With a view to the overall development of Patuakhali and Barguna coastal zone, on 25.02.2012, the Hon'ble Prime Minister promised in a public meeting held at MB College ground of Kalapara Upazila of Patuakhali district that the "Sonar Char" of Rangabali Upazila will be developed as an exclusive tourist center for foreign tourists, and Kuakata, Taltali and Patharghata Upazilas will be developed as tourist zones. Moreover, the Payra Port Authority and the port was established on 19 November 2013 by the Payra Sea Port Act 2013. The port started commercial operations from August, 2016 under the Port Authority. Payra deep sea port, located in Kalapara Upazila, is still under construction which is planned to be completed in three phases. Therefore, following the directions of the Hon'ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh Government, tourism and development of the port have been considered as the two vital factors for the development of Kalapara as well as coastal zone of Patuakhali and Barguna...In this context, the project entitled "Preparation of Payra-Kuakata Comprehensive Plan focusing on Eco-Tourism” was approved in 2017. Since then various activities have been carried out in coordination with all departments to manage the development of the region in a planned manner, which has been directly monitored from the office of the Hon'ble Prime Minister. This project will play a significant role in overall development in the region considering eco-tourism and environmental issues. In this regard, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has been incorporated for the first time in this plan preparation project. Through this project 6 types of surveys (namely, infrastructural, transportation, geology, hydro-geology, socio-economic and SEA) have been conducted to prepare a Regional Plan for 7 (Seven) Upazilas under Barguna and Patuakhali Districts. To mitigate future growth challenges and promote sustainable development in the Upazilas, 20-year Structure Plan has been prepared for each Upazila along with 10-year Urban Area Plan and Rural Area Plan for urban (Paurashava) and rural areas respectively of Barguna Sadar, Patharghata, Amtali and Taltoli Upazila of Barguna District and Kalapara, Galachipa and Rangabali Upazila of Patuakhali District. Moreover, an Action Area Plan for Sonar Char Exclusive Tourist Zone including surrounding 5 islands namely, Char Montaz, Char Hare (Kalagachia), Andhar Char, Char Taposhi and Tiger Dip has been prepared. This project will help the backward people of Payra-Kuakata region to get essential civic amenities at their doorsteps in a planned way. We hope for the successful implementation of this plan.

The coastal activities and resources are very important to the economy and life of the people of Bangladesh whose livi conditions are inextricably linked to the productivity and sustainability of coastal zone. There is no long term Holistic Development Plan for the coastal zone. Coastal zone needs to be integrated with the mainstream of development process of the country. So, an interdisciplinary development planning approach is urgent to optimize livelihood of coastal zone. The Physical development planning problems, needing attention, are as follows:
(i)Translation of outputs from upper tier plan at Regional Plan to integrate coastal zone with the mainstream of development process of the country.
(ii) Assess functional and land use requirement for a Regional Plan in area with hazard vulnerability.
(iii) Formulate Strategic Development Plan for Regional Plan considering functional and land use requirement with hazard vulnerability.
(iv) Formulation of urban area plan and action plan at local level. The planning area includes seven Upazilas from Patuakhali and Barguna districts: Galachipa, Kalapara, Rangabali, Barguna Sadar, Patharghata, Amtali, and Taltali.

• Project Title

  Preparation of Payra-Kuakata Comprehensive Plan
  focusing on Eco-Tourism

• Under

  Urban Development Directorate

• Ministry

  Ministry of Housing and Public Works

• Date of Commencement

  July 2017

• Date of Completion

  June 2023