Rajshahi, Aug 26 (V7N) - Thousands of visitors are flocking daily to Middle Char, a river island in Ward 8 of Harian Union under Paba upazila of Rajshahi, attracted by its blue waters, lush greenery and rural landscape.
The scenic char has recently gained popularity on social media and is being dubbed a “Mini Switzerland”. However, the rapid and largely unregulated influx of tourists has raised serious concerns among local residents over privacy, safety, agricultural damage and environmental pollution.
Middle Char can be reached by boat in just 10–12 minutes from Dogar Ghat at Mirzapur Mizan’s Mor in Rajshahi city. According to local residents and the leaseholder, around 1,800 to 2,000 visitors arrive every Friday, while the number ranges between 500 and 800 on other days.
Residents say the uncontrolled movement of visitors is disrupting the daily lives of families, particularly women and children.
They allege that some visitors enter residential areas without permission, sometimes under the pretext of asking for drinking water or looking around. The use of drones has added to concerns over privacy.
Residents said drones are frequently flown over homes, affecting the privacy of women while bathing, using open toilets and carrying out household activities.
Elderly residents and other locals said they were not opposed to tourism but urged visitors and authorities to ensure the safety, privacy and dignity of local families.
Tourism is also affecting the char’s main sources of livelihood — agriculture and livestock rearing. Farmers said visitors walking through black gram fields were damaging crops.
They also complained that plastic waste and discarded snack packets were being scattered across the area, contaminating grazing grounds and posing potential health risks to livestock.
Paba Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ibnul Abedin said mobile courts would be conducted to prevent the unauthorised use of drones.
He also said measures would be taken in coordination with local representatives to strengthen the safety of women in the area.
Rajshahi Additional Superintendent of Police (DSB) Sabina Yasmin and River Police Superintendent Mohammad Billal Hossain jointly assured that police were remaining vigilant to protect local residents.
They said safety measures had also been strengthened for passengers travelling on the Padma River, including mandatory use of life jackets and closer monitoring of boat operators.
The Department of Environment has also urged visitors not to discard plastic waste in the area.
Local residents have called for immediate written guidelines and a properly regulated tourism system instead of relying solely on assurances. They said such measures were necessary to protect Middle Char’s environment while safeguarding the privacy, security and livelihoods of its residents.
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