The move has sparked debate over environmental compliance, ecotourism and the need to protect forest-dependent communities, wildlife and the Sundarbans ecosystem.
Bangladesh’s Department of Environment has ordered 18 resorts and eco-cottages in Dakop, Khulna, to cease operations and remove their structures for operating without environmental clearance near the Sundarbans.
On Sunday, Oct. 4, Assistant Director of the Department of Environment’s Khulna district office Md Harun-or-Rashid issued written notices to the owners of the establishments. The notices also ordered them to remove the unauthorised structures.
The notices said that failure to comply would lead to legal action under the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995, amended in 2010, and relevant regulations. Possible measures include mobile court operations, disconnection of electricity supplies, regular legal cases and other legal action.
The 18 establishments are Aranyachhaya, Aranyabari, Keorabun, Mayaban, Gohon, The Forest Retreat, Nikunja Valley, La Silva Cottage, Bonbibi, Sundari, Irabati, Bonmali, Golokanan, Piyali, Mangrove, Jangalbari, Bonobash and Bonolata Eco Cottage.
Of the 18 establishments, 10 have been given 30 days and eight have been given 15 days to remove their structures, according to the notices.
Harun-or-Rashid said many tourism-oriented establishments that have been developed in the Dakop area adjoining the Sundarbans do not have environmental clearance from the Department of Environment.
“Obtaining environmental clearance is mandatory, but the concerned parties did not obtain it. That is why the order to close them has been issued,” he said.
The assistant director said such establishments cannot be set up in the Ecologically Critical Area, or ECA, around the Sundarbans.
“There are several restrictions in the ECA regulations. The Department of Environment will monitor whether the concerned establishments are complying with them,” he said.
Harun-or-Rashid said the Department of Environment had identified 18 such establishments without environmental clearance in the Khulna section. Some are already operating while others are still under construction. Similar establishments have also been developed in the Bagerhat and Satkhira sections.
The number of such establishments across the Sundarbans is kept at the divisional office, he said.
However, resort owners have expressed disagreement with the Department of Environment’s decision.
Jakaria Shawon, general secretary of the Resort Owners’ Association, said they had not yet received any letter from the Department of Environment.
He said the National Tourism Policy 2010 places emphasis on developing sustainable ecotourism in promising tourism areas across the country, including the Sundarbans, while conserving the environment and biodiversity.
The policy also calls for developing environmentally friendly tourism through coordinated initiatives involving the relevant ministries, district administration, local government institutions and the national tourism agency, he said.
Shah Zaman Khan Popul, general secretary of the Tour Operators Association of Sundarbans, Khulna, said steps could be taken to protect the Sundarbans. But before taking any action, he said, the interests of forest-dependent people, local residents, the Sundarbans, rivers, wildlife and nature must all be considered.
Environmental activist and media personality Faruk Ahmed said any initiative concerning the Sundarbans must first ensure the protection of the forest.
“People living adjacent to the Sundarbans must be involved to encourage ecotourism. No measure that causes ecological damage to the Sundarbans should be taken. Any steps can be taken while keeping the Sundarbans as beautiful and safe as possible,” he said.
Harun-or-Rashid, the Department of Environment’s assistant director, said that although the national tourism policy calls for tourism development, matters concerning environmental clearance fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environment.
“Even though the national tourism policy talks about tourism development, environmental clearance is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environment. If environmental rules are not followed, the department can take action under the law. That is what has been done in the case of the resorts adjacent to the Sundarbans,” he said.
Meanwhile, although the Department of Environment’s records mention 18 establishments in the Khulna section, several relevant sources claim that the actual number of operating resorts is 15.
There are also claims that only signboards exist at three establishments named Keorabun, La Silva and Aranyachhaya.
Questions have therefore been raised over whether the relevant authorities have conducted a full field-level verification and prepared a complete list showing which establishments are actually operating, which are under construction and which exist only in name or as signboards.
People involved in the tourism business said there is competition between resorts and tour operators in the Sundarbans-centred tourism industry. One side takes tourists into the Sundarbans by launch and operates tourism businesses there. The other side has built resorts in localities close to the Sundarbans, providing tourists with accommodation, food and entertainment.
Some businesspeople involved in the sector believe a kind of psychological and commercial tension has developed between the two sides over their share of the tourism market. They said it should also be examined whether this has in any way influenced environmental decisions or administrative action.
The Department of Environment said its inspections or notices had no connection with any business dispute. It said the action was taken on the basis of allegations that the establishments lacked environmental clearance and were not complying with environmental restrictions.
Resort owners, meanwhile, said there is an opportunity to develop environmentally friendly tourism around the Sundarbans. Instead of ordering the establishments to close outright, they said, they should be given an opportunity to operate in compliance with the rules.
