Thousands of tourists were seen going from Boga Lake to Keokradong (3235 feet or 968 meters). In each group, 6 to 15 people have started climbing Keokradong in groups. Some groups were seen summiting Keokradong peak and some groups were seen returning to Ruma upazila. Tourists along Keokradong Road from Boga Lake were seen enjoying the scenic beauty of Bandarban district.
Shapul Barua (41) has been working as a tourist guide for 15 years. He said that once he reaches Ruma to Keokradong safely with the tourists, he get an income of 2600 Tks. This time, he brought 15 tourists along with him to Keokradong hill. He said that a guide is not only a guide but also a motivator during the trail. Tourist guide Md Rahat Ullah (35) has been working as a tourist guide for 18 years. Therefore, the tourism industry has to be taken forward keeping in view the traditions, culture, mountains and forests of the people. Pradeep Barua works as a tourist guide and supports a family of six. When asked how he is enjoying, he said that no one comes to Keokradong trip with sadness in mind, people comes with joy so he as a guide also enjoys. He sees tourists as his own children. A total of 314 tourists guide, including 72 in Ruma Upazila and 135 in Thanchi Upazila and 107 in Roangchhari Upazila, work as guides, he said.
Dr Hasan, a businessman from the 12-member tourist group from Jashore district, and businessman Mohammad Asif said that they reached Keokradong Peak on foot from Boga Lake without using vehicles. Asked how he felt when he saw the sunrise in the morning, Asif said that this is his first visit to Bandarban. Tourist Israfil said that it is a pleasure to walk to Keokradong and there is no fun in driving.
Darjeeling Para at the foot of Keokradong hill, a neighborhood of 35 families which shows the beauty of Bandarban. There are cottages for tourists, where more than 300 tourists can spend the night and eat together. 250 Tk per person per night and 120-250 Tk per meal is enough for one to stay for a whole day in the area. The head of the neighborhood, Sanching Bam Karbari, said more tourists were actually staying at each house.
A tourist named Julius Caesar said that nature can be felt through trekking but sadly in some places artificial infrastructure has been created which is not at all compatible with the environment. When something is done artificially it loses its individuality which cannot be desirable at all. Whatever the nature here, it will attract people. People who love nature will come from different parts of the country to see what is here.
On the side of the road from Boga Lake to Keokradong, Locals sell lemonade, ripe papaya and sugarcane for trekkers in the local hills at 1-2 km. Tourists who are tired of walking get back to life after eating these. Joel N. Kim Bom, a woman shopkeeper, said that during the tourist season, some extra income is provided for the locals of the area. Every day from 6 am to 4 pm, four to five thousand Tk worth of products are sold. Rafi, a tourist from Comilla Ispahani School and College with a team of 5, said that after a few kilometers, the food in the small shops works great to regain the vitality of walking in the mountains.
A group of 5 people was returning after a trip to Keokradong hill and they were seen singing songs with guitars. Mehdi, a traveler from the group, said he took a guitar as a companion while traveling the hill. At the end of the hill tour, in the evening, there is a singing session among tourists. Nothing can be felt in the mountains, Mehedi said that there is a different joy in loving the mountain nature.
According to Ruma Upazila Tourist Guide Association, there are paved road from Ruma to Boga Lake and rest of the road from Boga Lake to Keokradong is plain old dirt road. Those who have less confidence to reach Keokradong on foot, they rent jeeps, land cruisers, cars, but still, most of the tourists travel to Keokradong on foot. Ruma Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Noman Shibli said nature lovers come to visit this area often because Bandarban offers one of the best scenic beauties of hills in Bangladesh. Some cottages have been built on private initiative to accommodate tourists in Keokradong area, while the administration has provided accommodation for tourists at Boga Lake.
Asked how many tourists visit Ruma Upazila during the tourist season, he said there is no specific calculation but the administration has taken steps to register tourists in the future to provide better service.
