Bichanakandi Unsafe, Eco-Park Plan Not Implemented.

Naim Ahmed, Jointaupur-Gowainghat (Sylhet). Bichanakand is one of the most popular tourist spots in Gowainghat Upazila, Sylhet The clear water streams flowing down from India's Meghalaya hills the vast expanse of stone fields, and the hill-surrounded natural beauty draw thousands of domestic and foreign tourists here every day. The influx of tourists is especially heavy during the rainy season and on weekends. But while the number of tourists has increased, security and service standards have not kept pace. During an on-site visit from Thursday noon to afternoon, it was found that safety rules are not being properly followed in boat operations. Most boats are not using life jackets. Adequate warning signboards were also not visible. No responsible security arrangements were visible to ensure tourist safety in the Zero Point area. It was observed on the ground that almost all boats used to transport tourists are operating without life jackets. There were also complaints in some places of carrying more passengers than the capacity. Yet during the rainy season, as hill floods and currents increase, any accident could lead to major loss of life. Locals say that every year many tourists who cannot swim go into the clear water and fall victim to accidents. There have been multiple incidents of drowning deaths in Bichanakandi in the past as well. Mahmudul Hasan a tourist from Savar, Dhaka said, "Bichanakandi's natural beauty is amazing. But there are many shortcomings in basic facilities for tourists. Boat fares are comparatively high, and food prices are also steep. There is no changing room for female tourists. The biggest problem is that there is no quality residential hotel, motel, or resthouse here. As a result, tourists coming from far away have to return the same day or make arrangements to stay overnight elsewhere. Sajid Ahmed a university student from *Chattogram, said, There are no good restaurants. The ones that exist have unsatisfactory food quality, yet the prices are very high. The administration needs to pay attention to these issues. Boat owner Shamim Ahmed said, We don’t always get enough tourists. There are losses on many days. That’s why we sometimes have to charge higher fares. Lilu Mia, President of Bichanakandi Small Tourism Industry Business Association said, Business is good on Friday and Saturday. On other days, with fewer tourists, we just manage to survive. If the government and concerned authorities prioritize the tourism sector, the economy of this area will become more prosperous. During the on-site visit, no Tourist Police or volunteer team was seen on duty for tourist safety. However, one *BGB member was seen on duty for border security in the Zero Point area. However, Md. Omar Faruk Mollah, OC and In-Charge of Bichanakandi Tourist Police Zone, claimed that Tourist Police are on regular duty. He said, Boatmen have been instructed to use life jackets. If there are complaints of extra fares being charged, action will be taken. Meanwhile, piles of market garbage were seen in the Hadarpar boat ghat area. Locals allege that some of this waste is mixing with the river water. This is causing environmental pollution as well as marring the beauty of the tourist area. To preserve the environment and develop tourism in Bichanakandi, an eco-park or eco-tourism project was undertaken in 2018 on about 34.59 acres of land. The project included plans to plant around 10,000 forest and medicinal trees, build modern washrooms, separate changing rooms for men and women, seating areas, and create employment for locals. But the on-site visit showed that most of the project area is lying vacant. There was also no visible trace of the trees planted in the past. The planned infrastructure has not been implemented either. Md. Badrul Islam, Administrator of Bichanakandi Union Parishad, said, Many of the tourists' complaints fall under the Upazila administration. However, developing Bichanakandi as a modern tourist center is now a demand of the time. Ratan Kumar Adhikari, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Gowainghat, said, The matter of the past eco-park project will be looked into. Complaints from tourists and security-related issues will also be investigated on-site and necessary measures will be taken. Meanwhile, during the on-site visit, some workers were seen carrying stones in the border area adjacent to Zero Point. Video footage related to this is preserved with this reporter. Efforts are underway to get the statement of the concerned authorities on the matter. Bichanakandi is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. At special times, hundreds of thousands of tourists gather here. Even on weekly holidays, thousands of people come to enjoy the boundless natural beauty. In the rainy season, with Meghalaya's green hills, rafts of white clouds, and hill streams, Bichanakandi appears in a new form. However, for this promising tourist center, it is urgent to strengthen security, strictly monitor boat operations, provide necessary infrastructure for female tourists, ensure a clean environment, and implement the stalled development projects. Otherwise, there remains a risk that the sustainable development of the tourism industry will be hindered.