Ratargul Swamp Forest (Bengali: রাতারগুল জলাবন) is a freshwater swamp forest located in Gowain River, Fatehpur Union, Gowainghat, Sylhet, Bangladesh. Ratargul was once thought to be the only swamp forest in Bangladesh,[1][2][3] and one of the few freshwater swamp forests in the world. Later, more swamp forests namely Jugirkandi Mayabon, Bujir Bon and Lokkhi Baor swamp forest were discovered in Bangladesh.[4][5][6]
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Its area is 3,325.61 acres (1,345.83ha) including 504 acres (204ha) declared as the animal sanctuary in 2015. It is known as the Sundarbans of Sylhet. This is second largest swamp forest in Bangladesh, located 26 kilometres (16mi) from Sylhet.
The evergreen forest[7] is situated by the river Goain and linked with the channel Chengir Khal. Most of the trees growing here are the Dalbergia reniformis (করচ গাছ Koroch tree). The forest is submerged under 20–30ft (6.1–9.1m) water in the rainy season. For the rest of the year, the water level is about 10ft (3.0m) deep.[8][9][10]
Location
Ratargul is about 26 kilometres from Sylhet. There is a 3,325 acres wetland in Sylhet range-2 under the forest department and in that wetland Ratargul swamp forest is about 504 acres[11] It is located in Gowainghat. After reaching Gowainghat, tourists reserve local engine boat namely "traller" to reach forest.[12] There are two haors, Shimul Bil haor and Neoa Bil Haor, in the south part of the forest.[13]
Climate
Tropical air from the northwest of Sylhet causes heavy rainfall. According to Sylhet Weather Centre, average annual rainfall is 4,162mm (163.9in). July hosts the most rainfall, with measures averaging 1,250mm (49in). December is the driest season with 74% relative density, compared to more than 90% in July and August. The forest is linked with the Gowain River through the lake Chengir Khal. During the rainy season, water from India overflows into the lake from the Gowain River and the forest becomes flooded. This continues through the wet season from May to early October. During this time of the year, the average high temperature hits 32°C (90°F), and in January, the coolest month, the average high sits around 12°C (54°F). During the rainy season, the trees of the swamp submerge about 10ft (3.0m) and in some cases up to 20ft (6.1m) under water, but the forest emerges during the dry season.[14][15]
Plant diversity
73 species of plants could be found in the forest till now. 80 percent of the forest area is covered with umbrella of the trees.[14]
Two layers of plants can be seen in the swamp forest. The upper layer consists of trees and the lower one consists of intense Schumannianthus dichotomus. The forest canopy reaches up to 15m (49ft) tall.[citation needed]
Tourists mostly go to see the forest in monsoon. One needs to take permission from the forest office to visit the forest. A local boat needs to be hired to travel through the swamp forest. There is a building tower inside the forest. If you go up there, you can see the whole view of the forest.[citation needed]
Gallery
Children in a boat on the Shari-Goyain River in Ratargul Swamp Forest
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