Munlai Para is one of the cultural capitals of Bandarban hill district of CHT. Inhabited by the Bawm indigenous group, Munlai is endowed with rich natural and cultural attractions. It is also a gateway to Bandarban’s most iconic tourism destination – the Boga Lake that stretches till Keokaradong (the highest peak of Bangladesh).
Munlai is easily accessible both by land and river Sangu. Traditional house, nearby streams and orchards make the Para very pleasant and attractive destination. Of the 54 households in Munlai, majority of people engaged mostly in agriculture and hunting. Socially, the state of the community’s wellbeing is discouraging. In particular, the Bawm community of Munlai run behind several aspects such as livelihood opportunities, nutrition, education and healthcare. Climate change and globalization exerted additional pressures, affecting agriculture, lifestyles and their heritage. These compounding reasons are important contexts behind the development of minimum human and livelihood conditions.
With the aim of restoring, developing and sustaining the unique features (natural and cultural) of Munlai and package them into a community tourism product with responsible tourism activities and business incubation, the Bandarban Hill District Council (BHDC) of Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tract Affairs (MoCHTA), Base Camp Bangladesh Ltd. and community members of Munlai Para designed the Munlai Community Tourism project.
BHDC and Base Camp had strong foothold in the Munlai Para, that created a competitive ground upon which this ambitious and bold community-based tourism development project is built.
The project is guided by the notion that if we could not prevent the harmful transitions of the nature and culture occurring due to climate change and globalization; there would be neither any unique offering to the travelers, nor a healthy resource base, upon which sustainable livelihood opportunities (for the community) could be harnessed. Considering the huge scope for community operated/managed tourism (products and services) and outdoor activities, Base Camp, which is Bangladesh’s leading and first adventure and outdoor activity company, together with BHDC and community, has taken initiative to promote integrated and responsible tourism in Munlai Para.
The Munlai Community Tourism experience is designed entirely based on the lifestyle of the Bawms and the landscape surrounding Munlai Para. Through the homestay, indigenous culinary offerings, hikes in the hills and orchards, adventure activities (i.e. kayaking, zip lines, tree top activities etc.) and souvenirs, travellers are bound to take away a memorable experience from Munlai. The plan is to attract not only individuals but families who will find fun and learning from this expedition.
The Munlai Community Tourism Project begun with the process of understanding the contexts, challenges and opportunities dictating the tourism landscape in the area. Also included in the process were tourism resource and stakeholders mapping, community consultations, livelihood identification and assessment for income generation (e.gs., homestays, guide, kayaking, zip-line, mountain biking, teashops, cashews, handicrafts etc.), formation of management committee, business planning, marketing and promotional activities.
In order to sustain the community tourism development and living standard of every community, principle of ‘no one is left behind’ was adopted. Inclusion of one member from every household in income generation activities was ensured by integrating their livelihood within various nodes of tourism supply chain.
The bottom line of having developed Munlai Community Tourism is to ensure that when a traveler walks in the Munlai Para, stays there and leaves, the journey should create opportunity not only in gaining an unforgettable experience, but in that process, it should also contribute to generating maximum benefits to the local community, as well as business profitability to the private sector (Base Camp). The journey is built around several experiences such as homestays, culinary, outdoor adventure, nature based and cultural activities.
