‘Ratargul’ is a wild green canopy over the water!
ছবি: বার্তা২৪.কম
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.
Dinghy boatman Ibrahim not only sound education but his alertness and dedication too are most required. It can be said that such a guide is available for the luck of a tourist. The one-and-a-half-hour Ratargul became rhythmic in his conversation, satisfying the food of the mind.
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.
There are various species of herbaceous plants including Hijal-Banjam-Karach-Varunga in Ratargul. In the night, the trees have grown in love with each other. The wild plants seem to be searching for each other by spreading their branches.
The deeper you go into the forest, the quieter and calmer the environment! There is no artificial sound except the soft sound of a very slow boat. Sometimes the call of crickets is floating. Sometimes the humming of birds with the call of pigeons is coming to the ears with the rustling of leaves in the gusts of wind. But in this silent environment of the forest, it would seem as if the wild plants were hugging and saying, 'You will be silent'!
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.
Although there is clear water in the rainy season in Ratargul, the water dries up in winter from the end of September and becomes a bit cloudy. Seeing the trees submerged in 8 to 10 feet of water in the rainy season at this time, it seems that the bride has returned to the pond in the morning.
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.
If there is no entrance fee in Ratargul, you have to pay Tk. 500 to 1000 for the boat trip.
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.
