Bangladesh is one of the world’s most densely populated countries. It has a land area of only 147,570 square kilometers (36 million acres) but with a population of 163 million people, making it the eighth-most populous country in the world.
There are so many great places to visit and things to see in Bangladesh, but it is often overlooked when tourists head to Asia. It is sandwiched between two tourism hotspots: Thailand, which is the ninth-most visited country in the world, and India, the seventh most visited country in Asia. Tourists should drop by Bangladesh because it has beautiful beaches, majestic ruins, and a vibrant marketplace. There are markets everywhere: from large city centers to riversides where there are stalls that sell almost anything under the sun.
The country is home to the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, the largest delta in the world. A delta is formed through the process of deposition of sediments carried by the river, as it flows from the mountains to low altitude regions, ultimately ending up at the Bay of Bengal. Many rivers flow through Bangladesh. It has 57 trans-boundary rivers.
Bangladesh hosts the world’s largest mangrove forest. It also has vibrant wildlife with one of the largest populations of Bengal tiger in the world. This is why tourists should check out the country’s national parks. Most of its protected areas are still in pristine condition because of the lack of human activities. Here are five national parks where tourists can have great wilderness adventure:
1. Baroiyadhala National Park
This park is often called a significant natural resource to mitigate climate change. It is located in the Chittagong District and has a rich biodiversity, which is renowned in the entire country. It is home to an undisturbed tropical rainforest. Unlike a lot of forests in Bangladesh, which has a problem with the decreasing number of trees due to common deforestation practices, this park doesn’t have such an issue. Its thriving tree population also makes it easier to connect with other forests in the park, creating a larger wildlife corridor for healthier animal habitats.
The park is one of the few homes left for the endangered fishing cat, which is a wildcat endemic to South and Southeast Asia. As the name suggests, this wild cat’s main diet consists of fish, so it prefers living within swamps and water bodies. The park hosts a few rivers and waterfalls. Other animals found in the park are foxes, pigs, and squirrels.
2. Himchari National Park
This park is characterized by hills, which adjoins the Bay of Bengal. The hills are blanketed with evergreen forests and grasslands. Among the park's most famous attractions are the broken hills and row of Christmas trees. There are close to 120 species of trees documented in the park, a lot of which are considered near-endangered. Among the trees commonly sighted in the park are Acronychia pedunculata, Elaeocarpus tectorius is also known as the “false lime tree,” evergreen, Lithocarpus elegans, palm, and sap trees.
The park hosts a diverse species of animals such as Asian elephants, fishing cats, hoolock gibbons, leopard cats, mongooses, Rhesus macaques, sloth bears, tigers, and wild boars. The aquatic resources around the park are home to the Ridley sea turtles and some water birds. There are about 286 species of birds in the park including the following: Asian palm swift and barn swallow.
3. Kaptai National Park
The teak plantation started in this area. Scientifically known as Tectona grandis, this species of tree is a tropical hardwood. There is an abundance of this species in the park and authorities thought they should be preserved. They also provide a different beauty in the area, especially when juxtaposed with the bluish-green color of the lake. This park in the Rangamati District traverses two mountain ranges: Kapta Range and Karnaphuli Range.
There is a rich biodiversity in the park in terms of its flora and fauna. Aside from the teak, there are various species of trees, plants, and flowers within the park. The lush vegetation is the home to the following animals: Asian elephants, barking deer, capped leaf monkeys, clouded leopards, dholes, Phayre’s leaf monkeys, sambar, rock pythons, western hoolock gibbons, and wild boars. There are also several wild birds in the area.
4. Nijhum Dwip National Park
The park has a thriving wetland as it is located on the banks of the Meghana River. Four islands are covered by the park’s protection status: Bellar Char, Char Kamla, Char Muri, and Char Osman. It has massive mangrove forests that have become important habitats for various aquatic animals. There are also mudflats and sandflats within the area.
Spotted deer are abundant in the park. There are also clawless otters, dolphins, fishing cats, jackals, mongooses, monitor lizards, and turtles. There are also several species of birds—a lot of which prefer to roost in aquatic resources.
5. Satchari National Park
In Bengali, which is Bangladesh’s official language, Satchari means “seven streams.” Seven streams are flowing in this park, which is a jungle. There are so many dramatic sights within the park. It is a great place to be inspired creatively. It is also a perfect place to do some photography. The area is located in the Habiganj District.
The jungle sits on Raghunandan Hill. Like any jungle, it is characterized by large trees, thick undergrowth, and a smattering of some flowering plants. Among the trees commonly found in the park are agar, bamboo, eucalyptus, fig, palm, sal, and tropical hardwood.
The hoolock gibbon considers the park it's home. This is the second largest of the hoolock species. It is native only to Southwest China, Northeast India, and Bangladesh. This primate is already considered endangered, which is why the protection of Satchari is significant in the survival of the hoolock gibbons. It's relative, the Phayre’s leaf monkey is also found in the park. It is another endangered primate because of hunting. It is found in more countries than the hoolock gibbon though. There are also a few Asian black bears within the park. Among the resident, fowls are Oriental pied hornbill, pygmy woodpecker, red-headed trogon, and red junglefowl.