National Botanical Garden of Bangladesh

Located at Mirpur, alongside the Dhaka Zoo. The National Botanical Garden of Bangladesh occupies an area of more than 100 acres and is both a research center and a popular tourist attraction. The research team at the garden collects and documents plant specimens from all over the country, as well as from far-off locations. The garden, which is officially known as the Bangladesh National Herbarium, is categorized into fifty-seven sections and includes a cactus house, lily ponds, a lotus pond, six lakes, two nurseries, an orchid house, a tissue culture research center and comprehensive visitor facilities.

There are two lookout towers to allow staff and visitors a view of this magnificent garden which contains more than 56,000 species of shrubs, trees, herbs and aquatic plants. The birdlife in the garden is plentiful and, depending on the season, visitors are likely to see a wide range of migratory birds mingling with the locals. Rare and exotic species of plants that have successfully adapted to the garden include Rabbit fern (Davallia canariensis), Camphor (Cinamomum camphora), Harhjora (Vitis quadrangularis), Sambucuas (Sambucus nigra), Dambia (Dombeya spectabilis), and the magnificent Amazon lily (Victoria amazonica) which thrives on one of the lakes. The leaves of the Amazon lily can reach up to 3 meters in diameter and float on the surface of the water. Their enormous flowers are white when they first open, turning to pink on the following night. As the name suggests, the Amazon lily is native to the Amazon River basin in South America.

The National Botanical Garden of Bangladesh had rather a humble beginning when, at a UNESCO symposium on Scientific Problems of Humid Tropical Deltas which had been held in Dhaka in 1964, it was decided that a herbarium should be established in Dhaka. The proposal was put forward to the government of East Pakistan which was ruling the area at the time, and was eventually approved with a budget for five years and four staff members. Following the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, the project was supported by the new government, but hit financial problems in 1973. However, the newly established Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) took over funding, with control passing to the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1994. Visitors to the National Botanical Garden of Bangladesh will soon come to appreciate the efforts put in

Mountain in Bangladesh

The Chittagong Hill Tracts is the only major hill region in Bangladesh. Situated in the southeast of the country, this Bangladeshi mountain range covers around 13 184 km squared or one-tenth of Bangladesh's land area. Keokradong is a well known mountain in Bangladesh and was at one stage considered the highest point in the country.

The Chittagong Mountains feature hogback ridges with steep inclines. To the west there are several scarps featuring waterfalls and cliffs. Large rivers such as the Feni, Sangu, Karnafuli and Matahuhuri empty into the Bay of Bengal. The major mountain ranges in Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts are Barkal, Phoromain, Saichal, Dolajeri, Wayla, Bhuachhari, Muranja, Chimbook, Saichal-Mowdok, Batimain, Politai and others. Anticlines in the hill ranges trap natural gases in the mountains.

Within the hills there are two natural lakes and a man-made lake, Rainkhiangkine Lake, Bagakine Lake and Kaptai Lake respectively. The soils of the region are chiefly brownish loam to shale or sandstone at various depths. The soil is also very acidic. This Bangladeshi mountain range has a tropical monsoon climate. From June to October it is monsoon season and the weather is warm and wet. The hills contain thick natural vegetation and agricultural farming takes place in the valleys. Thick bamboo forests, creeper jungles and large trees stretch across the mountain ranges in Bangladesh. The valleys feature verdant forests. Animal life in the hills includes various snake species (examples: king cobras, rat snakes and reticulated pythons), monkeys, jungle cats, wild boars, fishing cats and foxes. A wide variety of amphibians and other reptiles also reside here. Birdwatchers will be amazed at the abundance of bird life in the Chittagong hills.

Living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts are some 13 tribes that are further divided into almost 100 sects. The majority are Mongolian tribes such as Tipra, Magh, Murong and Chakma. Many of the tribes believe in animism whilst others follow Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity.

Several tour operators offer treks and cultural visits to the mountains of Bangladesh. This is a great way to experience both the natural beauty of the country and its people.

Bangladesh National Museum.

Located in the suburb of Shahbag, in the city of Dhaka, is the biggest museum in Bangladesh. Its staggering collection of over eighty five thousand pieces are beautifully preserved in the twenty thousand square meter building, that is home to large exhibits. Originally established as the Dhaka Museum, in the year 1913, by Lord Carmichael, the museum developed into such a large establishment, that its wealth in artifacts was acknowledged in 1983, by changing its name to the Bangladesh National Museum. The museum welcomes thousands of visitors each year and is amongst the most popular attractions in the city.

The massive four storey building is not only home to large exhibition halls, but to a conservatory laboratory, library, three auditoriums, photographic gallery, temporary exhibition hall and an audio-visual division. Amidst the striking collection of paintings, visitors will find ancient relics and items that date back centuries and act as memorabilia to the civilizations that once roamed Bangladesh. Some of the artifacts include sculptures, tapestries, votive seals, terracotta pieces, water color drawings, porcelain items, metal work, weapons and medieval armory, wooden furniture, quilts, fossils and traditional crafts, to name but a few. The exhibitions in the Bangladesh National Museum retrace the history of the country and are an insightful and educational tour of ancient worlds. Seminars and workshops hosted by the museum, answer many questions in regard to lost worlds, and educate the public on the wonderful collections that are preserved with the museum walls. It is truly a remarkable attraction and a noteworthy sight.