Bangladesh In My Eyes: Sreemangal, Sylhet

Sreemangal: The Tea Capital of Bangladesh

The Tea Capital of Bangladesh known as Sreemangal. Sreemangal Tea Estate forms green carpet miles after miles on the sloping hills. The hilly area is not only covered with tea estates but also with Lemon groves, Pineapple gardens and Jack fruit trees. There are 47 tea gardens in Sreemangal. A large portion of world's highest quality tea is grown and exported from here. The first tea garden in Bangladesh Malnichhera Tea Garden is here. There are lot more to see in Sreemangal than just tea. It is well-known for nature, forests and wildlife.
Sreemangal is an Upazila of Moulvibazar District in Sylhet Division. Sreemangal Upazila was established in 1912 with an area of 450.74 km2, is bounded by Kamalganj upazila on the east, Chunarughat and Bahubal upazila on the west, Moulvibazar sadar upazila on the north, Tripura State of India on the south. Once it was a part of the Tripura State.

About Our Visit:
On 25th of December, 2014 we started for Sreemangal. I went there by bus and others by train because train ticket was not available. After having lunch we visited Baikka Beel. At the evening we took Seven Layer Tea from Nil Kantha Tea Cabin as well as did some shopping. Next day after having breakfast we went to Slaughter House, Rubber garden and Tea garden etc. At the midday we visited Lawachara National Park. After that we visit Madhabpur Lake. Third day early morning we return home by train. It was a pleasant and memorable journey and will remain fresh in our heart for a long time.

Places we visited:

Baikka Beel

Baikka Beel is a wetland (shallow natural lake) almost 100 acres in the eastern part of Hail Haor. It's about 18 km from Sreemangal. It is a heaven for the bird watchers. Every year in winter, thousands of migratory birds fly here from the cold countries. There is an observation tower at the Baikka Beel with telescope. You need to buy ticket to climb the tower and to watch birds with telescope. Even you can hire a boat and go much closer to the birds. Don't forget to bring camera. If you are planning to watch birds, you have to come very early in the morning or at the evening. Starting from Srimongol town. You can drive your own vehicle or hire a Jeep or CNG at the station road that will take you to the beel, wait and bring you back. No accommodation at the Beel for night.

Nilkantha Tea Cabin

Nilkantha tea stall is in BDR camp canteen, Kalighat road. Where you will get Seven Layers Tea. It will cost you 75 tk per cup. Though it's looks good but not that testy. Still it's an uncommon tea and people wants to drink it.

Slaughter House

Marks of War of Liberation Mass killing site. Marks of the War of Liberation Mass grave 2 (North Bharaura and South Bharaura), mass killing site 2 (BDR Camp and the backside of WAPDA office premises), memorial monument 1 (North Bharaura).

Lawachara Rain Forest

The tropical rain forest is one of the major attraction in Sreemangal. The national park is located 8 kilometres east of Sreemangal, at Kamalganj Upazila, Maulvi Bazar District in the north-eastern region of the country. Over 460 different species of birds, mammals and reptiles live in this forest. Mention able animal species include deer, wild chicken, squirrel, python, endangered hoolok gibbons, capped langoor, slow loris, birds, snakes, banana spiders etc. The park offers ample trekking opportunities through the forest and it is very popular destination for bird watching. over 260 bird species has been recorded here. It was declared a national park by the government under the Wildlife Act of 1974 on July 7, 1996.

Madhabpur Lake

Madhabpur Lake is called the lake of lotus. Lot’s of lotus flower blooms here. It is inside the Madhabpur tea estate, Kamalganj Upazila, 5 km west from Srimangal. It's a natural lake of clear water. This lake is between the small hills where tea leaves grows. It's also an ideal place for bird lovers and photographers. Every year in winter, thousands of migratory birds fly here from the cold countries. From Sreemangla use private transport, bus, CNG or Jeep to reach Kamalganj.

Some Pictures of our visited places

Sreemangal Rail Station

Baikka Beel

Observation Tower

Heron in Baikka Beel

Fisherman in Bikka Beel

Heron in Baikka Beel

Duck in Baikka Beel

Birds flying

Nilkantha Tea Cabin

Seven Layer Tea, Nilkantha Tea Cabin.

Slaughter House

Tea Research Institute

Tea Garden

Rubber garden

Tea Garden

Lawachara Rain Forest Map

Lawachara Rain Forest

Rail Line, Lawachara Forest

Madhabpur Lake

Lake of Lotus

Lotus in Madhabpur Lake

Madhabpur Lake

Madhabpur Lake Tea Garden

Beautiful Madhabpur Lake

Madhabpur Lake

P. Credit: Khatun Waliunnasa.

Picture description: Starts with Sreemangal Railway Station after that few images of Baikka Beel. Seven Layer Tea, Slaughter House, BTRI (we didn't visit it), Lawachara Rain Forest. Inside Lawachara Rain Forest railway track. Madhabpur Lake known as lake of Lotus, Tea garden inside lake and at the end one Tribal woman. Photo credit: Farial Ahmed, Khatun Waliunnasa, Quazi Tanvirul Alam, Farhana Rahman Diana, Khan Areeb Ahmed and Sahebul Karim (Me).

Some Other Tourist Places:

Hum Hum Waterfall

Hum Hum is a natural waterfall discovered in 2010 in Kamalganj upazila, Moulvibazar, Sylhet. The height of the waterfall is about 147 to 160 feet. From Sreemangal or Moulvibazar city you have to hire a jeep, CNG or any other vehicle to reach Madhabpur which takes an hour. For Up-Down Jeep will costs 2000 to 2500 tk CNG 1200-1500 tk. After reaching Kalabon Para you must hire a local guide who will take you to Hum Hum. It will take about 8km of walking to reach the Humhum. The walking road to HumHum is little dangerous because of several types of obstacles like small rock, mud, leeches etc. You must prepare yourself and please take necessary first aid.

Madhabkunda Waterfall

Madhabkunda Waterfall (মাধবকুন্ড ঝরনা) at Barlekha Upazila in Moulvibazar is one of the largest waterfalls in Bangladesh. It's about 200 ft high and a popular tourist spot in our country. You can visit Madhabkunda from Sylhet or Moulvibazar by road. It's about 70 km far from Sreemangal, 5 km away from Dakshinbagh railway station. The journey to Madhabkunda itself is exotic, the road goes through tea gardens and hills. On the way visitors can see the greenish beauty of tea garden, the hills and the zigzag road through the hills.The entry ticket price is only 10 tk per person. Inside the waterfall area there is a small park for children's and a watch tower. Both need tickets of 10 tk per person. There is a car parking near waterfall for the visitors.

I went there on 12th August, Friday - 2016. Read more...

Madhabkunda Waterfall

Rema Kalenga Reserved Forest

The Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest and wildlife sanctuary in Bangladesh is located in Chunarughat upazila of Habiganj, very near to Srimangal of Moulvibazar district and adjacent to the Tripura border of India. This protected forest is a part of the Tarap hill reserved forest - the largest remnant of Bangladesh Highland Natural Forest also the second largest natural forest in Bangladesh after the Sundarbans. It is also the country's second largest wildlife sanctuary and the richest in terms of biodiversity. This is a dry and evergreen forest, encompasses several hills of different elevations and low lying valleys. It was established in 1982. Four different ethnic communities (Tripura, Shantal, Telugu and Urang) live in and around the forest. The highest peak of the hill is about 67 meter from the sea level. Rema-Kalenga wildlife sanctuary is rich in rare species plants & animals. Recorded species include 37 mammals, 167 birds, 7 amphibians, 18 reptiles and 638 species of plants.

Shatchari Forest

Satchari National Park is in Habiganj District, located about 60km south-west of Sreemangal. Formerly known as the Telepara Reserve Forest . Satchari National Park was built on 243 hectares of land. There are seven streams flowing in this jungle, and the name 'Satchari' came from there. It is a superb slab of tropical forest with a higher diversity of plants and animals than Lawachara.

Tribal Villages

There are four tribal villagers Tripura, Garo, Khasia and Monipuri. Monipuri tribal people known as colorful community. You have the opportunity to experience the life and culture of the tribal people. This tribe has very popularity for their enriched culture and traditional weaving as famous dance, singing and handicrafts.

Bangladesh Tea Research Institute

BTRI is an autonomous organization under the Bangladesh Tea Board (BTB), located about 3.2 km away from Sreemongal. It is the only one tea research institute in Bangladesh established on 28 February 1957 as a tea research station. After liberation, it was raised to the state of an institute and become Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI) in 1973.

Tea Museum

Don’t forget to visit Tea Museum in British Karighor tea resort. Tea Resort is located on the Sreemangal-Kamalganj Road, two kilometres from Sreemangal Sadar. This museum is preserving the heritage of tea gardens and introducing the new generation to the culture and history of this industry. It has four rooms with furniture and other materials used in tea gardens during the British period and before pre-liberation Bangladesh.

Hakaluki Haor

This is a 192 sq kilometer marsh wetland ecosystem of North-Eastern Bangladesh. It's about 80 km far from Sreemangal, Dhaka - Moulvibazar highway. It supports a wide range of migratory birds and fishes, hence it is a good location for seasonal bird watching.

Archaeological heritage:

1. Nirmmai Shib Bari (1454 AD)
2. Tamrashasan of Raja Marundanath (11th century, discovered in Kalapur village, now in Calcutta Museum)
3. Statue of Ananta Naraiyan (discovered during excavation in Lamua village, now in Calcutta Museum)

How to go Sreemangal:

You can go Sreemangal by train or by bus. Train journey is more comfortable then bus. But if you choose bus you will see a sculpture of Cha Konna in Moulvibazar near Shat Gao Tea garden which is there to welcome you.

Dhaka to Sreemangal by Bus:
Shymoli and Hanif from Saidabad bus terminal, Ena from Mohakhali bus terminal etc.

Dhaka to Sreemangal By Train:
Parabath Express, Jaintika Express, Kalli Express, Upaban Express.

Accommodation:
When you’ll reach Sreemangal you get many sorts of hotels and Resort.

# Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation
Madhabkunda, Barolekha, Moulavibazar

# Grand Sultan Tea Resort and Golf
Radhanagar, Sreemangal, Moulvibazar
Tel: +880 1730-793551

# Green Valley Guest House
South Baligaon (Boter Thol), Bhanugach (opposite HEED Bangladesh Hospital)
Tel: +880 171 267 2744
info@greenvalleysri.com

# Swiss Valley Resort
Kechulotte, Airport road, Shamser Nagar, Moulvibazar

# Nishorgo Nirob Eco Cottage
Radhanagar, Sreemangal, Moulvibazar
Mob: 01715041207

# Hermitage
Radhanagar, Sreemangal, Moulvibazar
Mob: 01932831653

# Shantibari Guest House.
Radhanagar, 5 km from Sreemangal, Moulvibazar
Mob: 01716189288

# Hermitage Guest House
Radhanagar, Sreemangal, Moulvibazar
Mob: 01932831653
# Tea Resort
Vanugash Road
Mob: 01712916001

# Rainforest Resort
2 to 3 km far from Sreemangal in Dhaka road

Some other hotels within 500 to 1500 tk range:

# Hotel Tea Town
Mob: 01718316202

# Hotel Plaza
Mob: 01711390039

# Hotel United
Mob: 01723033695

Here is a five day plan for you:

# Day one and two:
1. Lawachara Rain Forest
2. Madhubpur Lake
3. Baikka bill
4. BTRI

# Day three:
1. Humhum fall

# Day four and five:
1. Madhabkunda Waterfall
2. Hakaluki Haor
3. Shatchari Forest
4. Tribal Villages

Sreemangal in Google Map