The Namche Conference: May 24-26, 2003 People, Park, and Mountain Ecotourism Participants and Presentations: Dr. Amzad Hossain and Dr. Michael Booth

Dr. Amzad Hossain Action Researcher and Sustainability Scholar; email: ahossain@central.murdoch.edu.au , and Dr. Michael Booth Senior Lecturer in Social and Political Theory, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia Abstract Cultural Perspectives of Sustainable (Eco)tourism in Bangladesh Villages. The paper shows that there is a potential for a special type of eco-tourism in Bangladesh villages which would help conserve the traditional village culture. Many strengths of Bangladeshi village culture, especially those of religio-spiritual practices at the tomb (Mazar) of Khan Jahan Ali (d.1459), a renowned mystic (Sufi), in the Sundarbans, the mangrove forests, are discussed and related to acculturation as an effect of tourism. It is emphasized that Bangladesh has innumerable Sufi Mazars which are visited by countless local and also many international pilgrims. Village ecological scenarios, village people’s self-reliant living style, hospitality and simplicity manifest an interface between human life and natural surroundings put forward as a means for attracting eco-tourists. The paper describes mundane and spiritual hopes and desires of pilgrims that they profess to be fulfilled by the spiritual power of the deceased mystics such as Khan Jahan Ali. The miraculous behaviour of crocodiles in the huge lake attached to the Mazar, and the diverse offerings, veneration and other rituals of pilgrims – all resonate with ecotourism’s aims and interests. The paper focuses on aspects of self-reliant sustainability and cultural diversity in village Bangladesh (often expressed through music and songs) that ecotourists can experience, enjoy and participate in. Bangladesh villages are gradually losing their cultural and environmental riches with the invasion of modern development concepts and practices. We shall argue that promotion of village eco-tourism can help solve these problems, providing for development values, avoiding cultural and environmental harms, and building environmental niches for a self-reliant culture. We shall discuss how an attractive eco-tourism infrastructure can be built in appropriate villages at an affordable cost, maximizing ecotourism values while minimizing unsustainable Western acculturation influences.

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