Monsoon is the time when floating guava markets on canals crisscrossing thousands of guava orchards, in Jhalakathi’s Bhimruli, become alive with visitors from all over the country.
Tourists are flocking at the famous floating guava market in large numbers, especially at the weekends. But farmers in despair as the guava production hampers due to the excessive heatwave and lack of rain during the early season.
The 200-year-old guava market of Bhimruli has gradually become hubs for all sorts of produce and agricultural products.
The best time to visit the markets is the months between July and October during the monsoon when the canals are full to the brim while the trees, full of ripe guavas, in the orchards wear eye-soothing green.
At dawn around this time of the year, farmers load up their boats with freshly plucked guava and other produce and set up their floating store on one of the main canals at the markets.
The visitors on hired boats, motorised or paddle, turn up in droves to shop for fresh fruits or just to look around the floating markets that close around noon time.
On Fridays, the canals turn into a carnival of life as visitors of all ages roam around the markets and orchards in several hundred colourful boats.
However, while visiting the spot, correspondent saw that majority of the tourists in the guava market were roaming around the place and enjoying with friends and family.
Moushumi Halder, a student from Dhaka, said, “I’m captivated by the beauty of the guava orchards and the scenery that surrounds those. I really enjoyed the experience of floating through the narrow canals on a small boat.”
It is an unforgettable feeling to be able to taste a fresh guava after plucking it straight from the boat for the first time, she also said.
Nayeem, another visitor, said excitingly, “I got the chance to get inside an orchard, climb a tree, pluck a fresh guava and eat it.”
“You forget everything else when you are on a boat in a canal that runs through a beautiful guava orchard. [That’s why] I try to come here every year to enjoy the beauty,” she added.
Local farmers and businesses also to witness the rise in number of visitors at the markets.
Tea stall owner Shubhrojit said, “Thanks to better road conditions, hundreds of visitors are coming to the markets, helping pick up my sales fivefold.”
A local guava farmer, Satish Halder, said, “We used to sell a kilogram of guava at half a taka during peak season. But now, we get at least Tk 8 to 15 for a kg from the tourists.”
“This [influx of visitors] could create further business opportunities if proper facilities for tourists are set up there,” he added.
Guava farmer Voben Halder said that guava production falls this year due to the intense heatwave and lack of rain in early monsoon.
They also voiced fear that total guava production will not more than 10 thousand metric tonnes this season.
Contacted, Jhalakathi Deputy Commissioner Farah Gul Nijhum said some structures are under construction as part of their efforts to improve tourist experience in the area.