Promoting Environmental Responsibility in Tourism and Conservation in Bangladesh

It is imperative to nurture a collective responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness and health of our natural surroundings. How can we effectively educate our communities and travelers to foster a deep respect for our natural resources and actively contribute to their conservation? This responsibility extends beyond the government alone. As responsible travelers, each individual can play a vital role in safeguarding our national parks and enhancing our rich biodiversity. It doesn't demand a top-tier education or extensive training; it's about exercising common sense. The commendable appreciation our country's travelers demonstrate towards nature is heartening. Platforms like Facebook groups such as Travelers of Bangladesh and Tour Group BD serve as recognized forums where tourists, irrespective of age, share pertinent information and even organize tours spanning the entire country and beyond. Leveraging these opportunities, we can disseminate critical ecological insights among fellow wanderers, encouraging them to propagate this knowledge at the community level. Given the increasing number of individuals exploring the remotest parts of the country, venturing into the wilderness, and uncovering novel destinations, it becomes crucial to glean ecological sensitivity from local communities and disseminate this understanding among fellow travelers. A simple addition of one or two sentences in a post can make a significant impact. Our Mother Nature has endowed us with unparalleled ecological diversity, and it is within our capacity to do more for her. In this era of technological revolution, social media emerges as a valuable tool for knowledge exchange, fostering a heightened awareness of environmental conservation practices. Reflecting on personal experiences visiting national parks and refuges in North America, where self-payment for entrance fees was required, has underscored the positive impact of a well-established system. Observing people willingly paying without hesitation serves as a testament to the ingrained understanding of environmental responsibility. In the United States, where only 20% pursue higher education after high school, an impressive 95% are cognizant of proper conduct within National Parks. Instances of littering, such as throwing plastic items into the woods or out of car windows, are virtually non-existent. This prompts us to broaden our conversations to encompass the critical realm of environmental conservation, fostering a commitment to maintaining clean and healthy forests that enhance the overall visitor experience.