Best 5 Eco-Tourism Sites in Bangladesh
Travel calms the soul and enriches the mind. Bangladesh is the world’s largest delta. Its flat lands, countless rivers, hills, lakes, and canals make the country a perfect place for ecotourism.
Ecotourism means enjoying, exploring, and learning about the divine beauty of nature without harming the environment. It is one of the best ways to learn about a region’s people, nature, and way of life.
Today, we’ll introduce you to some of the best ecotourism sites in Bangladesh.
Why is Bangladesh Perfect for Eco-Tourism?
Bangladesh is a highly fertile delta region, rich with evergreen forests, hilly valleys, and home to diverse indigenous communities. The country’s sustainable rural lifestyle and eco-friendly environment are key drivers of its economy.
Most of Bangladesh’s natural areas are still untouched by commercial tourism. That makes it even more appealing to eco-travelers who prefer clean, crowd-free nature spots.
Let’s explore some of the most popular and well-known eco-tourism sites in Bangladesh.
1. Ratargul Swamp Forest
Special Feature:
Ratargul is Bangladesh’s only freshwater swamp forest. Globally, there are only 22 of these rare forests, and just two in South Asia — one in Sri Lanka, and the other right here in Sylhet, Bangladesh.
Often called the “Amazon of Bangladesh” Ratargul transforms into a magical water-world during the monsoon (May to September). The tall shrubs and trees are half-submerged, creating a surreal, dreamlike scene.
Every year, thousands of visitors travel from all over Bangladesh to witness this natural wonder. In the rainy season, it feels like a kingdom of water — some trees are waist-deep, others are nearly halfway underwater.
Fishermen cast their nets nearby, and the dense tree cover creates a mysterious, shady atmosphere.
Location:
Ratargul Swamp Forest is about 22 kilometers from Sylhet city, located near Gowainghat and covering around 3,000 square kilometers.
Eco Activities:
Hop into a kayak and paddle into the forest’s quiet heart — you’ll hear a symphony of nature: birds chirping, water rippling, and the hum of insects. It’s like nature’s own music concert. Swimming and photography here are also popular.
Tips: Snakes are sometimes spotted in the area, so be careful when climbing trees or swimming.
2. Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Eco Park
Special Feature:
Sitakunda Eco Park started in 1998 as Bangladesh’s first eco-park, created by the government. The hills, forests, wildlife, waterfalls, and bird songs all make the park rich and vibrant.
You’ll find rolling hills, monkeys, rabbits, and various wild animals. The park is home to many trees and plants like Arjun, Chapalish, Jarul, Tun, Telsur, Chundul, along with many flowers, fruits, and medicinal plants.
At sunset, the park glows with a reddish light that feels almost magical. Inside the park, there are two hill waterfalls. The Orchid House holds a collection of 50 types of orchids from home and abroad.
Location:
The park lies along the Dhaka-Chittagong highway, between Feni and Chittagong, in Sitakunda. It is about 35 kilometers from Chittagong city.
Eco Activities:
The most enjoyable activity is bathing in the waterfall. There is also a vehicle service inside the park to explore the area comfortably.
Tips: Be careful climbing the uneven, hilly terrain.
3. Teknaf Game Reserve Forest
Teknaf Game Reserve is the third largest protected forest in Bangladesh. It was established in 1983 to protect people’s homes and crops from wild elephant attacks.
This vast reserve stretches 28 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide. Exploring it lets you enjoy nature, wild animals, plants, and many rare sights.
The highest peak here is called Tainga, standing about 1,000 feet above sea level. Some of the most exciting spots in the reserve are Nightang Hill, Tainga Hill, Tainga Waterfall, and Kudum Cave.
Location:
The reserve is located 88 kilometers south of Cox’s Bazar city and 15 kilometers north of Teknaf, in Mushni village near Damdamia. The surrounding area is home to the Rakhine, Marma, and Chakma indigenous communities.
Eco Activities:
The forest hosts nearly 300 species of trees, 286 bird species, 55 mammals, 13 amphibians, and 56 reptiles. You can spot the largest group of wild elephants here — up to 16 in a herd. You might also see rare animals like wild dogs, otters, sambar deer, flying squirrels, and the Shajaru bird.
4. Lawachara National Park
Lawachara is one of Bangladesh’s seven wildlife sanctuaries and ten national parks. The trees here grow very tall, competing for sunlight. The forest is so dense that hardly any sunlight reaches the ground.
Thousands of butterflies flutter among millions of trees. As you enter, you’ll notice the path is shaded, with thick tree canopies blocking the sun’s rays.
Inside the park, you might spot animals like barking deer, junglefowl, otters, clouded leopards, and wild cats. The sounds of wildlife—the calls of animals, the buzzing of insects, monkeys jumping—bring a peaceful feeling to visitors.
Location:
Lawachara National Park is about a 30-minute drive or auto-rickshaw ride from Sreemangal town in Sylhet. You can reach Sreemangal by bus or train from anywhere.
Eco Activities:
The park has three trails: one takes about 30 minutes, another about 1 hour, and the longest one around 3 hours. These trails let you get close to nature and wildlife. You can also visit the nearby Ghashia village.
Tips: Check the map carefully before entering and consider hiring a guide.
5. Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary
Established in 1982, this forest area covers about 1,795 hectares and was officially recognized as a wildlife sanctuary. It includes the vast regions of Rema, Kalenga, and Chanbari under the Forest Department’s Kalenga range.
Rema-Kalenga Sanctuary is home to around 638 species of trees, about 62 mammals, amphibians and reptiles, and approximately 167 bird species.
Location:
The sanctuary is located in the Chunarughat sub-district of Habiganj district. It is known as Bangladesh’s second largest natural forest.
Eco Activities:
There are three beautiful trails in Rema-Kalenga, taking roughly 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 3 hours respectively. A tall observation tower offers a panoramic view of the forest’s beauty. Nearby, a scenic lake adds to the charm.
The area is also home to indigenous communities such as the Tripura, Santals, Telugu, and Uraong. You can explore the trails, take photos, and visit the indigenous villages.
Tips:
During the rainy season, trails and paths in Rema-Kalenga can become slippery and difficult to walk on, so visiting in the dry winter season is recommended.
When talking about eco-tourism in Bangladesh, the Sundarbans is often the first to come to mind. Since we have a separate article on the Sundarbans, today we focused on other popular eco-tourism spots besides the Sundarbans.
To know more about the Sundarbans, click here.
