Park, eco park and picnic spot, Chattogram
Banshkhali Eco Parkবাঁশখালী ইকোপার্ক
- Time needed
- Three hours; a day with the coast.
- best months
- Nov–Feb
- Cost
- A small entry ticket.
A thousand hectares of hill forest, two lakes and a hanging bridge at Shilkup in Banshkhali, 50 km south-west of the city, declared an eco-park in 2003, with the Bay's long coast a few kilometres west.
Plan your visit
- Best time
- November to February.
At a glance
- Declared
- 2003, Bangladesh Forest Department
- Area
- About 1,000 hectares
- From the city
- About 50 km south-west, Shilkup union
About
The Forest Department made an eco-park of the Bamerchhara and Danerchhara forest ranges in 2003: about 1,000 hectares of hills, sal and mixed forest, two reservoirs behind small dams, a hanging bridge over the water, viewing towers, a picnic ground and paths through the trees. It is the wildest of the district's parks, with birds, monkeys and the occasional deer, and the ridges give views to the sea on one side and the hills of the Hill Tracts on the other.
Banshkhali's own coast, long and nearly empty, is a few kilometres further west, and the two together make a full day from the city. The road is the thing to check: the trip is about 50 km but can take two hours.
Getting there: Bus from the city's Bahaddarhat terminal to Banshkhali, then a CNG to the park gate at Shilkup; about two hours in all.
Things to do
- Cross the hanging bridge and climb a tower for the sea and the hills.
Good to know
- Bring food and water; stay on the marked paths and leave before dusk.
