysis of accident timings shows a dangerous trend during late hours. Nearly 42% of crashes occurred at night, the highest of any time period. The RSF attributed this largely to heavy goods vehicles—such as trucks and tankers—which are permitted to enter the city after 10:00 PM and often travel at "reckless speeds" due to a lack of bypass roads.

Crash Timing Breakdown: Night: 42%

Morning: 18%

Afternoon: 13%

Dawn: 11%

Noon: 10%

Evening: 6%

Heavy Vehicles and Accident Hotspots: Heavy vehicles, including trucks, covered vans, and garbage trucks, were involved in 35% of all accidents, while buses were implicated in 25%.

The foundation also pinpointed several high-risk zones in the city. The most frequent accident "hotspots" include: Jatrabari

Demra

Mohammadpur

Kuril Bishwa Road

Airport Road

Roots of the Chaos: The RSF identified nine primary causes for the rising fatality rate, ranging from faulty vehicle mechanics and reckless driving to the hazardous mixing of slow and fast-moving vehicles on the same lanes. Experts also noted that persistent traffic congestion has fostered a culture of "intolerance and impatience" among drivers, leading to fatal errors.

The Path Forward: 14 Key Recommendations

To stem the tide of road violence, the organization proposed a 14-point plan, which includes: Phasing out all vehicles that have exceeded their economic lifespan. Implementing company-based bus operations to end the culture of "racing" between private operators. Expanding dedicated lanes for public transport and clearing footpaths of illegal encroachments.

Munshi Firoz Al Mamun 1/21/2026 08:16:00 PM

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LPG Shortage Pushes Transport Sector into Severe Crisis

Staff Correspondent

Dhaka, Jan 10, 2026: Bangladesh’s transport sector has been hit hard by an ongoing shortage of LPG autogas, pushing operators, drivers, and passengers into serious difficulty, said Engineer Md Sirajul Mawla, President of the Bangladesh LPG Autogas Station and Conversion Workshop Owners’ Association.

He made the remarks at a press conference titled “Negative Impact of the LPG Crisis on the Transport Sector”, held on Saturday morning at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity.

The event was organised by the association to draw attention to what it described as an alarming situation facing the autogas industry.

Senior leaders of the organisation were present at the briefing, including Vice President Saeeda Akhter, General Secretary Md Hasin Parvez, Joint General Secretary Engineer Md Iqbal Hossain, Joint Finance Secretary Md Mokbul Hossain, Joint Organising Secretary Md Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan, and Md Mashiur Rahman, among others.

Speaking at the event, Sirajul Mawla said LPG autogas is a clean, affordable, and easily accessible fuel that has long been used as an alternative to CNG, petrol, octane, and diesel. With government encouragement, nearly 1,000 LPG autogas stations have been set up across all 64 districts, and around 150,000 vehicles have been converted to run on LPG. However, the current acute shortage has forced most autogas stations across the country to effectively shut down.

As a result, station owners are facing heavy losses, while owners and drivers of LPG-powered vehicles are struggling to operate. Vehicles are being forced off the roads as drivers spend hours searching for gas, disrupting transport services and causing severe inconvenience to passengers.

The crisis, he warned, is directly affecting daily commuters and public mobility.

He further noted that Bangladesh uses an average of about 140,000 metric tonnes of LPG each month, of which only around 15,000 metric tonnes—roughly 10 percent—is consumed by the transport sector. Despite this relatively small share, the failure to ensure supply for autogas has put the entire LPG autogas industry at risk of collapse.

At the press conference, the association placed three key demands before the government.

First, it urged LPG suppliers, operators, and LOAB to ensure adequate LPG supply for autogas stations by any means necessary.

Second, it called on BERC and relevant government authorities to immediately resolve complications related to LPG imports and guarantee uninterrupted supply to the autogas sector through licensed operators.

Third, it demanded long-term measures to prevent future supply disruptions, including arrangements for LPG imports from alternative sources under direct government initiative if required.

The association issued a strong appeal to the government, stressing that immediate and visible action is essential to protect energy security, maintain stability in the transport system, safeguard consumer interests, and preserve environmental gains.

Failure to resolve the LPG crisis promptly, it warned, could deepen its impact on the broader economy and everyday life across the country.

Munshi Firoz Al Mamun 1/10/2026 10:24:00 PM

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