Multiple Drivers Influencing Residents’ Perception of Ecotourism in a Biodiversity Rich Forest Protected Area of Bangladesh

Abstract

Local people have both positive and negative attitudes towards ecotourism. It is because they are the beneficiaries of ecotourism, though they are sometimes the victims of its activities. Expression of the residents’ perception depends on multiple drivers. This study assesses the drivers influencing local peoples’ perception of the impacts of ecotourism in Satchari National Park (SNP) - a biodiversity rich forest protected area and famous ecotourism spot in Bangladesh. Interview surveys on local people of purposely selected four villages in and around SNP supplemented by the questionnaire were conducted from September to October 2022. This study reveals that socio-cultural aspects secured higher ranks by processing higher mean values, which follow economic and environmental elements. It was also found that local people’s attitudes towards ecotourism vary with the variation in education, occupation, and income. Policymakers and forest department officials should take the necessary actions to solve the negative impacts of ecotourism. The negative impacts of ecotourism were ‘increased noise pollution and waste’ and ‘overcrowding’.