Eid brings a surge of visitors to Bandarban’s Debota Kum

Debota Kum, one of Bandarban's most captivating tourist destinations, has seen a surge of visitors during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. The rush began on the second day of Eid, with eager travellers making their way to the pristine waters of the Kum, drawn by its natural beauty and the promise of adventure.

At the site, long queues of tourists waited patiently for their turn on bamboo rafts and boats. Many were seen gliding across the crystal-clear waters on small rafts, marvelling at the serene landscape and the tranquillity it offers. The allure of Debota Kum remains unchanged -- an unspoiled retreat deep within the hills of Bandarban.

Nestled in Chagol Khaiya village of the Kacchaptali area under Roangchhari upazila, Debota Kum lies at the end of the Taracha canal, the main waterway of the region.

The site remained closed to visitors for nearly four years due to military operations against the armed group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF). However, after years of inaccessibility, it was reopened for tourists on February 11 this year, under the initiative of the Roangchhari upazila administration.

At the entrance there is a hive of activity with the local vendors quick to seize the opportunity. Unu Sing Marma and his nephew U Mung Sing Marma, both students at a government college in Dhaka, have set up a small stall selling fruit juices, mineral water, and dry snacks.

They said the flow of tourists had been relentless since Eid, with nearly 600-700 visitors arriving the previous day alone. Within two days, their earnings had already reached Tk 20,000–30,000, a windfall for small vendors who rely on the seasonal influx of visitors, they said.

The experience at Debota Kum is unique, with bamboo rafts offering visitors an intimate connection with the water. Locals Mongshainu Marma and Chahai Sing Marma had been busy crafting new rafts to accommodate the growing number of tourists. Some ventured deep into the Kum, deftly paddling their way through the water, while others, less skilled, found themselves spinning in circles or colliding with fellow rafters.

Beyond its natural allure, Debota Kum carries deep spiritual significance. Elderly villager Paingching Pru Marma recalled how, just five or six years ago, their village was relatively unknown.

He believes the guardian deity of the sacred stone at Debota Kum has long watched over them.

Special worship ceremonies are held here on four dates each month, a practice that the locals believe has brought harmony to the area.

The return of tourism has been met with careful oversight. Nu Cho Mong Marma, president of the Debota Kum Management Committee, confirmed that the site's reopening coincided with the Eid holidays, drawing large crowds.

Roangchhari UNO Md Saiful Islam acknowledged the positive economic shift tourism has brought to the community.

From tour guides to transport workers, fruit vendors to local craftsmen, a range of livelihoods have benefited from the increased number of visitors. To further facilitate visitors, a one-stop service centre has been set up at Kacchaptali Bazaar, eliminating the need for tourists to visit police stations or upazila offices for registration or assistance, he said.

In the town of Bandarban, the resurgence of tourism has revived the struggling hospitality industry. Md Suman, manager of Hotel Grand Valley, reported that all 42 rooms had been fully booked for April 2, 3, and 4.

After a long period of downturn, he expressed hope that the holiday rush would provide much-needed recovery.

Jasim Uddin, general secretary of the Bandarban Hotel & Resort Owners' Association and owner of Hotel Arannya, said his establishment had also been fully booked in advance.

Security has remained a priority, with authorities bracing for an even larger influx of visitors in the coming days.

Abdul Karim, additional superintendent of police (crime & operations) in Bandarban, assured that alongside the tourist police, district police officers would be on duty to safeguard travellers.