Along the bank of the Bakkhali River near the new bridge in Cox’s Bazar, a vast stretch of white kash flowers has quietly turned an otherwise forgotten patch of land into one of the town’s newest seasonal attractions.
As autumn arrives, the riverbank is covered in blooming kash flowers, creating a striking white landscape that has begun drawing young men and women from across the district.
From morning until evening, people come to walk through the flower-filled area, take photographs, shoot reels, or sit and enjoy the seasonal beauty.
The place was not always like this.
Local people said the area was once part of the Bakkhali River. Illegal occupants later encroached on the riverbank and built houses there. After government authorities evicted the occupants, the land remained abandoned for years.
Over the past two years, kash flowers have grown naturally across the abandoned land. With the flowers now in full bloom, the once-neglected riverbank has taken on a completely different appearance.
Photos and videos of the white kash fields have spread on social media, bringing more people to the spot every day. The crowd is especially noticeable from afternoon until evening, when groups of friends arrive to take photos and videos against the backdrop of the flowers.
Mohammad Ayon, who came from Ukhia, said he had discovered the place through social media.
“The kash flower garden is really beautiful. I had been seeing it on social media for the past few days, so I came here. I have taken many photographs and videos. I really like the place,” he said.
Jasmin Akter, a young woman from South Baharchhara, came with her friends to enjoy the flowers.
“We came with our friends to see the beauty of the kash flowers. The place is really beautiful. The road leading here is in very poor condition, but seeing the flowers made the trouble worthwhile,” she said.
She, however, expressed concern about how some visitors were treating the flowers.
“Many people are plucking the kash flowers and putting them behind their ears or taking them away. This is damaging the beauty of the place. The flowers should be protected,” she said.
The spot’s growing popularity has also raised a new concern: how long its natural beauty will last.
Some visitors are reportedly plucking flowers, while others walk over the plants, damaging the kash field. What has grown naturally over two years could gradually disappear if the area is not cared for.
Local people believe the riverbank could become a new seasonal attraction in Cox’s Bazar if the kash field is preserved properly.
But they say its survival will depend not only on conservation measures but also on visitors’ behaviour. They have urged tourists and local visitors not to pluck the flowers, walk through the plants or leave waste behind.
For now, the white kash flowers continue to sway beside the Bakkhali — offering the town a brief glimpse of autumn and a simple, natural escape from its busy streets.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Courtesy
