The tourist spots in Bandarban will be opened for tourists from today, after being closed for a month.
Deputy Commissioner of Bandarban Shah Mozahid Uddin confirmed the matter at press briefing held at the conference room of Deputy Commissioner’s office on Wednesday.
The tourists will be able to visit the tourist spots in Bandarban sadar, Nilgiri, Lama, Alikadam and Naikhanchhari upazila. After assessing the overall situation, the tourist spots in Raowanchhari, Ruma and Thanchi will be gradually opened, said the Deputy Commissioner during the press briefing.
The district administration had imposed a ban in visiting the tourist spots in Bandarban from October 8 to October 31 due to various reasons. They ban is now lifted and tourists will be able to visit these places again.
Sources from the administration said the activities of armed groups began increasing in the remote areas of the district in September 2022, prompting the local administration to impose a travel ban for both local and foreign tourists in Ruma and Roangchhari from October 17 in 2022. This ban was extended multiple times and was extended to Ruma, Roangchhari, Alikadam, and Thanchi upazilas as well. Although the ban was later lifted from Alikadam, it remained in place for Ruma, Roangchhari, and Thanchi. Despite the travel restrictions, on April 3 and 4 this year, the armed group KNF looted three banks in Ruma and Thanchi. In response, a joint security operation to combat terrorism was launched on April 6, during which several individuals, including an army officer, lost their lives.
Additionally, due to a travel ban imposed for over two years in the Ruma, Roangchhari, and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban for the safety of tourists, potential visitors have become discouraged from traveling to the district. As a result, local tourism-related businesses suffered continuous financial losses due to the lack of expected tourist inflow. Recently, the district administration once again requested tourists to refrain from visiting the Bandarban Hill District from October 8 to October 31, citing unavoidable reasons.
Superintendent of Police Shahidullah Kawsar, Additional Deputy Commissioner SM Monjorul Haque, higher officials of Army, DGFI, BGB, along with journalist and people related to tourism business were present at the press briefing.
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