Tourist Carrying Capacity of Sundarbans Mangrove Forest

Welcome to
Our Group presentation
Our Group Members
Md. Maruf Hossain Md. Alomgir Hossain
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A.A Moumita Rocky Chandra
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Nirjona Akter Shawnan Nahian Rafa Anti
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Md. Jahid Rayhan Shajib Kumar Ghosh
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A.U.M Roknuzaman Shahed Babu
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Khalilur Rahman Sanzida Alom Mim
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Introduction:
The Sundarbans Mangrove Forest is a vast and unique ecosystem that spans over 10,000 square
kilometers along the coast of Bangladesh and India. It is the world's largest mangrove forest, and it is
home to a rich diversity of plant and animal life. The Sundarbans is formed by the delta of the Ganges,
Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers, which flow into the Bay of Bengal. The forest is made up of a network
of tidal creeks, waterways, and islands, which are covered in a dense canopy of mangrove trees.
Mangrove trees are specially adapted to survive in the salty, intertidal environment of the Sundarbans.
They have a number of adaptations that help them to cope with the harsh conditions, such as salt-
tolerant roots, stilt roots that help to keep them above the waterline, and leaves that secrete salt.
The Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including
the Bengal tiger, the estuarine crocodile, the Indian python, and over 400 species of birds. The forest is
also an important breeding ground for fish and shrimp.
Carrying Capacity:
In biology and environmental science, carrying capacity is the
maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an
environment can support indefinitely given the food, habitat, water,
and other resources available. It is a dynamic concept that can
change over time due to factors such as climate change, human
activities, and the introduction of invasive species.

John A. Scheffer (1998)

Factor of carrying capacity "The maximum population size
a. materials & energy that can persist in a given
b. food chain environment for an indefinitely
c. competition long period."
d. density
 Objectives
 To analysis the Carrying Capacity of Sundarban
 To find out the Factors influencing Carrying capacity
 To explore the Impacts of exceeding carrying capacity
 To Recommend for carrying capacity
 Study Area: Sundarban
The Sundarbans Reserve Forest (SRF), located in the south-west of
Bangladesh between the river Baleswar in the East and the Harinbanga in the
West, adjoining to the Bay of Bengal, is the largest contiguous mangrove
forest in the world. Lying between latitude 21° 27′ 30″ and 22° 30′ 00″ North
and longitude 89° 02′ 00″ and 90° 00′ 00″ East and with a total area of 10,000
km2, 60% of the property lies in Bangladesh and the rest in India. The land
area, including exposed sandbars, occupies 414,259 ha (70%) with water
bodies covering 187,413 ha (30%).
A study published in the journal "Tourism Management" in 2015 estimated the
carrying capacity of the Sundarbans for ecotourism to be between 2,000 and
5,000 tourists per day. This study was based on a number of factors, including
the amount of space available for tourists, the amount of time they spend in
the area, and the impact of their activities on the ecosystem.
Sundarban tourist Carrying Capacity:
"Tourism Carrying Capacity" is defined by the World Tourism Organization as
"The maximum number of people that may visit a tourist destination at the same
time, without causing destruction of the physical, economic, socio-cultural
environment and an unacceptable decrease in the quality of visitors'
satisfaction.“

Sundarban tourist carrying capacity is a term that refers to the maximum

number of tourists that can visit the Sundarbans without causing negative
impacts on the environment, wildlife, and local communities.
it depends on various factors, such as the type and
 intensity of tourism activities,
 the seasonality and duration of visits,
 the management and regulation of tourism,
 the preferences and expectations of tourists and locals
Factor affecting of Sundarban carrying capacity:
 Materials & energy
 Food chain
 Competition
 Density

Materials and Energy:

o Nutrient availability: The Sundarbans is a nutrient-rich ecosystem due to the constant input of nutrients from tidal
flushing and the decomposition of organic matter. This nutrient availability supports a diverse range of plant and
animal life.
o Primary productivity: The Sundarbans is a highly productive ecosystem, with a high rate of photosynthesis by its
mangroves. This primary productivity provides the foundation for the food chain and supports the large number of
organisms that inhabit the forest.
o Habitat availability: The Sundarbans provides a variety of habitats for different species, including mangroves,
mudflats, creeks, and waterways. This diversity of habitats allows for a wide range of species to coexist.
Food Chain:
o Prey-predator relationships: The Sundarbans supports a complex food chain, with a variety of prey and predator
species. These relationships help to regulate populations and maintain the balance of the ecosystem.
o Trophic levels: The Sundarbans has a well-defined food chain with multiple trophic levels, from primary producers
(mangroves) to herbivores, predators, and top predators (tigers). This complex food chain allows for energy transfer
and supports the diverse ecosystem.
o Keystone species: The Sundarbans has several keystone species, such as mangroves and tigers, that play a critical
role in maintaining the health of the ecosystem. These species have a disproportionate impact on the ecosystem,
and their removal can lead to cascading effects.
Competition:
o Inter-species competition: Species in the Sundarbans compete for resources such as food, space, and mates. This
competition helps to regulate populations and maintain the balance of the ecosystem.
o Niche partitioning: Different species in the Sundarbans have evolved different niches to reduce competition. This
niche partitioning allows for a more diverse range of species to coexist.
o Resource availability: The availability of resources can limit the carrying capacity of the Sundarbans. For example,
if there is not enough food to support a large population of deer, then the tiger population will also be limited.
Density:
o Population density: The population density of a species is a measure of the number of individuals of that species
per unit area. The carrying capacity of the Sundarbans is determined by the maximum population density that can
be supported by the ecosystem's resources.
o Population fluctuations: Populations of species in the Sundarbans fluctuate over time due to factors such as food
availability, disease, and human activities. These fluctuations can have a significant impact on the carrying capacity
of the ecosystem.
o Habitat fragmentation: Habitat fragmentation, the breaking up of habitat into smaller, isolated patches, can reduce
the carrying capacity of the Sundarbans. This is because it can reduce the availability of resources and increase
competition between species
Impacts of Exceeding the carrying capacity of the Sundarbans:
Environmental Degradation:
o Deforestation: The Sundarbans' mangrove forests are being cleared at an alarming rate to make way for
settlements, agriculture, and other human activities. This deforestation destroys the habitat of numerous
plant and animal species, disrupts the natural balance of the ecosystem, and increases soil erosion.
o Pollution: The increasing population in the Sundarbans generates more waste, leading to the pollution
of waterways and soil. This pollution poses a threat to aquatic life, contaminates drinking water sources,
and harms human health.
o Overfishing: The Sundarbans' rich marine resources are being overexploited to meet the food demands
of the growing population. This unsustainable fishing practices deplete fish stocks, disrupt marine
ecosystems, and threaten the livelihoods of fishermen.
Loss of Biodiversity:
o Habitat Destruction: The destruction of mangrove forests and the degradation of other habitats due to
overpopulation and unsustainable practices lead to the loss of biodiversity. Many plant and animal
species in the Sundarbans are endangered or threatened due to habitat loss.
o Species Decline: The overexploitation of natural resources, pollution, and habitat destruction are
causing a decline in the populations of various species, including tigers, crocodiles, dolphins, and many
fish species. This loss of biodiversity can have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem.
Socioeconomic Impacts:
o Livelihood Threats: The degradation of the Sundarbans ecosystem directly impacts the livelihoods of
people who depend on it for fishing, agriculture, and other resource-based activities. Overexploitation
and resource depletion threaten their economic stability and food security.
o Human-Wildlife Conflicts: The encroachment of human settlements into wildlife habitats increases the
risk of human-wildlife conflicts. This can lead to injuries, property damage, and even loss of life for both
humans and animals.
o Health Issues: Pollution, overcrowding, and the lack of proper sanitation facilities in overpopulated
areas of the Sundarbans can lead to various health problems for the local population.
Recommendations:
1. To respect the integrity and frailty of the Sundarbans and realization that, unless everyone is willing to help preserve
its unique and beautiful destinations, future generations may not have the opportunity to enjoy them.
2. To ensure proper tourism guidelines by the forest department, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, Bangladesh
Tourism Board and other concerned Government authorities for tourism in the Sundarbans. All should respect the rules
and regulations regarding the tourism activities.
3. There should be proper planning for the endorsement & marketing of Sundarbans forest as a adventure tourist
souvenir as alternative income generation opportunities for the people living in the area surrounding the Sundarbans.
4. To provide option for emergency first aid medical service by the forest department, NAVY and the Coastguard.
5. To provide adequate security system for tourists & vessels inside the forest.
6. To learn about and support conservation-oriented programmes and organizations working to preserve the
environment. Necessary for maintaining the general rules of waste disposals such as always use a bin to put the
wastes or look for a safe place for disposal.
7. To patronize those peoples of hotels, resorts, cruise lines, tour operators and suppliers who could make aware about
energy and environmental conservation; water and air quality, recycling; safe management of waste and toxic
materials; noise abatement community involvement, and whose staff are experienced, well-trained and dedicated to
strong principles of conservation.
8. Bangladesh forest department may arrange dialogue, seminar, workshop, meeting etc between the tour operators,
local media, BIWTA, Coast Guard, NAVY, Forest department, other law and enforcement department & local
community leaders in routine work basis.
9. Resource conservation related detailed research should be undertaken by sectoral integration of all stakeholders.