The picturesque Zastat Holiday Resort Centre at Doloipara village about 9 kilometres off the city will draw anybody's attention.

Modern recreation facilities created in a natural atmosphere and the green hills around give weary urban dwellers a chance to breathe fresh air and relax, away from the concrete jungle.

It is about three kilometres from Khadimpara on the Sylhet-Tamabil highway.

Though the highway is good, the three 3 kilometre narrow road is unmetalled and rugged. But, once at the resort, it is soothing all around.

A two-storied motel with a standard restaurant on the ground floor has been established on a hilltop. A gymnasium, a sports complex with Billiard table and other indoor games facilities, a lawn tennis and a modern swimming pool caters to the need of visitors of all ages and classes.

Children can learn swimming at special discount.

A mini conference room also offers businessmen and officials the scope for work while in a pleasure trip.

There is also a natural lake with a small family picnic spot. A beautiful garden with about 50,000 plants and trees of about 350 species adds to its beauty.

Setting up of a mini zoo is also in the process.

The divisional headquarters badly needed some recreation facilities for long. Even there is no full-fledged children park here. The once renowned Jalalabad Park near the Keane bridge is abandoned for long. Part of it was leased to a private concern for nursery business years back.

"The Zastat Holiday Resort will meet the demand to a great extent", said MC College student Anwar Hossain while talking to this correspondent at the resort recently. He went there along with his friends.

Dr. Toufique Rahman Chowdhury, Chairman, Institute of Business and Information Technology (IBIT) and his family were gossiping at the garden.

He said, "Busy urban people look for a chance to take a break and pass the leisure time in a quieter place. This resort offers a scope to enjoy scenic beauty in a natural atmosphere".

Every day a good number of people come to Sylhet for different purposes including visiting the shrines of great saints Hajrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hajrat Sha Poran (RA). There are also other places of interest in greater Syhet, which attract visitors. There is a good prospect of developing tourism in the region, said Shamsul Haque, a banker.

While talking to this correspondent, Dr Zakaria Hossain said he started the project in 1996. The first phase has been completed.

"I tried to retain the natural character of the site. I want to prepare a proper environment for children and others.

"I have a master plan prepared with the help of some engineers and architects in the light my experience at home and abroad.

"I have plan to expand the area covering more hillocks".

The entry fee is Tk 20 per head.

Its Manager Squadron Leader (retd) AAM Shoaib said, "We are satisfied with the number of visitors. On an average, 300 people come here daily".

Setting up of rope line for cable car for movement from one hill to another is going on. Pleasure trip by helicopter is also being planned, he said.

"We are hopeful of attracting people including expatriates, who come to the country for holidays", Shoaib added.

Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman formally inaugurated the resort on April 29. But visitors started flocking to the resort since it was ready in February, he said.