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Picturesque Khagrachhari

A little attention can make it a prime tourism spot

JASIM MAJUMDER, Khagrachhari
Picturesque hill district of Khagrachhari, despite having plenty of natural features to be a prime tourist destination, is losing out due to absence of cellular communication and modern tourism facilities.
Harmonious existence of culturally diverse ethnic groups along with its breathtaking landscape showcasing several artificial and natural lakes, scenic valleys and natural waterfalls, Khagrachhari. with a little more infrastructural development, can stand out and turn into a favourite choice of tourists from home and abroad.
Khagrachhari is laid out on 2,600 square kilometres of rugged
terrain where six lakh inhabitants from different tribes of Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Santals, Pankho and Rakhine live peacefully with Bangalee settlers.
The locations that draw most visitors are tourist spots and Parjatan motel at Ramgor upazila, Alutilla Parjatan spot and Buddhist temple, Reechang natural waterfall, Debotar Pukur, Panchhari Aranya Kutir, Dighinala suspension bridge, Krishi Gabeshana institute, and the snaky and curved Chenghi and Mainee rivers.
The Alutilla Parjatan spot attracts most visitors as it is only 15 to 20 minutes away from Khagrachhari town. The Alutilla Buddhist temple, a mysterious cave and several majestic water-
falls are also located here. The fascinating view of the town and the River Chenghi from hilltops can mesmerise any visitor.
Reechang natural waterfall, the largest waterfall in Khagrachhari, is located in the dense tropical rain forest of Alutilla.
Another popular attraction, Debotar Pukur or the pond of gods, is situated about a thousand feet above the sea level on top of a hill. The level of water in this pond remains the same all year round and visitors are allowed to go for a dip in it.
Khagrachhari has a number of government and private rest houses, motels, hotels and guesthouses that are rented out at very reasonable rates.
Several transport companies are currendy operating comfortable bus services to and from Khagrachhari and the travel is expected to get more comfortable after the completion of the ongoing road expansion work in the area, said sources.
Narrow roads and unavailability of cellular phone network and quality restaurants meeting hygiene standards are the three drawbacks that hold back most tourists, especially from overseas, from making a trip to Khagrachhari, the sources added.
Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, manager of Khagrachhari Parjatan Motel, said the most difficult hurdle tourists face in the district is the unavailability of cellular communication network. Their patrons, mostiy business owners, do not want to be in Khagrachhari as they fear of incurring financial losses due to being unable to take care of their business over their cellphones, he added.
Asked to comment on the security situation in the district, Tareq Ahmed, assistant superintendent of police in Khagrachhari. said security measures taken for both local and foreign tourists arc adequate. He however stressed on the need for further development of infrastructures to ensure enhanced security.
Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser 1 f t c k h a r Ahmed Chowdhury on December 13 told journalists that the government would undertake special projects and establish an ecotourism facility In Khaj^achhari to promote I tourism in thearea.