NOAKHALI, Feb 10: Nijumdwip in Hatiya Upazila of the district has turned tantalised with birds, barking deer, red crabs, buffalo and natural green belts.
Sandy vast sea shore having horizontal beauty is also attracting tourists. Along with this, waving sea is mesmerising. The beauty of the island has also been added with natural Kewra belt.
In fact the island is a heaven of birds including local Jourali, Batan, Gulinda, Jiria, and several species of migratory birds, such as Rajhansh, Khoaj, Tila Laal Pa, Pati Laal Pa and Sabuj Laal Pa.
Several species of Gangchil, Panchil and different species of Chil, Eagle, Masranga, and white herons are available.
Nijumdwip is widely known to local and foreign tourists.
The tourism activities in the beautiful island have been continuing for the last one decade. This winter season common people and hotel-motel traders are benefitting financially.
After Sundarban Nijumdwip is the second biggest mangrove forest in Bangladesh. It holds huge potential of tourism businesses. If it is developed with necessary communications and tourism attractions, the island will make huge contribution to the tourism sector.
Yearly thousands of local and foreign tourists land at the Nijumdwip.
Recently, a health official of the Directorate of Health-Dhaka Sazid Rezwan went to Nijumdwip. On hobby he started taking pictures in 2010 and in 2012 he started barding his pictures. He has travelled different places at home and abroad and took part in many exhibitions and won many awards.
While talking with this correspondent of The Daily Observer, Sazid said, "Nijumdwip is the pleasure ground of the natural beauty having naturally grown green belts and beautiful diversity. Along with two associates, I have been there to enjoy. We feel thrilling."
"Swinging of our small trawler at the Meghna Estuary got us to be excited," he added.
He further said, "Already we have spent two days here. Locals were hospitable to us with serving tasty food."
"To keep up the shore, it needs our sincerity and responsibility," he maintained. He suggested that it is not wise to throw plastic bottles and chip packs here and there. "We don want to see killing birds by poachers or poison bate," he added.
Jahajmara Range Officer SM Saifur Rahman said, "Our Forest Department is always vigilant about maintaining the natural balance and conserving biodiversity."
"Especially different local and foreign birds come to Nijumdwip, Dhalchjar and surrounding chars in the winter season. We are patrolling round the clock so that none can disturb these birds."
Nijumdwip Union Dinaj Uddin said, these birds are the extra enjoyment for tourists. All types of measures have been taken by the union to stop poaching of birds and ensure proper movement of tourists, he added.
He further said, "We all including union members, village police and common people need to be more conscious in this regard."
On April 13 in 2008, Nijumdwip was declared as natural nursery. Later on, embankment and new roads were built in limited scale. Very recently, the island has been brought under electricity through submarine cable.
At present, main road of the island and other roads are lying deplored. But tourists have increased manifold.
People of Hatiya demanded further communication and infrastructure development in Nijumdwip to make it more attractive for tourists.
2,000 honey collectors enter Sundarban this season