Rupsi Mangrove (Mini Sundarbans) tourist center is bustling with tourists on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Azha. The spot is filled with people of all ages walking to enjoy the entertainment during the Eid holidays.
According to the Upazila Executive Officer’s office, the project taken to prevent river erosion in the Shibnagar area of ​​the upazila has become popular for tourism. The forest built on the pattern of Sundarbans is spread over 150 acres of land. Out of which 50 acres of forest, 10 acres of land has “Anamika Lake”. The remaining places have various entertainment facilities. The beauty of the Sundarbans can be easily enjoyed at the entertainment center built on the banks of the Ichamati River, about 30 km from the district headquarters. Here there are various species of fruits and forest plants including Keora, Bain, Golpata, Crab, Neem, Sundari, Harakcha of Sundarbans. For children there is a children’s park, live and artificial animals of various species. Electric city swings for adults, motorized river boat rides. Apart from this, the recreation center has a kitchen, seminar room, rest house, prayer room, separate washroom for men and women, round-the-clock electricity and internet connection.
Altaf Hossain, a tourist from Sushilgathi village, said, I live in Dhaka. Coming home for Eid holidays, I am coming here to visit. The place is very beautiful. It would be better if the road to reach here could be widened more. Ashraful Gazi of Debhata said, I am coming here with my family members on the occasion of Eid. I came and saw many people like us. Coming here, I can enjoy the beauty of the river on one side and the Sundarbans on the other without going here.
Jasmine Nahar, a tourist from the district town, said that they do not go to Sundarbans due to lack of time. But here you can actually taste the Sundarbans. So come here sometimes. If more facilities are provided for the tourists then the center will be more prosperous.
Sohel Rana, the manager of the entertainment center, said that there are more tourists in Rupsi Mangrove Entertainment Center on special days like Eid, Pahela Baishakh than the whole year. This year many people are coming here from the day of Eid. As per the instructions of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, various initiatives have been taken to make the entertainment center suitable for tourists and overall security measures have been put in place. No complaints have been received so far. We are working to maintain the presence of tourists with safety.
Debhata upazila executive officer. Asaduzzaman said, Rupsi mangrove is another means of familiarizing Devhata. Various opportunities have been created here for the entertainment of all ages. The recreation center prevents river erosion and provides entertainment to the people as well as creating revenue generation opportunities. Besides, many people have been provided with employment. Work is underway to add more facilities in the future.
