Gazipur has seen a rapid expansion of private resorts over the past 15 years, with 78 small and large facilities now operating across the district, according to the Tourist Police.
However, only around 10 to 15 of them are considered to offer standard facilities, while many others struggle to maintain their services and attractions after a few years of operation.
Located close to Dhaka and surrounded by forests and greenery, Gazipur has long been a popular destination for people looking to spend leisure time with family and friends. The growth of private resorts has further expanded the district's tourism industry.
But visitors and locals say many resorts offer little beyond accommodation, food and swimming pools, with limited recreational facilities, particularly for children.
Green Tech Convention Centre in Bhabanipur, established more than a decade ago, offers cottages, walking paths, indoor facilities and a swimming pool amid the greenery of Bhawal.
Chanchal Mahmud, an official of the resort, said visitors were attracted by the natural environment and the opportunity to spend time away from the bustle of Dhaka.
Moniruzzaman, an NRB Bank official visiting with his family, said the resort was not very large but its natural surroundings made it a pleasant place to spend time.
He said many resorts in Gazipur lacked adequate recreational facilities for children.
Shafiqul Islam, an official of an export-oriented garment factory, said many resorts had become excessively commercialised.
“Most resorts do not have adequate rides or other recreational facilities for children,” he said.
Greenview Golf Resort in Sreepur, however, offers facilities for visitors of different age groups, according to its official Rubel.
He said the resort had recreational rides, a swimming pool, a mini children's park, separate venues for programmes and cottages.
Visitor Montaz Uddin said the resort offered more facilities than many others but its charges were relatively high.
“The entry fee and other costs are too high for ordinary people,” he said.
Public attractions losing their appeal
The rise of private resorts comes as some of Gazipur's established public attractions struggle with inadequate maintenance and manpower shortages.
Bhawal National Park, once a major weekend destination for thousands of people, has gradually lost some of its appeal. Rajendrapur National Park and Gazipur Safari Park have also faced complaints over inadequate facilities and declining visitor interest.
Soleman Faruk, a resident of Bhabanipur Bazar, said Rajendrapur National Park had significant tourism potential but lacked adequate facilities for accommodation, food and recreation.
He said better management and security could help the government generate substantial revenue from the park.
Bhawal National Park covers 5,222.29 hectares and was once a popular destination for families, friends and film crews. But visitor numbers have declined despite its considerable tourism potential.
Forest officials say manpower shortages make it difficult to ensure proper security and management across the vast area.
During a recent visit, only 14 staff members were found to be responsible for managing the park. Of its six entrances, only one is currently operational.
The children's park inside the national park is also in poor condition. Many of the rides are broken and unusable, while weeds and overgrown vegetation cover several areas.
Several rest sheds are also in poor condition, with many covered in moss, weeds and rubbish. Visitors have few properly maintained places to sit and rest.
Ariful Islam, range officer of the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division at Bhawal National Park, said the park faced security problems.
He said incidents had been reported both during the day and at night in different areas between Rajendrapur and Masterbari.
Visitors to Gazipur Safari Park also complained about deteriorating facilities and a shortage of some rare animal species.
They said some animal enclosures had become dilapidated and visitor numbers were lower than in previous years.
Resort expansion raises environmental concerns
The expansion of private resorts has also been accompanied by allegations of forest-land encroachment and environmental violations.
According to an investigation by the Department of Environment, Bhawal Resort and Hotel X in Gazipur had been operating after occupying forest land and without environmental clearance. Legal action was taken against them.
A civil case was later filed against the owner of Bhawal Resort seeking recovery of the occupied land.
In Sreepur, Green Paradise Resort and Ahmadia Agro Farm authorities have also been accused of illegally occupying around 21 bighas of government khas land.
At the same time, administrative drives in Gazipur Sadar and other areas have recovered around seven acres of forest land allegedly occupied by resorts and hatcheries.
The Anti-Corruption Commission has also summoned several resort owners in the past over allegations of occupying government and forest land to establish resorts and garden houses.
Prof Dr Abiar Rahman, dean of the Faculty of Forestry and Environment at Gazipur Agricultural University, said national parks should be viewed not only as protected areas but also as potential sources of government revenue.
“Revenue collection alone is not enough. Proper management is essential for the long-term survival of such facilities,” he said.
He stressed the need for government investment while ensuring environmental protection and involving local communities.
He also suggested bringing together eco-tourism operators, resort owners, students and local representatives to formulate recommendations for sustainable tourism management.
Inspector Kamal Uddin, in-charge of the Tourist Police Gazipur Zone, said there were 78 small and large resorts in the district.
Among the notable facilities are Sarah Resort, Greenview Golf Resort, Dream Square Resort, Sohag Palli Resort, Rajendra Eco Resort, Sabuj Pata Resort, Nandan Park and Bhawal Resort and Spa.
