Waterfalls are wonderful creations of Mother Nature. When crystal-clear water drastically flows from towering heights, its serene beauty enthralls all. Bangladesh is enriched with geographical diversity. Among the enchanting natural cascades in Bangladesh, Khoiyachora Waterfall is popular among travellers as the “queen of waterfalls” for its splendor. Let’s delve into a travel guide for Khaoiyachora Waterfall. History of Khoiyachora Waterfall The history of this great waterfall spans about 50 years. The area was densely forested and remote, making it challenging to discover. It is believed that the natural spring may have formed due to a mountain landslide. The region from Baraiadhala Block to Kunder Hat is currently known as Baratakia Block. In 2010, it was officially designated as a national park, covering 2933.61 hectares of hilly land. The waterfall was then recognized as a prominent natural feature. Locals commonly refer to this spring as Chatal. In 2017, the government initiated an eco-tourism development project to preserve this waterfall. The project covers the areas of Ramgarh, Sitakunda, and the Reserve Forest of Chattogram North Forest Division. Read more: Most Popular Cox’s Bazar Beaches Considering Scenic Beauty and Recreation Location of Khoiyachora Waterfall and Origin of Name Khoiyachora is the most renowned of the springs in the Mirsharai upazila of Chattogram division. It is situated to the north of Baratakia Bazar in the Khoiyachora part along the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. Just venture about 4.2 km eastward from this highway, and this waterfall will be visible.  As the fall is nestled deep within the mountains, no vehicle can reach its base directly. First, take a CNG autorickshaw from the Dhaka-Chittagong highway to the village adjacent to the fall. From there, the only way to reach the source of the spring is on foot. The waterfall takes its name, Khoiyachora, from the hill within the Khoiyachora union on which it is located. Read more: The Basecamp Bangladesh in Gazipur: Adventure and Outdoor Activities near Dhaka

Bangladesh being on the tropical spectrum of the climate, experiences a moderate winter season. Apart from the northern regions of the country, the mild winter season makes for a perfect time to go for a vacation and explore the diverse landscape of the country. With that said, here are the 8 top popular tourist destinations in Bangladesh for spending winter vacation.  Top Place to Visit in Bangladesh During Winter  Saint Martin’s Island  One of the prime attractions of winter travel is Saint Martin’s island. This Bea coral island is situated in the south of Bangladesh off the coast of Cox’s Bazar. The ship operation to St. Martin remains closed from April to October. It begins in early November and runs through March for the winter and spring seasons.  Every year, millions of tourists flock to the island to experience the serene landscape and the blue lagoon all around. Getting to St. Martin Island is also easy. There are direct bus services from Dhaka to Teknaf. From Teknaf, there is an abundance of ships and launches going to St. Martin. It takes about two and a half to three hours by ship to get to the island.  Read more: Bandarban Tourist Spots – Best Places to See and Craziest Things to Do To protect the biodiversity and environment of this coral island, the government of Bangladesh has taken some initiatives. Tourists are required to take permission before visiting this island. Make sure to take ample winter clothes as nights can get pretty cold. Take note of the tides to experience the unobstructed beach along the coast of the island.  Kuakata  Kuakata is famous for being the only place in Bangladesh where one can enjoy both sunrise and sunset. Often referred to as the “Daughter of the Sea”, Kuakata is comparatively less crowded than Cox’s Bazar during the peak travel season.  Read more: Best Places for Honeymoon in Bangladesh

A tourist was killed and seven others were injured when a ‘Chander Gari’( a vehicle that usually carries tourists) fell into a ditch while returning from Sajek on Friday. The deceased was identified as Fardin Hasan Bishal, 35, hailing from Dhaka's Shyampur. The identities of the injured could not be confirmed immediately. The accident occurred around 5pm when the Chander Gari reached Khasrang Hill Resort area from Sajek’s Konglak Hill, overturned and fell into a ditch, said Nurul Alam, officer-in-charge of Sajek Police Station. Later, a team of Bangladesh Army and police rescued the injured people and took them to Dighinala Upazila Health Complex for treatment, added the OC. The rescue operation is still going on till the filing of this report at 7:15pm.

Elena, a Romanian tourist, has always wanted to travel the world on a bike. She has so far visited 29 countries. Elena came to Satkhira on Monday from India and is now staying at a private organization ‘Rishilpi International’, at Binerpota in the district. Elena’s Italian friend Andreya came to Satkhira by bike one month ago and he is a donor of Rishilpi International. Also read: Satkhira journalist, earlier ‘picked up by law enforcers’, shown arrested. Besides, at the invitation of Elena and Andreya, their friend Elierio also came to Satkhira through Bhomra land port on Tuesday. Elena said, “I am a tourist and I have been traveling for the last three years, and have already visited 29 countries. I like Muslim countries and I love the culture of the country. I am now observing everything.”

One person was dead and seven were injured when a vehicle carrying tourists overturned on Cox’s Bazar Marine Drive around 10 pm on Friday (January 06, 2023). The deceased was identified as Momotaz Begum, 60, from old Dhaka’s Wari area. Quoting the survivors, Anwarul, officer-in-charge (OC) of Ramu police station, said the accident occurred when the driver of the vehicle — carrying 12 tourists, returning to Cox’s Bazar from Inani — lost control of the wheels. The vehicle overturned on Marine Drive near Himchari police station last night, leaving eight people, including the driver, injured.   Read More: Life insurance official cushed under train in Khilgaon The identities of the others injured could not be confirmed immediately but all the victims are relatives. On information, police with the help of locals rescued the victims and sent them to Cox’s Bazar District Sadar Hospital. Police also seized the vehicle and kept it at Himchari police station. “Momotaz Begum died on the way to the hospital. The injured are currently undergoing treatment and three of them are in critical condition”, the OC said. Read More: Narail boat capsize: Death toll climbs to 5.

A 52-year-old tourist died while taking bath at Sugandha point of the sea beach in Cox’s Bazar on Monday. The deceased was identified as Iqbal Hossain, 52 of Tongi in Gazipur district. Masud Billah, acting executive magistrate of Tourist Cell under the local administration, said Iqbal along with six other members of his family went to the beach area at noon. Read: Tourist dies after hot water shower at Cox's Bazar hotel At one stage, Iqbal fell unconscious while bathing in the sea. Later, workers of local administration rescued him and took him to Sadar Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

The weekend melding with Christmas falling on Sunday this year, translating to a 'long weekend', has brought life to the country's tourism sectors including Sajek Valley. At the same time, it has also brought suffering to the tourists who have gone to enjoy the scenic beauty of Sajek valley. Thousands of holidaymakers of all ages have thronged to the hill district to enjoy the beauty of Sajek at Bagaichhori in Rangamati. Resorts are experiencing a room crunch as more tourists enter Sajek - already almost double its capacity! As a result, many tourists are forced to spend the night in cars or in mosques and local clubs. Sultan Mia, 28, who came with his family from Mymensingh and Ashraf Ali, a tourist from Netrakona, said that they had come because of their children's holidays. But there is no room vacant in any hotel due to the overflow of tourists, leaving them in great trouble. Alfred Lusai, the owner of two Sajek resorts (Neel Pahari and Morning Star), said that rooms were booked almost a month before Christmas. Today, many tourists can't get even a single room which is really sad, he added. Read more: Jhum fire destroying reserved forest in Sajek According to Sajek Resort Owners Association, almost 7,000 tourists entered Sajek on Saturday. The valley's 112 cottages can accommodate only 4,000. Many of the tourists who came here did not have advance bookings. As a result, many tourists returned in the afternoon due to lack of rooms for overnight stay, sources added. Those who stayed are passing the night by renting rooms on the verandas of various cottages and in the homes of local residents. Subrata Chakma, manager of Khasrang Hill Resort, said that the inflow of tourists started on Wednesday. No rooms are available at any resort currently, he added. Read more: Visit Sajek Valley: Amazing Hilltop Cottages, Resorts, to Spend Your Vacation

A tourist was killed in a head-on collision between ‘Chander Gari’( a vehicle that usually carries tourists) and a motorcycle on his way back from  Sajek of Baghaichari Upazila in Rangamati.   The dead was identified as Hridoy, 30.  Details about him are yet to be known.  The accident occurred around 1:15 PM.   Officer-In-charge (OC) of Sajek Police Station Nurul Haque confirmed that the collision occurred in the Machalong area.  Read more: Tourist killed in Rangamati road accident After the accident, the seriously injured Hridoy was rescued and sent to Dighinala Upazila Health Complex with the help of locals.   He died while undergoing treatment there.   Jerry Lusai, General Secretary of Sajek Resort and Cottage Owners Association, said, they are struggling to keep up with the influx of tourists and additional traffic.   “Sajek's resorts and cottages are fully booked for the New Year”, he said.  

Tourists have started leaving Bandarban district as local administration has imposed a temporary ban on tourism at Ruma and Rowangchhari upazilas from Tuesday (October 18, 2022) morning as a security drive was going on to either arrest or remove suspected militants and criminals from the hilly region. The administration has also discouraged tourists to travel to Thanchi and Alikadam upazilas amid security operations of the joint forces in the bordering areas of Ruma and Rowangchhari. The military was joined by the members of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in the drive as the security officials were conducting extensive searches in the surrounding villages. Read Temporary ban on tourism at Rowangchhari and Ruma to fight terrorists Military helicopters of the security forces were also patrolling the areas. On Monday night, Bandarban’s district administration imposed the travel ban at Rowangchhari and Ruma. On Tuesday morning, tourists carrying vehicles heading for Thanchi had been sent back to Bandarban sadar upazila from Milanchari police outpost, said Md Kamal Hossain, general secretary of Bandarban Micro-jeep-mahendra Owner’s Cooperative Association. Read BIPSS roundtable: Bangladesh needs proper strategies to counter terrorism. The tourists are only allowed to visit Meghla and Nilachal Tourism spots in the hilly town, he said. Most of the hotels were vacant and bookings have been canceled after the ban, said the hotel owners in Bandarban. Authorities of the Hotel Hilton and the Hotel Hill View said those who came to stay on Tuesday morning have canceled their plans and some headed toward Cox’s Bazar. Read Militants' involvement with CHT's KNF group being investigated On Tuesday morning, a group of 70 people were supposed to check-in at the Sairu Hill Resort at Thanchi, but they couldn’t reach as the Thanchi road was blocked, Mir Atiqur Rahman, deputy manager of the luxury residential complex, told UNB. “A group of 40 people also checked out in the morning, so the resort is empty now,” he said. Md Tariqul Islam, Superintendent of Police in Bandarban, said that the movement of tourists in Bandarban was being prohibited or discouraged by the orders of the higher authorities. Read Govt out to create anarchy through terror acts: BNP

After almost coming to a standstill during the Covid-19 pandemic, tourism is bouncing back. This is good news for many workers and businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors, but it could be bad for the planet. Around 2 billion people travel each year for tourism. Travel and tourism connect people and bring the world closer through shared experiences, cultural awareness and community building. It provides jobs, spurs regional development, and is a key driver for socio-economic progress. However, there is often a downside. Many popular destinations are threatened by increasing pollution, environmental hazards, damage to heritage sites and overuse of resources. And that is without factoring in the pollution caused by travel to and from these destinations, according to UN News. We have some tips for you though, on what you can do to avoid some of the damages Say no to single-use plastics Often used for less than 15 minutes, single-use plastic items can take more than 1,000 years to break down. Many of us are switching to sustainable options in our daily lives, and we can take the same attitude when we are travelling. By choosing reusable bottles and bags wherever you go, you can help ensure there is less plastic waste in the ocean and other habitats. Use water wisely On the whole, tourists use far more water than local residents. With a growing number of places experiencing water scarcity, the choices you make can help ensure people have adequate access to water in the future. By foregoing a daily change of sheets and towels during hotel stays, we can save millions of litres of water each year. Buy local When you buy local, you help boost the local economy, benefit local communities, and help reduce the destination's carbon footprint from transporting the goods. This is also true at mealtimes, so enjoy fresh, locally-grown produce every chance you get. Find an ethical tour operator Tour operations involve people, logistics, vendors, transportation and much more. Each link in the chain can impact the environment – positively or negatively. If you prefer to leave the planning to someone else, be sure to pick an operator that prioritizes the environment, uses resources efficiently and respects local culture. Don't share food with wildlife Sharing food with wildlife or getting close enough to do so increases the chances of spreading diseases like cold, flu and pneumonia from humans to animals. Also, when animals get used to receiving food from humans, their natural behavior is altered, and they become dependent on people for survival. In some cases, it can also lead to human-animal conflict. Read: Tourism is a powerful driver for sustainable develop