Despite the potential, Rangamati tourism did not develop the desired!

"I went to see the mountains, I went to see the Indus, I didn't see a drop of dew on a blade of grass two feet outside the house." Such a feeling of the poet is the hilly Rangamati, a verdant land of green variety hidden in the mountains. Rangamati district of unique natural beauty is an attractive place for local and foreign tourists due to its diversity. Rangamati is one of the largest districts on the south-eastern border of Bangladesh.

The thousands of feet high mountains here are like wavy sari. The clouds of the sky touch the chest of the mountains. In autumn and winter, white clouds also play on the green hills. Surrounded by greenery and mountains, Kaptai Lake, the largest artificial lake in Asia, is located in the district. So, although the hill town Rangamati is a very popular name for tourists, Rangamati town has not yet been made very attractive for tourists. Even in the last few decades, tourism related infrastructure has not been developed officially for tourists in this region. Despite the potential, the tourism sector of Rangamati has not been developed. As a result, tourists are losing interest. Locals complain that the desired development is not happening as the government initiatives are stuck in the circle of planning.

After the construction of Kaptai Dam in 1960, the government took up the plan to develop a tourist area around the lake. Tourism Corporation started its journey in 1983 by building a suspension bridge between two mountains. But, after that no further initiative was seen to develop the tourism industry.

Hundreds of thousands of tourists will enter Rangamati during the upcoming tourist season. Therefore, the local residents of the area and those involved in the tourism business have demanded to make the tourism sector of Rangamati more prosperous by ensuring the overall facilities for these tourists.

Nesar Ahmed, director of Rangamati Chamber of Commerce, who is involved with the tourism business of Rangamati and the owner of a tourism firm, said that industries and factories are not being developed in Chattogram Hill Tracts due to various reasons.

After the Hill Peace Treaty, the expansion of the tourism industry in the hilly areas is increasing, but due to various local obstacles, the tourism industry of Rangamati is not able to reach its desired goal. He said that local and foreign tourists are very interested in coming to Rangamati to enjoy the unique beauty of the lake and hills, in this case, to ensure the necessary environment by simplifying the rules and regulations for tourists, increasing the presence of tourist police in all tourist spots for tourists, and directly involving the educated unemployed children of the local population with this tourism sector. If it can be included, the image of the tourism sector of Rangamati will change, there will be a radical change in the quality of life of the people here.

Meanwhile, when asked about the present government's thoughts on Rangamati's tourism sector, Rangamati Member of Parliament and President of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Food Ministry Dipankar Talukdar said, "We have a special plan for hill tourism." On the way to the entrance, there will be various attractive structures built on the top of the hill with beautiful gardens. Tourism facilities in Rangamati have increased more than before. Many tourist resorts proved the future.

Commenting on Rangamati's economic situation, if importance is given to developing tourism and large amounts of money are provided, the MP said, as soon as tourists enter the three hill districts of Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban, they think that we have entered a special district. That is how we plan to develop the area.

District Commissioner of Rangamati, Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Khan, said that a tourism fair was recently organized in Rangamati by the district council and the district administration to highlight the culture of the hills to invite local and foreign tourists to come to Rangamati and enjoy the beauty of the area. The District Commissioner also said that the district administration is also thinking about developing eco-tourism in the region.

Meanwhile, Rangamati Superintendent of Police Mir Abu Tawhid BPM-(Bar) has called upon tourists from home and abroad to come to Rangamati to enjoy the rich natural beauty of lakes and mountains and said that the Rangamati District Police has taken all the necessary security measures to keep the arrival and departure of tourists and their movement safe. Tourists can visit Rangamati without any problems.

Those concerned said that it is possible to build an international standard tourist center in Rangamati by using the beautiful nature of the lake and mountains. But it is not happening. It is expected that the government will take quick visible initiatives in the tourism development of this hilly district.