Modeling of mangrove forests and ecotourism of the Sundarbans in Bangladesh

Abstract

Mangrove forests serve various economic, social and environmental benefits and ecotourism in the mangrove forests is recognized as a form of nature tourism which contributes to the conservation of ecosystems and economic development. Our focus is on the sustainable development of mangrove forests and ecotourism of the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans. Modeling of mangrove forests and mangrove ecotourism of the Sunderbans for sustainable development is a formidable challenge. This research presents a system dynamics model of mangrove forests and ecotourism of the Sundarbans to address the different policy scenarios for sustainable development. The model has been simulated to address the issues of cutting cycle policy, mangrove plantation policy and the policy for capacity development and tourist promotion for conservation and future restoration of mangrove forests for sustainable ecosystem and economic development and the policy implications have also been addressed to aid policy planning and design for sustainable development of the mangrove ecosystem of the Sundarbans.