Travel guide
মৌলভীবাজার · Moulvibazar district, Sylhet Division
One of Asia's larger marshes at about 181 sq km, spanning Kulaura, Juri and Barlekha (Moulvibazar) plus Golapganj-Fenchuganj (Sylhet), and declared an Ecologically Critical Area. Some 558 species of animals and birds have been identified here, with winter bringing migratory waterfowl. In the rains the entire haor floods to nearly four times its dry-season extent and stays underwater up to five months, when boat travel is the main access; in the dry season the beels shrink.
A roughly 1,250-ha semi-evergreen national park (declared 7 July 1996) inside the West Bhanugach Reserved Forest, Kamalganj upazila. It holds 460 recorded species, including the western hoolock gibbon — a 2007 census found 62 individuals in 17 groups, the biggest surviving gibbon population in Bangladesh. Only 8 km from Sreemangal town, it combines easily with tea-garden trips; early-morning trails are the most rewarding.
The Gangamara stream drops about 200 feet (61 m) from rocky Patharia Hill, making this one of Bangladesh's tallest waterfalls — a distinct site from the Srimangal tea-garden record, located in Barlekha upazila. The surrounding forest, streams and a roughly 500-acre eco park draw large picnic and day-trip crowds. The site also has Hindu significance, with a temple and an annual fair nearby.
Bangladesh's 'tea capital'. Vast tea gardens, Laskarpur bamboo groves, Madhabpur Lake and the famous seven-layer tea. Lawachara National Park and Madhabkunda waterfall are close by.
Updated: January 1, 1970
