Calls of the Kanchenjunga

The majestic Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest mountain.

Its peak stands between India's Sikkim and Nepal, and is about 150km from Tentulia of Panchagarh. You can see it with your naked eyes from different spots of Panchagarh when the sky clears up as clouds disappear just before winter.

Every winter, this place becomes a tourist hotspot. People of all ages from across the country flock to the northernmost district to get a glimpse of its "unworldly" beauty. For many it's heaven on earth on display among the vast tracts of tea gardens.

Kanchenjunga usually emerges between 5:30am and 6:30am. As if from nothingness in the blink of an eye, just minutes before the sunlight hits the ground. When the sunlight first touches its peak, the white snow-capped mountain becomes red-like hot lava.

Apart from the mountain's peak, the wonderful sights of vehicular movements and electric lights of the hilly Kalimgpong town, Darjeeling's sub-divisional headquarters, and the border watch lights of India that appear at night can be enjoyed from Tentulia Dak Bungalow area.

The rare-sunset amid the cloud over the Indian border fence is another enchanting view. This is a sight to see, sitting on the bank of the river Mohanada in the evening. Other spots such as Bhitargarh, Rock Museum in Panchagarh Sadar, Bodeshwari Temple in Boda upazila, Mirzapur Shahi Mosque, Imambara Mosque in Atwary upazila are no less captivating.

Given the number of tourists, locals, especially those involved with different businesses, are introducing various new services and facilities, but they are still inadequate compared to the demand.

Social activists working to develop tourism in Panchagarh think the Tourism Board and Tourism Corporation can tap into this opportunity and improve the area's socio-economic conditions by ensuring better amenities for tourists.

During a recent visit, hundreds of visitors from across the country were seen heading for Tentulia just to take a glimpse of Kanchenjunga.

Physician Khadija Begum went with her two sons from Thakurgaon. She said the majestic nature of the peak and the beauty all around it mesmerised them.

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Where Kanchenjunga rises over the horizon

"It's an amazing experience to enjoy the beautiful view clearly with bare eyes from our country," said Mohiuddin Ahmed, who went from Naogaon with three friends.

With better and adequate accommodation, quality food and proper safety measures, tourists could certainly enjoy more. Also, there is a dearth of vehicles and sanitation facilities that discourage tourists to plan longer stays.

According to Tentulia upazila administration, around 500 tourists visit every day and over 5,000 come during holidays in October-November. But there are accommodation facilities for 250 tourists, who want to spend the night.

Photo: Md Quamrul Islam Rubaiyat

Farzana Rahman went with her three-member family from Rangpur. Although she wanted to stay there at night, she could not find any accommodation. She had to return home hurriedly.

Many visitors also spoke of putting in place enough security measures, adequate toilets and personal hygiene products for women and children.

Sariful Islam, a government official, said he found it difficult to return Dhaka due to the rush of tourists.

Sohag Chandra Saha, upazila nirbahi officer of Tentulia, said the administration was aware of the increasing number of tourists and was working accordingly to facilitate their stay and journey.

He said there are 18 guest houses and hotels having accommodation capacity for 200 people. Besides, 100 visitors can reside in different houses by paying rents as part of an initiative of "community tourism."

Other spots such as Bhitargarh, Rock Museum in Panchagarh Sadar, Bodeshwari Temple in Boda upazila, Mirzapur Shahi Mosque, Imambara Mosque in Atwary upazila are no less captivating.

Last year, 30 people were trained for this purpose with the help of the Bangladesh Tourism Board.

Md Muniruzzaman, owner of Doyel Residential Hotel at Tentulia Bazar, said they have too few rooms to handle the pressure during the peak season.

Hasnur Rashid Babu, former head of economics department at Panchagarh Government Women's College and also president of Parjatan Unnayan Parishad of Panchagarh, said there is huge potential for economic development through tourism there.

"But for this to happen, the authorities should take effective steps to increase tourist facilities and awareness about tourism among locals," he added.