The hilly regions in different parts of the country are becoming the major attraction for travelers, which is also bettering the economic situation of the hilly people. With the blessings of the social media, huge opportunities have been created in the tourism sector for the earning of crores of taka from the country’s hilly regions.
According to hilly area businessmen and social media tour organizers, they are having more than a crore of taka business each week, due to the abundance of traveler interest to visit the hilly regions. However, industry experts say, in spite of the absence of modern hotel and motels absence, within restriction, a large number of people are visiting these hilly places continuously. The number of travelers can be even bigger if the government allows private organizations to invest in the hilly areas.
The hill tracts comprising three hill districts have a huge potential to boost tourism tremendously. The situation in the hill tracts is now changed due to the peace treaty of the government. For the last few years, Sajek (Rangamati and Khagrachari) and Bandarban, have been the major attractions for local travelers as well as foreigners.
Sajek valley is 2,000 feet above sea level. Many small rivers flow through the hills. Among them Kachalon and Machalong are famous. The main ethnic minorities in the valley are Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Pankua, Lushai, and Sagma. It is to be noted, visits to hill areas increases during the winter season. Due to favorable weather, adequate security measures of law enforcement agencies, a wide range of forests, hilly falls, clouds, artificial lakes and wide-open sky of the hilly areas, tourists are attracted constantly.
People related to hill tourism said, visiting hilly areas creates a bridge among general people with the ethnic groups in the hill areas. They are having crores of taka in business, especially from November to February. However, they are unable to expand their business due to restrictions from the government level. Khagrachhari district commissioner, Pratap Chandra Biswas, in this regard said, they have plans to construct a platform to highlight the diverse cultures of the hills.
“The work of staging one hour dance focusing on the folklore of the Chakmas is at the final stage, gradually we will add other cultural events here. The stage will be constructed at Alutila or other main parts of the city. This will help people to get acquainted with the culture of small hill ethnic groups,” he added.
In a bid to attract more tourists, the government is going to establish a cable car in the hill district of Khagrachari. Already an expert technical engineering team from China has conducted the digital satellite survey of the district. The technical team conducted their survey from the Alutila area to Horticulture Park adjacent to Zero mile of Khagrachari town in May last.
Khagrachari Hill District Council Chairman, Kangri Chowdhury, claimed that they are continuously working to upgrade the situation of the hill tracts. He continued, “Decision has already been made to set up a cable car from Khagrachhari District Administration Park to Alutila, which will help hill tourism to grow more in the coming days”.
It is to be noted, at present, there are more than 350 social tour organizers, who at least once travel to any hilly region mentioned above with 10-12 members. Based on their information, travel makers take at least Tk 5000- 6500 based on the region. From their statistics, it was learned that in a single trip to hilly areas they spend more than Tk 23 lakhs.
Mohammad Joherul Islam, who organizes travel packages through his facebook page Vromon Pagla told Bangladesh Post, “We offer travel packages to the hilly regions at least once a month round the year. But, from November to February, we have to visit these regions several times due to the high interest of the general people”.