Tawhidul Islam, Cox's Bazar

At the world’s longest sea beach, Cox’s Bazar, a new artificial canal has been created as a result of joint activities by two commercial establishments. A dam was built by obstructing the natural flow of water, followed by the excavation of this artificial canal.

This has raised concerns about severe erosion along the beach as well as the creation of pits and hidden channels, posing risks for tourists during sea bathing, according to concerned parties. Additionally, environmentalists have remarked that waste-laden water from the hotel-motel zone is being discharged directly into the sea through this artificial canal, causing pollution to the marine environment and ecosystem.

On Sunday afternoon, this artificial canal was spotted beside the Divine Eco Resort adjacent to the Kolatoli Point of Cox’s Bazar sea beach. Several tourism-related businessmen nearby said that water from parts of the hotel-motel zone used to flow naturally through a stream beside the boundary of Divine Eco Resort. That stream would eventually merge into the sea in front of Pacific Beach Lounge Café. However, during the monsoon season, the owners of Pacific Beach Lounge Café blocked that stream by building a dam with sandbags. As a result, water accumulated in front of Divine Eco Resort, forming a large, deep pond. Later, to drain out the stagnant water, a canal was artificially excavated cutting through the sand dunes near the southwest corner of the resort’s boundary. This canal now carries both stagnant water and rainwater runoff into the sea during heavy rainfall. The canal’s width is gradually increasing due to the tidal inflow and outflow of water. Consequently, the once-continuous sea beach is being disconnected.

Local businessmen reported that workers hired by Pacific Beach Lounge Café and Divine Eco Resort had excavated this artificial canal.

After inspecting the site, Deepak Sharma Dipu, president of the Cox’s Bazar Forest and Environment Conservation Council, stated that two establishments have orchestrated this astonishing act for their personal interests. Due to this, polluted water from the hotel-motel zone is regularly entering the sea, and the canal is expanding during heavy rainfall. This not only threatens to disrupt the continuity of the world’s longest uninterrupted beach but also endangers the marine environment and aesthetic appeal. Moreover, the continuous water flow through the artificial canal is creating permanent pits and hidden channels on the beach. These channels are posing risks to tourist safety and increasing the chances of fatalities.

He called upon the administration to take immediate action in this regard.

Mohammad Shukkur, a senior staff member of Sea Safe Lifeguard, the organization responsible for ensuring safety at Cox’s Bazar beach, said that several pits and hidden channels have formed recently due to the monsoon rains. This year alone, eight tourists lost their lives while bathing in the sea. Naturally occurring pits and hidden channels are difficult to identify, he added.

He explained that during the monsoon, rainwater runoff from nearby areas and sea waves typically create pits and hidden channels. The artificial canal between Sugandha and Kolatoli Points has significantly increased the risk of such occurrences. The canal is also exacerbating erosion along the sand dunes of the beach.

When asked about the issue, Javed Iqbal, General Manager of Pacific Beach Lounge Café, acknowledged that erosion has occurred in front of their establishment due to water flow. To prevent this erosion and facilitate tourist movement, they built a dam across the natural stream.

He said, “Why should water flow in front of my establishment? That’s why I built the dam.” However, he denied knowledge of who excavated the canal.

Mohammad Selim, a representative of the Divine Eco Resort owners, said that a dam was constructed at the location where water would naturally flow. This caused structural damage to their boundary wall. Water is now flowing through an alternative route, which, although artificial, was not created by them. He also claimed ignorance about who had done it.

Meanwhile, some tourists expressed frustration over the inconvenience caused by the disruption of the continuous beach due to the artificial canal. They also voiced concerns about safety hazards, environmental pollution, and the loss of the sea’s natural beauty.

Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salah Uddin said,  the primary responsibility for overseeing such matters lies with Cox’s Bazar Municipality and the Development Authority. Nevertheless, the district administration would investigate whether any illegal activities had taken place and take appropriate action.