Golam Mostofa: Chalan Beel, August 8: Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroz Khanam Rita has visited the proposed site of an integrated eco-tourism project in Chalan Beel to assess its feasibility and explore the region’s potential for sustainable tourism.During the field visit on Saturday, the minister said Chalan Beel is one of Bangladesh’s unique natural assets and has significant potential to attract tourists. She stressed that any development in the area must be planned in a way that protects its wetlands, natural environment and biodiversity.“Chalan Beel is a unique natural resource of Bangladesh. It has enormous tourism potential. To utilise this potential, planned development must be carried out while preserving the natural environment, wetlands and biodiversity of the beel,” she said.The minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had sent the team to examine the proposed project. Relevant authorities will assess its feasibility, environmental impact, infrastructure requirements and prospects for implementation before any final decision is taken.She said the government wants to develop Chalan Beel not simply as a tourist destination but as a sustainable tourism model integrating environmental conservation, local culture, employment opportunities and the local economy.Bangladesh Tourism Corporation Chairman Shamimuzzaman said Chalan Beel has immense tourism potential because of its vast wetlands, boat trips, natural beauty, migratory birds, folk culture and traditional rural lifestyle.Local lawmaker VP Aynul Haque said establishing a modern tourism centre in Chalan Beel was part of his election pledge. He said he had submitted a project proposal to the prime minister to fulfil his commitment to the people.“The field visit by the Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister and the chairman of Bangladesh Tourism Corporation following the prime minister’s approval is a significant step forward. We hope that after the necessary surveys and assessments, the project will move towards implementation,” he said.Under the preliminary proposal, an integrated and environmentally friendly tourism centre would be developed on approximately 300 acres of land in the Chalan Beel area.The initial estimated cost of the project has been put at around Tk 500 crore, with a proposed implementation period of three years. The project is planned to be implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement.According to the proposed master plan, the tourism complex would be developed in eight zones covering tourism, accommodation, entertainment, water-based tourism, culture, environmental conservation, commercial activities and administration.The proposed facilities include eco-friendly resorts and cottages, modern motels and tourist accommodation, floating jetties and boat terminals, boating facilities, a water park and bird-watching towers.The plan also includes a cultural centre showcasing local traditions and heritage, a food court featuring traditional Chalan Beel cuisine, a children’s park and entertainment facilities.Other proposed infrastructure includes internal roads and communication facilities, tourist police and CCTV surveillance for visitors’ security, modern waste management systems, solar power facilities and environmentally friendly construction.The minister and other officials visited the vast Chalan Beel area surrounding the 9th bridge on the Hatikumrul-Bonpara Highway on Saturday morning.Later, a discussion meeting was held at the hall room of Dobilah-Islampur Degree College in Tarash.The meeting was chaired by former president of Tarash upazila BNP S M Afsar Ali.Among those present were Tarash Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nusrat Jahan, personal officer to lawmaker VP Aynul Haque Mahbub Alam Sheikh, former general secretary of Tarash upazila BNP Aminur Rahman Tutul, former joint convener of the municipal BNP Khandaker Saiful Islam and upazila Jubo Dal convener F M Shah Alam, among others.Officials said further surveys and assessments will be necessary before the government decides whether and how the proposed eco-tourism project will be implemented. If developed while maintaining the ecological balance of the wetlands, Chalan Beel could potentially emerge as a major tourism destination while creating new economic opportunities for communities living around the vast wetland.