A stretch of Cox’s Bazar’s Shaibal Beach has taken on a different look as a wide carpet of green Sagarlata spreads across its dunes.
The lush vines covering large parts of the dunes, set against the sea’s blue waves, have created a striking natural landscape, drawing the attention of tourists who come to enjoy the beach.
“I have visited Cox’s Bazar many times. But seeing the dunes covered in so much green, Sagarlata feels different this time. The combination of the sea and greenery is breathtaking,” said tourist Saiful Islam.
Locals said Sagarlata has long grown across a large section of the dunes at Shaibal Beach. Its recent spread across the dunes has made the beach look even more scenic, they said.
But amid the natural beauty, plastic bottles, polythene bags and other waste can also be seen scattered around the beach.
The waste not only spoils the area’s beauty but also threatens the coastal environment.
“It feels bad to see plastic waste scattered in such a beautiful place. If tourists carry their waste with them and dispose of it at designated places, the area will remain much cleaner and more beautiful,” said tourist Md Rakib Hasan.
Environmental activists said Sagarlata plays an important role in maintaining the stability and ecological condition of dunes.
They stressed the need to protect its natural growth instead of indiscriminately damaging the vegetation, while also preventing plastic waste from being dumped on the beach.
Locals and environmentalists hope that regular cleaning drives, along with effective measures to protect Sagarlata and the dunes, will help preserve the area’s natural character.
With proper care, the green-covered dunes of Shaibal Beach could offer tourists an even more refreshing and visually striking coastal landscape.
Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
