By Mostak Ahmad 

DHAKA, Aug 01, 2026 (BSS)- The government plans to develop Charfashion and Monpura into an eco-friendly tourism hub by harnessing the potential of natural beauty, agriculture, fisheries and energy resources, aiming to turn the area into one of the country's major economic centres.

Member of Parliament for Bhola-4 (Charfashion-Monpura) constituency and General Secretary of the central committee of Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Jubodal Muhammad Nurul Islam Nayon today shared the plan in an interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) at his residence here.

He said the planned development of Charfashion and Monpura as a sustainable eco-tourism hub would strengthen the local economy and create new employment opportunities.

If the government's planned initiatives are implemented with the participation of local people, Charfashion and Monpura could emerge not only as major tourist destinations in Bhola district but also as one of the country's leading tourism destinations, he added.

Referring to river erosion as the biggest challenge facing Bhola district, Nurul Islam Nayon said resolving the problem would open up broader opportunities for the district's overall development.

He said river erosion is a major crisis for the entire district, not just Charfashion and Monpura, adding that permanent control of the problem through sustainable projects would transform Bhola into a promising economic region of Bangladesh.

The lawmaker said Bhola is home to important gas fields while its fertile land is highly suitable for agricultural production. The district also has immense potential for fishing and aquaculture, he added.

To realise these opportunities, he said, infrastructure development and river erosion prevention must receive the highest priority.

Nurul Islam Nayon said the vast char areas, rivers, sea and natural environment of Charfashion and Monpura are highly suitable for tourism development.

He said if the government declares Monpura a tourism zone, it would be possible to establish a sustainable eco-tourism centre while maintaining environmental balance.

Such an initiative would increase local incomes, create new jobs and make a positive contribution to the national economy, he added.

Speaking about transport infrastructure, he said connecting Bhola only with Barishal is not sufficient and that the district should be linked with the country's overall economic flow.

He said an alternative economic corridor is needed in the interest of national development. In his view, connecting Benapole, Jashore, Khulna, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Barishal, Bhola, Lakshmipur, Noakhali, Cumilla, Feni, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Teknaf through an alternative corridor would open a new horizon for the development of the southern region.

Regarding measures to stop excessive toll collection at local markets, Nurul Islam Nayon said that during his election campaign he received complaints from small traders, farmers and ordinary people about excessive khajna (tax) being collected in different markets.

“The amounts significantly higher than the government-approved rates were being collected, which he considered unjust and oppressive,” he said.

Nayon said, he had pledged during the election campaign that if elected, ordinary people would not be burdened with excessive market tax.

As part of fulfilling that commitment, he said, the practice of collecting excessive tax at markets in Charfashion and Monpura has been stopped, while the government's legitimate revenue will continue to be ensured properly.

According to Nurul Islam Nayon, many small farmers and household producers had previously faced various forms of harassment when selling small quantities of agricultural products at local markets.

He said complaints had also been received about excessive collections, misconduct and forced payments.

He said people are now able to sell their products at markets without distress and have expressed satisfaction with the initiative.

He said there are a total of 61 markets in Charfashion and Monpura, adding that no unnecessary restrictions have been imposed on the sale of general agricultural products.

However, he said, limited monitoring has been introduced at cattle markets to ensure transparency, prevent the trading of stolen livestock and maintain orderly market operations.

Outlining his future plans for farmers, Nayon said he has placed a proposal in the Jatiya Sangsad to distribute khas land in Charfashion and Monpura among genuine landless farmers.

He said many people have become landless due to river erosion and are living in inhumane conditions beside embankments.

At the same time, he said, the region has a significant amount of khas land, which, if distributed among genuine landless people, would help them become self-reliant while increasing agricultural production.

He said several members of parliament have expressed support for the proposal after it was raised in parliament and hoped that the government would take an effective decision on the matter.

On political issues, the central Jubo Dal general secretary said the organisation had played an important role in the movement over the past 17 years.

He said following the change in the country's political situation, the organisation now needs to be reorganised in line with the new reality.

He said there are plans to reorganise the organisational structure of Jubo Dal from the central level to the grassroots in line with the directives of party Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

He said efforts will be made to build an efficient, dedicated and people-oriented organisational structure under his leadership.

Nurul Islam Nayon said the primary objective of politics should be to ensure the welfare of the people.

He said protecting the dignity and rights of small farmers, fishermen, household producers, labourers and small traders is the responsibility of public representatives.

He said his commitment is to build a prosperous Charfashion-Monpura that is free from river erosion, supportive of agriculture, rich in tourism and equipped with modern transport infrastructure.