Forest and mangrove, Sylhet
Ratargul Swamp Forestরাতারগুল জলাবন
- Time needed
- Half a day from the city.
- best months
- Jul–Oct
- Cost
- Small boat for a few people about ৳750–1,500.
A freshwater swamp forest in Gowainghat where the trees stand in water through the rains: you glide between the trunks in a small wooden boat.
Plan your visit
- Best time
- July to October, when the forest is flooded.
At a glance
- Area
- About 3,325 acres
- Protected
- Sanctuary since 1973
About
Ratargul covers more than 3,300 acres beside the Gowain river, and part of it has been protected as a wildlife sanctuary since 1973. Koroch and hijal trees grow thick enough to shade the water, and in the monsoon the whole forest floods to several feet deep.
Boatmen paddle you along narrow channels for an hour or so; it is quiet enough to hear kingfishers and see monkeys. A watchtower stands at the edge. In the dry months the water drains and the forest is far less striking.
Getting there: About an hour by CNG or car from the city to the Motorghat or Chowrongi ghat, then a boat.
Things to do
- A slow boat ride through the flooded trees.
- Climb the watchtower for the view over the canopy.
Good to know
- Keep quiet and take your rubbish back; snakes and leeches live here, so keep hands out of the water.
