Once a jewel of Cox’s Bazar’s Darya Nagar, the historic and naturally captivating Shahenshah Cave is today a shadow of its former self. Where more than a thousand visitors once explored the winding natural tunnel daily, only a handful now venture inside.
A Vanishing Attraction
Located on the eastern side of Darya Nagar Beach, the Darya Nagar Tourism Eco Park—locally known as Darya Nagar Parjotonpalli—is surrounded by five hills. Its central draw is a nearly 400-year-old, 700-foot-long serpentine cave nestled under the hills, famously known as Shahenshah Cave.
Habibur Rahman, a businessman from Dhaka, shared his disappointment, saying, “Five years ago, the cave was a wonder to behold. This time, I brought four friends, but they turned back after seeing the entrance. I went in alone, but the beauty I once saw is gone.”
Neglect, Mismanagement, and Safety Concerns
A recent visit revealed piles of garbage scattered along the cave’s pathway. Fallen trees block parts of the route, and soil crumbles from the ceiling and walls, posing a danger to visitors.
Kamrul Azam, a schoolteacher from Narayanganj, lamented: “Inside, it’s littered with polythene, cigarette butts, and plastic bottles. The mosquitoes and flies are unbearable. There’s absolutely no safety.”
Adding to the unease, men with sticks often linger near the cave entrance, discouraging tourists. The hilltop tong ghors (wooden huts) have vanished, stairways lie broken, and rest houses are locked and abandoned.
A Cultural Void
In its heyday, the cave area was a gathering spot for writers and poets, hosting international poetry festivals. Local cultural activist Kamrul Hasan recalls: “Poets would sit in the hilltop huts, writing and sharing their work. That creative atmosphere is gone now.”
Passing the Buck
The site is under the care of the Cox’s Bazar South Forest Division. Sadar Range Officer Md. Habibul Haque said, “There’s no budget for cave renovation. Maintenance is the lessee’s responsibility. We may take steps when the current lease expires in February.”
Assistant Forest Conservator Shyamal Kumar Ghosh added that heavy rainfall in July caused landslides inside the cave, but without funding, repairs have stalled.
A Case Study in Lost Potential
Shahenshah Cave stands as a stark example of how mismanagement can strip an attraction of its significance. Once a symbol of tourism potential, it now teeters on the edge of obscurity. Without responsible action and basic upkeep, the once-vibrant Daria Nagar tourism hub may soon be nothing more than a memory.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
