Accidental deaths are now a common scenario in many tourist spots of Sylhet as authorities neglect safety concerns.
In many popular tourist spots of the region such as Jaflong and Sada Pathor, travellers have drowned due to various reasons including strong currents, quicksand, boat sinking and not knowing how to swim.
Related authorities claim that the blame lies on tourists for not taking any precautions. Local administration initiatives such as warning signboards, recruitment of volunteers, provision of life jackets and implementation of tourist police have yet to prevent accidental deaths.
However, related experts believe that such accidents are happening due to a lack of information and tourist safety guidelines. Local sources have claimed that the authorities' initiatives for tourist safety are lacklustre.
Gowainghat upazila’s Jaflong, bordered by Piyain and Dhalai rivers, is one of the most popular tourist spots well known for its natural scenic beauty. In the last two decades, 59 tourists have died in the area.
Similarly, another popular tourist spot in the district is Companiganj upazila’s Sada Pathor. The area got recognised as a travel destination only five-six years ago and in this time, 11 tourists have died in the Dhalai River in the area.
Apart from this, four people died in Bichanakandi, another popular tourist centre of the district.
The majority of the dead are out-of-district tourists. Most recently, a youth named Salam died in Sada Pathar on July 1 and a high schooler named Jawaz Al Arsh died in Jaflong on July 6.
The tourist spots are under the jurisdiction of multiple organisations. Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism look after various aspects including the development of different tourist centres.
As per the instructions provided by BTB and BPC, the tourist centres of Sylhet are managed by the Tourism Development Committee (TDC) with the deputy commissioner as the president.
The local administration takes various measures for the safety of the tourists according to instructions provided by the TDC. However, the initiatives taken so far measures as inadequate.
In the last few years, the addition of tourist police has played a major role in enforcing security. Besides, some volunteers are being recruited and life jackets are being arranged for tourists from the upazila administration.
According to local volunteers, accidents happen as tourists tend to disregard safety instructions.
However, tourists complain that the tourist police or volunteers do not provide proper guidance on safe swimming zones. They occasionally announce via microphones and put up signboards.
Tourist Mahfuz, a student of Sunamganj Government College, said on Friday, “No one is serious about the safety of tourists. Although there are volunteers, no one is giving any instructions.”
Monowar Hossain Sumon, a tourist from Beanibazar, said, “The tourist management system of Jaflong was not up to the mark. Compared to the number of tourists, they do not have enough manpower and facilities.”
Meanwhile, a businessman named Karim, who was visiting Bholaganj from Sylhet city, said that the communication system is very bad. Moreover, there are no guidelines for the safety of tourists.
TDC President and Deputy Commissioner Mozibor Rahman said they provide security and facilities to tourists as much as possible. He added that many tourists get into accidents due to not following the instructions.
Gowainghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tahmilur Rahman said warning signs have been put up in various dangerous places so that no one should bathe. The Tourist Police conduct round-the-clock inspections and announce via microphones about danger zones. But the tourists disregard their instructions.
Jaflong Tourist Police OC Ratan Sheikh said due to a lack of manpower, they struggle to manage the overwhelming number of tourists during holidays. “I think that tourists sometimes die due to carelessness and not following instructions,” he added.
Abdul Hai Al Hadi president of the voluntary organisation Save the Heritage and Environment believes awareness is the most important factor in preventing tourist deaths.
“Because many people do not know the depth of the rivers or about quicksands. It is possible to prevent the death of tourists by appointing enough volunteers and formulating guidelines,” he added.
