Staff Reporter :
The recent ban on visiting the three Hill Tracts districts—Bandarban, Rangamati, and Khagrachhari—threatens to significantly impact the tourism sector, as tourists have been requested to refrain from visiting these popular destinations.
Following incidents of violence in Rangamati and Khagrachhari, local authorities have been urging tourists to avoid the region.
On Sunday, the administration formally imposed a ban on visiting the Hill Tracts from October 8 to October 31, citing security concerns.
In a statement, the Rangamati district administration urged tourists to avoid traveling to the district for 23 days, from October 8 to October 31. Rangamati District Commissioner Mohammad Mosharaf Hossain Khan confirmed the ban applied to all three hill districts, stating it was implemented after considering the safety of tourists and the overall situation.
Previously, on October 3, the Rangamati administration had announced the indefinite closure of entry to Sajek, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area, as a precaution.
The unrest in the region has also impacted religious events. The Combined Buddhist Monks Association of the Chittagong Hill Tracts announced the cancellation of the “Kathin Chibar Dana” ceremony, a significant Buddhist event, due to the ongoing violence.
The tourism sector is facing severe financial losses, particularly in Bandarban, where many businesses had received numerous hotel and motel bookings in anticipation of the Durga Puja festival. With the ban in place, most of these bookings have been canceled.
Since the interim government took power, unrest has persisted in the Hill Tracts.
The joint forces have increased their activities in the region to restore peace amid concerns that both domestic and foreign groups are conspiring to destabilize the area.
On September 19, violent incidents were reported in Khagrachhari
town and Dighinala upazila, followed by similar events in Rangamati on September 20, resulting in four deaths and over a hundred injuries across the two districts.
The violence has caused widespread anxiety among local residents. Additionally, a teacher from Khagrachhari Government Technical School and College was beaten to death on October 1 over allegations of rape, further fueling tensions.
Since September 25, the administration has discouraged tourists from visiting Sajek Valley. This was extended indefinitely as of October 4, and now tourists are being urged to avoid the entire region.
Stakeholders have expressed concern about the ban’s impact on the local economy, as tourism is a major source of income for the people of the Hill Tracts.
Although these districts see tourists year-round, the winter season typically marks the peak period for tourism, when visitors flock to enjoy the region’s natural beauty.
With the ban in place during this crucial time, local businesses are bracing for substantial losses.