The blossoming success of 'Shwapno Bilas Flower Village' in Khagrachari

In four months, a once abandoned brick furnace in Morapara of Mahalchhari, Khagrachhari, has transformed remarkably into the vibrant 'Shwapno Bilas Flower Village,' an agro-based tourism centre. Initiated by Khaled Masud Sagar, who ventured into agro-business after completing his legal studies in 2017, the project now stands as the materialisation of his vision.

This lovely flower garden is home to over four hundred types of local and abroad flowers. It also features small, beautiful trees called bonsais, and varieties of flowers such as gladiolus, chrysanthemum, gerbera, adenium, garden villas, and orchids. Situated by the main road, it has quickly become a popular tourist spot in Khagrachari and nearby areas.

People mostly know it for its diverse flower nursery and various fruits. Sagar, a young entrepreneur, promotes agro-tourism in the Khagrachari hills. He's taken on various projects, from fish farming to supporting nursery gardens, dealing with plant diseases and pesticides, and developing agro-based tourism.

While the flower garden remains the primary attraction, the site has not confined itself solely to blossoms. Restaurants and resorts have been established, turning the location into a bustling hub visited by hundreds daily. Fueled by the desire to redefine agro-based tourism, Sagar emphasises the potential for its popularity in the hilly district of Khagrachari if government support is extended to such initiatives.

Tourists flock to the garden, not just for its scenic charm but also for the entertainment. Visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty with an entry ticket priced at 20 taka. Interestingly, purchasing a flower or fruit sapling for a minimum of 150 taka exempts the buyer from the entry fee, encouraging both tourism and plant adoption.

Khaled Masud Sagar dreams of making 'Shwapno Bilas Flower Village' a leader in agro-based tourism for Khagrachari. He wants to use a creative agro-tourism method to turn unused land into farms, providing a fresh way to use land in the area. The Department of Agriculture sees the potential and supports the idea of tourism focused on nurseries in Khagrachari. Kishore Kumar Majumdar, Deputy Director of the District Agriculture Extension Department, praised the 'Agro Tourism' concept and promised complete support.

The Department of Agriculture reports establishing around 50 nursery-centred tourist centres focusing on flowers and fruits in Khagrachari. Stakeholders assert that the expanding tourism industry is enhancing the business landscape and contributing significantly to the local economy.

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