ABSTRACT
In the context of present population size of Bangladesh, wildlife conservation is a very challenging issue for the country. On the other hand, development of tourism industry for employment generation, community benefits and poverty reduction is also now a government priority sector. The Tourism Policy, 2010 prioritized sustainable tourism development based on wildlife and nature. Many challenges are taking place in the country for wildlife conservation and tourism development. The government of Bangladesh emphasizes eco-tourism development at some protected areas (PAs) of the country. Bangladesh being the largest deltaic plain along with tropical climate, its wildlife is diverse and unique in nature. The country is proud of possessing many unique wildlife animals. The world’s biggest cat, Panthera Tigris Tigris—royal Bengal tiger is a wonder of nature. The bio-diversity of the Sundarbans also attracts many wildlife lovers every year. To lure both the domestic and foreign tourists, Bangladesh has many flagship species, mainly in the PAs, including the tiger, Asian elephant, hoolock gibbon, and olive reef turtle. Bangladesh is moving ahead in an effort to promote wildlife tourism by offering package tours in organized manner. Although Bangladesh is yet to pull in many a number of tourists, at present it has good wildlife management policy, law and program, wildlife conservation and management projects as well as tourism development policy and program. Wildlife tourism is getting popular because of increasing awareness of local people, and love to nature of tourists. The Wildlife Act, 2012 of Bangladesh defines about the sanctuary, ecopark, ecotourism, national park (NP), biological diversity, forest products, wild animals, protected wildlife, and so forth. Article 18(a) of Constitution of Bangladesh reads that biodiversity conservation is a constitutional obligation to all citizens of the country.
“Bangladesh is moving ahead in an effort to promote wildlife tourism…”
