The tranquil village of Khiyarmamudpur in Birampur, Dinajpur, is home to a breathtaking expanse known as Shapla Bill. Spread over 600 bighas, this vast wetland has turned into a floral wonderland where countless white water lilies blanket the surface, resembling a bed of flowers stretching to the horizon.

Every day, hundreds of visitors arrive from distant places to enjoy boat rides, take photographs, and soak in the serene beauty. Some even purchase fresh fish—such as koi, magur, taki, and puti—directly from local fishermen who thrive on the wetland’s natural bounty.

The bill itself has two distinct sections: the western part called Amrul Bill and the eastern part Katla Bill, both named after local aquatic weeds. In the middle lies an island-like plain where fishermen rest under tin sheds after a long day’s catch.

Local life is deeply intertwined with this natural attraction. Ten-year-old Murad, a fifth-grader, rows boats for tourists before and after school, earning between 100 and 300 taka per trip. For him and many others, the Shapla Bill is both a source of livelihood and pride.

Yet concerns linger. Visitors plucking flowers threaten the fragile beauty of the wetland. Local authorities plan to launch awareness campaigns and even impose fines to preserve the site.

For first-time visitors, like Nasrin Akter, the sight is mesmerizing: “It feels like walking into a floral carpet. The view soothes the soul.” What was once a quiet village bill is now a growing tourist attraction, celebrated widely on social media.

Fishermen in the Sundarbans have alleged severe hardship after receiving no government food aid during the three-month fishing ban that ended in August. Around 18,400 fishermen in Bagerhat, Mongla, Khulna, and Satkhira, who rely on fishing, crabs, and honey collection, said they endured hunger and debt to survive.

Usually, each registered fisherman is provided with 80–120 kg of rice during the ban. But this year, the aid was withheld due to the absence of an updated list of genuine fishermen, according to the Fisheries Department. The Forest Department, however, claimed the list was sent but coordination issues prevented distribution.

Many families reported living half-fed, while some took high-interest loans to get by. Local organizations accused bureaucratic failures of depriving thousands of fishermen and warned of protests if the problem persists.

Two people were killed when a drum truck collided with the Dhaka-bound Panchagarh Express train in Gazipur on Tuesday night (3 September). The accident occurred around 11:30 pm at Dakkhinkhan area of Dhirashram on the Dhaka–Rajshahi railway route.

Police said the truck got stuck on the tracks while crossing, leading to a collision with the approaching train. Truck driver Ujjal Hossain died on the spot, while the truck owner and helper, Babul Khan, succumbed to injuries at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital.

Confirming the incident, Joydebpur Railway Outpost in-charge Md. Nadiruzzaman said the bodies were sent to the hospital morgue. Train services have resumed, and legal action will follow.