Ratargul Swamp Forest
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{{Short description|Swamp forest in Bangladesh}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
File:পানিতে নিমজ্জিত রাতারগুল জলাবনের গাছ.jpg tree in Ratargul Swamp Forest]]
Ratargul Swamp Forest ({{langx|syl|ꠞꠣꠔꠣꠞꠉꠥꠟ ꠎꠟꠣꠛꠘ}}, {{langx|bn|রাতারগুল জলাবন}}) is a freshwater swamp forest located in Gowain River, Fatehpur Union, Gowainghat, Sylhet, Bangladesh. Ratargul was once thought to be the only swamp forest in Bangladesh,{{cite news |title=রাতারগুলকে ছাড়িয়ে জুগিরকান্দি 'মায়াবন' |url=https://www.somoynews.tv/pages/details/62329/%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%BC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF-%E2%80%98%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E2%80%99 |access-date=11 August 2022 |publisher=Somoy TV |date=1 October 2016}}{{cite news |title=বাংলাদেশের একমাত্র জলাবন রাতারগুল |url=https://www.dw.com/bn/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2/g-17789331 |access-date=11 August 2022 |publisher=Deutsche Welle |date=16 July 2014}}{{cite news |title=জলাবন রাতারগুল |url=https://bangla.bdnews24.com/lifestyle/article834184.bdnews |access-date=11 August 2022 |publisher=bdnews24.com |date=11 August 2014}} and one of the few freshwater swamp forests in the world. Later, more swamp forests namely Jugirkandi Mayabon, Bujir Bon and Lokkhi Baor swamp forest were discovered in Bangladesh.{{cite news |title=মায়াবন |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/photo/bangladesh/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8 |access-date=11 August 2022 |publisher=Prothom Alo |date=27 September 2016}}{{cite news |title=সিলেটে নতুন পর্যটন স্পট বুজির বন |url=https://www.dailynayadiganta.com/travel/433124/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%9F-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8 |access-date=8 August 2022 |publisher=Daily Naya Diganta |date=18 August 2019}}{{cite news |title=লোকচক্ষুর আড়ালে রাতারগুলের চেয়েও বড় ও প্রাচীন জলাবন লক্ষ্মীবাওর |url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/online/country-news/2020/12/03/981911 |access-date=8 August 2022 |publisher=Kaler Kantho|date=3 December 2020}}
Its area is {{convert|3325.61|acre|ha|abbr=on}} including {{convert|504|acre|ha|abbr=on}} declared as the animal sanctuary in 2015. It is known as the Sundarbans of Sylhet. This is second largest swamp forest in Bangladesh, located {{convert|26|km}} from Sylhet.
The evergreen forest{{cite web|url=http://e-bangla.blogspot.in/2011/11/land-found-in-haors.html|title=The land found in the haors|access-date=12 September 2016}} is situated by the river Goain and linked with the channel Chengir Khal. Most of the trees growing here are the Dalbergia reniformis (করচ গাছ Koroch tree). The forest is submerged under {{convert|20–30|ft|m|abbr=on}} of water in the rainy season. For the rest of the year, the water level is about {{convert|10|ft|m|abbr=on}} deep.{{cite web|url=http://www.banglaview24.com/tourist-places/ratargul-swamp-forest.html|title=Ratargul Swamp forest – Bangladesh|access-date=12 September 2016}}{{cite news |title=Ratargul: Only swamp forest in Bangladesh |url=http://www.daily-sun.com/details_yes_13-05-2012_Ratargul_142_1_2_1_2.html |work=Daily Sun |date=13 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515073421/http://www.daily-sun.com/details_yes_13-05-2012_Ratargul_142_1_2_1_2.html |archive-date=15 May 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://wtd.unwto.org/en/photo-competitor/2012-08-31/ratargul-swamp-forest|title=Ratargul swamp forest – World Tourism Day|access-date=12 September 2016}}
Location
File:Ratargul Swamp Forrest Sylhet 2.jpg
File:Watchtower at Ratargul Swamp Forest.jpg
Ratargul is about 26 kilometres from Sylhet. There is a 3,325 acres wetland in Sylhet range-2 under the forest department and in that wetland Ratargul swamp forest is about 504 acres{{Cite web|url=http://www.visitbangladesh.biz/2013/09/swamp-forest-ratargul-amazon-of.html|title=Swamp Forest Ratargul : Amazon of Bangladesh |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171223162650/http://www.visitbangladesh.biz/2013/09/swamp-forest-ratargul-amazon-of.html|archive-date= 2017-12-23|url-status= |access-date= 2024-04-29}} It is located in Gowainghat. After reaching Gowainghat, tourists reserve a local engine boat namely "traller" to reach the forest.{{cite web|url=http://nijhoom.com/ratargul-swamp-forest-faq/|title=Ratargul Swamp Forest in Bangladesh – traveling FAQs|date=2 October 2012|access-date=12 September 2016}} There are two haors, Shimul Bil haor and Neoa Bil Haor, in the south part of the forest.[http://www.kalerkantho.com/index.php?view=details&type=gold&data=Cook&pub_no=626&cat_id=3&menu_id=22&news_type_id=1&index=0&archiev=yes&arch_date=28-08-2011 Swamp Forest Ratargul], Istiak Hasan; spotlight, Daily Kaler Kantho; Publish date: 28 August 2011. Access date: 13 October 2015.
Climate
Tropical air from the northwest of Sylhet causes heavy rainfall. According to Sylhet Weather Centre, average annual rainfall is {{convert|4162|mm|in|abbr=on}}. July hosts the most rainfall, with measures averaging {{convert|1250|mm|in|abbr=on}}. December is the driest season with 74% relative density, compared to more than 90% in July and August. The forest is linked with the Gowain River through the lake Chengir Khal. During the rainy season, water from India overflows into the lake from the Gowain River and the forest becomes flooded. This continues through the wet season from May to early October. During this time of the year, the average high temperature hits {{convert|32|C}}, and in January, the coolest month, the average high sits around {{convert|12|C}}. During the rainy season, the trees of the swamp submerge about {{cvt|10|ft}} and in some cases up to {{cvt|20|ft}} under water, but the forest emerges during the dry season.{{cite book| first=Junayed K. |last=Chowdhury |year=2004 |title=Biodiversity of Ratargul Swamp Forest, Sylhet |publisher=IUCN The World Conservation Union| oclc=255416492}}[http://www.hybridknowledge.info/2013/11/ratargul-swamp-forest.html Ratargul Swamp Forest climate]
Plant diversity
File:Snake in Ratagul Swamp Forest.JPG
73 species of plants could be found in the forest till now. 80 percent of the forest area is covered with umbrella of the trees.
Two layers of plants can be seen in the swamp forest. The upper layer consists of trees and the lower one consists of intense Schumannianthus dichotomus. The forest canopy reaches up to {{convert|15|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
Though the forest is natural, the Forestry Department of Bangladesh has planted some watery plants like Calamus tenuis, Neolamarckia cadamba, Barringtonia acutangula. Banyan Tree is very common in the forest. Besides that, Barringtonia acutangula, Dalbergia reniformis, Crateva religiosa or Hygrophila (plant), Alstonia scholaris can also be seen.{{cite news |url=http://www.kalerkantho.com/index.php?view=details&type=gold&data=Cook&pub_no=626&cat_id=3&menu_id=22&news_type_id=1&index=0&archiev=yes&arch_date=28-08-2011 |script-title=bn:জলের বন রাতারগুল |author=Ishtiaque Hasan |date=28 August 2011 |work=Kaler Kantho |language=bn}}
Animal diversity
Snakes and worm snakes can widely be seen in this water-drowned forest. Mongoose can be seen in dry season. Monkeys and water monitors also reside here. herons, egrets, kingfishers, parrot, bulbuls, swans, doves, water fowl, Eagles and kites are some of the birds of the swamp forest. Cotton pygmy goose and other migratory birds and vultures visit the forest in winter. The local names of fish present here are Batasio, Rita, Ompok, Rohu etc.
Tourists attraction
Tourists mostly go to see the forest during the monsoon season. One needs to obtain permission from the forest office in order to visit the forest. A local boat also needs to be hired to travel through the swamp forest.
There is a watchtower inside the forest where you can overlook the whole forest from above.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
Gallery
Ratargul-02.jpg|Children in a boat on the Shari-Goyain River in Ratargul Swamp Forest
Beautiful bangladesh Raatargul 6.jpg
Dusk,time to return home.jpg
Jointa haor.jpg
See also
{{Portal|Wetlands}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
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- {{Cite web|url=http://www.visitbangladesh.biz/2013/09/swamp-forest-ratargul-amazon-of.html|title=Swamp Forest Ratargul : Amazon of Bangladesh |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171223162650/http://www.visitbangladesh.biz/2013/09/swamp-forest-ratargul-amazon-of.html|archive-date= 2017-12-23|url-status= |access-date= 2024-04-29}}
{{Sylhet District}}
Category:Forests of Bangladesh
Category:Wetlands of Bangladesh