Sundarbans

The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world, situated in the south western part of Bangladesh, in the district of greater Khulna, lies the Sundarbans, "the beautiful forest." It is a virgin forest which until recently owed nothing to human endeavour and yet nature has laid it out with as much care as a planned pleasure ground. For miles and miles, the lofty treetops form an unbroken canopy, while nearer the ground, works of high and ebb-tide marked on the soil and tree trunks and the many varieties of the natural mangrove forest have much to offer to an inquisitive visitor.

Here land and water meet in many novel fashions. Wild life presents many a spectacle. No wonder, you may come across a Royal Bengal Tiger swimming across the streams or the crocodiles basking on the river banks. With the approach of the evening herds of deer make for the darking gladeswhere boisterous monkeys shower Keora leaves from above for sumptuous meal for the former. For the botanist, the lover of nature,

the poet and the painter this land provides a variety of wonders for which they all crave.The Sundarbans is a cluster of islands with an approximate area of 3600 sq. km. forming the largest block of littoral forests. It's beauty lies in its unique natural surrounding. Thousands of meandering streams, creeks, rivers and estuaries have enhanced its charm. Sundarbans meaning beautiful forest is the natural habitat of the world famous Royal Bengal Tiger, spotted deer, crocodiles, jungle fowl, wild boar, lizards, rhesus monkey and an innumerable variety of beautiful birds. Migratory flock of siberian ducks flying over thousands of sail boats loaded with timber, gopatta (round-leaf), fuel wood, honey, shell and fish further add to the serene natural beauty of the Sundarbans.

Only means of transportation inside the forest is by boat. There is no road or no trail of a path anywhere! The wood-cutters make temporary dwellings at the edge of the forest at a height of 8-10 feet for fear of wild animals, others live on boats. In the Chandpai region it is fascinating to see the nomadic fishermen catching fish with the help of trained otter. Exciting activities take place in Dublar Char in the forest when fishermen from Chittagong gather for four months to catch and dry fish. But the most daring and exciting fall activities is presented by the honey-collectors who work in groups for just two months (April-May) and it is interesting to see them collecting honey.

The Sundarbans is an ideal place for leisure travel and research activities. These include wild life photography including photography of the famous Royal Bengal Tiger, wild life viewing, boating inside the forest, wild call recordings, nature study, meeting fishermen, wood- cutters and honey-collectors. Peace and tranquility in the wilderness, seeing the world's largest mangrove forest and the riverine beauty are a few of the treasures that greet the visitors. Some major points of sundarbans are-

*Hiron point for tigers , deer, monkey and crocodiles.

*Katka for deer, tiger, crocodiles, varieties of birds and monkey, morning and evening symphony of wild fowls. Vast expanse of grassy meadows running from Katka to Kachikhali (Tiger Point) provide opporunities for wild tracking.

*Tin Kona Island for tiger and deer.

The Sundarbans is endowed by nature with rich flora and fauna. It is a wonderful place to see or to shoot a Royal Bengal Tiger with Camera if one has the time to wait in the forest. There are a good number of tigers in the Sundarbans. Lovely spotted deer are easy to find. Besides there is a wide variety of wild life for which the Sundarbans is so famous

Nijhum Island

Nijhum island (local name is "Nijhum Dwip") is a small and beautiful island situated between Noakhali and Bhola District under Hatiya upazila Upazila in Noakhali District. It covers a total area of aproximatly 16,352 hectares.It gives one a sense of silence and natural splendour unsullied by human exploration.A surreal vision grows on traveler eyes when they enjoy sprinkling moment with uncovered nature. It’s really rural reflection of Bangladesh but Natural refreshment. No standard restaurants, road even electricity there. The population in Nijhum Dwip in 2001 was 10,670. At high tide a significant potion of the island becomes covered in water, apart from the cultivated, inhabited areas. Their main occupations are cultivation, fishing and livestock farming. The island produces vegetables in large quantities. People live here together amidst natural calamities. Life in the island is hard and risky but very plain in mind.

There are different species of animal surround of you. Spotted deer, Migratory birds, Monkeys, Estuary reported to harbor the Ganges River Dolphin include Clawless Otter, Fishing Cat, Snakes, Tortoises and Turtles. During winter, thousands of migratory birds visit the islands and around a dozen of which are considered to be globally critically endangered, enhancing its splendour even further.The forest department of the government of Bangladesh created mangrove forests in Nijhum Dwip and the main attraction in these forests is the herd of about 5000 spotted dear. You must be capture picture of deer. That perhaps makes Nijhum Dwip one of the unique tourist spot in Bangladesh.

Travellers take a remarkable experience of boat journey in the canal which covered the island like net. Visitor invented themselves in silence, their eyes and ears intent on hearing every rustle of the nature. It's a surreal situation, tour boats had to go under thickets hunched over the canal, known and unknown birds chirping all over the island. On both sides of the canal are forests of kewra. The sky seen through the bush looked too blue to be true.Accommodation is very limited for the tourists in this Island. You can take foods from local restaurants but be careful about the quality of foods. If you stay overnight at Hatiya, there are some boarding hotels Accommodations are not good at Nijhum Dweep and are few in number. Forest Department and District Parishod have Guest Houses in the island, which need prior permission. Both these places provide food.

A huge numbers of migrated birds come in this Island in winter season, enhancing the beauty of this Island. The communication is not excellent but if some one wishes to bear the trouble to go to this Island, he will be enchant to see the beauty of this Island. You can go to this Island either from Dhaka or from Chittagong.

From Chittagong first you will to go Hatia Island by Motor boat or Ship and from there you can go to Nijhum Island by local motor boat. From Dhaka you can go Tomzuddion by launch from Sadarghat launch terminal. From there you can go to Nijhum Island by local motorboat.

Accommodation is very limited for the tourists in this Island. You can take foods from local restaurants but be careful about the quality of foods. If you can take prior permission for forest department then you can stay in forest rest house in Nijhum Island. Another possibility for accommodation is in District Parishod Guest house. If you take the permission from Thana administration (TNO) of Hatia you can also stay in the District Parishod Guest house. For the adventure seekers Nijhum Island could be one of the greatest experience of journey and it will be a memorable enjoyment to stay and pass some days in this isolated Island.

Saint Martin's Island

Saint Martin is a small coral island in the northest part of the Bay of Bengal, about 9 km. south of the tip of the Cox's Bazar -Teknaf peninsula, and forming southernmost part of Bangladesh. It has become a popular tourist spot of Bangladesh. It is the only coral island in Bangladesh. The local name of this island is "Naricl jinjira", meaning "the island of coconut".

Currently three shipping lines run daily trips from Teknaf to the island. Tourists can also visit there from Cox's Bazar By local boats. They can book their tripeither from Chittagong or Cox's Bazar. The surrounding coral reef of the island has an extension named "Chhera dwip".

In the past five years Saint martin's visitor population has increased dramatically. While the situation has proven to be lucrative for the islanders, it is causing the natural beauty of this island to deteriorate. Presently there are many efforts being put forth to preserve the several species of turtles that nest on the island, as well as the corals, some of which are found only on Saint Martin island. Species of fish, a few just recently discovered. Every year the fisherman here must venture further out to sea to get their catch. Most of them use motorless boats.

It is possible to walk around the island in a day because it measures only 8 sq km, shrinking to about 5 sq km during high tide. Most of islands inhabitants live primarily from fishing, and between October and April fisher people from neighboring areas bring their catch to the island's temporary wholesale market.

In this island, you will find beautiful coral reef and long coral beach and lots of coconut trees. Accommodation in Saint Martin's island is limited, so it advisable to book accommodation before you plan to visit this is land. Motel Nijhum is one of the best hotel in Saint Martin's island, You can confirm your reservation there from Dhaka.

Overnight staying in Saint Martin island is really a great experience, where you will feel and listen the sound of sea. If you are lucky enough then you can spend the exotic moonlit night at Saint Martin's island. The beauty of full moon in Saint Martin island can not be expressed in words.

Cox's Bazar

Cox's Bazar, the tourist capital of Bangladesh, is the longest unbroken clean sandy beach. The 120 km length beach always attracts tourist from different part of the world because of its smooth and soft carpeting of silvery

sand sloping gently into the clean blue water of the bay of Bengal. It is overlooked throughout by a picturesque range of forested green hills. Cox's Bazar is famed for its calm and Quiet, shark-free beach with the green trees and pretty hills on one side and the blue waves on the other. One, perhaps, does not come by many such seaside resorts around the globe. The beach is suitable for bathing, sunbathing and swimming. The beauty of the setting sun behind the waves of the sea is really breathtaking.

Besides the resplendent beach, Cox's Bazar offers such attractions as ornamented templates and pagodas, a Burmece market and a veiw of indigenous communities and their vibrant culture. Moreover, tourists may visit Moheshkhali, Sonadia, Ramu, Himchhari and Teknaf for their natural beauty, their beaches and an experience of tribal life and culture.

Some other spots near Cox's Bazar deserve to be mentioned for their awesome charm are in Himchhari, Sonadia, Ramu, Teknaf and Inani beach.

Himchhari: Himchhari is about 32 km. south from Cox's bazar along the beach. The broken hills and waterfalls here are unique. The beauty on the way of Himchhari is extraordinary. There is a resort from where the shore of bay of Bengal looks enchating.

Sonadia : Sonadia is small island of about 9 sqr. km situated at the north of the Cox's Bazar sea beach. Both side of this is land are covered with sandy beaches. A large amount of sea fishes are found here.

Ramu: Ramu is a typical Buddhist village, about 16 km. from Cox's Bazar, on the main road to Chittagong. There are monasteries, khyangs and pagodas containing images of Buddha in gold, bronze and other metals inilaid with precious stones. One of the most interesting of these temples is on the bank of the Baghkhali river. It houses not only interesting relics and Burmes handicrafts but also a large bronze statue of Buddha measuring thirteen feet high and rests on a six feet high pedestal. The wood carving of this khyang is very delicate and refined. The village has a charm of its own. Weavers ply there trade in open workshops and craftsmen make handmade cigars in their pagoda like houses.

Teknaf: Teknaf is the finishing point of Bangladesh. It situated at the side of Naaf river. Mayanmar is on the opposite bank of Naaf river. Journey on the river is very attractive in Teknaf. There is a local market called " Barmice market", where various goods are found in very low rate.

Inani : Inani id about 32km. South of Cox's Bazar and just onthe beach, with the sea to the west and a background of steep hills to the east. It is only half an hour's drive from Cox's Bazar and an ideal place for sea bathing and picnic.

Tourist attractions of Bangladesh

Bangladesh as a holiday making land exposes to many flamboyant facets. Its tourist attractions are many folded, which include archaeological sites, historical mosques and monuments, resorts, beaches, picnic spots forests and tribal people, wildlife of various species.

Bangladesh also offers ample tourist attractions. The facilities for tourists have also greatly improved compared to even a few years ago. Much of the country has been relatively untouched by modern technology and development, which is why foriegners find the rich flora and fauna and colorful tribal life so enchanting. Some of the better known tourist attractions are: Srimangal , Mainamati, Mahastangarh, Paharpur for archeaology, Rangamati, Kaptai and Cox's Bazar for sight seeing, and the Sundarbans and Foy's Lake for scenic beauty.

For management of tourism there is an autonomous body under the government known as the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), BPC has information centres in Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Bogra, Cox's bazar and Rangamati. Five package tours ranging from 4 to 5 days are arranged by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation originating in Dhaka.

About Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a small country in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides expect a border with Myanmar to the far southeast and by the bay of Bengal to the south. Together with the Indian state of west Bengal, it makes up the ethno -linguistic region of Bengal. The name Bangladesh means "Country of Bengal".

Bangladesh were established with the partition of Bengal and India in 1947, when the region become the eastern wing of the newly formed Pakistan. political and linguistic discrimination as well as economic neglect led to popular agitations against West Pakistan, which led to the war of independence in 1971 and the establishment of Bangladesh. After independence the new state endured famines, natural disasters and widespread poverty, as well as political turmoil and military coups. The restoration of democracy has been followed by relative calm and economic progress.