United News of Bangladesh

As competition for knowledge, innovation and skilled human resources intensifies globally, Bangladesh is seeking to position itself more prominently in the international education landscape through diplomatic effort aimed at expanding educational opportunities, research collaboration and technology partnerships across continents. The initiative taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Ministry of Education and other government agencies, reflects a broader policy shift that views education diplomacy as a key component of national development and human capital formation. The ministry said the BNP-led government’s election manifesto places strong emphasis on education and research, with a vision of building a pool of teachers, researchers, writers, cultural personalities, private policy experts and young leaders through exchange programmes with countries around the world. The initiative aims to contribute directly to Bangladesh’s long-term development by fostering knowledge-sharing and international collaboration, according to an official document of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In support of this goal, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs  alongside the Ministry of Education and other relevant ministries, has undertaken a range of activities to expand opportunities for international education and technological cooperation. According to the ministry, it has been working closely with foreign governments and international organisations to increase access to scholarships, fellowships and academic exchange programmes for Bangladeshi students and researchers. As a result, opportunities for higher education and research have expanded under several prestigious programmes including the European Union’s Erasmus+, the United Kingdom’s Chevening Scholarships, Germany’s DAAD and the Netherlands’ Orange Knowledge Programme. Additional opportunities have also been created through India’s Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programmes, as well as Pakistan’s Knowledge Corridor and Pakistan Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) initiatives, covering undergraduate, postgraduate and professional training programmes. The ministry said discussions are underway on a proposal from a Chinese company to provide training to Bangladeshi workers under technical and vocational education programmes aimed at facilitating employment in China. Talks are also continuing with South Korea to increase scholarship opportunities and strengthen cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, with a focus on skills development and employment prospects for Bangladeshis. In Japan, negotiations are progressing on an Employment for Skilled Development Programme (ESDP) agreement, which both sides hope to sign by 2026 to facilitate the deployment of skilled Bangladeshi workers. Meanwhile, Bangladeshi workers are receiving training through Australia’s Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions and local technical training centres to prepare them for employment opportunities in Australia. The ministry said 64 Bangladeshi students currently receive scholarships annually under the Australia Awards Scholarship programme, with discussions ongoing to increase the number to 100. To strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in education and research, Bangladesh has signed, renewed and expanded several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with partner countries. MoUs have already been signed with Turkey, Belarus and Greece, while agreements with Russia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, North Macedonia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Montenegro and Albania are at various stages of finalisation, renewal or expansion. These cooperation frameworks include scholarship programmes, joint research initiatives, teacher and student exchanges, language education and technical training. The ministry also highlighted efforts to deepen university-level cooperation with Southeast Asian countries. Initiatives are underway to establish partnerships between Bangladeshi universities and Thailand’s Kasetsart University, Indonesia’s UIN Prof. K.H. Saifuddin Zuhri, Vietnam’s Foreign Trade University, The University of Danang and FPT University. Bangladesh and the Philippines have already signed a MoU on nursing education, while efforts are underway to expand higher education opportunities through Indonesia’s Indonesian Aid Scholarship (TIAS) programme. The ministry noted that Bangladeshi students currently constitute the second-largest group of international students studying in Malaysia. In West Asia, scholarship opportunities for Bangladeshi students have been significantly expanded. The number of scholarships offered by Saudi Arabia has increased from 265 to 500, while the government of Kuwait has also responded positively to requests for additional scholarships. At the same time, new education and research cooperation agreements with several Middle Eastern countries are under negotiation. The ministry said cooperation with South American nations has also expanded. Under Brazil’s PEC-G, PEC-PLE and PEC-PG programmes, Bangladeshi students are being offered tuition-free opportunities at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels, along with monthly stipends, health insurance and travel support. Bangladesh also maintains cooperation with Brazil and Argentina in diplomatic training, while initiatives are underway to sign similar agreements with Chile, Peru, Colombia and Uruguay. The ministry further said educational and technological cooperation with African countries has been strengthened. Under scientific, technological, cultural and educational exchange programmes with Egypt, Bangladeshi students continue to receive scholarship opportunities annually. Efforts are also underway to establish academic and research partnerships between Bangladeshi universities and University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, Durban University of Technology and University of Algiers. The Foreign Ministry said Bangladesh missions abroad have been instructed to play a more proactive role in disseminating scholarship information, establishing links with foreign universities, assisting students with admissions and providing necessary consular services. Bangladesh’s embassies are also facilitating research collaboration between local and internationally renowned universities. In addition, under its diaspora diplomacy initiatives, the government is building networks with expatriate Bangladeshi academics and researchers to promote knowledge transfer, technology exchange and long-term capacity building for the country.

Rows of mango trees laden with fruit stretch across the horizon in Naogaon, Bangladesh’s one of the largest mango-producing districts. In orchards across Sapahar, Porsha and other upazilas, farmers are now busy with the final stages of care, hoping for a profitable harvest after overcoming weather-related challenges. The district’s signature Amrapali mango, which accounts for the largest share of local production, is expected to hit markets by mid or late June. But despite producing a substantial portion of the country’s mangoes, Naogaon still lacks large-scale processing industries or preservation facilities that could protect farmers from market volatility and post-harvest losses, said farmers. Growers said rising production costs and labour wages continue to squeeze profit margins, while traders often dictate prices during peak harvest periods. When supply surges, they allege, groups of traders work together to push down prices, leaving farmers with little bargaining power. The absence of mango-based industries has compounded the problem. According to local traders, mangoes worth an estimated Tk 300-400 crore spoil every season due to inadequate storage and processing facilities. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), mango cultivation has expanded to 30,310 hectares in Naogaon this season, with a production target of 450,000 tonnes. Last year, mangoes were grown on 30,300 hectares, yielding around 375,000 tonnes. “We have only 25 to 30 days to sell Amrapali mangoes after they start ripening,” said Redwanur Rahman Mun, a grower from Kuchkurilia village in Sapahar upazila. “Farmers cannot keep the fruit on the trees beyond that period. When the market is flooded with mangoes, traders lower prices, forcing us to sell at reduced rates. A large cold storage facility or mango-based industry could save farmers from such losses,” he said. Motour Rahman, a farmer from Amoir village in Porsha upazila, said weather conditions had been less favourable for mango cultivation this year compared to previous seasons. “Almost all orchards have fewer fruits this season. Last year, I sold Amrapali mangoes at Tk 1,500 to Tk 4,000 per maund depending on quality. This year, if prices fall below Tk 3,000 per maund, it will be difficult even to recover production costs,” he said. He added that a mango processing zone could help stabilise prices and ensure fair returns for growers. Sapahar, home to what traders describe as the country’s largest mango market, attracts thousands of buyers from across Bangladesh every season. Imam Hossain Rifat, general secretary of the Sapahar Mango Traders Association, said the seasonal market handles mango transactions worth Tk 6,000-7,000 crore annually. “Nearly 20 percent of our mango production goes to waste every year, representing losses of around Tk 300-400 crore,” he said. “Establishing large-scale processing industries would benefit not only farmers but also traders. It would create a sustainable market for surplus production and reduce wastage significantly.” Agriculture officials acknowledge the need for infrastructure to support the sector. Humayra Mondal, deputy director of DAE in Naogaon, said the issue has been raised at various coordination meetings involving government agencies. “We have proposed the establishment of cooling houses and packing houses in  Sapahar region under a project focused on producing export-quality mangoes,” she said. “These facilities would help preserve fruit quality, reduce post-harvest losses and increase farmers’ profitability.” For now, however, Naogaon’s mango growers continue to rely on a short marketing window and uncertain market prices. As production continues to rise, stakeholders said investment in processing industries, cold-chain infrastructure and export-oriented facilities is no longer a luxury but a necessity.

Rawhide traders and tannery owners have voiced sharp discontent over the quality and pricing of sacrificial animal hides collected during Eid-ul-Azha, with seasonal traders reporting heavy losses and tannery owners blaming poor preservation practices for widespread quality deterioration. According to the Department of Livestock Services, approximately 1.24 crore animals were prepared for sacrifice this Eid, prompting tanneries to set a collection target of 80 lakh hides. While collection figures neared that target, the quality of hides delivered has left tannery owners deeply concerned. The government this year raised the price of cattle hides by Tk 2 per square foot, fixing the rate at Tk 67 per sq ft for large hides and Tk 62 for smaller ones. However, traders say they were unable to fetch anywhere near the government-set prices. Belayat Hossain, a seasonal hide trader who has worked the annual trade for years, told UNB that a large hide measuring a minimum 31 sq ft should fetch Tk 2,077 when salted, or around Tk 1,500 unsalted. Instead, he had to sell them for just Tk 700–800. Medium and smaller hides fetched only Tk 500–600. “We bought hides from sellers at Tk 1,000 and sold them at Tk 700–800,” said another seasonal trader, Yunus. “I won't be doing this business again next year. It was a complete loss.” The frustration extended to the rawhide traders at Posta in Old Dhaka, who said they lacked the capital to buy hides at competitive prices, as tannery owners had failed to clear previous outstanding payments. Manzur Hasan, president of the Bangladesh Hide and Skin Merchant Association (BHSMA), told UNB that Posta collected 75,000 hides this year against a target of over one lakh. He attributed the shortfall primarily to unpaid dues from tannery owners. Manzur alleged that the tannery sector has been syndicated, leaving traders at the mercy of a handful of powerful operators. “We are hostages to the tannery owners. There is no alternative market outside Savar in Dhaka. A leather industrial city was planned for Rajshahi but never materialised. As the entire industry is Savar dependent, tannery owners can act arbitrarily at will.” He warned that unable to get fair prices, many traders discarded hides altogether, dealing a severe blow to what is a valuable national industry. Hides in Chattogram and Sylhet divisions were among the worst affected, with the majority reportedly going to waste. Tannery owners, while acknowledging the wastage, placed the blame squarely on poor preservation rather than pricing. They cited lumpy skin disease (LSD) in cattle and the widespread use of unskilled butchers as the primary causes of quality degradation. Shaheen Ahamed, president of the Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA), said over 20 percent of hides this Eid were ruined before reaching tanneries. “Fifteen to twenty percent of cattle were found to have lumpy skin disease. Applying chemicals to such hides causes them to perforate. A hide with seven or eight holes cannot be placed in any grade.” Goat hides drew the sharpest complaints from seasonal traders, many of whom said they could not sell a piece for even Tk 100, and in several cases gave goat hides away free alongside cattle hides. Shaheen noted that goat hides suffer the most from unskilled flaying, even a single hole renders the hide nearly unsellable. He also criticised traders for repeatedly ignoring government advisories to apply salt to hides for preservation. “Traders were bringing unsalted raw hides to the tannery at two or three in the morning, hides from animals slaughtered that same morning. Quality cannot be preserved under those conditions,” he said. By Monday, over 6.5 lakh hides from Dhaka and surrounding areas had arrived at Savar, Shaheen added. Despite government restrictions barring hides from outside Dhaka for ten days post-Eid, hides from Faridpur, Madaripur, and Narsingdi reportedly entered tanneries in violation of the directive. Analysts say the annual chaos in the hide trade reflects a deeper policy vacuum. While the global leather industry is valued at USD 150–200 billion, Bangladesh earns less than USD 1.5 billion annually from the sector, under three percent of total exports, despite considerable potential. Abdul Bayes, former vice-chancellor of Jahangirnagar University and a noted economist, drew a parallel with the rice trade. “The same way marginal traders are cheated in the paddy-rice market, they are harmed in the hide trade. If the government wants to develop this industry, there is no alternative to formulating a leather policy and monitoring the market.” Bayes said a syndicate has taken hold of the tannery business, inflicting annual damage on the sector through the same set of excuses. “Tannery businessmen are growing wealthier while marginal traders are exiting the trade. That alone proves there is no order in this market.” Industry stakeholders have urged the government to formulate a comprehensive leather industry framework ahead of the next Eid season to prevent a repeat of this year's losses.

The Election Commission (EC) plans to complete the revision and updating of all rules and codes of conduct related to local government elections by June next, considering the period from late October to March as the most suitable time to begin elections to local government bodies. The Commission thinks elections to union parishads and municipalities should be held first as people are being deprived of essential services due to absence of elected representatives in the grassroots bodies. The EC plans to hold the elections to local government bodies in phases to ensure peaceful polls and avoid violence that marked many local elections in the past. Since there are no elected representatives in almost all the local bodies, the Commission estimates that it would take 10-12 months to complete the elections to all the bodies. As part of preparation to conduct elections to local government bodies throughout the country, the commission is now revising separate rules and election codes for city corporations, municipalities, zila parishads, upazila parishads and union parishads. The move aims to modernise the rules and also align these with amended local government laws that restored non-partisan elections to the key posts (mayor and chairman) dropping the provision for the use of political party symbols. The interim government amended the Local Government (Union Parishad) Act 2009, Local Government (Municipality) Act 2009, Upazila Parishad Act 1998, Zila Parishad Act 2000 and Local Government (City Corporation) Act 2009. The amendments were later ratified by Parliament. “We want to complete updating and reform of the rules and codes of conduct related to all types of local government elections by June next,” said Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud. Though separate rules and codes will remain for different local government bodies, the codes of conduct will be largely similar across all categories, he told UNB on Sunday. The code of conduct for local government will also largely be similar to the code used for the February-12 parliamentary election, he added. About the possible changes, the Election Commissioner said the use of posters will be banned, while stricter provisions will be incorporated to check misinformation and disinformation and misuse of AI particularly on social media. The requirement for collecting signatures of a specific number of voters will be removed, while the amount of security deposit for candidates, except women contesting in reserved seats will be raised to rational level, he said. The EC will publish draft rules on its website for at least 15 days to seek public opinions and suggestions from stakeholders, he said, adding that the Commission may also hold consultations with stakeholders on the proposed rules, although no final decision has yet been made. About the possible timeframe for the elections, Rahmanel Masud said the period from late October to March next would be most suitable for the arrangement of elections. Asked about the EC’s priority Rahmanel Masud, “We will suggest holding elections based on needs. In that case, elections to union parishads and municipalities should come first and elections to city corporations should be held at the last stage.” When attention was drawn to local body elections marred by violence in the past, he said the current election commission, headed by AMM Nasir Uddin, would be very careful to make the upcoming elections free from violence like the 13th parliamentary election that was most peaceful. “We’ll be very careful so that there are no casualties in local body elections. We’ll arrange the staggered elections to deploy a larger number of law enforcers in the election areas,” he said, stressing the need for cooperation from all stakeholders in maintaining a peaceful election environment. The Election Commissioner said the EC would initially rely on regular law enforcement agencies, including police, RAB, BGB and Ansar, to maintain law and order during the elections. If necessary, the armed forces may be deployed later, he added. According to EC estimates, elections to 12 city corporations (excluding newly formed Bogura city corporation),  over 450  upazila parishads, more than 300 municipalities and 61 zila parishads are already overdue and can be held immediately without legal complications. Besides, the legal timeframe for holding elections to around 600 union parishads began in April, making polls mandatory by October next. The 180-day countdown for elections in more than 2,800 additional union parishads will begin by July. As the local body elections are arranged at the request from the local government division, the EC will announce election schedules after receiving a green signal from the government.

With the Eid vacation in full swing, Kuakata – the panoramic sea beach often regarded as Sagar Kanya (daughter of sea) – is steadily regaining its festive charm as holidaymakers have thronged the tourist destination, bringing renewed vibrancy to the coastal tourism hub. Although tourist arrivals remained relatively modest at the beginning of the holiday period, the situation began to change from Friday morning as increasing numbers of visitors flocked to the beach town. Traditionally, Kuakata witnesses a massive surge of tourists from the afternoon of Eid day. This year, however, the rush was slower to build. From Friday morning, the beach started bustling with visitors eager to enjoy the scenic beauty and festive atmosphere. At the beach's Zero Point, tourists were seen enjoying the gentle waves, strolling along the shoreline with family and friends and soaking in the panoramic views of the Bay of Bengal. Children spent hours building sandcastles and playing on the beach.

While Eid-ul-Azha is traditionally marked by sacrifice, feasting and family celebrations, for thousands of people living in the riverine chars of northern Bangladesh this year’s festival arrived with little more than anxiety, hardship and uncertainty. Across the scattered islands formed by the Teesta, Dharla, Brahmaputra and Dudhkumar rivers, the usual sounds of Eid celebration were largely absent. In many char villages, no sacrificial animals were slaughtered and many families spent the day without meat on their tables. For residents of the chars spread across Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Gaibandha districts, the festive spirit was overshadowed by mounting farm losses, debt burdens and the constant threat of river erosion. The Rangpur region is home to around 700 chars, including nearly 450 in Kurigram alone. Each char accommodates between 150 and 500 families, most of whom depend entirely on agriculture for their livelihoods. This year, however, poor returns from major crops such as potato, paddy and maize have left many farming households struggling to make ends meet. For 68-year-old farmer Makbul Hossain of Gobardhan area in Mahishkhocha union of Aditmari upazila in Lalmonirhat, Eid brought little reason for celebration. Despite spending most of his life cultivating land, he says he has rarely faced such financial distress. After suffering losses of more than Tk 3 lakh from potato farming on 11 bighas of land, he is still burdened with loans amounting to around Tk 2.5 lakh. He had hoped that Boro paddy would help recover some of the losses, but low market prices dashed those expectations. “It cost me nearly Tk 950 to produce a maund of paddy, but I am forced to sell it for Tk 800 to Tk 850,” Makbul said. “There have been losses in paddy, potatoes and maize. Storms damaged vegetables as well. This year farming has brought nothing but losses. There is no peace of mind and no Eid joy.” The situation is equally grim in Falimari, a river island settlement in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, where around 300 families live along the Dharla River. For days, residents have been living under the shadow of river erosion. Even on Eid day, sections of the riverbank continued to collapse. Last year, villagers sacrificed two cattle and three goats. This year, not a single animal was sacrificed. Saheda Bewa, a resident of the char, said the river swallowed three bighas of her land and homestead just a week ago. “The remaining land is also under threat. Even on Eid day the erosion continued. How can we think about celebrating Eid in such a situation?” she asked. “Forget meat; we had to eat rice with lentils and vegetables. The 10 kilograms of rice provided by the government is our biggest support right now.” On Char Tepamadhupur in Kaunia upazila of Rangpur, 65-year-old farmer Ali returned home from Eid prayers carrying a heavy heart. He could not afford new clothes for any of the seven members of his family. Last year, he shared in a cow sacrifice. This year, buying meat from the market was beyond his means. “Potato cultivation ruined us. Paddy could not save us either,” he said. “Production costs have risen sharply, but crop prices have fallen. Maize prices are low, tobacco prices are low – everything is against us.” Ali cultivates around 25 bighas of land and is currently carrying debts of nearly Tk 3 lakh. Pressure from creditors continues to mount. “Our family has no Eid this year,” he said quietly. According to local community leaders, such stories are now common across much of the char belt. Prof Shafiqul Islam Bebu, convener of the Kurigram District Char Development Committee, said most char communities were unable to perform animal sacrifices this year.

Bangladesh is moving to strengthen its energy security and expand electricity access through a new set of government-funded projects targeting gas exploration, power generation and energy sector capacity building. According to a list of proposed projects under the power and energy sector, the government has taken initiatives worth over Tk 3,600 crore to help meet the country’s growing demand for electricity and fuel amid rapid industrialisation, urbanisation and expanding economic activities. Officials said the projects have been designed to boost domestic gas supply, reduce dependence on imported fuel, improve energy infrastructure and extend electricity coverage to remote areas. Under the power generation sub-sector, a project titled “Electricity Supply through Installation of Solar Panels in Remote Areas of the Chattogram Hill Tracts (3rd Phase)” has been proposed for implementation by the Chattogram Hill Tracts Development Board under the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs. The project, estimated at Tk 655.30 crore, is scheduled for implementation from July 2026 to June 2031. Officials said the initiative aims to provide clean and sustainable electricity to remote and off-grid areas of the hill districts where extending conventional grid connections remains difficult and costly. Energy experts said expanded solar-based electricity in remote regions would support rural economic activities, education, healthcare and living standards while contributing to Bangladesh’s renewable energy targets. In the energy and mineral resources sub-sector, seven projects have been proposed under the Energy and Mineral Resources Division to strengthen domestic gas exploration, institutional capacity and geological mapping. The largest share of proposed investment has been allocated to gas exploration and development projects under Petrobangla, as the government intensifies efforts to increase local gas production to meet rising demand from industries, power plants and households. One project involves drilling two appraisal-cum-development wells—Titas-32 and Titas-33—in the Titas gas field, at an estimated cost of Tk 632 crore. The project will run from January 2026 to December 2028. Another proposal includes drilling one appraisal-cum-development well, Begumganj-5, and two exploration wells, Begumganj-6 and Sunetra-2, with an estimated cost of Tk 731.24 crore. Petrobangla has also proposed drilling five wells in Bhola—Shahbazpur-9, Shahbazpur-10, Bhola North-5, Bhola North-6 and Bhola North-7—at an estimated cost of Tk 1,242.41 crore between April 2026 and March 2029. In addition, another project proposes drilling three appraisal-cum-development wells—Titas-34, Titas-35 and Titas-36—at a cost of Tk 95 crore from January 2027 to December 2029. Energy officials said the government is prioritising domestic gas exploration to reduce pressure on costly imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply for power generation and industrial production. Bangladesh has been facing rising energy demand due to continued economic growth, expansion of manufacturing industries and higher urban consumption. The country has increasingly relied on LNG imports in recent years following depletion of some mature gas fields. Officials said new gas discoveries and higher output from existing fields are crucial to maintaining energy security and stabilising electricity generation costs. To support institutional development in the sector, the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation has proposed a Tk 165.79 crore project to enhance its capacity from January 2026 to December 2029. Sector insiders said the initiative would improve research, training and technical expertise in the petroleum and energy sector. Meanwhile, the Department of Explosives has proposed a Tk 83.01 crore project for construction of its central office building and institutional capacity enhancement. The Geological Survey of Bangladesh has also proposed a technical project titled “Integrated Geological Mapping of Sylhet Division (Geological, Geo-engineering and Geochemical)” involving Tk 49.37 crore from July 2026 to June 2029. Experts said integrated geological mapping would support future mineral and energy resource exploration and strengthen data-based planning in the sector. Officials said the proposed projects reflect the government’s broader strategy to diversify energy sources, expand renewable energy use, increase domestic gas output and strengthen institutional capacity to ensure long-term energy security.

The scenic hill district of Rangamati is fully prepared to welcome a large influx of tourists during the ongoing Eid-ul-Azha holidays, with tour operators expecting a significant rise in visitors amid the government’s extended vacation. The government had announced a seven-day Eid holiday this year, prompting many travellers to plan leisure trips to popular tourist destinations across the country. Tourism businesses in Rangamati hope the long holiday will revive the local tourism economy and boost business activities. Surrounded by green hills, tranquil lakes and breathtaking natural beauty, Rangamati has long been one of the country’s most attractive travel destinations. Every year, thousands of tourists visit the district, while the pressure increases manifold during long holidays. Among the district’s most popular attractions, Sajek Valley is expected to witness the highest tourist turnout during the Eid vacation. Holidaymakers seeking relief from the stress of urban life are expected to flock to Rangamati’s lakes, hills and waterfalls. Tourist hotspots, including Sajek Valley, the iconic Hanging Bridge, Kaptai Lake, Polwel Park and Cottage, Aranyak Resort, Shuvolong Waterfall, Rangadip Resort, Lake View Island and Nisarga Pod House are likely to become vibrant with visitors during the festive break. Manager of Rangamati Tourism and Holiday Complex Alok Bikash Chakma said all preparations have already been completed to receive tourists during Eid-ul-Azha vacation. “We are fully prepared to welcome tourists. Around 70-80 percent of rooms at our holiday complex have already been booked through online and offline reservations,” he said. Bikash Chakma expressed hope that tourist arrivals will be much higher this year because of the long holiday and said efforts had been made to improve infrastructure and services to ensure maximum comfort for visitors. Sajek Valley, known for its picturesque hills and clouds, remains one of the country’s most sought-after travel destinations during holidays. Organising Secretary of the Resort and Cottage Owners’ Association of Sajek Rahul Chakma said most resort and cottage rooms in Sajek had already been booked ahead of Eid. “All rooms are booked on Eid day. From the day after Eid, around 60-70 percent of rooms have been reserved for nearly the following week,” he said. The Hanging Bridge, one of Rangamati’s most recognisable landmarks, continues to remain the centre of attraction for tourists visiting the district. Authorities have already completed renovation and repainting work to make the site more attractive ahead of the holiday season. Tourist boat operators on the Kaptai Lake have also completed preparations for visitors planning lake cruises during the Eid break. Manager of Rangamati Tourist Boat Terminal Md Fakhrul Islam said all repair, maintenance and painting work on tourist boats had already been completed. “We are now waiting to welcome tourists,” he said. Rangamati Superintendent of Police Muhammad Rakib Uddin said security arrangements had been strengthened to ensure the safety of visitors during the Eid holidays. He said help desks had been installed at important points to prevent harassment of tourists and ensure smooth travel across different tourist spots in the district. “We are fully prepared to ensure tourists can travel safely and comfortably throughout Rangamati during the Eid vacation,” the SP added.

Economists and sector experts have urged the government to prioritize the agriculture sector in the upcoming national budget for the fiscal year FY2026-27, warning that the continued decline in budgetary allocation could jeopardize long-term food security and inflation control. The call comes ahead of the national budget announcement scheduled for June 11, with a projected outlay of nearly Tk 9.38 lakh crore. Despite being a key economic driver that ensures food security, generates 40 percent of total employment, and keeps the rural economy functional, agriculture's share in the national budget has been under 10 percent for the last 14 consecutive fiscal years. In the ongoing FY 2025-26, the allocation plummeted to a record low of just 5.9 percent, according to an official document. Expressing deep concern over this trend, the Bangladesh Agricultural Economists Association has demanded an allocation of at least 9.5 percent of the upcoming budget for agriculture, which would amount to roughly Tk 88,350 crore. Professor ASM Golam Hafeez, a prominent faculty member at the Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) and General Secretary of the Bangladesh Agricultural Economists Association (BAEA), recently shared substantial policy recommendations for the national budget of FY2026-27. Professor Hafeez pointed out a worrying downward trend over the last three fiscal years, highlighting that agriculture's share in the national budget dropped from 8.7 percent in FY2022-23 to just 5.9 percent in the current fiscal year, FY2025-26. He urged the government to bump this allocation back up to 9.5 percent for the upcoming budget FY2026-27. Given a projected national budget of Tk 9.3 lakh crore, this 9.5 percent allocation would translate to approximately Tk 88,350 crore for the agricultural sector. A major highlight of his recent budget recommendation was the call to significantly expand input subsidies due to soaring farming expenses. Professor Hafeez demanded that the government increase agricultural subsidies to Tk 35,000 crore for the budget of FY2026-27. This is more than double the current allocation of Tk 17241 crore. He argued that global energy market instabilities, geopolitical tensions (particularly involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz), and exchange rate volatility have sharply driven up the import costs of fertilizer, fuel, seeds, and agricultural machinery—placing immense financial strain on farmers. Talking with UNB, Tawfiqul Islam Khan, a Senior Research Fellow and Additional Research Director of CPD, said that the government has to increase allocation in the agricultural sector, considering the global geopolitical situation and its impact on food security. “Bangladesh has a huge population despite limited agricultural land, flash floods and other natural disaster is occurred in every season, so the budget allocation should focus on additional food production to keep macroeconomic stability,” he pointed out. He said that eroding crop land and the high cost of production have forced farmers to reduce crop production to recover from loss. In this case, the budget should emphasize keeping the price of agriculture impute rational for encouraging agricultural production at the national level.  Widening Gap in Allocations and Subsidies: While agriculture contributes roughly 11 percent to the GDP, fiscal support has failed to keep pace with the growing economy. In FY 2011-12, the agricultural sector received 10.65 percent of the total budget. This dwindled to 8.7 percent in FY 2022-23 and hit 5.9 percent this fiscal year. Furthermore, the actual crop sector received only Tk 27,224 crore—a mere 3.45 percent of the total budget—out of the Tk 46,268 crore allocated across five agriculture-related ministries. Concurrently, agricultural subsidies saw a decline, dropping from Tk 17,261 crore in FY 2024-25 to Tk 17,241 crore in the current fiscal year, said Tawfiqul of CPD. "Agricultural subsidy is not an expense; it is a long-term investment," noted prominent agricultural economist Professor Jahangir Alam. He warned that lower investments will inevitably suppress production, increase import dependency, and aggravate food inflation, which has hovered above 10 percent for most of the last four years, he opined. Structural Shifts and Market Bottlenecks: Experts pointed out that while farmers have significantly ramped up the production of rice, vegetables, fish, maize, and potatoes, they are continually deprived of fair prices due to the dominance of middlemen and lack of state storage facilities. The current public warehouse capacity stands at only 22 lakh tonnes against an immediate national requirement of at least 60 lakh tonnes. The lack of cold chains and processing industries results in massive post-harvest losses every year. The nature of Bangladesh’s agriculture is also shifting structurally. The crop sector's share in agricultural GDP has fallen from over 75 percent post-independence to around 46 percent today, with fisheries, livestock, and forestry gaining rapid ground. However, skyrocketing prices of animal feed and poultry medication have left dairy and poultry farmers under severe strain, said Professor Hafeez. Climate Vulnerability and Mechanization Slowdown: The sector faces growing threats from climate change. This year, early flash floods and heavy rainfall severely damaged Boro paddy crops across the vast Haor (wetland) regions, crippling farmers' incomes. Experts have strongly recommended emergency compensation funds, weather-resilient crop varieties, and the introduction of comprehensive agricultural insurance. Additionally, the government's agricultural mechanization subsidy project has largely stagnated. Policy analysts suggested setting up union-based agricultural machinery banks to help marginalized farmers and offering tax exemptions to boost domestic manufacturing of machinery spare parts. Currently, Bangladesh spends a mere 0.4 percent of its agricultural GDP on research and development, compared to the 3 to 5 percent spent by many developing nations. To deliver a truly farmer-friendly fiscal plan, experts summarized that the upcoming budget must elevate agricultural financing to at least 10 percent, raise subsidies to Tk 40,000 crore, digitize the procurement system via a national farmer database, and fast-track investments in climate-smart technologies.  

One of Bangladesh’s most ecologically significant freshwater wetlands, Tanguar Haor, is facing growing environmental threats from the widespread use of plastic fish traps and what conservationists describe as a lack of effective enforcement against destructive fishing practices. Spread across nearly 126 square kilometres in Sunamganj’s Tahirpur and Madhyanagar upazilas, Tanguar Haor is recognised as the country’s second Ramsar site after the Sundarbans and serves as a vital reservoir of biodiversity. But environmentalists warn that increasing plastic pollution coupled with illegal fishing methods is undermining the fragile ecosystem. Once home to between 140 and 200 species of indigenous fish, the haor has witnessed a steady decline in aquatic biodiversity in recent years. Experts attribute the trend to multiple environmental pressures, including overfishing, illegal fishing nets and the growing use of plastic-made “Kiranmala chai” traps that have become common across the wetland. According to locals and environmental groups, fishermen frequently leave behind discarded plastic traps after harvesting fish. These non-biodegradable materials remain floating on the water surface or settle on the lakebed for years, gradually breaking down into microplastics. Environmental experts said the resulting microplastic contamination poses a serious risk to fish and other aquatic organisms. The particles can enter the food chain through aquatic species, affecting fish growth and reproduction while threatening the broader ecological balance of the wetland. The discarded plastic also obstructs natural water flow, further disrupting the haor’s ecosystem. Representatives of the Environment and Haor Development Organisation said Tanguar Haor is already under pressure from illegal current nets, ‘China duari traps’ and excessive fish harvesting. The addition of plastic pollution has made the situation increasingly alarming. They also noted signs of declining oxygen levels in water, reduced aquatic vegetation growth and lower fish breeding rates. Every year, fresh floodwaters entering the haor through rivers bring various fish species into the wetland. With early monsoon flows arriving this year due to heavy rainfall in Cherrapunji, water levels in the Jadukata and Patlai rivers rose earlier than usual, allowing fish to enter the haor ahead of schedule. Taking advantage of the situation, many local fishermen have reportedly intensified the use of plastic traps throughout the wetland. The traps are particularly popular because they can catch shrimp and a variety of small fish species with minimal effort. Despite recurring criticism and periodic discussions about the environmental impact of the traps, locals alleged authorities have yet to establish a sustained campaign to stop their production, storage and sale.