Protecting our water bodies

Ziaul Haque Howlader Water is essential for human life. At the present global phenomenon of tourism, water is the main focus for the development of eco-tourism, riverine tourism, adventurous tourism and so on. Some countries are famous for water based tourism activities like river cruising, sea-cruising, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, rafting, boating, visiting sea-aquarium, watching under-water world activities, para-gliding, drifting, bird-watching, and the like. The major tourism attractions in Bangladesh are the water based tourism attractions like haor, baor, rivers, sea-coast, mangrove forests and many more. There are many countries that develop tourism either at sea coast, near the rivers or alongside big water bodies. Dal Lake in Kashmir, rivers and canals in Kerala, sea beaches at Bali in Indonesia, Okinawa in Japan, Maldives, Fiji, Hawaii, Gambia, Caribbean Islands, Mauritius are world class water tourist attractions. . Bangladesh is a country of rivers and many big water bodies such as Tangua Haor and Hakaluki Haor, Baikkaar Beel. These haors are very attractive places with serene water and green vegetation along the banks. Some tour operators also offer river-cruising there. Many foreign tourists commented that visiting Tangua Haor was a life-time experience for them. Our country has hundreds of serpentine rivers and canals. And the country is also notable for river cruising down its mighty rivers- the Padma, the Meghna, the Jamuna and the Kushiara. Many high profile state guests enjoyed river cruising in Bangladesh during the 49th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Meeting held in Dhaka in 2003. Most of the guests were ministers and senior parliament members of the Commonwealth countries. They were highly appreciative of the riverine beauty of Bangladesh. Bangladesh possesses a great potential to develop tourism based on water and water bodies. River cruising here is unique as there are thousands of villages and rural markets grown up at both sides of the rivers. Tourists can see the vast crop lands alongside the rivers. They can also have a glance at the rural people working in the fields. Moreover, the scenery of catching Hilsha fish is a matter of great attraction. The lakes in the capital Dhaka-- Dhanmondi Lake, Gulshan and Banani Lakes - also draw the city dwellers, especially during leisure and holidays. But pollution in these lakes remains a threat. Some unscrupulous visitors litter wastes in the water. We have already caused irreparable harms to the Burignaga, the lifeline of the capital. Buriganga river was once famous for river cruising. Recently, the government has initiated a circular water way programme which may also be attractive to the day visitors. Rangamati Lake is a wonderful place for swimming, rowing and cruising. It can be a good destination for foreign tourists as well. Cruising in the Rangmati Lake is a wonderful experience. It is high time to take appropriate measures to protect all the canals, lakes and water bodies located in and around the capital. Amsterdam is well known as the water-way city in the world. Its waterways have always been the essence and source of wealth. Its beautiful canals and harbours fill a full quarter of her surface. During summer, these canals are filled with cruising boats. Amsterdam cruise is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. A diverse fleet of around 250 cruise boats carry more than 3.20 million tourists a year offering memorable experiences of entertainment. Dhaka, despite having potential like the Netherlands, can not make use of its rivers and water bodies. Instead, we are encroaching on our water bodies and are recklessly polluting them. In the past, there were lots of canals, creeks and rivers in and around the city. But we have already filled those and have destroyed the ecological balance that has contributed to make Dhaka as a non-livable city. The theme of the World Tourism Day this year emphasises significant role of the sector and its contribution to global water conservation efforts. The theme is in line with the UN General Assembly's declaration of 2013 as the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation, providing the opportunity to further highlight the shared responsibility of the tourism sector to the wider sustainability objectives. For the sustainable development of tourism, we must protect our water bodies. There should be strict laws and enforcement agencies must be ruthless in maintaining the law. Some volunteer organisations may come forward for waste collections at least once or twice a week. There may be a project for waste collection and waste recycles. Local people may be involved in the activities and there should be a provision to reward the outstanding performers. The rivers must be saved from being polluted. The hotels and motels and other tourist facilities that are being established must have Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP). Setting up an ETP is most essential at St. Martins Island. People should be motivated to respect nature. The writer is Deputy Manager of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. [email protected]