United News of Bangladesh

Three state ministers, including State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Rashiduzzaman Millat, on Friday paid a surprise visit to various points of Cox's Bazar sea beach and exchanged views with tourists regarding facilities, safety and overall beach management. The visit was also joined by State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam and State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin. They walked from Kalatali through Sugandha Point to Laboni Point, interacting with thousands of tourists along the world's longest natural sea beach. During the visit, they spoke with visitors, including women, children and elderly tourists from different parts of the country, to learn about their feelings and any difficulties they faced during their stay. The state ministers inquired about tourist safety, beach cleanliness, the role of Tourist Police, the activities of sanitation workers and other services available at the beach. Tourists shared their experiences and expressed satisfaction with the overall beach management, security arrangements and cleanliness. They also urged the authorities to maintain the current standards and further enhance modern tourist facilities. Responding to the tourists, Millat said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is committed to transforming Cox's Bazar into a major tourism hub and developing other tourist destinations across the country with modern hotels, motels and tourist-friendly infrastructure. Senior officials, as well as local dignitaries, were present during the inspection.

What was meant to be a rejuvenating seaside escape has turned into a nightmare for many tourists in Cox’s Bazar, as visitors discover that the crystal waters of the world’s longest natural sea beach are being fouled by untreated sewage. Every day, thousands flock to the iconic shoreline in search of sun, sand and serenity. But this season, instead of wading into refreshing waves, visitors are being greeted by the stench of waste and sights of pollution. And they’re not staying silent. A number of tourists have expressed shock and disgust after finding human waste mixing into the sea, especially near the popular Sugandha, Laboni and Kolatoli points. Outraged and disappointed, many are now cutting their trips short. Local residents allege that several hotels and motels are discharging raw sewage directly into the sea. Makeshift drainage systems have reportedly been dug behind these establishments — most notably between the Sugandha and Kolatoli areas, including near the Divine Hotel, connecting straight to residential sewage lines. These unauthorised channels are allowing human waste to flow freely into the Bay of Bengal, without any form of treatment or environmental consideration. The result? Polluted seawater, unbearable odours and a growing backlash. Turtles keep washing up on Cox's Bazar beach “I came here with my wife and children to enjoy the beach,” said Mohammad Abdu Samad, a tourist from Narayanganj. “But once I saw sewage mixing with the water, we didn’t dare go in.” Haidar Ali, who travelled from Savar, echoed the frustration. “The stench is horrible. Forget bathing, even walking along the beach has become difficult!” he said. Environmentalists Raise Alarm Environmentalists have strongly condemned the unchecked sewage dumping, calling it a crisis for both public health and the country’s tourism image. “This is extremely unfortunate,” said Dipak Sharma Dipu, President of the Cox’s Bazar Forest and Environment Conservation Council. “Dumping untreated sewage into the sea through artificially created drains cannot be accepted. It’s not just polluting the water but also spreading foul odours and damaging the beach’s ecosystem.” 250 untreated sewage connections polluting Buriganga! Moazzem Hossain, Chairman of Save the Nature, was equally scathing. “This has been going on for far too long. Those responsible for dumping sewage into the ocean and putting tourists and the environment at risk must be held accountable.”  

Khulna Awami League leader and former councillor of Khulna City Corporation Ward-4 Golam Rabbani Tipu was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Cox’s Bazar on Thursday. The incident happened around 8:30 pm in front of the Seagull hotel. Cox’s Bazar Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge, Md. Ilyas Khan, said, “We have launched an investigation and are working to identify the culprits.” A second Bangladeshi youth shot dead by 'Indian Khasias' along Sylhet border Witnesses said, hearing a gunshot, followed by the sight of Tipu collapsing to the ground, locals rushed him to the Cox’s Bazar District Hospital, where doctors confirmed his death upon arrival. Tipu sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head, said Dr. SM Shoaib of the hospital. Chhatra Dal activist shot dead in Narsingdi No additional individuals were with Tipu at the time of the attack, and police are continuing their search for the murderers.

A number of turtles have been found dead in the Cox’s Bazar sea beach over the last several days.