Beautiful Wetland in Bangladesh "Ratargul"

                                  Beautiful Wetland in Bangladesh "Ratargul"

Imagine, you are boating in the canal as like your mine and suddenly you have lost yourself in the Pantanal. You have an only wooden boat and you are trying to find shelter across the deep water in the bog. The unknown bird is flying, snakes are hissing from the tree. You feel helpless and afraid because there is no sound even wave of water but the wonderful view and charming nature is calling for enjoying. what are you thinking? Am I talking about an English movie, Amazon forest? no, not like that I am talking about the Bangladeshi Pantanal. The name of the Pantanal is "Ratargul "and it's another name is Bangladeshi Amazon. A couple of months ago I did not miss the chance to uncover the natural beauty of Bangladeshi Amazon.

It is a deep green and mystic lawn and freshwater bog in Bangladesh. Ratargul is the third swamp forest in the world first one in the South American continent, another is in Sri Lanka. Its located in the Goainghat area in Sylhet. The main beauty of Ratargul reveals in the rainy season. but every season has different beauties. In the rainy season, the forest goes minimum 20-30 feet underwater. Ratargul swamp forest is 5 hundred and 4 acres. 504 acres is declared for animals' sanctuary in 2015.  Most of the trees of the forest are the Millettia pinnata (Koroch tree). Ratargul swamp forest is linked with the Changer khal canal. The forest is flooded by the water coming from India in the rainy season and make the swamp. Another time it looks dry.

The attractions of Swamp forest "Ratargul” :

The water of this swamp forest is very clean as a result you can see your full own reflection. A large number of trees here which types are different. Various types of birds, animals, and insects reside in the forest. Many birds' lovers come from abroad for visiting and research the bird. Parrot, kingfisher, Bulbul, Swan, Dove, Eagle, Kite bird Heron are the common birds of Ratargul lawn even some migratory birds like vulture visit in summer. Monkey and Snake and worm snakes can see in this drowned water. When you visit this forest, you have to be careful always. The boat is the only one media for visiting Ratargul but you can walk in the forest in the dry season. In summer season the scenery of the beautiful Ratargul is changed then the rainy season. There are many species of local fish is available in this wetland.

 Tourists can mostly visit the Ratargul forest in monsoon .one needs to hire a boat for visiting the forest. For one trip you have to pay 1000-2000 BDT. For the relaxation of our busy lives, the wonderful Ratargul Pantanal is the charming place in my country. There is a building tower inside the forest. If you want to see the whole view of the lawn you must go pick up the tower.  I think this wetland is a precious blessing of God for our land.

When you will visit Ratargul forest you can also see "Lalakhal". The water of Lalakhal is different in color than another river or canal.

How to go there:

Ratargul is about to 26 kilometers from Sylhet Saddar. CNG and others some vehicles are available from Sylhet city. Maximum one hour is needed to reach the Ratargul forest. 

Where to stay:

There is no hotel, motel, cottage even room in a village home for rent for staying the night. This place is enough to visit within 4-5 hours. After ending your tour, you have to back to Sylhet city and you can stay safe.

Unknown pleasant journey Bholagonj Sylhet.

Where nature made a wonderful misty and created harmony with white stone and Dholai waters. Yes, this place name is Bholagonj. It is situated at Companigonj district in the Sylhet division. It is not so far from the Sylhet city, 33 km approximately. Bholagonj is the biggest stone lawn in Bangladesh with fountain, rivers and deep greenery. This place is beneath of Cherapunji in India. Most of the area of Bholagonj is covered by the largest hills of India. 

A large number of people carried a stone from here and sell it for living. This charming place attracts all tourists in the world. Whitestone and collecting stone process are really enjoyable and only for enjoying this scenery many people gather in Bholagonj every day. Once stone collected automatically by excavation plant machine but due to lack of experienced people and disable machine it stopped. Now people collect stone manually. There are many small boats for carrying stone, if you want to hire this boat for visiting that area, it's possible but you have to pay taka. 1000-2000 otherwise they wouldn't go. There is a land customs station in Bholagonj. Using this station inputter inputs limestone from India. Every year lots of stone comes from Jaintia hills of India with water of the Dholai river in the rainy season. Clouds of Meghalayan, waterfalls from hills, white stone, sandy shore of Dholai, restlessly stream and pellucid water of the river is the main appeal of this place. Travelers can get the most wonderful scenery during in rainy season. You can be seen here different types of people and various activities of them.

BEST TIME TO GO THERE:

May to October is the suitable time to visit Bholagonj white stone territory.

HOW TO GO THERE:

Due to the poor road conditions, it takes an hour and a half to reach Bholagonj from Sylhet. There is no available direct bus service from Sylhet to Bholagonj. But there are some taxi services available from Sylhet city to Tucker Bazar. Tourists can use boats but they have to need to get permission from BDR post

WHERE TO STAY:

There is no hotel, motel or any cottage and Banglo here. Only there is a district Porisod rest house and with permission of Upazila officer you could stay here otherwise you have stayed in Sylhet city.

WHERE TO EAT:

There are some local cuisine shops and restaurants at Bholagonj bazar.