Banshkhali Eco Park Chittagong

Banshkhali Eco Park (Banshkhali Eco Park) has been developed in Banshkhali upazila of Chittagong district in a beautiful natural environment surrounded by high and low mountains, clear water of the lake and forest area. In 2003, Banshkhali Ecopark was constructed as a government initiative at a distance of 55 km from Chittagong city with about 1,000 hectares of forest land for the purpose of conservation of biodiversity, development of wild animal habitat, eco-tourism and recreation. In 1986, when Chunti Sanctuary was announced with about 7,764 hectares of forest land, the left rim and right rim of Banskhali were included in this sanctuary.

The beauty of Banshkhali Ecopark also changes with the different seasonal variations of nature. The 674 hectares of forest land of the park of natural beauty has about 310 species of plants including zhow gardens, herb forests and ornamental trees. Notable facilities of the park include picnic spot, two-storied rest house, hilltop cottage, refreshment corner, longest suspension bridge, watch tower and mini zoo. The two large lakes of the park have all the facilities for fishing. On August 21, 2011, an information and education center containing wildlife and plant information was constructed at Banskhali Ecopark.

Besides, there are breeding centers of Maya deer, Chitra deer, Chitra cat, Tiger, Mechho tiger and birds. In winter, the green nature of this ecopark is replete with the hum of visiting birds. Standing on the high hill of the Ecopark, the azure waters of the Bay of Bengal, the waterfalls flowing around the hills and the breathtaking view of the sunset in the afternoon enthrall the tourists.

To go to Banskhali Ecopark you have to come to Chittagong city first. Banshkhali Ecopark is located 5 km away from Chittagong. It takes two to two and a half hours to go to Banskhali by bus or CNG from Chittagong.

Chittagong can be reached from Dhaka by road, rail or air. By road, various buses of Saudia, Unique, TR Travels, Greenline and Hanif Enterprises can go to Chittagong from Sayedabad in Dhaka. Tourists can go to Chittagong from Kamalapur railway station in Dhaka by Tourist Express, Cox's Bazar Express, Subarna, Turna-Nishitha, Mahanagar or Chittagong mail train. And if you want to go in less time, you can go directly from Dhaka to Chittagong in just 45 minutes by domestic airlines from Shahjalal International Airport.

You will find different quality hotels in Station Road, GEC Mor or Agrabad area of ​​Chittagong. Among the residential hotels are Hotel Star Park, Hotel Diamond Park, Hotel Miskha, Hotel Hill Ton City, Asian SR Hotel, Hotel Paramount, Hotel Safina and Hotel Silmon.

There are several standard hotels in Banshkhali and retail tea and snack shops in Manchuria Bazar. Besides, there are several good quality Bengali, Chinese or fast food restaurants in Chittagong city. And if you have a chance, you must try Chittagong's popular Mejbani food and Kala Bhuna.

Other places of interest in Chittagong: Other places of interest in Chittagong include War Cemetery , Fayez Lake , Mahamaya Lake , Jamburi Park, Chandranath Pahar, Hazarikhil Sanctuary and several interesting fountains.

Feature Image: Sagar Barua