District Correspondent, Sylhet
During the long Eid holidays, the tourism hub of Gowainghat Upazila has become vibrant with a massive influx of tourists. Nature lovers have flocked to the picturesque tourist destination of Jaflong, renowned as the “Beauty Queen,” to witness its lush green hills, blue skies, crystal-clear cold water, and pebble-strewn riverbeds. With an unprecedented and record-breaking number of tourists, Jaflong has turned into a grand gathering place for visitors.
From Jaflong Tea Garden Mohammadpur to Jaflong Zero Point, tourists from different parts of the country have filled the area to capacity. Families, friends, and children are enjoying themselves amidst Jaflong’s green nature, bringing it back to life. Due to Ramadan, tourist spots remained relatively empty for a long time, but now, all tourist centers in Gowainghat are witnessing an influx of visitors. Hotels, motels, and resorts are also experiencing a surge in guests.
On Thursday, the fourth day of Eid, a field visit revealed that not only Jaflong but also other tourist spots such as Bichanakandi, the swamp forest Ratargul, the crystal-clear blue waters of Lalakhal, and the Pantumai waterfall were bustling with activity. These locations are now teeming with tourists. The roads are filled with various vehicles, and people from different backgrounds—young and old—have gathered, creating a lively atmosphere of excitement and joy.
The breathtaking natural beauty, hills, deep forests, biodiversity, rivers, diverse indigenous cultures, rich history and heritage, religious and social festivities, archaeological sites, and the warm hospitality of the local people make Gowainghat Upazila a place that can attract tourists from any corner of the world.
Gowainghat is one of Bangladesh’s most prominent tourist regions. The coexistence of multiple ethnic communities and the mesmerizing beauty of nature easily captivate any visitor. Besides the entertainment centers, the influx of tourists has significantly increased in hotels and motels in the upazila, benefiting tourism-related businesses.
Tourists have expressed that the government and administration must take various initiatives to develop the tourism sector. They believe that with proper facilities and infrastructure improvements, the tourism industry will expand rapidly. Enhancing amenities and aligning them with demand will help the country’s tourism sector move forward. A comprehensive transformation in transportation systems is necessary to foster tourism. Across different regions of the country, tourism is growing according to demand, and new tourism possibilities are emerging. By maintaining environmental and ecological balance, preserving cultural heritage, and involving local communities in tourism activities, sustainable tourism can be ensured, which will contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.
Meanwhile, the Gowainghat Upazila administration has strengthened security measures to ensure that tourists can travel safely. Authorities are making efforts to provide a secure experience for visitors at various tourist centers. Additionally, members of the Tourist Police are actively working to maintain security. To ensure tourist safety, the Tourist Police, Gowainghat Thana Police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Bangladesh Scouts, Bangladesh Red Crescent, and Ansar members are all working together.
Jaflong Tourist Police In-charge Md. Shahadat Hossain said that Jaflong was crowded with tourists from the morning during the Eid holidays. Tourist police personnel are working to ensure the overall security of the visitors.
He further stated that their focus is on ensuring that tourists do not face any kind of inconvenience during their visit.
