The New Nation - Internet Edition

Checking threats to public health

THE recent detection of melamine in milk powder only put fresh and sharp focus on how consumers in Bangladesh have unknowingly taken health hazarding substances. A short list would shock any health conscious person: fishes and milk mixed with formalin which is used to preserve human corpses but which, if eaten, can cause cancer and liver diseases; burnt mobil mixed with cooking oil; pesticides sprayed liberally on fruits and vegetables; colouring agents in foods which are sometimes dyes used in textile industries; urea used in puffed rice for frying to make the same shinier; adulteration of chilli and turmeric powders; catering of rotten egg and meat in restaurants; marketing of fishes bred in sewer lagoons with the danger of such fishes that acquire different harmful bacteria from human excrement passed the same on to new human victims; calcium carbide used for artificial fruit ripening when eating such fruits can produce a host of diseases on humans.

The list can be made far longer. It may however be enough to give one an idea of how some people are making money at the cost of public health. And for their easy profit how the people are paying an awful price in the form of various sicknesses as a result. Medicines are meant to save the most precious of possession to humans, their life. Media reports as well as the actions of law enforcement bodies many times have shown the production of spurious medicines and related products. No government can hold back from cracking down against the doers of such crimes. The government is empowered to go after the offenders because the existing laws provide for capital punishment as well as long-term rigorous imprisonment for such crimes. The same, if enforced, would have deterrent effects.

Endangered species at greater risk

ACCORDING to a recent study as reported by AFP, some endangered species may face extinction risk that is upto a hundred times greater than previously thought. By overlooking random differences between individuals in a given population, researchers may have badly underestimated the perils confronting threatened wildlife, the study says. Many larger populations previously considered relatively safe would actually be at risk, says the lead author of the study, Brett Melbourne, a professor at the University of Colorado. There are more than 16,000 species worldwide threatened with extinction, according to the International Conservation Union (IUCN). One in four mammals, one in eight birds and one in three amphibians are on the IUCN's endangered species 'Red List'.

The models used draw up such lists typically look only at two risk factors. First, individual death within a small population, such as Indian tigers or rare whales. When a species dwindles beyond a certain point, even the loss of a handful of individuals can have devastating long-term consequences. There are less than 400 specimens of several species of whale, for example, and probably no more than 4,000 tigers roaming in the wild. The second factor is environmental conditions that can influence birth and death rates, such as habitat destruction, or fluctuations in temperature or rainfall, both of which can be linked to climate change. Two other determinants, according to the study, must be taken into account - male-to-female ratios in a species, and a wider definition of randomness in individual births and deaths. These complex variables can determine whether a fragile population can overcome a sudden decline in numbers for habitat loss, or will be wiped out. The new mathematical tool will be most useful to assess the survival prospects of species whose numbers can suddenly fluctuate and for which data is limited.

Promoting tourism in Bangladesh

Md. Wasiul Islam

Tourism has experienced continuous growth and diversification to become one of the largest and fastest growing economic sectors in the world over the past six decades. This is one of the today's most crucial, dynamic and charismatic international industry sectors. Tourism has become one of the major international trade categories. Now-a-days, the export income generated by international tourism ranks fourth after fuels, chemicals and automotive products. For many developing countries, it is one of the main income sources and the number one export category, creating much needed employment and opportunities for development. Tourism is essential for many countries due to its capacity to generate income through the consumption of goods and services by visitors and tourists, the taxes levied on businesses in the tourism industry and the employment opportunity for the service industries linked with tourism. These service industries include transportation services such as road, air and cruise ships and boats, accommodation such as hotels, motels, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues and other hospitality industry services such as spas, resorts, etc. The global economic and social changes have a great impact on tourism business development in recent years have given rise to new challenges and opportunities.

Before going further it is better to discuss about tourism very briefly. Tourism is travel for predominantly recreational or leisure purposes or the provision of services to support this leisure travel. According to UNWTO, tourism comprises the activities of persons travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited. UNWTO defines tourists as people who "travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited".

Some other definitions are also very useful to understand tourism. These terms are: recreation, leisure and travel. The word recreation has been coined from Latin word 'recreare' means to refresh. Refreshment of one's mind or body after work through activity that recreates or amuses or stimulates (e.g., play, walking, dancing, traveling, scuba diving, etc.). It is an activity done for pleasure or relaxation after the regular routine of one's responsibilities or duties. From tourism point of view, the activity of traveling for pleasure, to see sights, for recreation, etc. The word leisure comes from Norman French leisour and Old French leisir means to be permitted, from Latin licre.

It means having free time/spare time which is not occupied. It is freedom from time-consuming duties, responsibilities or activities. It allows time or opportunity for relaxation or hobbies. So leisure is such time which one can spend as one likes, especially when one does not have to work. Tourism is different from travel. In order for tourism to happen, there must be a displacement: an individual has to travel, using any type of means of transportation (he might even travel on foot: nowadays, it is often the case for poorer societies, and happens even in more developed ones, and concerns pilgrims, hikers …). But all travel is not tourism.

Three criteria are used simultaneously in order to characterize a trip as belonging to tourism. The displacement must be such that: (1) involves a displacement outside the usual environment (2) type of purpose: the travel must occur for any purpose different from being remunerated from within the place visited: the previous limits, where tourism was restricted to recreation and visiting family and friends are now expanded to include a vast array of purposes and (3) duration: only a maximal duration (one year) is mentioned, not a minimal. Tourism displacement can be with or without an overnight stay.

Tourism has become a popular global leisure activity in the world. If we look on the international tourism status then it will be translucent. According to United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), international tourist arrivals increased from 25 million to 903 million from 1950 to 2007. There were over 903 million international tourist arrivals in 2007 with a growth of 6.6% as compared to 2006 whereas it was 698 million in 2000 (growth was 7.3% of 1999). International tourist receipts were US$ 856 billion in 2007. The overall export income generated by these arrivals (international tourism receipts and passengers transport) grew at a similar pace, outgrowing the world economy, exceeding US$ 1 trillion in 2007, or almost US$ 3 billion a day.

Despite the uncertainties in the global economy, arrivals grew at around 5% during the first four months of 2008, almost a similar growth than the same period in 2007. For the whole of 2008, a softening of growth is anticipated due to the uncertainties posed by the current global economy affecting consumer confidence and constraining disposable income. Based on UNWTO reports, most of the top tourism earners in 2007 are European countries while the United States remains at the top earner.

The UNWTO forecasts that international tourism will continue growing at the average annual rate of 4 %. By 2020 Europe will remain the most popular destination, but its share will drop from 60% in 1995 to 46%. Long-haul will grow slightly faster than intraregional travel and by 2020 its share will increase from 18% in 1995 to 24%.

Tourism has many fold benefits to us and our environment. In future I will discuss it details for the readers. In very brief, tourism fosters environmental awareness both among locals and visitors. It links to social and economic development. The conservation of natural and cultural heritage of an area as well as to improve the living standards of its inhabitants is the major contributions of tourism. On the other hand, tourism has negative impacts too. Attracting a high volume of tourists can have many negative impacts, as for example the impact of 33 million tourists a year on the city of New York of USA. Tourism has many potential negative impacts to fragile environments.

The environment can be affected negatively by cruise ship pollution in many ways, including ballast water discharge and by pollution from aircraft. Tourism may pollute the local culture and heritage which may induce the crime situation and behavior of the locals. To minimize those negative impacts and increase the benefits of tourism it is very important to practice tourism management specifically sustainable tourism management.

By practicing (sustainable) tourism management, negative impacts of tourism can be tuned into benefits to the local and national economy as well as for the environment.

According to UNWTO, the top 15 destinations absorbed 98% of all international tourist arrivals in 1950, in 1970 the proportion was 75% and this fell to 57% in 2007, reflecting the emergence of new destinations but many of them in developing countries. Visitor expenditure on accommodation, food and drink, local transport, entertainment, shopping, etc. are important pillar of their economies, creating much needed employment and opportunities for development of many destinations. Nearly 80 countries earned more than US$ 1 million from international tourism in 2007. It has been expected that tourism will grow relatively strong in Asia. The region has a fast escalating economy. The growth of demand for services is related to income and in the long run is even higher than that of income. This explains also the growth of tourism over the past 50 years, which may continue in countries such as China or India. In this connection, Bangladesh stands in an important position which has great potentialities in tourism development.

Though tourism and its business are ancient activities but its development and promotion has not yet been carried out. Tourism has been advanced dramatically in the world whereas we lag behind. The geographical position, natural beauties, biodiversity, history, culture and traditions, climate, hospitable people form the basic foundation of tourism development in Bangladesh which are in advantageous position for us. The causes of not developing tourism in Bangladesh are: lack of proper planning for long run, lack of efficient tourism manpower, insufficient government and private sector involvement, security, etc. Now we need proper and long-term tourism master plan based on strong tourism policy by involvement of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to culture and practice tourism business in our attractive green country. Bangladesh has great potentialities to be an attractive tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors and tourists.

By the way, we can harness the economic, socio-cultural, environmental and institutional manifold benefits of tourism to enrich our country from various corners. Bangladesh may adopt tourism as an instrument for poverty alleviation, environment awareness and education, participation, infra-structure development, i.e., sustainable development.

There are different types of tourism. Some of these types which are prosperous for Bangladesh are: ecotourism, community-based (eco)tourism, pro-poor tourism, mass tourism, ethnic tourism, adventure tourism, religious tourism, historical tourism, etc. Now it is emergent to take effective and practical initiatives to flourish these types of tourism to earn more foreign exchange as well as local and regional development of Bangladesh.

The tourists'/visitors' decision on selecting any tourist destination can be influenced by six factors i.e., locations, transports, attractions, activities, accommodation and catering services of a given destination. According to SNV (Netherlands Development Organization) there are some pre-requisites which are called 10A's in short for Sustainable Tourism Development. These 10A's are: Attractions, Activities, Access, Accommodation, Actors, Amenities, Affinity, Acts, Ability and Administration. We have to study those elements to find out the problems and solutions to make our country a safe, secured and popular tourist destination.

We have not only the largest sea beach Cox's Bazar and the largest single tract of mangrove forests Sundarbans but also many other natural, cultural, religious and historical sites and attractions which have strong potentialities to be unique selling points for Bangladesh. We have to go far away to reach the standards of tourism but it needs cordial and joint initiatives.

I'm interested on tourism development of Bangladesh and taking higher study in The Netherlands. Now, I'm doing my research on tourism in Bangladesh. I hope to share my knowledge, experience and ideas on tourism to the general and concerned people of Bangladesh to create awareness and motivation on tourism development.

Open letter to Obama

Aijaz Zaka Syed

Dear Mr Obama,

Salaam, I am not sure if this will ever pass your eyes. At a time when the whole world is excited about your landmark election and everybody who is somebody is talking about your meteoric rise, this is likely to be dismissed as just another outpouring of emotions from the Middle East.

But write I must. And I hope to God it does find its way to your table. Even if it doesn't, I'll at least have the consolation of having tried to persuade you what the world, especially the Middle East, expects from you and what a great opportunity you have of changing it for the better.

I may be ridiculed for my naïve idealism and for daring to hope the agenda of the reigning superpower could be influenced by individuals sitting thousands of miles away in Dubai.

But there's no harm in trying, is there? Besides, after your own incredible victory riding on a wave of idealism and message of hope, no one can ever suggest idealism doesn't work. You wouldn't be where you are today without idealism and faith and the incredible power of dreams.

It's this power that can take a 'skinny guy with a funny name' to White House. By now you must be conscious of the impossibly high expectations the Americans and the rest of the world have from you.

These hopes are only natural considering what the world has been through over the past eight years under the current incumbent. Your predecessor has somehow managed to gang up the whole world against America, a feat that eluded even Richard Nixon.

>From the total destruction of Iraq to the shame of Abu Ghraib, from spying on Americans to abduction of innocents by CIA, and from dumping hundreds of civilians as enemy combatants down the hole called the Guantanamo Bay, this administration has never been short on ever new ideas of violating human dignity.

But to give your predecessor his due, he's been equally indifferent to the business of governance at home. So while New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, was being ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, the leader of the free world went biking. Ditto the current economic crisis. W slept while the Wall Street burnt.

Dear Mr Obama, the Americans have elected you hoping you could put out the Bush fires. They believe you could clear this spectacular mess.

By electing you they have in one stroke changed global perceptions about America, restoring the world's faith in the land of the free.

Because at heart we are all Americans and love America and all that it stands for -- or once stood for. Your election proves, as you argued in the thrilling election night speech in Chicago, that all things are possible in America.

But if your victory was groundbreaking, the hopes and expectations it has generated in and outside America and challenges you face now are equally formidable.

But if anyone can meet these daunting tasks confronting America and the world at large, it's you. Your unusual life story is a celebration of the Audacity of Hope. You are after all the blessed one. Barack in Arabic, as you must know, means blessing. So perhaps there's a design in your being chosen for this most difficult of all jobs. I am sure you can, and will, successfully negotiate your great country through the minefield of difficult times ahead.

But your responsibility does not end with America. There's a message in the frenzied adulation for you and celebrations around the world over your victory: The world sees you as its leader and expects leadership from you.

Which is why it's heartening to see you move with remarkable alacrity to put America back on track. Even though you are yet to formally take over from Bush, you already have your team in place and are taking steps to reverse the divisive and most disastrous policies of this administration.

The world is already delighted by your decision to shut the Guantanamo Bay and either free the detainees or try them in the US courts. This is something that your heroes Lincoln, Emerson and King would all approve. But in all honesty, most of those men at the Bay have already suffered enough for crimes they did not commit.

Did you know that one of them, Omar Khadr, was captured in Afghanistan during the US Invasion in 2001 when he was only 15? He has spent six years of his life in a hole. His crime? Being the son of parents who had been working in Afghanistan. There are hundreds of Omar Khadrs out there. And all of them deserve justice.

Others who demand your attention are Palestinians. They too have been paying for crimes they did not commit for nearly seven decades now. Or rather, they've been paying for someone else's crimes. The Palestinians are being victimized for Europe's crimes against Jews, as Ahmadinejad says. Today, prisoners in their own land and their ghettos, they are fighting for survival, literally!

Throughout your campaign, you've talked of hope and change and America believed in you. It has embraced you because it knows it needs someone like you to bring it the change it badly needs.

Mr Obama, we in the Middle East believe in you too. I know there are some who are already nervous about your choice for White House chief of staff.

But I would rather look at the big picture. A Jewish chief of staff doesn't necessarily mean you are anti-Arab or anti-Muslim. What matters is the general direction and outcome of your policies.

I still believe that if anyone can bring hope and change to the world's most volatile region, it's you.

With your unusual background, representing both Christianity and Islam, both black and white and both East and West, you are uniquely placed to bring hope and change to the region that has been the cradle of civilizations and three great faiths. And you must begin this mission right away, before you get used to power; or power and its compulsions get the better of you.

The Middle East, more specifically Palestine, is the key to world peace. From the war in Iraq to militancy in Afghanistan and Pakistan, everything is linked to Palestine. You bring peace to the Middle East and the world will find its peace. You change the Middle East and you'll change the world.