Guliakhali isn’t your regular sea beach. As opposed to an expected sandy setting, its green grass beds, hundreds of small channels and trees give it a unique identity. During high tide, salt water flows through the canals combined with the fresh breeze coming in from the deep seas, which means tranquility is never too far away.

SIFAYET ULLAH

To preserve these natural bounty, the government has chalked up a special plan for the beach, which falls under Sitakunda upazila, by declaring it a protected area.

The government has issued a gazette notification in this regard on January 11.

Following this, a development project has been undertaken, under which restaurants, resorts, scenic wooden bridges, shopping complexes and parking spaces will be constructed in Guliakhali.

According to the Beach Management Committee, a 5km long, 24ft wide road will be constructed from Sitakunda to Guliakhali, while an international standard resort and restaurant will be built in the beach area.

A one-acre parking lot, a washing block and a mini shopping complex, as well as umbrellas, will be set up along the beach as well.

“The bridge will be constructed to ease travel during monsoon,” said Md Shahadat Hossain, member secretary of the committee and UNO of Sitakunda. “The beach will be open to all without any entry fee,” he added.

During a recent visit to the beach, 40km from Chattogram city, hundreds of people were seen enjoying their time there.

“Cox’s Bazar’s development has flourished based on tourism. If Guliakhali becomes a tourist zone, the socio-economic conditions of Sitakunda will change,” said Nasir Uddin Anik, a local resident.

“But the natural conditions of the beach must be preserved, since we’ve come across many instances where natural beauty was destroyed due to lack of proper planning and rampant urbanisation,” said Md Shahin Islam Khan, chief town planner of Chattogram Development Authority. “If the new infrastructures are built in an eco-friendly manner, it will carry a positive message for everyone.”