Khairul Alam back from Cox’s Bazar – Despite repeated eviction drives, the picturesque Sugandha beach in Cox’s Bazar has once again fallen prey to illegal encroachers.
Around 800 makeshift shops have resurfaced on the sandy shoreline, triggering severe environmental degradation, threatening marine biodiversity, and ruining the experience for thousands of tourists visiting the world’s longest natural sandy beach.
Civil society members, environmentalists, and tourism stakeholders allege that a powerful nexus of local political influential figures, administrative corruption, and a highly lucrative trade syndicate are behind the persistent failure to keep the beach free from encroachment.
The Allure of Sugandha: Why Encroachers Target One Spot
Though Cox’s Bazar boasts a 120-kilometer-long coastline, tourist activity is heavily concentrated within a mere one-kilometer stretch at Sugandha Point.
Due to its proximity to the main hotel-motel zone and easy accessibility for elderly visitors and children, it remains the most crowded point from dawn until late at night.
This massive footfall creates a booming commercial market. Seeing an opportunity, traders set up illegal structures selling everything from sea-shell ornaments, dry fish, and pickles to clothes and fast food.
“Sugandha is the prime choice for tourists due to its proximity to the city and the presence of lifeguard security,” said Abul Kashem Sikdar, President of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel Guest House Owners’ Association. “If the administration extended security and lifeguard services to other parts of the marine drive, tourist pressure would diversify, naturally discouraging these floating traders. But due to administrative short-sightedness, vast stretches remain unprotected, giving the syndicate a free pass.”
The Endless ‘Cat-and-Mouse’ Game
The fight to reclaim Sugandha beach has turned into a classic game of cat and mouse for over two decades. Even strict directives from the High Court to keep the Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) free from construction are openly flouted.
Notably, on March 12, a joint force led by the district administration evicted 930 illegal shops following a strict order from the Home Minister. However, within months—specifically during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays—encroachers slipped back under the cover of political shifts. Today, the number of illegal shops has crossed 800.
To evade sudden raids, most shopkeepers have installed wheels under their makeshift structures, allowing them to swiftly roll their shops away during eviction drives and return the moment the authorities leave.
Environmentalists point out that the massive daily cash flow generated by these shops keeps the syndicate active.
“Government changes bring a change in the syndicate’s leadership, but the encroachment never stops,” observed Karim Ullah, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) Cox’s Bazar chapter. “For three decades, a multi-million taka trade has been running by destroying the sand dunes of Sugandha, Laboni, and Kolatoli points.”
Frustrated Tourists and Threatened Ecosystem
The government declared the 120-km coastline an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) back in 1999, banning any form of structure within 300 meters of the high-tide line. Yet, the current bustling market setup completely violates environmental laws, leaving tourists highly frustrated.
“I came all the way from Dhaka to witness the vastness of the sea, but it looks like a chaotic village fair here. There are shops everywhere,” complained Al Ehsan, a tourist visiting from the capital’s Rampura area.
Mukim Khan, General Secretary of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel Resort Owners’ Association, echoed similar concerns, noting that the dirty, overcrowded environment and associated petty crimes are damaging the reputation of the country’s top tourist destination.
Administration Awaits Legal Green Light
When questioned about the recurring failure to keep the beach clean, local authorities cited ongoing legal battles.
“Following the Home Minister’s directive, we conducted several drives and completely cleared the area. However, the evicted traders recently filed a writ petition in the High Court challenging the eviction,” explained Cox’s Bazar District Chancellor (DC) Md. A. Mannan. “The court has sought an explanation from us. Once we receive the final legal clearance from the court, we will launch fresh eviction operations to clear the illegal structures.”
Until permanent administrative vigilance or strict judicial enforcement blocks the syndicate permanently, the delicate sand dunes of Cox’s Bazar will likely remain trapped in this vicious cycle of eviction and encroachment.