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The iconic Kuakata beach in Patuakhali is shrinking rapidly due to relentless erosion. Climate change-induced rising sea levels and increasing water pressure are eroding the sandy shores, causing significant damage to the coastline. This ongoing erosion is threatening the beauty and viability of Bangladesh’s second-largest tourist destination, with parts of the beach becoming uneven—some areas sinking, others rising, and even forming small and large pits. Local residents and tourism-related businesses have raised urgent demands for permanent measures to protect the beach.
Erosion’s Toll on Kuakata
Field observations reveal that Kuakata has been grappling with severe erosion since Cyclone Sidr in 2007. Natural disasters, storm surges, and high tides during full moons have caused massive waves to batter the shore, washing away large sections of the coastline. A 1,300-meter stretch of a road adjacent to the beach has already been destroyed. The protected mangrove forest, coconut groves, national park boundary walls, LGED’s biogas plant, a rest house, a post office bungalow, and Hotel Kings are among the structures that have vanished due to erosion.
At-Risk Structures and Safety Concerns
The national park’s broken boundary wall, with exposed rods and sharp concrete slabs hidden underwater, poses a serious accident risk. Key landmarks such as Lembur Char, the mangrove forest, the tourist police box, Sardar Market, Kuakata Jame Mosque, Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple, and the Tourism Park are now at risk of being washed away. Locals fear that if erosion continues unchecked, the protective embankment could collapse, flooding residential areas and farmlands.
Local Concerns and Demands
Hosen Gharami, a long-time resident, recalled that before Sidr, the beach was about half a kilometer from the embankment. Post-Sidr erosion has claimed numerous structures, and many more, including the tourist police box, mosque, temple, and DC Park, remain at risk. Anwar Hossain Anu, former president of the Kuakata Press Club, criticized the authorities’ inaction, noting that the beach’s beauty is fading. Matiur Rahman Hawladar, general secretary of Kuakata Municipal BNP, called for halting the misuse of funds through temporary measures like geo-bags and demanded a permanent groin embankment to save the beach.
Water Development Board’s Response
Mohammad Shah Alam, executive engineer of the Kalapara Water Development Board, stated that temporary measures like geo-bags and geo-tubes are being used to protect the beach. A proposal for a permanent embankment has been submitted, and work will begin once approved. However, locals have accused former mayor Anwar Hawladar of exacerbating the issue by constructing a road without proper authorization, which they claim worsened the erosion.
Conclusion
Kuakata beach is a vital asset to Bangladesh’s tourism industry. Without swift and sustainable action to curb erosion, the beach’s beauty, local economy, and livelihoods face an existential threat. Immediate implementation of permanent protective measures is crucial to preserving this national treasure.
AI/MR
