Photo: BSS

By Jiten Barua

KHAGRACHHARI, March 23, 2026 (BSS) - A record number of tourists have visited the hill district of Khagrachhari during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, as thousands of nature lovers from across the country flock to the scenic region to enjoy its hills, waterfalls and tranquil environment.

Major tourist spots in the district have witnessed a significant surge in visitors during the first two days of Eid, creating heavy crowds everywhere. Most hotels and cottages in Sajek Valley and Khagrachhari have already been booked, with stakeholders expecting the number of tourists to increase further in the coming days.

Khagrachhari, a hill district blessed with hills, streams, rivers and waterfalls, remains a popular destination year-round. Attractions such as Alutila Tourist Centre’s mysterious cave, hanging bridges, Richang waterfall, Zila Parishad Park and Mayabini Lake usually draw large numbers of visitors.

This Eid, however, the transformed Alutila area and its two unique hanging bridges have become the main attraction for tourists. Besides, the mysterious cave and Richang waterfall continue to captivate visitors. Other popular spots, including Taiduchhara waterfall, Hazachhara waterfall, Debota Pond, and the border town of Ramgarh — known for the historic birthplace of the then Bangladesh Rifles (now Border Guard Bangladesh), artificial lake and suspension bridge — are also witnessing overwhelming crowds.

Thanks to convenient transportation, many tourists are travelling to Sajek Valley via Khagrachhari, raising hopes of increased revenue those involved in the tourism sector.

Sanjida Karim, visiting Khagrachhari for the first time with her family, said she thoroughly enjoyed visiting Richang waterfall and Tareng, as well as the panoramic bird’s-eye view of the town from Alutila hill and the adventurous cave tour. “This is my first visit to Khagrachhari with my parents. I really liked it. You can see the whole town from Alutila hill,” she said.

Ruma Biswas, another visitor at Alutila Tourist Centre, said, “The natural beauty of Khagrachhari is incredible. It feels like the hills are coming closer to me. The surroundings are entirely covered with hills, which look very charming.”

Saiful Islam, who visited Zila Parishad Council Park from Dhaka in the late afternoon, said, “One cannot truly realise how rich Bangladesh is in natural beauty without visiting Khagrachhari. There is so much to see here.”

However, some visitors noted that the hills appear slightly dry due to the lack of full greenery and reduced water flow in waterfalls.

Fahmida Haque said, “We came to Khagrachhari on the first day of Eid and then stayed a night in Sajek. It is a slightly dry season now. Nature has not fully turned green yet, but there are still huge crowds.”

Jahidul Matin added, “We travelled comfortably due to the lower temperature, although the waterfalls have less water at this time.”

Another tourist from Dhaka, Shariful Islam, who toured Khagrachhari and Sajek during the holidays, said he noticed significant changes in Alutila Tourist Centre and District Council Park after five years, adding that he enjoyed the trip overall.

Local businesses are also pleased with the increased number of visitors. Pranta Tripura, manager of an upscale residential hotel in Khagrachhari, said the district offers breathtaking scenery, diverse ethnic cultures and unique lifestyles. “There are more than 40 rooms in our hotel, and about 80 percent of them have been booked since the day after Eid. We expect the rush to continue until Friday and Saturday,” he said.

Chandra Kiran Tripura, supervisor of Alutila Tourist Centre, said, “The number of tourists has increased significantly during the Eid holidays. We are making our utmost efforts to ensure a safe and comfortable visit for them. Every day, around 4,000 to 5,000 visitors are coming to Alutila.”

Tourist police have assured full security for visitors. Sub-Inspector Nishat Roy said, “We are on duty round the clock to ensure tourists’ safety. Immediate action is taken in case of any problems. Tourists can call 999 for assistance, even in remote areas. Law and order remain normal, and plainclothes officers are also on patrol.”

The influx of tourists during the Eid holidays has brought new life to the hill district, boosting the local economy.

As in previous years, a large number of tourists have visited the region, and stakeholders hope the trend will continue, further enriching the country’s tourism industry. At least 10,000 tourists have already visited Khagrachhari during the holiday period.