- UNRWA Report on Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza and West Bank |
- Humans Can't Survive Without a Healthy Ocean: UN Envoy |
- Seaweed’s Power: One Man’s Mission to Save the Planet |
- Khudi Bari in shortlist for Aga Khan Architecture Award |
- During Eid hospitals rest and patients languish sans care |
Tourism curbs eased in parts of Bandarban after a year
Authorities have lifted the long-standing travel ban on tourists in Ruma and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban, nearly a year after it was imposed due to security concerns.
The ban was withdrawn at 10:30pm on Thursday through a notice signed by the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate.
Following this decision, tourists are now permitted to visit popular destinations such as Munlai Para and Boga Lake in Ruma, and Tindu and Tammatungi in Thanchi.
The lifting of the ban on tourism during the long 10-day Eid-ul-Azha vacation raises hope among local businesses.
Authorities said that if the situation continues to improve, all tourist sites in the two upazilas will gradually be reopened.
Tourism businessmen expect a significant influx of visitors to Bandarban during the upcoming holiday period, boosting the local economy.
Earlier in the day, two separate meetings were held with local dignitaries and public representatives to discuss the reopening of the tourist sites.
One was chaired by Lt. Col. Md Zahirul Islam, commanding officer of the 38 BGB Battalion in Thanchi’s Bolipara area. The other was held at the 36 BIR Ruma Army Zone headquarters, chaired by Major Mehedi Sarkar, deputy commander of the zone.
The ban on tourism in Ruma, Thanchi, and Roangchhari upazilas was initially imposed on October 17, 2022, amid joint security operations against insurgents and the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF).
Although travel restrictions in Roangchhari were lifted earlier Ruma and Thanchi had remained off-limits to visitors, reports UNB.