Number of tourists in floating guava market of Jhalakathi district is increasing despite the end of guava season. Tourists are flocking at the famous floating guava market in large numbers, especially at the weekends. Though the increasing tourist traffic, hygiene regulation is rarely followed their along with other tourist places across the nation.
The season of Guava cultivation starts from July and the process ends at September. Usually, farmers sell guava at boats in several canals in Jhalakathi upazila during the monsoon season. Thus this market has received the famous name of ‘floating guava market’.Tourists usually come to see this unique fruit selling market at weekends. Due to that, the immense pressure of tourists has led this place one of the growing tourist attractions in the country.
However, while visiting the spot, correspondent saw that majority of the tourists in the guava market were roaming around the place without following any sort of hygiene regulation. Most of them did not have any mask on their faces. Due to the immense pressure of tourists, social distancing could not be maintained at the place.
Due to the lack of tourist police in the place, many of the tourists were facing troubles visiting the place safely. Enamul Hossain, a tourist said that after he and his family came from Dhaka to see this place, he was disappointed to see the lack of hygiene regulation and social distancing in the area.
Jhalakathi Deputi Commissioner Johar Ali said that authorities are planning to run multiple mobile courts to maintain hygiene regulation and social distancing in this tourist attraction.
It is to be mentioned that Jhalakathi Sadar upazila is famous for guava cultivation for ages. Due to the unique floating market for selling guava, this place has becom3e a tourist attraction and the popularity of this place is growing rapidly.
Tourists both foreign and domestic during monsoon season come to see this place. Plans to make several tourists-friendly spots around the floating market are ongoing, said officials of district administration.