Sunderbans Jungle Camp, India
The Sunderbans EcologyThe unique and significant natural landscape of the world's largest mangrove forest and vast saline mudflats is situated in the lower end of the Ganjetic West Bengal in India. This land of some 55 tiny islands, formed between innumerable tributaries, was once infested by Arakanese and Portuguese pirates and is now the abode of varied flora and fauna population. The only mangrove tiger land of India where 70% is under saline water has about 64 plant species which alone covers 90% of Indian mangrove varieties and 60% of the total mangrove forest area of the country. The amphibian tiger population, which is estimated to be over 260 in number here, has a distinct behavioural pattern which makes the Sunderbans special from other tiger reserves in the country. The Sunderbans Economy
Sunderbans Jungle CampIn 2002, the Jungle Camp at Bali village in Sunderbans was established as one contribution to achieving this aim. It attempts to involve people of Bali Island towards a sensitive community-led ecotourism project, in order to demonstrate and find an answer to a sustainable development of this fragile and unique landscape. The Camp is planned to have eight ethnic-style bungalows, six of which have been finished to date. The achievements
Our involvementOne of our Project Officers, Marcus Bauer, recently conducted a study on the project for the Conference "Developments in pro-poor tourism: identifying best practice" (Greenwich, UK, March 31, 2006). His publication is available for download in our Working Paper Series section. An introductory poster can be downloaded here. Other involvement includes the promotion of the Camp in our marketing activities. Contact: marcus@sd-tourism.org |
Since early 2006, SDT promotes the exceptional Sunderbans Jungle Camp, a community-based ecotourism project that is part of an initiative for social transformation, poverty alleviation and conservation in the Indian Sunderbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our partners include the tour operator Help Tourism (
The area is very hostile to human settlement. Despite this, after the separation of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), many people settled in the area. They converted parts of the forests into agricultural land, allowing only one crop per year. Besides, the inhabitants struggled their livelihood as fishermen, prawn-seed catchers and honey-collectors. All these activities are highly risky due to attacks by tigers, sharks and crocodiles, and regularly people lost their lives. Religious practices and superstition as well as sometimes even killing the natural enemies were common ways for solution and self-defense. Willing to prevent severe threats to the fragile ecosystem and to sustain the natural environment, some locals founded the Bali Nature and Wildlife Conservation Society. With help from various nature protection NGOs they searched for alternative livelihoods.
Three years after the start of the implementation period, the Jungle Camp can be considered a success story. During the construction phase so far, approximately 3000 man-days were created, roughtly benefiting 2000 villagers from eight villages. 70% of the materials used in the Camp were local. 26 people (17 male, 9 female), mostly poachers turned conservationists, are gainfully employed and benefit directly. Several more benefit irregularly from e.g. guiding activities and country boat excursions. By organizing a fortnightly health camp, medical facilities and free medicine were brought to 15 remote villages, and about 10,000 people have benefited so far. An education project funds the higher education of ten students. Additionally, a book bank is contributing to combating illiteracy. About 400 villagers have so far benefited from a garment project. A new deep well is easing the life of the adjoining villagers who otherwise had to carry the water a long way to their homes. The major part of these activities are funded by tourism revenues.