Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked the
authorities concerned not to build high-rise establishments along the sea in
Cox’s Bazar.
“We will not allow construction of high-rise establishments along the sea
as it will harm the natural beauty of Cox’s Bazar ,” she said, adding tourism
parks should be developed keeping intake the natural beauties of the region.
The prime minister made the remarks while witnessing a presentation of
master plans of three special tourism parks to be developed at Cox’s Bazar.
The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) has been entrusted with
setting up the Sonadia Eco-Tourism Park in Moheshkhali upazila and NAF and
Sabrang Tourism Parks in Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar.
The aim of the master plans is to develop tourism-friendly zones
protecting ecological balance and biodiversity, country’s heritage, culture
and tradition as well as to establish bridge among other tourism sites under
Cox’s Bazar district and adjacent areas.
Sheikh Hasina also directed the authorities concerned to construct
establishments in the tourism parks ensuring those to be tolerant to
disasters such as earthquake, cyclone and tidal surge.
Describing the Cox’s Bazar sea beach as the world’s longest sandy sea
beach, she said the 80-mile sea beach is one of the beautiful tourist spots
of the world.
The premier advised to develop the Sabrang Tourism Park as a “dedicated
tourist site” for the foreigners.
She also instructed the authorities concerned to ensure all necessary
facilities maintaining international standards so that foreign tourists could
be attracted to visit the region to witness natural beauties.
Talking about Naf Tourism Park, Sheikh Hasina asked the authorities to
complete its construction works within next three years.
She also gave necessary guidelines to the concerned authorities to ensure
various facilities in the three tourism parks.
Former Professor of BUET Khairul Anam highlighted key features of the
master plan of the Sabrang and Naf Tourism Parks, while Balakrishnan Shuresh
Mahindra highlighted important aspects on the Sonadia Eco -Tourism Park
through video presentation.
The consultancy firm which prepared the master plan for Sonadia Eco-
Tourism Park has assured the premier that the tourists could visit the park
within 24 months while it will take nine years to give a complete shape of
the park.
At the directives of the prime minister, the BEZA has undertaken steps to
develop the tourism parks by protecting ecological balance and conserving
biodiversity in the coastal area.
For the purpose, BEZA has already appointed Mahindra Consulting Engineers
and DEVCON Consultants Limited as consultancy firms to establish country’s
first eco tourism park at Sonadia.
Development Design Consultant Bangladesh and DOHWA Consultant Limited,
Korea have been appointed as consultancy firms to set up Sabrang and Naf
Tourism Parks.
Only 909 acres of land out of 8967 acres of Sonadia will be used for
developing the eco-tourism park, while the rest of the area will be kept
intake, officials concerned said.
Earlier, BEZA Executive Chairman Paban Chowdhury gave an overview on the
three master plans saying the plans would be finalized within a month as per
latest guidelines of the Prime Minister.
PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, Principal Coordinator on the
SDG Affairs at the PMO Zuena Aziz, Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim and PMO
Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah, among others, were present on the
ocassion.
The Prime Minister also asked the authorities concerned to complete the development works of the Sabrang Tourism Park within three years.
Sabrang Tourism Park will be the first exclusive tourism park in Cox’s Bazar district encompassing an area of 1,047 acres at Sabrang union in Teknaf upazila.
Sabrang Union is an amazing hill and sea beach territory with multifaceted and admirable beauty.
The Naf Tourism Park, popularly known as Jaliardwip, will be the first island based tourism park in Bangladesh encompassing an area of 271 acres.
Naf Tourism Park is located on an egg-shaped island raised in the middle of the Naf River under Teknaf Upazilla of Cox’s Bazar.
