Bangladesh, June 29 -- The Sundarbans, the world's largest natural mangrove forest, braces for footfalls of greater number of visitors owing to the newly opened Padma Bridge that has brought the famed tourist destination in the south-western region closer to the rest of the country.

Travel to the region will be smooth and fast, according to tour operators and forest officials.

The forest department is already gearing up to welcome the rush of tourists by opening four new ecotourism centers close to the forest, which is shared by Bangladesh and West Bengal in India.

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Tourists will now have direct road access to the forest and its adjoining areas Mongla in Bagerhat.

Md Belaye...