Desk Report,
A ‘Kheyalkhushi’-like resort in the mountains
Resorts (recreation centers) are being built one after another around the country’s largest lake Kaptai. No approval is being taken from the Rangamati district administration, district council, Department of Environment and Fire Service for the construction of these resorts.
A ‘Kheyalkhushi’-like resort in the mountains
Not only Kaptai Lake, but the resorts built along the Karnaphuli River in Kaptai Upazila of Rangamati are also not following the rules. Due to the construction of such ‘entertainment’ resorts, the environment of the lake is facing damage. There is a risk of landslides. Major accidents can occur due to the lack of fire safety.
The district administration, Department of Environment, Fire Service, District Council do not have a specific list of how many resorts have been built in Rangamati Sadar and its surrounding upazilas. However, after talking to the resort owners and fire service officials, it was learned that at least 20 resorts have been built in the last 5 to 10 years. Of these, at least 15 resorts are located along Kaptai Lake. And there are five on the Karnaphuli River in Kaptai.
Kaptai Lake was created when a dam was built on the Karnaphuli River for hydroelectric power generation. The construction of the dam began in 1956 and was completed in 1962. The current area of the lake is 68,800 hectares. In addition to being a power generation center, this lake is now very important for the fisheries and tourism industries.
On September 17, 2022, a report titled ‘Biodiversity under threat, let’s all seize Kaptai Lake’ was published in Prothom Alo. Although it has been almost three years since the report was published, the situation has not changed much. The encroachers have not been evicted either. According to Section 22 of the Hill District Council Act, 1989, local tourism in the hills is affiliated with the Hill District Council. An office order signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Hill District Council, Khondaker Mohammad Rizaul Karim, on March 24 said that recently it has been noticed that commercial buildings and tourist establishments are being constructed in various areas of the Rangamati Hill District, including Sajek, in an unplanned manner without the approval of the appropriate authorities. Instructions have been given not to construct any commercial buildings and establishments related to tourism without the approval of the council.
Chairman of the Rangamati Hill District Council, Kajal Talukder, claimed that she did not know what happened earlier. From now on, permission will have to be obtained from the district council to build tourist establishments.
Meanwhile, according to the Bangladesh Hotel and Restaurant Act and Rules, a license must be obtained from the district administration to build resorts, rest houses, guesthouses, motels, hotels, and restaurants. A senior official in charge of the Rangamati District Administration told Prothom Alo that none of the resorts that have been built in Rangamati recently have taken a license. Because they cannot provide the kind of documents or permits from other organizations that are required to obtain a license according to the rules.
When asked why action is not being taken, the senior official said that their efforts to bring the tourism industry under control are ongoing.
On condition of anonymity, three resort entrepreneurs said that it is very difficult to do business in the mountains due to various circumstances. Again, there are various obstacles when it comes to obtaining a license or certificate. That is why there is little interest in obtaining these permits.
Staying in the resorts built along the Kaptai Lake and Karnaphuli River is expensive. To stay in each room of each resort, you have to pay a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 15 thousand taka per day.
Resorts are running without environmental permits
There are Panorama Zoom Restaurant, Nisarga Pod House, Banasree Tourism Complex, Chandralok Campaign Side Resort and John Halder’s Resort on the banks of the Karnaphuli River in Kaptai, Rangamati. The last two are not yet operational. And the resorts built near Kaptai Lake are Bargi Lake Valley, Berainye Resort, Bargang Resort, Izor Resort, Rainya Tugun Eco Resort, Gang Sabrang, Zoomking Eco Resort, Rang Lake Beach Resort, Palwell Park and Cottages, Ranga Dwip Resort, Wild Wood Island Resort, Hillview Resort, Mayabi Island Resort, Nilanjana Boat Club and Resort, Bagan Vilas Eco Resort.
Of these 20 resorts, Palwell Park and Cottages, Panorama Zoom Restaurant and Nisarga Pod House have received clearance from the Department of Environment, said Md. Mominul Islam, assistant director of the department’s Rangamati office. He said that notices will be given to the remaining resorts to obtain clearance.
