Ecotourism Carrying Capacity and the Potentiality of the Safari Park of Bangladesh

Abstract The study was undertaken to assess the tourist’s carrying capacity and to explore ecotourism potential of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, the only safari park of Bangladesh. Carrying capacity was assessed both from physical and social aspect. On the other hand, 250 visitors were interviewed with semi structured questionnaire for ecotourism prospect evaluation along with some secondary data. The total daily-allowed visit was 17,300 with rotation coefficient of 3.46. Maximum daily average numbers of tourists were relatively below the physical carrying capacity of the Park (5,000). The social carrying capacity was 4.38 persons per day. As there are different categories of visitors, their choice of encounters and number of expected encounters also varied. Each year, the total tourist’s number varied significantly (p≤0.05). That proved the safari park had immense tourist prospect. 85 percent visitors were from lower and middle class family as entrance fees and other fees inside were very cheap in relation to other private amusement place. The ecological perspective of the park will remain unaltered if the carrying capacities of the area are followed with sustainability. Therefore, it is the proper time for taking appropriate decision.Key Words: carrying capacity, ecotourism, tourism prospect, wildlife safari, Bangladesh