Guava season has turned Pirojpur's Nesarabad upazila and neighbouring Jhalakathi Sadar into a seasonal tourist destination, with floating markets and canal-side orchards drawing visitors from across the country.
The cultivation of a local guava variety began in the region at least 150 years ago, through individual efforts in Atghor Kuriana union, before spreading to Jolabari and the neighbouring Kirtipasha and Nabagram unions. Today, guava is grown in at least 25 villages across the two upazilas, an agricultural tradition that has since become a major draw for tourists.
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Photo: Habibur Rahman.
Every morning during the harvesting season, farmers load guavas onto small boats and navigate a maze of narrow canals to reach nearby floating markets, where boats laden with fruit converge. The area, formerly known as Swarupkathi, has featured in domestic and international media, while improved road connectivity following the construction of the Padma Bridge has made it easier to reach, contributing to a rise in visitor numbers in recent years.
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Photo: Habibur Rahman.
Based on information from local residents and people involved in the tourism-related activities, at least one lakh visitors are estimated to visit the wider guava-growing areas of Nesarabad and Jhalakathi Sadar every year. There is no official estimate of the number of visitors. The influx has created a small but expanding local economy for boatmen, trawler operators, fruit sellers, food vendors and park operators.
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Photo: Habibur Rahman.
Visitors typically travel to Barishal or Jhalakathi before reaching Nesarabad's Atghar Bazar by road, from where boats and trawlers can be hired to explore the canals and visit two privately developed parks in Adamkathi village.
Entry to each park costs Tk 30 per person. Boats from Atghar Bazar cost Tk 700-800, while trawler fares range from Tk 1,000 to Tk 3,000, depending on size, for trips lasting two-and-a-half to three hours.
Local trawler operator Kishore Mondal said 25-30 trawlers and 20-25 boats wait at the ghat daily to carry visitors.
Another key attraction is the floating guava market at Bhimruli in Kirtipasha union, reachable by road from Jhalakathi, from where visitors can continue by waterway to Atghar Kuriana union.
The harvesting season began a month ago and runs for roughly one-and-a-half months. Although it draws crowds throughout, visitor numbers peak on Fridays and Saturdays.
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Photo: Habibur Rahman.
Joy Kirtania, who sells tickets at one of the local parks, said at least 1,000 visitors enter on those two days alone.
Visitors described the appeal in similar terms.
Hridzona Mashiat Shawarna, who travelled from Dhaka with her family, said the trip met their expectations, and they bought local hog plums and guavas before leaving.
Mithila Farzana Nisha, from Rangpur, said the area offered "an opportunity to get very close to nature."
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Photo: Habibur Rahman.
Mohammad Ibrahim, from Chattogram, praised the friendliness of local people, while Asma Akter, travelling with a tour group, said her children were delighted by the scenery.
The tourism boom has also created local livelihoods.
Manoj Majhi, who ferries visitors by boat from Adamkathi, said he makes two to three trips a day at Tk 300 an hour. He said 15-20 boats wait at the ghat, though the number of passengers drops sharply on weekdays.
Vendors selling guavas in bamboo baskets -- three to four kilogrammes for Tk 100-130 -- line the roads and canals. Seller Nayan Halder said he sells 20-25 baskets a day.
Pomelos, pineapples and hog plums are also sold to visitors passing through.
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Photo: Habibur Rahman.
However, the area's rising popularity has exposed gaps in infrastructure, safety and sanitation.
Sadia Dina, a visitor from Sherpur, called for clearer guidelines to help tourists plan their trips.
Limon Mridha also raised concerns over elevated bridges, built roughly 25 feet above the orchards using low-quality timber. He said the bridges shake under crowds and have weak railings, warning of possible accidents.
Several visitors also complained of insufficient toilet facilities.
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Photo: Habibur Rahman.
Some local residents, meanwhile, raised concerns about visitor conduct.
Sukumar Mitra, of Adamkathi village, said some tourists, particularly young people, played loud music and alleged drug use. He called for police deployment during the season to maintain order.
Nesarabad Upazila Nirbahi Officer Amit Datta said the administration was taking several measures to develop the area's tourism potential.
A rest house has been built beside a canal near Kuriana Bazar and will be opened after its inauguration, he said.
Three toilets have also been constructed at three locations, while Nesarabad Police Station has been asked to deploy personnel at three spots to ensure tourists' safety.
The administration has also fixed boat and trawler fares in consultation with stakeholders to prevent operators from overcharging visitors, the UNO said.
Regarding the safety of the elevated bridges, he said, "To prevent accidents, the park authorities would ensure that no more than 50 visitors are allowed on a bridge at a time."
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Photo: Habibur Rahman.
Discussions have also been held with tourism authorities on developing the area, with further steps expected after an inspection, he added.
Pirojpur Deputy Commissioner Abu Sayied said authorities were considering a police outpost for the area, along with a vehicle parking facility and wash block at Adamkathi.
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Photo: Habibur Rahman.
The Local Government Engineering Department had also been asked to widen the road connecting Kuriana Bazar with Bhimruli, he said, expressing hope that the improvements would allow visitors to travel safely as tourist numbers continued to grow.
