The scorching heat of the sun is coming down. The scorching heat of Bhadra then sang the song of cooler. On such a calm afternoon, from a distance of about half a mile, there are a handful of green canopies on the blue horizon. There is a lake like a narrow canal, where rows and rows of dinghy boats are crowded. To respond to wild water’s call is like arranging this at the entrance for me.
I got on a dinghy and plunged into the dense forest of the Sundarbans Ratargul in illusive Sylhet. This forest, which grows naturally on water in Gowainghat Upazila, is mainly a water forest. It is Swamp Forest. The main beauty of the nights is the rainy season. Then the submerged forest creates an enchanted environment. Now that the rains are over, the water has receded.
Murta trees and Binna have been cultivated on both sides of the canal. The deeper the boat goes through the night, the more thrilling it is. In the middle of the winding path and on both sides, rows of green trees and bushes spread fascination. As the boat moved, it seemed that it hit a tree with branches.
Ibrahim said that there are a lot of local variety fish in this swamp. The people of the village hunt fish.
When evidence of this was found, some lively teenagers were found fishing with dives.
Ratargul have to go by boat only. It is a different feeling to wander under the green canopy of trees, plants and shrubs by boat! Which makes the mind a monk. The heart becomes soft in the obsession of feeling better. Leaving the glamour, the green illusive heart fluttered.
It is known that there are many irregularities with boat travel here. Attempts are made to extort more money from tourists.
According to Ibrahim, there are 25 species of plants in the 331-acre Ratargul. This forest of water is the abode of snakes. However, with the increase in human movement, the number of snakes has decreased. Also found are tigers, monkeys and leeches. Birds include white buck, blind buck, kingfisher, green pigeon, bulbuli, pankauri, dhupi, pigeon, kite and hawk. Many migratory birds including sand ducks come to Ratargul in winter.
How to go:-
From Dhaka to Sylhet can be reached by road, rail and air. Ratargul will be 25-26 km from Sylhet. You have to rent a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw from Sylhet city. Auto -rickshaws can be taken by reserving or sharing. There are residential hotels and resorts in and around Sylhet city and Ratagul for accommodation.