The vast wetlands of northeastern Bangladesh, known as the Haor region, are quickly emerging as one of the country’s most promising tourist destinations, offering an offbeat yet breathtaking experience to both the domestic and international holidaymakers with their seasonal beauty, unique ecosystem, and vibrant cultural life.

Tanguar Haor is one such tourist destination, which overflows throughout Dharmapasha and Tahirpur upazilas of Sunamganj during the rainy season. The green hills of Meghalaya to the north of the haor and the reflection of clouds in the sky cast a magical spell, creating a mythical attraction for travelers.

“Exploring Jadukata River, Shimul Bagan, Niladri Lake, Barik Tila, Watch Tower and the whole Tanguar Haor is a completely different experience. The district’s culture and food are appreciable,” Tayeba Rahman, a retired government primary school teacher who visited Tanguar Haor recently in a reserved house boat along with her children and extended family members, told the Daily Sun.

She said they booked a two-day package and explored Tanguar Haor throughout the first day before anchoring their boat at Tekerghat to stay at night. Later, on the next day, they visited the remaining area and returned to the city.

Boats actually depart from two places. Many boats leave from various ghats on the Surma River in Sunamganj municipality, while some also depart from Tahirpur upazila. These luxury boats have all the modern amenities including air conditioning and generators.

Tanguar Haor Houseboat Owners Association President, Arafat Akand, said, “Almost all the houseboats have been booked. Some are fully booked, some are in packages ahead of the two-day Durga puja holidays merging with the weekends. There is still pressure from many tourists.”

Tanguar Haor was declared an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) in 1999. It is also recognised internationally as the country’s Ramsar Site of Special Biodiversity Value, declared in 2000, according to a study by the Department of Bangladesh Haor and Wetlands Development.

Nikli Haor in Kishoreganj has turned into a major tourist attraction during the monsoon season for the past few years. The Nikli embankment was built around 2000 to protect the upazila headquarters from erosion. The five-kilometer-long embankment is now not only a defense but also a popular tourist spot.

This has also brought about major changes in the local economy. In particular, thousands of boatmen and business families are making a living around this tourist center. Local boatman Manik Mia said, “We wait for the monsoon all year round as water comes to the haor, and tourists also visit the place during this time of the year. We have been making a good income by taking tourists to the haor.”

Shamsul Huda, a tourist hailing from Dhaka’s Khilgaon, appreciated the beauty of the haor and the taste of lunch with fresh fishes. But he said the rent of boat is too much. “A boatman asked for some Tk6,000 for a trip. I don’t find any reason to pay more than Tk 2,000 for it. Besides, there are questions regarding the overall security arrangement for the tourists,” he said. Local administration, however, has claimed that they have addressed all issues related to tourists and their facilities.

Al Mamun, a firefighter of the Nikli Fire Service and Civil Defense Station, said, “We have 24 firefighters on duty. We have 2 fire ships and 2 speedboats. So, tourists have no reason to worry. We just urge the tourists to not book trawler if they don’t know how to swim.”

Thousands of people were visiting the embankment in groups on motorcycles, microbuses and other vehicles. Some were standing on the side of the road enjoying nature, while others were riding boats around the haor. All-weather road directly connects three upazillas of Itna, Mithamain and Austagram by land in Kishoreganj. This wonderful road has also been another top destination for tourists.

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