Pugmark's eco-friendly luxury vessel MV Malangi redefines Sundarbans tourism

Dhaka : Pugmark Tours and Travels has launched MV Malangi, an environmentally friendly luxury tourist vessel designed specifically for the Sundarbans, as the nature tourism operator seeks to raise the standard of river cruising while promoting sustainable tourism in Bangladesh. Talking to The Bangladesh Monitor during a familiarization trip aboard the vessel, Nazrul Islam Bachchu, Founder and CEO of Pugmark Tours and Travels, said, the new boat was built to offer a premium wildlife experience without compromising the fragile ecosystem of the world's largest mangrove forest. Established in 2010, Pugmark specializes in nature, wildlife, and species tourism, organizing birdwatching, photography, research, and documentary expeditions across the Sundarbans. Built for sustainable tourism According to Bachchu, MV Malangi is Bangladesh's first cruise vessel designed around sustainability while maintaining international comfort standards.Nazrul Islam Bachchu The vessel incorporates solar power that supplies electricity for lighting, fans, and refrigeration, helping reduce generator use and noise pollution inside the forest. "We sell experiences, not simply transportation," Bachchu said. "Visitors come to the Sundarbans to enjoy its silence. The boat itself should not disturb that environment." The vessel also features a sewage treatment plant that treats wastewater before discharge, reducing river pollution. A significant portion of its fittings-including marine-grade wiring, lighting, kitchen equipment, and other components-has been sourced from Chattogram's ship-breaking industry, replacing conventional land-based materials commonly used in local passenger vessels.Its exterior design draws inspiration from the historic paddle steamers, locally known as "Rocket" steamers, introduced in the subcontinent more than a century ago. While similar river cruise vessels operate in India, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam, Bachchu said, this is the first privately built tourist vessel of its kind in Bangladesh. Comfort meets conservation Designed for high-end and upper-middle-end travelers, MV Malangi offers larger cabins, spacious bathrooms, air-conditioning, hot water, oversized windows fitted with mosquito screens, and double-glazed glass to reduce heat and outside noise. The boat also provides generous open deck spaces to ensure privacy while allowing guests uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape. MV Malangi has 15 cabins accommodating up to 48 passengers, or 32 guests for more spacious occupancy. Three premium cabins offer additional space, including a 300-square-foot panoramic suite located at the bow of the vessel, while the remaining 12 cabins measure approximately 120 square feet each. Experience-focused itineraries Rather than conventional sightseeing, Pugmark emphasizes immersive wildlife experiences. Its three-day itineraries include multiple silent boat excursions through narrow forest canals, giving visitors better opportunities to observe wildlife without disturbing the habitat. Guided forest walks introduce guests to the Sundarbans' vegetation, wildlife, and ecological diversity through nature interpretation activities."We focus on experience-based tourism," Bachchu said. "Each canal, each forest trail offers something different." The company primarily operates private charter trips for groups of 20 to 40 guests, while also offering scheduled departures during holiday periods. All-inclusive packages include accommodation, buffet meals, refreshments, guided activities, and transfers. Looking beyond Sundarbans While most cruises currently begin from Khulna or Mongla, Bachchu plans to introduce itineraries originating in Dhaka, reviving long-distance river tourism that once connected the capital with Khulna and the Sundarbans. He is also exploring cross-border river cruises to India, noting that although Indian vessels regularly enter Bangladesh, no Bangladeshi tourist cruise currently operates the reverse route. High-end market offers growth potential An estimated 30,000 to 35,000 tourists visit the Sundarbans annually through packaged cruises operated by around 70 to 80 vessels, while day cruises push the overall number to nearly 100,000 visitors. However, Bachchu said foreign tourist arrivals have fallen by around 50 percent in recent years, prompting operators to increasingly target Bangladesh's growing affluent travel market. Having previously served around 500 tourists each season with its two existing vessels, Pugmark expects MV Malangi to attract between 1,200 and 1,500 passengers annually. Bachchu believes the new vessel represents not only an investment in luxury river cruising but also a model for environmentally responsible tourism in Bangladesh, demonstrating that premium travel experiences and conservation can go hand in hand.