From cyclone devastation to tourist destination
Sarankhola, a small upazila in Bagerhat, is a place of scenic beauty that has recently seen a renewed interest in tourism. This upazila, of around 152 square kilometres, is bounded to the east by the Baleshwar River, to the north by Morrelgonj, and the south and west by the Sundarbans and the Bay of Bengal.
Cyclone Sidr, which hit Bangladesh on November 15, 2007, claimed the lives of over 3,500 people in Bangladesh and caused damage worth hundreds of crores of money. The residents of Sarankhola were hit particularly hard by the storm. The powerful winds and storm surges destroyed homes, crops, and infrastructure, and left many people homeless and without access to necessities such as food and water.
The storm surge, which was more than five metres high in some areas, inundated the entire upazila. The embankments that had been built to protect the area from flooding were breached in many places. The people of Sarankhola, who are mostly fishermen and farmers, lost almost everything in the cyclone.
Hence, their main demand in the cyclone's aftermath was the construction of a long-lasting embankment to protect them against natural catastrophes.
And the government obliged. An embankment was constructed with funding from the World Bank soon after.
This embankment turned out to be a blessing for the residents of Sharankhola. The concrete blocks left to sustain the earthen embankment have become an attractive sight, and every day thousands of people from different areas come to the bank of the Baleshwar River near Sharankhola Upazila Sadar to enjoy the river and natural beauty together.
The upazila administration has started working to advance the tourism potential of the Baleshwar River bank, which has been named Riverview Eco Park. Colourful umbrellas and beach beds have been placed, and small entrepreneurs are selling different types of food. Speed boats are also available for visitors to enjoy the beauty of the river.
Robiul Halder, a visitor from Morrelgonj, said, "It was very good to see the river's waves and the white clouds floating in the sky. Such a scene is not often seen."
Jasim Molla, a visitor from Bagerhat Sadar, said, "The calm and serene environment, along with the sound of the river, will fascinate anyone."
The Riverview Eco-park has become a source of tranquillity for thousands of visitors every day. The small traders of Fuchka, Jhalmuri, Phuchka, Chanachur, and ice cream said sales are good. Speedboat driver Salim said he also earns a good income from the spot.
Local Sanjib Mollick said, "Sharankhola had no place for people to visit. Now everyone is coming to Riverview Park, having a good time. In one word, the Baleshwar River bank has become one of the main attractions of travel seekers. Hope Riverview Eco-park will play a role in the prosperity of Sharankhola residents."
The beauty of the river and the natural environment, coupled with the renewed tourism opportunities, make Sarankhola a must-visit destination for travellers.
With the increase in visitors in the future, employment opportunities will be created for more than a thousand people around Riverview Eco Park, hoped Sharankhola Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Noor-e-Alam Siddiqui.
The upazila administration is committed to promoting sustainable tourism in the area and visitors are sure to leave with unforgettable memories of the natural beauty of Sarankhola, he added.
He also said it is very easy to go from Sarankhola to the Sundarbans, mainly Katka, Kachikhali and Dubla char areas of the mangrove forest.
"If more visitors come to the banks of the Baleshwar River, then domestic and foreign tourists will also increase in the Sundarbans," he claimed.
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