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BANGLADESH is exceedingly proud of Cox’s Bazar, a tourist gem known for its longest uninterrupted sea beach with golden sands and turquoise waters. However, a brewing ecological and socio-economic crisis is below the surface of its attraction. A hot spot for millions of annual holidaymakers, the region is having to confront one aspect of overtourism, which has pushed its finely poised ecosystems and infrastructures over the edge.

Although the tourism industry enhances economic development and creates jobs and infrastructure, the unchecked influx of visitors has negative consequences. Environmental degradation tops the list, where beaches are littered with rubbish, coral reefs marred by pollution, and forests destroyed to make way for things like tourism facilities. Overcrowded roads, failed waste management, and stressed water resources only aggravate the ordeal of infrastructure. In addition, the overconsumption of natural capital, including water and fisheries stocks, erodes local livelihoods. The result has been a boon for many, but the tourism boom is increasingly seen as double-edged.

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Environmental costs of popularity

The tourism boom has been both a blessing and a curse for Cox’s Bazar. On the one hand, it supports the local economy, bringing revenue to hotels and restaurants, transportation services, etc. On the other, it leaves an environmental disaster in its wake. The impact is visible: plastic waste litters its beaches, and oil pollution smothers the coral reefs. Forests are pulled down to make way for new hotels, while garbage pours out of local management systems. Traffic congestion in peak and off-peak seasons also doubles the woes for locals and tourists.

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Communities caught in the crossfire

THE human impact of overtourism must be considered. Local communities are paying the price. The region risks becoming a spectator sport as more developers and enablers try to commercialise the ecological magic here rather than preserve it. Traditions, too, fall to the wayside and are commercialised for tourist tastes, further waning some of the most colourful cultural heritage that strengthens this region. Meanwhile, excessive pressures on natural resources — from water to fish stocks — reduce the ability of many communities to make a living.

Furthermore, natural resource depletion, such as water to fish stocks, is also damaging local livelihoods. While the booming tourism industry is a blessing for some, it has become a curse for many.

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Finding a way forward

AMID the crisis, there is hope. Government, business, and civil society stakeholders must unite for sustainable tourism. A concerted approach is a dire need of the time where Cox’s Bazar Development Authority could take the lead role in coordinating with the government and business community for immediate interventions as follows:

The government should implement tough tourism regulations to regulate the number of visitors, restrict the construction of large-scale resorts or hotels in sensitive areas, and manage tourist activities to reduce environmental damage. It should enforce zoning laws that safeguard natural areas from overdevelopment and guarantee sustainable land use.

To mitigate tourism’s environmental impact, the government should prioritise sustainable and eco-friendly infrastructure projects, including renewable energy sources, waste management systems, and water conservation initiatives. PublicÌýtransport networks to mitigate traffic congestion and carbon emissions from private vehicles should be considered as well.Ìý

The community should be involved in tourism planning and decision-making. This may encompass stakeholder engagement in developing tourism policy, public consultations, and community-based tourism initiatives. To foster local entrepreneurship by offering small businesses financial assistance and training programmes should be made available for locals. In this manner, the revenue from the tourism industry will remain within the community.

It is important to establish a tourism management body to monitor visitor numbers, evaluate tourism’s environmental and community impact, and suggest policies as necessary. A system for visitor registration or a tourist tax to regulate the flow of visitors and generate revenue for environmental conservation and community development can also be introduced.

It is important to earmark protected areas and marine reserves to protect critical ecosystems and prevent tourism activities from damaging them. There should be educational campaigns to encourage visitors to respect local culture and reduce environmental impact, thereby promoting responsible tourism practices.

The government should encourage businesses to implement corporate social responsibility initiatives that prioritise environmental sustainability and community development. This could encompass supporting environmental initiatives, healthcare, or education in the local area. The public-private partnership is needed to foster sustainable tourism practices and provide support for community-driven initiatives by collaborating with the government and local NGOs.

The businesses, such as hotels, resorts, and restaurants, should also be encouraged to adopt sustainable practices, such as reducing plastic use, recycling waste, and sourcing local products to minimise environmental impact. Business entities should promote the development of eco-tourism and cultural tourism experiences that generate employment opportunities for local artisans/tour guides and benefit the local community.

Business should establish partnerships with concerned government organisations, local businesses, civil societies, labour organisations, international development agencies, community organisations, and local NGOs to establish a unified approach to tourism management and safeguard the ecosystem. This can assist in aligning business objectives with community interests and foster a sense of shared responsibility. They should encourage the advancement of community-based tourism initiatives that empower local communities and offer alternative income sources.

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The clock is ticking

COX’S Bazar is not a mere district but symbolises Bangladesh’s natural and cultural heritage. If overtourism continues unchecked, those things that make it special will be lost, too. Nonetheless, swift action and a unified approach can only conserve its ecosystem. Visitors, locals, businesses, and policymakers must shoulder some of these responsibilities for safeguarding the pristine environmental diversity of Cox’s Bazar. Indeed, we cannot let this national gem become the parable of ‘neglect and greed.’

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ÌýDr Md Mosleh Uddin Sadeque is a development practitioner working as an adviser at the Integrated Development Foundation and a native of Cox’s Bazar.