PM OKs steps for riverine ecotourism hub in south
The Cabinet Division has asked the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to take the required measures and report on the progress of its implementation
ATT Desk Report 
The government has moved to develop an international-standard riverine ecotourism and cultural hub in southern Bangladesh, centred on Gabkhan Channel, Dhansiri River, Panchamohana and the floating guava market at Bhimruli.
According to a Cabinet Division directive issued on 22 July, the proposal was placed before Prime Minister Tarique Rahman based on the second fortnightly confidential report for June 2026 submitted by field administration officials. The PM approved the proposal and directed the relevant authorities to take the necessary steps for its implementation.
On condition of anonymity, a senior official at the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism said Ziauddin Hyder, the Prime Minister's Health Adviser, who hails from the southern district of Jhalakathi, played an active role in preparing the proposal, as he has long been working to promote tourism in the southern region.
As a health specialist and development professional, Zia Hyder previously worked for around 30 years in 35 countries across Asia, Africa and South America on sustainable health, nutrition and development programmes.
The Cabinet Division has asked the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to take the required measures and report on the progress of its implementation.
According to the proposal, the region has significant potential to become an international river-based eco-tourism and cultural destination. However, this potential has yet to be fully realised because of the lack of integrated tourism infrastructure, modern jetties, safe river transport, tourist accommodation and effective destination branding.
Under the proposal, a Dhansiri Cultural Village and a Riverine Ecotourism Hub would be established on 88.36 acres of government land at Panchamohana.
The proposed project includes the development of a riverfront, eco-resorts, floating restaurants, a Jibanananda Das Literature and Research Centre, a folk museum, a cultural stage and a tourism circuit linking Gabkhan Channel and Dhansiri River.
Officials believe the project will boost tourism, create employment, stimulate the local economy and help preserve the region's cultural heritage.
The Cabinet Division noted that the Deputy Commissioner of Jhalakathi had already submitted the proposal to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
However, the implementation of the project is subject to the disposal of an ongoing land-related case pending before the High Court Division. Once the case is resolved, the government may grant the necessary policy approval and a special budgetary allocation for the project, the directive said.
