Hiron Point Khulna

Hiron Point is a protected sanctuary located on the banks of Pramatta Kunga river in Khulna range in the southern part of Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest area . Another name for Hiran Point, one of the World Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO, is Neel Kamal. Being a sanctuary, Hiran Point has easily become a safe natural habitat for various species of wildlife including monkeys, deer, tigers, reptiles and birds. As a result, one of the attractions of Sundarbans is the sighting of animals like Royal Bengal Tiger, Chitra deer, Large Egret, Crying khocha, Dhyani buck etc.

Deer, monkeys, guisap, crocodiles etc. are often seen while walking along the beautiful wooden road at Hiran Point. Besides, there is a watch tower at Keorasuthi, just 3 km from Hiran Point. From the watch tower one can enjoy the natural beauty of part of Sundarbans including Hiran Point.

Travel fee per person per day for students in sanctuary area – Tk 30, Travel fee for general domestic tourists – Tk 150, Travel fee for foreign tourists – Tk 1500. Outside the sanctuaries students travel fee – Tk 20, general tourist fee – Tk 70, foreign tourists travel fee – Tk 1000 and researcher travel fee – Tk 40.

Apart from the forest department travel fee, other expenses include guide fee of Tk 500 per day, security guard fee of Tk 300, launch crew fee of Tk 70 and telecommunication fee of Tk 200. Besides, the video camera fee is Tk 200 for domestic tourists and Tk 300 for foreigners.

Pilgrims during Ras Purnima in Sundarbans have to pay a fee of Tk 50 per person for 3 days, registered trawler fee Tk 200, unregistered trawler fee Tk 800 and trawler fee Tk 200 for daily stay.

At present, about a hundred companies are engaged in tourism business in Sundarbans. You can visit Sundarbans easily with a good tour management company. Various buses ply from Gabtali and Syedabad bus terminals in Dhaka to Bagerhat. Buses of Meghna Paribahan (01717-388553) and Tourist Paribahan (01711-131078) depart from Syedabad Bus Terminal. And buses of Sakura Paribahan (01711-010450) and Sohag Paribahan (01718-679302) depart from Gabtali Bus Terminal. If you want you can come to Khulna by train from Kamalapur. You will get a launch from Khulna to Rupsa or Bagerhat from Mongla Port to Sundarban Hiran Point. Apart from this, various boat rentals are also available from Morelganj, Sarankhola in Bagerhat to Sundarbans.

Accommodation is available at Kachikhali at Tiger Point in Sundarbans, Neelkamal at Hiran Point and Katkay forest department rest houses. If you want to stay in Nilkamal, you will need 3000 rupees per room for domestic tourists and 5000 rupees for foreigners. 3000 rupees per room for foreigners and 5000 rupees for foreigners. 2000 rupees per room in Cuttack and 5000 rupees per room for foreigners.

There are tourist corporation hotels for accommodation in Mongla and basic residential hotels are available at Pasur port. Apart from this, there is an opportunity to stay overnight in different quality hotels located in Satkhira and Khulna cities.

Feature Image: Didarul Alam