Nijhum Dweep National Park - A Jewel in the Bay of Bengal
A significant portion of the small island of Nijhum Dweep (also referred to as Nijhum Dwip), located in the Bay of Bengal under the jurisdiction of the Noakhali District of Bangladesh, was designated in 2001 as the Nijhum Dweep National Park. The park is rich in plant and animal life, as well as being home to plentiful bird-life, while hosting numerous migratory birds.
The forestry department of Bangladesh created lush mangrove forests in Nijhum Dweep as part of conservation efforts for the area. One of the main attractions in these forests is the herd of Spotted Deer, which is believed to number more than 5,000. The Keora (or Kerfa) tree was chosen for its fast growing root system, which anchors itself into the sandy ground. The leaves of this hardy tree are the spotted deer’s favorite food, but most of the leaves are too high for the deer to reach. In an excellent example of how animals help one another, the resident monkeys shake or pluck the leaves from the trees, dropping them where the deer can pick them up. The wood of the trees is used in the construction of housing, as materials for boat manufacture and the manufacture of agricultural implements, as well as fuel for domestic use. Other animals that visitors are likely to see in the Nijhum Dweep National Park and off its shores include Clawless Otter, Fishing Cat, Snakes, Tortoises, Turtles and Dolphins.
At high tide a significant potion of the island becomes covered in water, apart from the cultivated, inhabited areas. In addition to the mangrove forest, the island has huge inter-tidal mudflats and sand-flats, which are of utmost importance to resident and migratory water-fowl, and serves as the southern most stop-over for close to 100 species of migratory birds, around a dozen of which are considered to be globally critically endangered. Birding enthusiasts can look out for various species of Heron, Egret, Cormorant and Ibis, as well as Spotted Green Shank, Spotted Red Shank, Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Indian Skimmer.
The inhabited part of the island is cultivated and watered by a number of fresh water streams running across it. The people living on Nijhum Dweep make a living from fishing, and are self-sustaining to an extent through the produce they grow and there are a few markets on the island, selling all types of general necessities.
Those who have visited the Nijhum Dweep National Park will tell you that getting there is an adventure in itself, with the last leg of the journey on a local motorboat or “water-taxi”. But the general consensus is that the Nijhum Dweep National Park is a fascinating place to explore when visiting Bangladesh, and becoming acquainted with the people who live on the island is an unforgettable experience.
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User Comments & Reviews
2010-08-28 18:35:28
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2010-02-11 10:26:33
What is the cost for a cabin in launch?
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2010-01-30 17:21:53
how much time do i have need to go Tamiruddin (Hatia) to Nijhum Dweep. how can we go and back ? if we wanna go 9am and back to 6pm in Hatia, is it possible? we wanna go by launch and come back by bus how many days we have need? pls tell me details as early as possible
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2009-12-20 14:28:37
Pls give the contact add/phone no of Rest house at Nijhum Dwep
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2009-12-20 11:06:25
We r some of friends r going to Nijhum Dwip tomorrow 21st Dec, 09 by launch. I've got some of information & that is the launch named "M.V. Tipu 5 or M. V. Tipu2 launch everyday 5 p.m. for Hatiya, Tamaruddin ghaat & this journey will take 16 hours. from Tamaruddin we have to reach at jahazmara & from there we can go at Nijhum Dwip by troller (motor boat). there is 2 rest house at Nijhum Dwip for accommodation. The foods of Nijhum Dwip is only fish & there is no any good hotel. there is no electricity, just we can get the generator service only for night.
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2009-12-04 11:49:00
We visited nijhum deep last month.It is really a great journey.U can see beach and forest simuntaneously.Two rest house presnt here,one in bandortila another in nichabazar,Only transport of island is ricshaw which is too much expensive now a baby taxi is giving service.Although it will be a rough journey but a great job for younge people.
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2009-11-30 07:24:12
Please tell me any one which launch(name) can I go to tamaruddin(is it real name?). then go to nijhum dwip.
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2009-10-20 04:16:15
You may take a Hatia bound launch from Shadarghat (Dhaka). It leaves in the late afternoon, around 5pm. Get off at Tamiruddin (Hatia). 16 hours journey. From Tamiruddin take a baby taxi to Jahajmara. From there you will get motor boat to Nijhum Dwip. There is a BIWTA steamer service from Dhaka to Chittagong via Hatia, Shandip, once or twice in a week. You may go to Tamiruddin (Hatia) from Noakhali.
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2009-10-06 09:41:35
Please note that Bangladesh.com is not directly associated with any government authority, or with the Nijhum Dweep National Forest. We suggest that you contact the Ministry of Environment and Forests through their website at : http://www.moef.gov.bd/html/about/about_us.htm Regards, Bangladesh.com Team
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2009-10-04 04:23:58
pls tell me the way How a traveller can easily go there? where he /she can live? The amount required to go?
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