Jaflong

Jaflong is a hill station and popular tourist destination in the Division of Sylhet, Bangladesh. It is located in Gowainghat Upazila of Sylhet District and situated at the border between Bangladesh and the Indian state of Meghalaya, overshadowed by subtropical mountains and rainforests. Jaflong is famous for its stone collections and is home of the Khasi tribe.

Geography

Jaflong is one of the most attractive tourist spots in Sylhet division. It is about 60 km from Sylhet town and takes two hours drive to reach there. Jaflong is also a scenic spot nearby amidst tea gardens and rare beauty of rolling stones from hills. It is situated besides the river Mari in the lap of Hill Khashia.

Attractions

• Collection of rolling stones
• Colorful tribal life  (Khasi people)
• Khasia Rajbari (king’s palace)
• Dauki and Piyain Rivers
• Tea Garden
• Orange and jackfruit gardens
• Betel leaf and areca nut gardens
• Dauki Bazar

Stone crushing

The land grabbers occupied government khas land and reserved forestland and extracted stone by cutting small hills polluting the environment of Jaflong. They also established crushing mills on the forestland without permission from government.

 

Forestation program

In early 2005, Laskar Muqsudur Rahman, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Sylhet Forest Division, observed that Jaflong that he heard in his boyhood as the 'lungs' of Greater Sylhet was at stake due to ongoing encroachments and establishment of unauthorized stone crushing mills. He took initiatives to recover the land and establish a recreation-cum-botanical park named as 'Jaflong Green Park'. The first foundation stone for the thematic Green Park at Jaflong was laid by Laskar Muqsudur Rahman, Deputy Conservator of Forests in 2005 with the cooperation of local forest staffs led by Forest Ranger Mohammad Ali. Nonetheless, at the inception it was a challenging task due to local conflicts and procedural constraints. The forestation program in Jaflong Green Park has been started under supervision of the joint forces, Jaflong Foundation and Forest Department. They have jointly taken up the forestation program with about 100 hectares of grabbed land. Under the forestation program, various types of trees, including hybrid Akash-moni, are being planted in the park to maintain ecological balance.

Lawacherra Rain Forest

Lawacherra Rain Forest, Sylhet is one of the most well-preserved &the important forests in Bangladesh. It is the perfect place where you will get to see rich flora and fauna of the valley of Sylhet.Today the Lawacherra Rain Forest in sanctuaries and national parks, collectively known as Protected Areas are the best place to see green Bangladesh. Lawachara rain forest is one of the major national park/sanctuary/reserve in Bangladesh. In 1997 Bangladesh government declared it A National Park.

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Hoolock gibbons is one seriously endangered higher primate in Bangladesh. And also Slow Loris, Pig-tailed Macaque, Rhesus Macaque, Assamese Macaque, Capped Langur, Phayre’s Leaf-monkey, Jackal, Wild Dog, Sloth Bear or Himalayan Black Bear, Yellow-throated Marten, Tiger, Fishing Cat, Leopard Cat, Wild Pig, Sambar, Barking Deer, Indian Giant, wile bore and even King Cobra settle their presence. Local elders speak of leopards roaming the jungle, but those have long been extinct. Birds of different species are found here. Khasia, Monipuri, tripura are the main inhabitants of this forest. They have rich cultural and religious heritage. It’s also tourist attraction. They make their villages high on hilltop in deep forest and so far from town.

Lawacherra Rain Forest is a two hour drive from Sylhet. Getting Lawachara NP from Dhaka, daily bus services are available from Dhaka to Srimongal every hour and take about 3.5 hour. Accommodation facilities are abundant in Srimongal. Facilities include entry-level Tea Town Guest House, mid level Sandya Hotel and high-end Tea Resort. Lodging is also available at BTRI Rest House. Here you will find suitable accommodation. The mini bungalows of the Tea Research Institute are available.

Bahadur Shah Park

Bahadur Shah Park, located in Dhaka, Bangladesh, is a striking war memorial set amidst the splendor of nature. It was built in 1858 at the initiative of Nawab Khwaja Abdul Ghani, in the Sadarghat area. It was called Victoria Park until 1947. After that, it was renamed after Bahadur Shah II, the last Mughal emperor.

History

In the late-nineteenth century it was the centre of the Colonial city in European style with several civic and religious buildings and educational institutions around it. During the eighteenth century, the European started a club for them. They played, among other games, billiard, and hence the premise was called 'Anta Gharer Maidan'. The English later demolished it and created a round-about park facing the St Thomas church. The club was shifted elsewhere which later became the famous Dhaka club. The park became a major node in the road network of old Dhaka. In the past, it had all important buildings and establishments around it, many of which are gone now. It is where the mutineers of the failed 1857 Revolt ('Sipahi mutiny for freedom fight') were publicly hanged. It was also the scene from where accession by Queen Victoria and India was announced amidst much funfair in 1858, and hence the original name of 'Victoria Park' bestowed. An obelisk to commemorate a personnel was also erected there. After Partition, the historically more important monument, symbolising this place, was erected on the Centenary of Sepoy Revolt, and the park was renamed 'Bahadur Shah Park'.

In stone throw distance around the park, important institutional buildings such as court,Bank, DC's office and Jagannath College are situated.

 

Architectural significance

Bahadur Shah Park is enriched with some architectural displays. It has two entrances. Plenty of trees really make the place majestic. The sculptures in the park are one of a kind. There is a tall memorial at the eastern side. It is an Obelisk which commemorates the ascending of the throne of Queen Victoria as Empress of India and British Empire. There is another magnificent sculpture at the western part. It was built in the honour of the martyrs. There is also an octagonal fountain in the middle of a star shaped fountain in the park. It is a place of pride for our country. Bahadur Shah Park now attracts the young and the old, who come here to enjoy the peaceful environment. Whether you are interested in the history of Bangladesh or are simply looking for a place to take a relaxing stroll, Bahadur Shah Park is a delightful attraction in Dhaka.

Today

The towering monument of the park in the city is now losing its glory as most of its historic infrastructure is fading away due to neglect. Its boundary wall has collapsed. People have occupied its land and part of the footpath to illegally set up shops and other business. A witness to events of the last one and a half centuries the park now somehow maintains existence with no initiative to preserve the heritage. Under the circumstances, the DCC initiative is a good step to save the heritage site. The condition of the area is now terrible. People using the park's footpath very often fall victim to many incidents. Toll collectors and vagabonds are dominating the area and are indulging in snatching which is on the rise. Historical Bahadur Shah Park (Victoria Park) lost all its importance and glamour. The park is now showing wretched condition of the last relic of the Mughal Empire.Witness to many historic events and once a traditional place for sojourn have lost all glamour. Moreover, water from the only big artificial waterfall of the park could not be drained.

Activities

There were many institutions around the park. These are Jagannath College, Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul College, City Corporation Mohila College, Government Muslim High School and Sunflower High School, among many others. At daytime, students of these institutions gather and gossip in the park area and many health conscious people entered into the park for jogging and walking both in the morning and in the afternoon. This fantastic attraction in Dhaka provides travelers with the opportunity to look back into the turbulent history of Bangladesh. The park attracts some two thousand visitors each day and frequently sets the scene for cultural and religious festivals. Every day more than 2,000 people including women and the elderly arrive thereafter and before dark to do exercise and spend leisure.

Hajiganj Fort

Hajiganj Fort is a Mughal Fort. It was built on the bank of Shitalakshya River at present-day Hajiganj in Narayanganj, Bangladesh. According to Munsi Rahman Ali this Mughal fort was probably established during the time of Mir Jumla.  On the other hand Ahmed Hasan Dani on his “Muslim Architecture in Bengal” said that Islam Khan build the Fort after setting the capital at Dhaka. As there is no stone inscription found at Fort it’s still undecided who build it but Mughal use this fort to counter the raids of the Maghs and the Portuguese Hajiganj Fort situated on the western bank of the Sitalakshya River at Hajiganj in Narayanganj. This Mughal fort was probably established during the time of mir jumla to counter the raids of the Maghs and the Portuguese.

The fort, quadrangular in size, consists of a pentagonal curtain wall machicolated for muskets with rounded corner bastioins, rampart wall around the wall inside, a free tall square column in a corner, and a gateway towards the river.

Himchori and Inani Beach

There are many attractions for the tourists around Cox’s Bazaar. From Cox’s Bazaar Sea shore, you can go to these places by jeep and it is really exotic to drive on the seashore. Himchori is famous for waterfall, though in the winter season it dwindles but during the rainy season it’s really a fabulous and full waterfall can be enjoyed. Inani beach is famous for the rock and coral boulders; you will find big coral boulders in this beach. You can plan a trip to Inani beach via Himchory for a half day or may be a full day sightseeing. Please take packet lunch with you.