Ratargul Swamp Forest (রাতারগুল জলাভুমির বন) is the only swamp forest located in Bangladesh. It's a freshwater swamp forest located in Gowainghat, Sylhet. It's also called the Sundarbans of Sylhet. Its total area is 3, 325.61 acre including 504 acre declared as the animal sanctuary. You will see lot's of trees called Koroch tree (করচ গাছ ) everywhere. During my official tour to Sylhet, on Friday 11th August I went to visit Ratargul. This evergreen forest is situated by the Goain River and linked with the canal named Chengir Khal. It's a rainy season, an ideal time to to visit Ratargul because this time the forest goes under 20-30 feet water, rest of the year the water level is about 10 feet deep.
We reached to the location by car. Due to rain and lack of maintenance the road is heavily damage. It's wise to take auto-rickshaw instead of car. We lost our way but at the end with the help of locals we reached the spot. Years back this place is not that crowded but now it's a busy place full of visitors. The boatman asked for 1300, after bargaining we hired a boat by 800 tk. We started our boat journey from Goain river ghat towards Chengir Khal. It was raining there is no sound but water drops. The boatman went through the swamp forest and took us to the watch tower. From watchtower you can see the whole surrounding area, only water and trees. Most of the trees grow here are Koroch tree (scientific name is Pongamia Pinnata). If you go there don't miss the watchtower.
This swamp forest is important because it's one of the few freshwater swamp forest in the world. The forest is naturally conserved under the Department of Forestry, Govt. of Bangladesh. Ratargul Swamp Forest is really amazing, specially in rainy season.
How to go
Best practice is hire a car or auto-rickshaw from Sylhet for whole day. If you want to go locally there are several ways. One of them is get in a car to Sylhet-Jaflong road get off at Sarighat (সারিঘাট). From there by auto-rickshaw to Gowainghat Bazaar (গোয়াইনঘাট বাজার). The wharf (নৌঘাট) will be next to the market. You have to reserve a boat to get to and from Ratargul from here. But remember, you can't go to the Ratargul forest by this boat. You have to enter the forest by small boat (ডিঙি নৌকায়). Only to visit the forest the small boat will take 800-1000 tk depending on the season.
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When it comes to being in nature, nothing beats Lake Tahoe, which provides many recreational opportunities including waterskiing, Tahoe wake boarding, kayaking, swimming, canoeing, jet-skiing, paddle boating, and fishing. It's a wonderful experience for everyone to go for a spin on the crystal clear blue sea. Whether you're cruising about on a motorboat or paddling beside a buddy in a double kayak, it's a trip everyone will enjoy. To swim in the beautiful, azure Lake Tahoe waters, make sure to stop at Sunnyside Marina, where you may rent a jet ski.
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