Mapping Ecotourism Potential in Bangladesh: The Integration of an Analytical Hierarchy Algorithm and Geospatial Data

The significance of ecotourism has been increasing due to its potential for biodiversity preservation, economic advancement, and the promotion of sustainability awareness. In this research, geospatial analysis and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was employed to identify feasible ecotourism sites in Bangladesh. The study applied Geographical Information System–Remote Sensing (GIS-RS) parameters and weighted overlay techniques for selected ecotourism characteristics, such as natural attractiveness, topographic features, accessibility, proximity to facilities, and community characteristics. The study found that a significant proportion (around 44%) of Bangladesh’s land exhibits high potential for ecotourism. Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, and Rangamati are particularly favorable ecotourism locations. However, some difficulties emerge in regions that are not easily reachable, such as mangrove forests, and in densely inhabited localities like Dhaka. The research also identified the ecological costs linked with ecotourism, such as the exhaustion of resources, the fragmentation of habitats, contamination, and the disruption of wildlife. The primary recommendations to address the adverse effects include educating the local populace, enforcing regulatory measures, implementing efficient waste management systems, enforcing a stringent code of conduct, providing economic incentives to the local communities, and addressing the issue of food security. The cartographically delineated potential zones have the potential to function as a navigational instrument for global travelers and facilitate the decision-making process of policymakers in the realm of sustainable land resource management in Bangladesh. This study enhances the understanding of the potential of ecotourism and offers valuable insights for advancing responsible and sustainable tourism practices within the nation

Coping strategies adopted by the rice farmers in the coastal area of Bangladesh

The present study describes the changes from a rice-based cropping system to a shrimp-based cropping system in the coastal area of Bangladesh and their impact on soil environment. The coping strategies of local farmers against increases in salinity are also analyzed. Two main cropping systems, the shrimp-boro rice cropping system and the aman rice-boro rice cropping system, are the main systems that are practiced by local farmers in the study village. Soil samples were collected from the plots of these cropping systems and chemical analysis was done. It was found that the salinity level rose from a level of 4.5 ds/m in 2010 to a level of 6.5 ds/m in 2012 with changes in the availability of nutrients in the soil. As a coping strategy against this increasing salinity, the local farmers switched rice varieties from year to year, and they did not cultivate a single variety alone but a combination of varieties. However, although the local farmers have established this shrimp-boro rice cropping system with a combination of modern rice varieties, it is hypothesized that if they continue this cropping system for a long time then the livelihood of the farmers will be unstable in the future

MICROPROPAGATION OF CUCURBITA MAXIMA DUCH. THROUGH SHOOT TIP CULTURE

Micropropagation of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duch.) was achieved using shoot tip of in vitro grown seed derived plants of two cultivars namely, Bikrompuri and Baromasi of Bangladesh. The excised shoot tips were cultured on MS medium containing KIN, BA, NAA at various levels of concentration and combination for shoot induction and proliferation, and best response was found at 3.0 mg/l of BA. Shoots were rooted most effectively in MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l IBA. Bikrompuri was found more responsive than Baromasi for rapid clonal propagation