As the world observes World Tourism Day on Saturday, Cox’s Bazar; home to the world’s longest sea beach, is under serious threat.
Despite legal protections, unchecked encroachment and illegal structures continue to spread across the coastline, sparking outrage among environmentalists and civil society groups.
The 120-kilometre stretch from Nazirartek to Teknaf was declared an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) in 1999, yet that designation is routinely ignored.
According to existing regulations, no commercial structure is permitted within 300 meters of high-tide line.
However, hundreds of shops, food stalls, umbrellas, chairs and temporary sheds are being set up along the most popular stretches of the beach.
Environmental activists warn that the unchecked commercialization is not only destroying the natural beauty and tranquillity of the beach, but also pushing the entire coastal ecosystem toward irreversible damage.
Over the past year alone, hundreds of new shops have appeared in areas including Nazirartek, Sugandha, Kolatoli, Dariyanagar, Himchari, Inani, Patuartek and Teknaf.
These structures, shockingly, have often been built with formal approval from local and district administrations as well as various government agencies; all in direct violation of the ECA laws.
In some cases, government departments themselves have constructed buildings illegally within restricted zones.
One striking example is the five-kilometre stretch from Laboni Point to Kolatoli, where nearly 2,000 umbrellas, beach chairs and mobile shops have been officially approved.
A recent incident at Sugandha Point; where over a hundred makeshift stalls were installed in a single day, triggered widespread criticism on social media.
Following public outcry, Ministry of Environment issued a directive last Tuesday to both district administration and Department of Environment, ordering the removal of all illegal establishments and the cancellation of any licenses issued.
The letter warned that commercial activity within the ECA is posing a grave threat to biodiversity and environmental integrity.
Earlier this year, under a High Court directive, over 200 illegal shops were evicted from Sugandha beach area.
However, encroachers have since returned, employing new strategies to re-establish their businesses.
Md Azim Khan, Executive Magistrate of Cox’s Bazar District Administration’s Tourism Division, confirmed that court has prohibited the establishment of any commercial structures on the beach’s sand dunes.
“Any approval given includes environmental protection clauses,” he added.
Apel Mahmud, Additional DIG and head of Tourist Police in Cox’s Bazar, stated that those responsible for setting up illegal tong ghors have been ordered to remove them voluntarily.
“Failure to comply will result in legal action,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) has issued legal notices to eight government officials, demanding immediate action to clear illegal structures.
Prominent environmental and civic groups; including Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Amra Cox’s Bazarbashi, Cox’s Bazar Society and Cox’s Bazar Unnayan Sangram Parishad, have also warned of launching mass protests if swift enforcement does not follow.
Kalim Ullah, General Secretary of BAPA’s Cox’s Bazar chapter, stressed the urgency of the situation.
“If the authorities do not comply with the ECA laws and High Court directives, tourism industry here is headed toward disaster,” he said. “This beach must be protected; not just for tourism, but for the future of our environment.”
SU/SH
