Sylhet District Sylhet is an administrative region in the northeastern part of Bangladesh. It is a district under the jurisdiction of Sylhet Division. According to the number of upazilas, Sylhet is an “A” class district of Bangladesh. Sylhet is an ancient town located in the northeast of Bangladesh. Rich in forest, mineral and fishery resources and with its natural beauty, the district is known as the spiritual capital of the country and the second largest city in the world. The magnificent view of the Jaintia hills, the captivating beauty of Jaflong, the Jaflong tea garden, the rows and rows of rocks in Bholaganj, the bed of Bichnakandi, the Ratargul Jalaban attract tourists again and again.
Coordinates: 24 ° 53 ′ North 91 ° 52 ′ East
After the Second World War, a large number of people from Sylhet district have migrated to different countries of the world. They make a significant contribution to the country’s economy by sending large amounts of foreign exchange. Sylhet stone, sand quality is the best in the country. The district has natural gas reserves which meet the lion’s share of demand across the country. The role of this district in the war of independence is immense. General MAG Osmani, the Commander-in-Chief of the Liberation Army, is the son of this district.
Sylhet district was formed in 182 AD after the area was annexed by the British in 18 AD and the first collector was appointed by Mr. William Thackeray. After the establishment of Bangladesh in 1971, at one stage Sylhet district was divided into four districts. Sylhet district now consists of the pre-independence Sadar subdivision area. The present Sylhet district consists of 12 (twelve) upazilas.
The main commercial area of Sylhet district is Sylhet city. Sylhet developed rapidly during the British colonial period. Sylhet Municipality was formed in 18 AD. On 12 June 1897, a devastating earthquake almost completely destroyed the entire city of Sylhet. Later, more beautiful and modern European style cities were built on the ruins. Several roads were built in the late 1890s. When a branch of the Assam-Bengal Railway was connected to Sylhet in 1912-15, the real separation of Sylhet from the rest of the country came to an end.
The importance of the city of Sylhet increased in the early twentieth century due to the tea industry. In the 1950s and 1960s, the city of Sylhet was rapidly urbanized for the benefit of the expatriate Sylhetites. This process of urbanization has continued.
Geograpical Boundaries:The geographical location of Sylhet district is 24 ° 40 ‘to 25 ° 11’ ‘north latitude and 91 ° 3’ ‘to 92 ° 3’ ‘east longitude. Sylhet district is bounded on the north by Meghalaya and Khashia-Jaintia hills of India, on the east by Assam of India, on the south by Moulvibazar district and on the west by Sunamganj and Habiganj districts. The area of this district is 3,490.40 sq km. Annual maximum temperature is 33.2 ° Celsius and minimum temperature is 13.7 Celsius. Annual rainfall is 3334 mm. The main rivers are Surma and Kushiyara. The number of haors is 72. Protected forest area 238.42 sq km. Parts of the Khashia-Jayanta hills of India cover this district. There are also some small hills and mounds here. Notable among these are Jaintapur (54 miles), Sari Tila (92 miles), Lalkhan Tila (135 miles), Dhaka South Tilas (6.6 miles).
Administrative Areas:Sylhet district was established on 3 January 182. Until 184, Sylhet district was part of Chittagong division. On 12 September of the same year, Sylhet was annexed to the newly created province of Assam. Until 1947 (excluding Kaltuku during the Partition of Bengal from 1905-1911) Sylhet was part of Assam. During the partition of India in 1947, Sylhet district was annexed to the then East Pakistan through a referendum. At that time Sylhet was administratively part of Chittagong Division. During the administrative restructuring in 1973-74, the greater Sylhet district was divided into four (four) new districts.
Sylhet district consists of 1 city corporation with 28 wards, 13 upazilas, 16 thanas, 5 municipalities, 108 unions, 1793 mouzas, 3496 villages and 6 parliamentary seats.
History:According to the Regional History of Sylhet, the ancient boundaries of the region are much larger in size than the present Sylhet division, even the present Sarail or Satarkhandal of Bangladesh (under Brahmanbaria district), Joanshahi (part of greater Mymensingh district), many of the states of Tripura in India. According to the ancient Vedic text Kamakhya Tantra, the south-western boundary of the ancient kingdom of Kamrup was ancient Shrihatta, meaning that Shrihatta belonged to the kingdom of Kamrupa. The description of the limits of Srihatta in the Yogini Tantra is as follows:
Chandrashekhar to the south of Nadirchaib in the east
Lohit is in the western part and Nilachal is in the north
In the meanwhile Mahadev Shrihat Namo Namata.
Then, after the 7th century AD, the geographical features of the region underwent various changes. By the middle of the 8th century, parts of the southeastern part of the Sylhet division were under the jurisdiction of the state of Tripura and much of the southwestern part of the state of Harikela. The ancient kingdom of Jayantiya, Laud and Gaur was spread over the remnants. The Paschimbagh copperplate inscription by Maharaja Srichandra in the 10th century shows that he conquered Sylhet. According to historians, Sylhet or Shrihat (Samuddha Hat) has long existed as a thriving trading center. There was a huge influx of Bengalis in ancient Srihatta. In the 14th century, Hazrat Shah Jalal, a pious man from Yemen, conquered Sylhet and started preaching Islam. During the Sultanate period the name of Sylhet was Jalalabad. During the revolt of 1857, the rebels in Sylhet failed to fight against the British banians. The Nanak Rebellion is an important event in the history of Sylhet. The Nankars were the landlords of the zamindars. This practice was abolished in 1050 when several other revolts took place including various revolts.
Origin the name of Sylhet:Ancient texts mention different names of this region (Sylhet division).
According to Hindu scriptures, the severed hand (hand) of Sati Devi, the wife of Shiva, fell in this area, which led the Hindu community to believe that the name Shrihatta originated from ‘Shri Hast’.
The region is referred to as “Siriot” in the 4th century BC historical Aryan writings. In addition, in the second century AD, Ailien’s account of the region as “Sirte”, and in the text of the Periplus of the Erythrian Sea, the region is named “Sirte” and “Siste”.
Chinese people — then in 640 AD when the Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang visited the region. He mentions the name of the region “Shilichatal” in his travel story. Turkish general
There is evidence in history that Muslim rulers wrote “Silahat”, “Silahat” etc. instead of “Shrihat” in their documents when the Muslim society was started in this country by the conquest of Bengal by Ikhtiyar Uddin Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji. Historians believe that the name Sylhet once became famous after its transformation from Shrihat.
When Hazrat Shah Jalal came to Sylhet, he was stopped by the enemy and 360 Auliyas who followed him with rocks. Then by the infinite grace of Allah Ta’ala he said “Shilahat” (meaning – remove the stone). At that moment, the stones moved away. This is the name given to “Shilahat”. Then to simplify the name is “Shilhat”, “Silahat”, “Sylhet (now)”.
It is also said that at one time a rich man had a daughter in Sylhet district. His name was Shila. The man built a hat in memory of his daughter and named it Shilar Hat. The name of this rock hat is distorted in many ways and the name Sylhet originates.
Language:Language is constantly changing and language change is area based and depends on distance. The spoken language of the Sylhetites is quite different from the real Bengali language. Sylhet has historically had a different language and culture. Different communities live here so there is also diversity in the language. As Sylhet formerly belonged to the state of Assam, the influence of Assam on the language and culture of Sylhet can be noticed. Sylhet also has its own diverse language known as Nagari Lipi.
Nagari Lipi is the brightest document of Sylhet’s unique cultural heritage. Dr. Suniti Kumar Chattopadhyay opined that the fourteenth century AD was the period of introduction of Nagari script. Some believe that it was created by the Afghan Pathans who came to Sylhet in the late sixteenth century after being persecuted by the Mughals. There is another view in this regard. That is, the Sylhetites gave birth to this script and literature as an alternative to the Sanskrit-dominated Bengal created by Fort William College. Advanced literature of the time written in this style. The regional or spoken language of Sylhet has a series of scientific scripts. Important for researchers and linguists. Another characteristic of Nagari is that it is the exclusive property of the Muslims of Sylhet region. Citizen has only 32 characters. Combined letters are not commonly used. It can be learned in just two and a half days. Therefore, there was more publicity and dissemination among the women. Yet many women citizens know. Books written in Nagri mainly cover prayers, fasting, Hajj, Zakat, Islamic history, traditions, stories and ragas, Bauls and mystic music. So far 140 books have been found including 8 printed books (in Nagari script). Mr. Golam Qadir obtained his PhD degree from Dhaka University in 1983 for his research on ‘Sylhet Nagari Lipi Language and Literature’. Chadek Ali is the most popular poet in Nagari literature. He was born in Kulaura in 1896. Before converting to Islam, his name was Gaur Kishore Sen. In 1823 he was the munsif of Moulvibazar.
Among the authors of Nagri Punthi, 57 people including Munshi Irpan Ali, Daikhura Munshi, Abdul Wahab Chowdhury, Aman Ullah, Waji Ullah, Shah Hormuz Ali and Haji Yasin have been identified so far. Talib Husain, written by Golam Husain, is considered to be the first book. The printing of Nagari script started long after the creation of literature. Due to the lack of type and printing, handwriting spreads. Maulvi Abdul Karim, a resident of Hawapara in Sylhet, returned home after a tour of Europe. He started printing by making Nagari script type. The name of the press established in Bandar Bazar was Islamia Press. During the war of liberation the press was bombed. Sarada Printing Publishing was in Nairobi, Sylhet. Prior to 1947, there were presses of Nagari script in Calcutta and Sealdah. In the greater Sylhet, Kachar, Karimganj, Mymensingh, Kishoreganj, etc., there was a promotion and appreciation of Nagari script and literature.
Culture:Dance is the richest branch of Manipuri culture. In Munipuri religion, dance started from the dawn of human and world creation.
The Manipuri synonym of dance is Holo-Jagoi. According to experts, the word jagoi has evolved from the creation of a circle on the Chatna Chatna Koiba-walk to Chakoya. According to many, the word jagoi originates from the Sanskrit word chakra. And so the physical motion of the Manipuri dance forms a circle or semicircle which symbolizes the round Manipur valley or the world and the universe in the larger sense.
Lai Haraoba dance is the original form of Manipuri dance. Lai means god, Haraoba means joy. That is, dance performances for the entertainment of the gods.
There are currently four types of Lai Haraoba dances. These are Kanglai Haraoba, Moirang Haraoba, Chakpa Haraoba and Kokching Haraoba. Lai – Lai Haraoba dance begins with the inauguration of Kauba or the deity. Then Laishem Jagoi (the dance of creation of the earth), Lainet Jagoi (the dance of creation of the plains), Laita Jagoi (the dance of settlement), Laima Jagoi (the virgin dance) are performed in stages. Then gradually housing, weaving, planting, hunting, various sports, everything started to be served in phases.
So the historian Saraj Nalini Parrott says, The Lai Haroba mirrors the entire culture of the Manipuri People.
Lai Haraoba dance is a folk dance but the discipline of classical dance is evident in it. In fact, this dance is the essence of classical dance. A variety of traditional hand gestures are used in this dance. The resemblance to Tantric handicrafts is remarkable. Later, Lai Haraoba dance was refined and refined into classical dance. Since the spread of Vaishnava culture in Manipur, the influence of Bhangi Pareng, one of the elements of this dance genre, has been observed.
Important places of interest in Sylhet:
The greenery all around. There is a living nature under the blue sky to get a green carpet. Green cultivation on high and low hills and hilly plains. Just green and green. Occasionally small towns surrounded by hills. The winding methopath runs along the edge of the hill. There is no mechanical contamination. Somewhere along the way the silver springs are running. Here is the combination of all the beauties of nature. The tea garden of Sylhet has become one with such endless beauty. The tea garden of Sylhet is famous all over the world. 90% of the total tea of the country is produced in Sylhet. That is why Sylhet is also called the land of two leaves and one bud. Despite being rich in various natural beauties, the tea garden of Sylhet has become another favorite container for nature lovers. So in order to quench their thirst for vacation or afternoon entertainment, they rush to the green forest of tea garden. The whole afternoon is spent in hiding in the greenery, hustle and bustle. Of the total 183 tea gardens in Bangladesh, 135 are in greater Sylhet. There are several tea gardens in Jaintapur, Kanaighat, Gowainghat, Companiganj and Sylhet Sadar upazila of Sylhet district in greater Sylhet. Notable tea gardens are: Malnichhara Tea Garden, Lakkatura Tea Garden, Tarapur Tea Garden, Daldali Tea Garden, Khadim Tea Garden, Barjan Tea Garden, Gulni Tea Garden, Ali Bahar Tea Garden, Habib Nagar Tea Garden, Ahmed Tea Estate, Khan Tea Garden, Lalakhal Tea Estate, Sreepur Tea Garden, Mulagul Tea Garden etc. The oldest tea garden in the subcontinent: Sylhet Sadar Upazila has the largest and first established tea garden in Bangladesh and the subcontinent. Named ‘Malnichhara Tea Garden.’ The first tea garden in the subcontinent, Malnichhara, was established in 1849 on an area of 1500 acres by Mr. Hudson. The garden is currently being operated under private supervision. Malnichhara Tea Garden is the first choice of travelers for leisurely travel or leisure time. Being very close to the city of Sylhet, tourists first rush to Malnichhara to see the tea garden. There are several entrances to the Malnichhara tea garden. You can start visiting the tea garden either way if you want. However, to avoid trouble, it is necessary to get the permission of the authorities before entering the garden. Then he looked around the garden. You can see the garden bungalow. Ali Bahar tea garden is next to Malnichhara. You can come back from there. Lakkatura Tea Garden: Malnichhara and Lakkatura Tea Garden can be found on the same route. The gap is just across the street. In terms of excellence, the Lakkatura tea garden sometimes surpasses the Malnichhara tea garden.After visiting the city’s Chowki Dekhi residential area, once you enter the golf club, you will immediately enter the middle of the garden. Walking from side to side of the garden, you can also organize your pleasure on the beautiful tiller of the golf club. After crossing the golf club field, you will find Sylhet Divisional Stadium a little further ahead. Tea garden around and stadium in the middle, really awesome! There is probably only one stadium in the world with such a green nature. After more than a year, the magnificent event of T20 World Cup will be held here. Tarapur Tea Garden: Tarapur Tea Garden is also very close to Sylhet city. Tarapur Tea Garden in a shady environment of nature in Pathantula area on the way to Medina Market from Amber Khana of the city. Tarapur Tea Garden has become well-known among the tourists as the business branch campus of Jalalabad Ragib Rabeya Medical College Hospital and Madan Mohan College has been established in the adjoining area. The garden is almost always a tourist attraction. Daldali Tea Garden: From the Shahi Eidgah area of the city towards MC College a little further on the left hand side of the Upazila playground. Going a little further along the road, you will find a group of tea gardens. If you want to go to the main garden, you have to cross several localities. From the locality you have to go in through the metho path surrounded by huge hills. Then the original tea garden. The road to get inside is not very convenient for cars, for that motorbike or foot can be your convenient vehicle. Three in one: From the gate of Shahparan Mazar in the suburbs to Tamabil Road, the road of Khadim National Park is entered on the left hand side. Walk about three and a half kilometers to the inner park (Khadim Rain Forest). But there is no need to go that far for a tea garden. A short walk from Tamabil Road you will find Barjan Tea Garden, Gulni Tea Garden and Khadim Tea Garden. The green scenery seen on the way to the adjoining garden, the art locality easily catches the eye of the tourists. As there is a tea processing factory on the side of the road, the honey smells like fresh tea. Besides, Habib Nagar Tea Garden, Ahmed Tea Estate and Khan Tea Garden are located in Haripur area of Sylhet-Tamabil road. Lalakhal Tea Estate: Lalakhal Tea Estate has to be reached by boat from Sarighat area on Sylhet-Tamabil road. An hour’s walk. All the beauty of the tea garden has been surpassed by the riverbed covered with green water. Really awesome …! The shadows of the green nature on both sides seemed to fall on the chest of the stream. Sripur Tea Garden: Jaflong …! What a wonderful combination of green with green! Who doesn’t know about the tourist spot Jaflong? The tourist spot Jaflong is always in the forefront of nature lovers’ walks. Among the beauties of Jaflong, Sreepur Tea Garden has created another favorite obsession. You can also frame some time for your future here. Sylhet, like a sanctuary of green nature! And now is the best time for people to stay close to nature. When all the various beauties of nature are mixed in the green leaves of the tea tree. So you can visit this wonderful tea country if you want. You will definitely like it. Diversity of Sylhet Tourism: Sylhet Tourism is synonymous with immense potential. Tourists have been flocking to this town for ages. The world famous tourist Ibn Battuta, the form-loving poet Rabindranath Tagore is not on the list. Fascinated by the form of Sylhet, Rabindranath Tagore named this town ‘Sribhumi’. Due to its diversity and beauty, the tourist attractions of Sylhet never fail. Mine of Roop: It is as if nature has arranged Sylhet in its own way. It is as if nature has turned everything upside down here. The beauty of this region is adorned with unselfish hands. The natural beauty of Sylhet is further enhanced by the 450 km long mountains of northern India. Tourists can easily enjoy the added beauty of the other side of the border when visiting Sylhet. Visiting Jaflong, known as the Daughter of Nature, tourists get a chance to get lost in Khadim Rain Forest, emerald green water saliva, the country’s first flat tea garden, Tamabilastha Green Park and the magnificent Michel Panthumai of mountains, rivers and streams. And the extra debt – Ratargul is currently the biggest tourist attraction in the country.There is a demand for cotton even among Bengali women. That demand is not limited to the border of Sylhet. Spread across the country. Picture of rich culture: Sylhet means the melody of mind-blowing folk songs. There is talk of soil in the air of Sylhet, the melody of soil. Hemang Biswas, a leading figure in Bengali and Indian folk music, is a child of Sylhet. Born in the village of Mirashir in Chunarughat of Habiganj district a hundred years ago, this fighter for the rights of hardworking people was born. King Sylhet is another identity of the emperor of folk songs. Located in Sunamganj and Sylhet, the places entangled with the memory of the king attract tourists separately. The song of Baul emperor Abdul Karim, who was born in the lower region of Sylhet, is now back in people’s mouths. Abdul Karim’s village home The Karim Mela held in Ujan Dhal village of Dirai in Sunamganj becomes a festival of Baul and Baul lovers every year. Tourists from different parts of the country also took part in the fair. The places associated with the memory of Baul saints Radha Raman, Durbin Shah, Arkum Shah and Shitalang Shah, the sons of Sylhet, also have historical significance. Gatu or Ghetu songs lost in the development of taste were also born in this Sylhet. Humayun Ahmed, a popular producer, has made a film called ‘Ghetuputra Kamala’ with this Gatu or Ghetu song. This is also the last film of the late filmmaker. There is no shortage of Sylhet’s glory not only in music but also in dance. When world poet Rabindranath Tagore came to Sylhet, he was fascinated by Manipuri dance in Machimpur. He spread Manipuri dance worldwide from Sylhet. Rabindranath took a teacher from Sylhet to teach Manipuri dance at Shanti Niketan. Sylhet’s contribution to literature and culture is also very ancient. Historians have found evidence that Sylhet and Sylhetites have a partnership in Charyapada, the earliest example of Bengali literature. The biggest proof of this is the similarity of spoken language of the people of Sylhet in Charyapada. According to the researchers, many of the Charya pedestrians were residents of Sylhet. Historians claim that most of the stories of Mymensingh Geetika, one of the most important monuments of Bengali literature, also belong to Sylhet region. The existence of the places mentioned in the lyric is also found in Sylhet. According to them, Mymensingh Geetika is basically ‘Sylhet Geetika’ or ‘Jalalabad Geetika’. Sylhet also has its own script to preserve its own literature and culture. This script called Nagari also has a rich history.Alternative script of Bengali language Sylhet Nagari is the only languageless script in the world. Last word: Despite the immense potential, the tourism industry in Sylhet is not developing much. Due to lack of recognition as a tourist city, fragile communication system, weak infrastructure and lack of initiative, domestic and foreign tourists are still not coming in that proportion. Despite the huge potential, the lack of planning alone is not going to attract foreign tourists.
Ratargul is located in Gowainghat upazila, 16 km from Sylhet city. Ratargul can be reached via Saheb Bazar via Amberkhana-Airport Road and Haripur Road via Sylhet-Tamabil Road. In fact, both paths are quite difficult. The roads are built by LGED. ‘Ratargul is a natural eye-catching spot. But it is very difficult to go there, ”said Gowainghat Upazila Chairman Abdul Hakim Chowdhury. He said, “If there are infrastructural facilities, more tourists will come to Ratargul.” The upazila chairman said, “Saheb Bazar is a little far from Sylhet airport.” From there it is necessary to repair 8 km road from Ratargul and 3 km road from Gairabazar of Haripur road to Chirinji. According to the locals, the fare of CNG autorickshaw from Amberkhana to Ratargul via Saheb Bazar is Tk 800. And the fare through Haripur is 800 rupees. The boat fare for going around Ratargul is 800-1200 rupees. However, if you bargain, you can travel even less. Many people say that a fixed rent is needed for all this. Otherwise tourists come and get in trouble.
Bichanakandi is located in a village in Rustampur union of Gowainghat upazila in Sylhet district of Bangladesh. The distance from Sylhet city to Bichanakandi is about 60 kilometers. This is the tourist paradise of Sylhet. Cold water comes from the stone beds bordering the country and the Meghalaya hills. Next to the hill green ceremony. The stream of clear water rushing over the small and big rocks has created a pleasant environment in Bichanakandi.
Many steps of the Khasia hills on the Bangladesh-India border have come together at one point from both sides. There are high springs at the foot of the hill. The main attraction of this spot for tourists is the water flowing over the rocks. Moreover, in the rainy season, the clouds are stuck on the hill, it may seem that the clouds have made their home in the lap of the mountain.
From the east a branch of the Piain River flows down the hill towards Bholaganj. All in all, Bichnakandi is a green land of combined mountains, rivers, fountains and natural beauty of rocks.
In recent years, the river has been flooded with tourists.
In the middle of Bhadra, in the north of Sylhet, on the Khasia-Jainta hills, the beautiful view of the floating white clouds is attracting the attention of many. The cloudburst flew in the scorching sun and fell on the hill and suddenly it started raining profusely. And many people, including tourists, got wet in the cold after that rain. In fact, the nature of Sylhet is now playing a mind-blowing game of sun and rain. In this game of nature, the natural beauty of Sylhet seems to be revealed more deeply. Hundreds of men and women of different ages flocked to Sylhet to enjoy this beauty. They roam around, vegan in the sun and rain. Tourists enjoy the green tea gardens, waterfalls, spiral mountain rivers or the traditional haungue of Tangua, Hakaluki and other huge haors.
Ratargul Swamp Forest is one of the 22 forests in the world
However, many are attracted by the ‘Ratargul Swamp Forest’ covered with green leaves. There is an eye-catching beauty standing in the frozen water of the trees. It is one of the 22 swamp forests in the world. The Ratargul Swamp Forest, spread over an area of about three and a half thousand acres, is a potential tourist destination. It is located in Gowainghat upazila of Sylhet. Many tourists come to Sylhet as soon as they get a holiday. There is no space in hotels and motels.
Daughter of nature
Jaflong, Lallakhal, Pantumai, Bichnakandi, Madhabkund and many other natural scenic spots in Sylhet. However, in the unbearable heat, the rain-soaked leafy-leafy variety of trees attracts the attention of the tourists ‘Ratargul Swamp Forest’. Although Ratargul was recognized as a water forest four decades ago, it has been attracting the attention of travel thirsty people for four years now.
Forests that change form with nature
The nature of this forest changes with nature. One kind in monsoon, another kind in autumn. “Once you see the enchanting beauty of Ratargul, you will never forget it,” said the forest rangers. Officials say, “Ratargul takes on different forms from time to time.” But many do not want to follow the rules of this specialized forest. Tourists are always making noise inside the forest. As a result, the forest suffers. Environmentalists fear the damage to the forest. Silence is the hallmark of this forest. Talk or walk in such a way that the forest does not wake up.
When the sun rises over the head in the rain, the shady water takes on a wonderful shape in the Ratargul Forest.
Hopefully, though late, the villagers are now aware of this forest. They have been very active in fixing this ‘swamp forest’. They say tourists are frightened by the sound of engine-driven boats. So all kinds of noise pollution must be stopped. Officials of the concerned forest department said that now more people have understood the importance of this water forest than before. So a lot is coming into discipline.
Ratargul Swamp Forest, located in Gowainghat Upazila of Sylhet, is a wildlife sanctuary for aquatic plants. When the sun appears over the head in the rainy season, the shady water takes on a wonderful form in the Ratargul Forest. The water rarely gets the touch of the sun by piercing the green leaves on the black branches of the dense tree. The reflection of the tree stalks in the crystal clear water made a strange scene. Then suddenly a wild animal peeks out of the water in the shade of a tiger, a python, a squirrel, a monkey, a wild cat, a beji or a fox. Then the situation is like being startled. These animals were seen in this forest a few days ago. Now it has decreased a lot. This forest is rich in various species of trees including Jalibet, Kadam, Hijal and Murta. Ratargul Swamp Forest is one of the few freshwater wetlands in the world. Hijal dipped in water up to the neck or waist, swallows the solitude after crossing the karach tree and entering some distance of the forest. Stunning natural beauty catches the eye. At one time, wild animals of various species including pythons, snakes, gokhara, jaladhura, mechobagh, squirrels, monkeys, otters, wild cats, beji, foxes used to roam all the time. Pigeons, sparrows, pankauri, kite, white hawk, kana hawk, mashranga, tia, bulbuli, kite, sand duck and many other species of birds are also flying in the trees.
Forest on an area of three thousand three hundred and twenty one acres
According to the documents of the Forest Department, the Forest Department declared this naturally growing forest area, which covers an area of 3321 acres, as a protected forest in 1952. It is a wildlife sanctuary and reserve forest. Ratargul is one of the 22 such water forests in the world. As soon as you hear it, you are tempted to see it and enjoy its beauty. But the way to see it is very difficult. Nature lovers have a hard time getting there as the infrastructure including road communication has not been developed yet. Reaching Haripur via Sylhet-Tamabil road is a small road on the left hand side. The road is broken. The microbus will go, but quite difficult. Another road is to go to Gowainghat Road via Hadarpar Road via Sylhet Osmani International Airport. Its condition is also miserable. Especially these two roads become impassable during the rainy season. A few days later, autumn. Then when the water goes down from the canals inside the forest, it will be a footpath. Then another scene of Ratargul. However, its beauty spreads in the rainy season. So if you want to see the beauty of the water forest, you have to go in the rainy season. Tourists say that the condition of communication on the road to Ratargul is very poor. Car rental on the way, boat rental dozens. That’s the decent way to go. It has no specific policy. If the administration is proactive in all these matters, the tourists will not suffer at least financially.
Jaflong :: Jaflong of Sylhet is known all over the country as the daughter of nature. Located at the foot of Khasia Jainta Hills, Jaflong is a land of natural beauty. The piles of rocks laid out on the banks of the Piain River make Jaflong attractive. Jaflong is a tourist destination in Gowainghat upazila of Sylhet. Jaflong, 62 km northeast of Sylhet city, is located at the foot of Khasia-Jainta hills bordering Meghalaya in India, and is known as one of the most popular tourist destination in Bangladesh for its unique combination of hills and rivers.
On the other side of the border, the area is captivated by the Indian hills, the waterfalls flowing endlessly from the Dauki hills, the hanging Dauki Bridge, the crystal clear water of the Piain River, the dense forests on the high hills and the shunshan silence. Every day domestic and foreign tourists come here to see these sights. Apart from being the daughter of nature, Jaflong is also known as a beauty spot, picnic spot and queen of beauty. The attraction of Jaflong seems to be different for the travel lovers. If you don’t go to Jaflong after visiting Sylhet, the trip will remain incomplete. The beauty of winter and monsoon season is different in Jaflong. In the rainy season, the beauty of Jaflong appears in different dimensions. The dusty gray environment becomes transparent. In a gentle environment, there is a feeling of breathlessness. The wanderings of the cotton-like clouds on the green peaks of the Khasia hills, and the occasional torrential downpours of the mountainous terrain, are a danger. At the same time, the view of the white waterfall coming down from a few thousand feet above that catches everyone’s eye.
Standing on the Bangladesh border of Jaflong, one can see the high mountain ranges within the Indian border. The waterfall coming down from these hills is one of the tourist attractions. Besides, the suspension bridge of Dauki port in India also attracts many people. Besides, the spiraling Dauki river also attracts tourists. Due to the monsoon, heavy rains along the Indian border caused the river to overflow, and the river regained its vitality, making it more picturesque. The clarity of water of Dauki river is also one of the attractions of Jaflong. On the first Baishakh, around the Bengali New Year, Baishakhi Mela is organized in Jaflong. The whole area became engrossed in the festival surrounding this fair. In the rainy season and winter, the beauty of Jaflong is revealed. During the monsoon season, rainforests and rapids are a sight to behold. Moreover, the view of the clouds at the top of the hill is quite beautiful.
Among the plant species in this region, Licuala species is one of the shortest species. In Jaflong, a lot of bats live around the coconut and betel trees. Besides, bats have settled in Jaflong Bazar or Jaflong zamindar’s house. Although many bats are fleeing Jaflong to the surviving forests of Jaintia and Gowainghat, or neighboring countries, due to food crisis, human encroachment, or deforestation.
District profile of Bangladesh 