Gofran Palash, Kalapara (Patuakhali)

The natural beauty of Kuakata, the daughter of the sea of Patuakhali, is on the verge of disappearing. Everything, including the beach, is now destroyed by the intense sea erosion. All the beautiful places are constantly disappearing.

In addition, the sand of the beach has been washed away, becoming low in some places, high in others. Dilapidated geo tubes and geo bags are spread across the beach. Kuakata is becoming desolate every year due to the onslaught of waves during the monsoon season. However, there is no visible initiative to protect the beach, there is no sustainable plan.

Tourism related people said that the beach erosion started in 2000. It took a terrible form from 2005 to 2010. Since 2011, the intensity of the erosion has decreased slightly, but it continues. Every year, the erosion takes a terrible shape during the monsoon season. This year was no exception. Several blocks in the West Majhi Bari area of the beach have been moved due to the force of the waves. In addition, about 5 kilometers of the 22-kilometer long beach, including Jhauban, Gangamati and Char Gangamati, have been eroded. The sand has eroded in many places and tree roots have emerged.

Tourism officials say that if the aesthetics of the beach are damaged in the long run, the number of tourists may decrease. This will harm the tourism-dependent economy of the region. They demand the construction of a sustainable groyne embankment as soon as possible to protect the beach from sand erosion.

According to locals, the beach has suffered severe sand erosion due to the abnormal behavior of the sea. This erosion, which has been going on for 25 years, has already destroyed many structures including Faiz Mia's coconut garden, Shalban, LG ED's biogas plant, Dakbangalore, and the vast Jhauban Ecopark. Last year, the under-construction Marine Drive road adjacent to the beach collapsed due to the force of the sea. Tourist police boxes, mosques, temples, tourism parks, washrooms and other facilities are at risk. Even during high tide, there is no walkway on the beach.

Tourists say that where once one could walk on the vast sandy beach and enjoy the sunrise and sunset, now piles of geo bags are a sight to behold. As a result, the beauty and attractiveness of Kuakata beach have decreased a lot. This is worrying businessmen and local residents involved in tourism.

According to experts, although the temporary installation of geo bags is somewhat effective in controlling erosion, long-term and sustainable coastal management is needed to protect Kuakata. They emphasize on science-based planning, regular dredging, construction of environmentally friendly infrastructure and taking effective steps to maintain the natural balance of the coast.

Abdul Motaleb Sharif, president of the Kuakata Hotel Motel Owners Association, said that the main problem of Kuakata now is erosion. For this, permanent protection of the beach is needed. He called for the immediate implementation of a permanent plan to protect the beach and various resources from sea erosion.

Former president of Kuakata Press Club Md. Anwar Hossain Anu said that a timely permanent project should be taken to prevent sand erosion of Kuakata beach. Otherwise, the beauty of this beach will be lost. Despite sending project proposals repeatedly due to faulty design and plans, they were not implemented. In this case, the Water Development Board has shown irresponsibility.

Executive Engineer of Kalapara Water Development Board Md. Shah Alam said, "Several sand-filled geo tubes have been temporarily placed in the beach area to prevent erosion.

The work of the geo tubes is still ongoing. As part of the long-term plan to prevent beach erosion, a project proposal worth about Tk 759 crore has been sent to the concerned ministry. If the project is approved and implemented, I hope it will be possible to permanently prevent erosion."