Over 400 illegal stalls constructed on Cox’s Bazar beach
Photo Collected
Illegal makeshift shops and restaurants have rapidly encroached upon the dunes of Cox’s Bazar beach, defying government mandates and court orders designed to protect the ecologically sensitive zone. Over the past few days, approximately 400 structures have been erected across the Sugandha, Kolatoli, and Seagul Hotel points, signaling a resurgence of the illicit commercial activity that authorities had cleared only months prior.
The recent expansion began under the cover of darkness during the Eid al-Adha holiday. Many of the new stalls are mounted on wheels, a tactical design intended to allow vendors to relocate quickly should enforcement teams arrive. These stalls are currently peddling a variety of goods, including processed food, cosmetics, souvenirs, and beverages, significantly obstructing access points and creating congestion for tourists.
This latest development directly contradicts a high-profile directive issued by the Home Minister in March, which led to a joint task force operation on March 12 that cleared 930 illegal structures from the Sugandha Point dunes. At that time, officials pledged that the area would remain free from encroachment to preserve the environment. Under the 1999 declaration of the beach as an Environmentally Critical Area (ECA), any form of construction within 300 meters of the high-tide line is strictly prohibited.
Local environmental activists and tourism stakeholders have expressed alarm at the rapid pace of the re-occupation. Tawhid Belal, president of the Save the Cox’s Bazar organization, alleged that criminal syndicates are profiting by facilitating these illegal occupations, charging exorbitant fees to vendors for spots on the sand. The presence of these shanties has drawn widespread criticism from tourists, who report that the cluttered environment—often associated with petty crime—detracts from the aesthetic and safety standards of the coastline, which attracts up to 8 million visitors annually.
District Administrator Md. Abdul Mannan acknowledged the situation, noting that the administration’s hands are currently tied by ongoing legal proceedings. According to Mannan, individuals displaced by the March eviction have filed writs with the High Court challenging the removals. The administration is currently awaiting a judicial response and further instructions from the court before launching any new enforcement actions.
Despite the pending litigation, observers warn that the failure to halt the new construction is causing irreversible damage to the region’s biodiversity. Mujibul Haque, chairman of the Youth Environment Society, noted that the unchecked proliferation of these structures is emboldening others to seize more land, including sensitive zones featuring native vegetation like sand-binding creepers. For now, the beach has reverted to its pre-eviction state, leaving both local authorities and the public waiting for the judiciary to resolve the standoff between commerce and conservation.
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