Illegal shops removed from Cox's Bazar Beach to restore natural beauty

The district administration has cleared more than 400 illegal shops and structures from the sandbanks of Sugandha Point in drive aimed at restoring the natural environment of Cox’s Bazar beach- reports BSS. 
According to the Daily Star reports, the administration had set a deadline until 10:00 am Sunday (March 15) for traders to voluntarily remove their establishments from Sugandha Beach. When many failed to comply, personnel from the district administration, army, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), police, and Ansar arrived at the scene around 12:00 pm and began announcing the directive through loudspeakers.
Extended deadline granted
Cox's Bazar District Executive Magistrate (Tourism Cell) Manju Bin Afnan told The Daily Observer that traders had been informed on Saturday they would receive time until 10:00 am Sunday following their request. "Due to the large number of shops and goods, traders sought additional time in the morning, which was granted by the administration. They removed their structures within the extended timeframe," he explained.
During the operation, announcements were made through loudspeakers instructing traders to remove illegally constructed structures from several beach areas, including Laboni Point, Kolatali, Himchhari, and Inani.
Traders express anguish
Seashell seller Shahidul Islam shared his plight with The Daily Star: "Respecting the administration's decision, we removed our shops ourselves. Many of us invested in our shops, taking out loans, in hopes of good business during Eid. Now, due to the sudden eviction, we have suffered losses of around Tk 500,000 to Tk 600,000. Only Allah knows how we will recover these losses."
Government directive
The eviction drive followed directives issued by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed during a meeting of the Cox's Bazar District Law and Order Committee on March 9. The minister ordered the district administration to clear all unauthorized establishments from the beach within a week, prompting the current operation.
Environmental concerns
Environmental organizations have long raised alarms over the proliferation of illegal shops at Sugandha Point, one of the most popular spots along the 120-kilometer Cox's Bazar beach. According to conservationists, over the past 15-16 years, numerous makeshift shops gradually transformed parts of the beach into congested seaside slums, making it difficult for visitors to walk along the shoreline.

The district administration stated that the eviction drive aims to restore the natural environment and ensure easier access for tourists visiting Cox's Bazar beach, balancing commercial interests with environmental preservation at this iconic coastal destination.