A Study Tour Report on

The Sundarban Mangrove Forest, Bangladesh

&
The Mausoleum of Father of the Nation
Bangabondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
19th - 22nd January, 2020

Submitted by
Ha-mim Ebne Alam
Session: 2014-2015
ID: 15207008

Department of Oceanography
University of Chittagong
Chittagong – 4331, Bangladesh.

Date of Submission: 28 February, 2021

0
 Acknowledgement

The Sundarban is a vast forest in the coastal region of the Bay of Bengal and considered one
of the natural wonders of the world. It was recognized in 1997 as UNESCO world heritage
site. It is also important for our marine biological sector. The biodiversity of Sundarban is
diversified. We couldn't even think that we could go to Sundarban ever but our teacher's
motivation and our firm determination, made our impossible field trip possible. So, we
immensely grateful to Almighty Allah to help us successfully completing our field trip.
We would like to express our appreciation and cordial gratitude to our honourable teacher,
Md. Enamul Hoque sir, Md. Sayedul Islam Sarkar sir, Dr. Wahidul Alam sir, Dr. Mohammad
Muslem Uddin sir and our lab staffs Md. Musa. We also thankful to the department of
oceanography for providing us the essential instruments which helped us to complete our field
trip.
To complete this study tour, Nine Tourism Company played a huge role, their professional,
efficient service and hospitality was very amazing. Especially we were very grateful to the
CEO of Nine Tourism Company, Mr. Rejuwan Afsar Patwary.

0
 Contents

Introduction.................................................................................................................................3

Sundarban: An overview.........................................................................................................4

An Overview of this Study Tour.............................................................................................5

Objectives of the Tour............................................................................................................5

Brief on Visiting Site and Sampling...........................................................................................6

Harbaria Ecotourism Centre...............................................................................................6

Tiger Point & Jamtola Watch tower...................................................................................7

Kotka Wildlife Sanctuary and Jamtola Beach....................................................................7

Sampling.............................................................................................................................8

Heron Point.........................................................................................................................9

Dublar Char.........................................................................................................................9

Koromjol...........................................................................................................................10

Mausoleum of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman..................11

Conclusion................................................................................................................................12

2
Introduction
In January, 2020 Department of Oceanography, University of Chittagong arranged a five day
long study tour on Sundarbans Mangrove Forest as annual study tour. Four batches and
almost 70 students and 3 honorable teachers attended the tour. As a student of B.Sc (hons) in
Oceanography, we (session 2014-15) also attended in this field trip. A field trip always
triggers our boundary of theoretical knowledge with practical situations. We learned about the
unique features of Sundarban Mangrove Forest.

A detailed map of Sundarban Mangrove Forest of Bangladesh.

3
Sundarban: An overview
Mangroves are the inter-tidal wetlands of the tropical and sub- tropical coastal environment.
Mangrove occur worldwide in the tropics and subtropics, mainly between 25°N and 25°S.
Mangrove are salt tolerant trees, also called halophytes and are adapted to live in harsh coastal
conditions. The total mangrove forest area of the world in 2000 was 1,37,800 square
kilometres (53,200 sq. mile) spanning 118 countries and territories.

Sundarban is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world.
From the overall view of its biodiversity, it can be called a natural showpiece. Sundarban is
positioned in the southern part of Bangladesh. It lies in the estuaries of the Meghna and Hugli
rivers at the point where it merges with Bay of Bengal. It extends about 274 km (170 mile)
along the Bay of Bengal about 100 km (62 mile) inland. The forest lies in a little south to the
Tropic of cancer between the latitudes of 21°30′ N and 22°30′ N and longitudes 89°00′ E and
89°55′ E. It is situated in the southern part of Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat districts, the
south- western region of Bangladesh.

It has an area about 10000 sq.km, of which Bangladesh possessed 6017 sq.km and the
rest belongs to neighbouring country India. Sundarban is 4.2% of the country's land area and
44% of the state forest land. It forms southern most of the Ganges and Brahamaputra river
deltas and is shaped by the complex drainage structure. Topographic variation within this
delta is very low. The forest floor lies between 0.9m to 2.1m above sea level. The drainage
system of Sundarban has three sub systems to the east, centre and west, which formed the
estuaries of Bangra, Kunga and Raimangal. The whole area is dissected by large tidal river,
notably the Baleswar, Passur, Kobadak-Sibsha, Arpangasia and Raimangal with innumerable
small channels and creeks. Approximately 450 rivers are flown through this mangrove forest
and the length of these rivers are 12,500 km.

4
An Overview of this Study Tour
Date 19 January, 2020
Sundarban Mangrove Forest and Gopalganj Tomb of Father
Place
of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Organizer Department of Oceanography
Students,
Participants 2018-19, 2017-18, 2016-17, 2014-15 & 2013-14 session
Department of Oceanography, University of Chittagong
Nine Tourism &
Tour Operator
Sundarban Tours and Travels Co.
1. Harbaria Ecotourism Centre
2. Kotka Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Jamtola
4. Tiger Point
Visited places 5. Heron Point
6. Dublar Char
7. Koromjol
8. Mausoleum of Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Tour Duration 19 January, 2020 to 22 January, 2020 (5 days)

Objectives of the Tour

 To study about the features of mangrove forest.
 To study about mangrove ecosystem, coastal ecosystem and livelihood.
 To know the uses of some important tools of sedimentology.
 To pay tribute in the birth century of the father of the nation Bangabondhu Sheikh
Mujibar Rahman.
 To get refreshed.

5
Brief on Visiting Site and Sampling
We started our journey from the University campus at 1.30pm on 19th January, 2020. It was a
very nice and sunny day. Some of the students joined with us from the campus and some of
joined from the city. We reached at the Khulna BIWTA ferry ghat at around 4.00am on 20th
January. And then we started our new journey for explore the Sundarbans by M.V. Bilash
Bhraman which was our home for next two nights and three days. For After completing the
tour at 22nd January we visited the graveyard and the birthplace of the father of nation of
Bangladesh Bangabondhu Sheikh Mujibar Rahman.

1st Day
At a glance-
 Left the BIWTA ferry ghat towards Sundarbans at 6.00am.
 Journey permission approval from Dangmari Forest Office at 10.00am.
 Arrival at Harbaria Eco Tourism Centre at 3.00pm
 Move forward for Kotka at 5.00pm.

Harbaria Ecotourism Centre

Harbaria Eco Tourism Center is the biggest littoral mangrove
forest in the world. It’s located in the Khulna Division at
Sundarban .This center has been set up under the initiative of
Forest Department under Chandpai Range. The distance of
this center from Khulna is about 70 km. Golden/ green and red
nameplate of eco-tourism center is on the banks of Harbaria
canal. A little ahead is the forest office.

This Tourism center has a hanging bridge over a small

canal. A large pond is in front across the hanging bridge. In
the middle of the pond is a resting place with a little house or
canopy of Golpata. There are benches to sit around the house.
A wooden bridge runs from the edge of the pond to the house.
The pond was dug in 1997- 98in the memory of Birshrestho
Sipahi Mostafa Kalam under the Forest Department project.

6
The wooden walking path of about 1 km ends in a deep forest. The canal in front of the Eco
Tourism Center is a crocodile sanctuary. Saltwater crocodiles are often seen this center.
Crocodiles can be seen in the sun during the winter in the mud char.

2nd Day
At a glance-
 Visiting the Tiger point and Jamtola Watch tower at 6.00am.
 Visiting the Kotka beach at 7.30am.
 Breifing and sediment sampling at 10.00am
 Arrival and sampling from Hiron point at 3.00pm
 Arriving at Dublar Char at 4.30pm
 Departure from Dublar char at 6.30pm.

Tiger Point & Jamtola Watch tower

Tiger Point in Kachikhali is an isolated place deep inside the Sundarban. It lies within the
Sundarban (East) Wildlife Sanctuary, under the Sundarban East Forest Division, Bagerhat. It
is famous for viewing wildlife as well as for some adventurous trekking in the grasslands and
the forest. The Jamtola Watch Tower offers views of a tourist trail through grassy meadows in
Sundarbans National Park, Bangladesh.

Kotka Wildlife Sanctuary and Jamtola Beach

Kotka is one of the beautiful tourist spots among the entire Sundarban. It is actually a
sanctuary area for the wild animals. In Kotka, deer and monkeys can be seen many in
numbers and the predators as the Royal Bengal Tiger can be seen sometimes. It has been said
locally that the tigers often being available where the deer are available. Like the other part of
Sundarban, Kotka is also full of flora and fauna. It took a survey and said that there is about
245 genera and 334 types of plants are at the Sundarban. Moreover, some extinct type of birds
likes Grey Eagle, the vultures and hornbills. More than fifty species of birds found at kotka.
The forest authority made a reservoir to get the fresh water for the wild animals during dry
season. There is a watch tower also and from the tower tourists get a wonderful view of the
forest. Form the watch tower it takes half an hour in walking distance you will reach to a
wonderful sea beach out there named as Jamtola Beach.

7
Sampling
At 10.00am we engaged with the sampling. We made two special instruments Helly-Smith
bedload sampler and USDH 48 whose are using the study of sedimentology. We used these
two instruments for measuring the sediment flux of Possur River for the first time. Our
honorable teachers continuously motivated and encouraging us.

8
Heron Point
Hiron Point is a beautiful spot, great for spotting
tigers and other spectacular and rare wildlife
animals. Also known as Nilkamal, it is famous for
tiger, deer, monkey, crocodiles and many precious
birds. This place attracts many tourists owing to its
natural beauty and innate splendor. This is a place to
have a look at the rare species of wild animals and
birds, to be noted in the diary of bird watchers and
Wildlife
enthusiasts. The visitors can get a comfortable stay in the three-storied Rest House of the
Mongla Port Authority with prior booking.

Dublar Char
Dublar Char, a beautiful island known for its picturesque scenes, is famous for fishing and is a
place for fishermen with abundant of fish fauna. One can enjoy the fishing here and have a
first- hand experience of this fun filled activity. The Island has all the natural beauty of any
other places of the world renowned Islands. On the eastern side of this island, River Passur
flows, while on the western side River Shibsha. In addition, this island is known for its
beautiful views. The Island has all the natural beauty of any of the world distinguished
Islands. It is an attractive island where herds of spotted deer are often seen to graze. A casual
walk around the Island provides the tourist with the chance of spotting many wild animals.
With water all around and with lots of fish fauna, Dublar Char offers unique experience to the
enthusiastic visitors.

9
1
3rd Day
At a glance-
 Journey back to Mongla started early at the morning.
 Arrival at Karamjal at 10.00am.
 Arrival at Mongla ferry ghat at 2.30pm.
 Journey towards Tungipara at 3.00pm.
 Arrival and pay homage at the memorial of Bangabondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at
5.00pm.
 Journey towards Chattogram at 7.00pm.

Koromjol
Karmajol is one of the wonderful visiting place in Sundarban. To appreciate and to view the
most precious species of Bangladesh’s wildlife, thousands of visitors make their way to
Karamjol, a ranger station deep in the forest that also serves as a deer-breeding center.
Bangladesh has some exquisite wildlife species that are unique to the country, and Karamjol
is one of the gateways to the majestic wildlife sanctuary, Sundarban. We were able to feast
our eyes on a vast range of mammal, insects, bird species, reptiles and fish. Wildlife
enthusiast can look forward to viewing Gangetic River Dolphins, Salt-Water Crocodiles, deer,
wild boar, ducks, sandpipers, moths, monkeys, snakes, foxes and the ever elusive and graceful
Royal Bengal Tiger. The tranquillity of the dense forests and peaceful waters transports
visitors into a magical wildlife kingdom.

1
Mausoleum of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the
founding leader of Bangladesh. His family home
in Tungipara, Gopalganj district is located 144 km
west of Dhaka. It has been upgraded into a
complex containing the grave of the great leader.
The graveyard of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib and
his parents has been converted into a mausoleum.
The complex is known as the 'Mausoleum of
Father of
the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman' or colloquially as (Tomb of
Bangabandhu). It was established on 15 June 2001 by the then Honorable Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina.
Infront of mazar entry gate at Mausoleum.
The building at the left side was his parents’
house. The Bangabandhu Mausoleum Complex is
at the right side. Here is the graveyard of
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman the father
of our national who was killed in the year 1975,
15th August. It requires to go through a long path
from the gallery to the grave. The grave is
covered under a nicely
designed structure. Everyone is allowed to enter inside the structure, but not allowed to take
any photographs. The complex has well-organized space. There is a museum where tourist
can see the popular and rare photographs of
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib's life. There's also a
small library in the museum. The complex
contains a small shop and a large cafeteria for
hungry visitors. In a far corner, there's a small
open stage which signifies the countless number of
times Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib stood up and
gave powerful, resonating speeches to his
1
fellow
Bengalis. A 200 metre-long straight walkway connects the museum with the graveyard.
There's a small pond and a park to the either side of the walkway.

1
Conclusion
This tour was very informative and exciting for us. We were very thankful to our honorable
teachers for arranging such an amazing tour and their guidance to us. We were very lucky
having the chance to pay homage on the Mausoleum of the Father of the Nations
Bangabondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of his birth century.