Ctg City Corp seeks 200 acres on Char Bakalia for tourism project amid environmental concerns
Earlier, the city corporation had planned a waste-to-energy project on 35 acres of the same land, but the government cancelled it in 2024 after environmentalists and civil society groups raised concerns about the project’s potential impact on the island’s biodiversity
Highlights:
- Chattogram seeks 200-acre lease for world-class tourism hub
- Earlier waste-to-energy project cancelled over biodiversity concerns
- Mayor proposes "One City, Two Town" Shanghai-style initiative
- Plans include theme park, solar power, foreign investment
- Environmentalists warn against concrete construction harming bird sanctuary
- Officials stress environmental clearance and stakeholder consultation required
The Chattogram City Corporation has sought a long-term lease of 200 acres of government khas land on Char Bakalia, an island in the Karnaphuli River, at a symbolic price to develop a modern, world-class tourism hub.
Earlier, the city corporation had planned a waste-to-energy project on 35 acres of the same land, but the government cancelled it in 2024 after environmentalists and civil society groups raised concerns about the project's potential impact on the island's biodiversity.
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On 14 August 2025, Chattogram city Mayor Shahadat Hossain wrote to the Ministry of Land requesting 200 acres of khas land (plots 323–544 of Char Bakalia Mouza in Boalkhali upazila, about 1.5 km from Shah Amanat Bridge) to develop a tourism hub and implement the "One City, Two Town" initiative, modelled on Shanghai.
"We plan to build a Manali-style theme park with foreign investment. A solar power project is also planned. A proposal has been submitted to request land for these projects."
The letter stated that a modern, world-class tourism hub would help the city corporation become financially self-reliant, attract domestic and foreign tourists, and boost the economy.
It also noted the city currently lacks sufficient health, recreation, and tourism facilities, and that the "One City, Two Town" plan would expand the city corporation's area to include the southern bank of the Karnaphuli River to provide enough land for tourism centres and infrastructure.
Chattogram City Corporation Secretary Mohammad Ashraful Alam told The Business Standard, "We plan to build a Manali-style theme park with foreign investment. A solar power project is also planned. A proposal has been submitted to request land for these projects."
Previously, at the end of 2023, the city corporation requested 35 acres from the Ministry of Land at a symbolic price for a waste-to-energy project on Char Bakalia, with approval from the Ministry of Local Government for a Chinese company to build a power plant.
However, protests by environmental activists and civil society representatives led to its cancellation in October 2024. The Ministry of Land cited risks of water pollution and threats to biodiversity and ecological balance.
Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam told TBS, "The city corporation first sent me a letter, but I advised them to apply directly to the Ministry of Land instead. We have not been asked for our opinion yet. If the ministry requests it, we will review the proposal and provide feedback. Environmental clearance is required for such projects. Since we do not know the details of the proposal, I cannot comment at this time."
Char Bakalia, formed nearly a century ago after the construction of the first Karnaphuli Bridge at Kalurghat, lies between the Shah Amanat and Kalurghat Bridges. The 200-acre island—116 acres of which are government-owned—stretches from Lakhera in Patiya upazila to Char Khizirpur in Boalkhali upazila.
Its dense central woodland and riverbank vegetation make it a sanctuary for thousands of birds, including endangered species such as the black-headed ibis, red-wattled lapwing, cattle egret, little egret, and various kingfishers. Migratory birds also visit seasonally, while locals graze hundreds of buffalo on the island daily.
A 2022 study by the private organisation Effective Creation on Human Opinion identified 155 plant species on the island—64 trees, 20 herbs, 57 shrubs, 12 climbers, and 2 parasitic plants, with 113 being medicinal.
Environmentalists are once again voicing concerns over concrete development.
"We have no objection to eco-tourism, but no concrete buildings should be constructed. If hotels or motels are built, we will oppose them."
Aliur Rahman, general secretary of the Chattogram River and Canal Protection Movement, said, "In 2019, the High Court declared rivers as living entities. Protecting the environment, biodiversity, wetlands, forests, and wildlife is mandatory. We have no objection to eco-tourism, but no concrete buildings should be constructed. If hotels or motels are built, we will oppose them."
He added that 528 plant species have been recorded along the Karnaphuli and Char Bakalia, with 81 at risk of extinction, and urged a full survey before approving any project.
Mahfuzur Rahman, convener of the People's Protest Platform to Save Karnaphuli, also cautioned, "Tourism could harm the bird sanctuary. But a tourism centre could boost the income of boatmen and locals. Stakeholders' opinions should be considered before starting any project."
