Lawachara National Park | Sylhet

Lawachara National Park, located near Sreemangal in the Moulvibazar district of northeastern Bangladesh, is one of the country’s most treasured rainforest reserves. Spread across rolling hills, dense woodland, and shaded trails, it offers a rare glimpse into Bangladesh’s remaining tropical forests. The park’s protected landscape is rich with wildlife, including endangered species, and carries the quiet, layered atmosphere of a mature forest shaped by decades of natural rhythm.

Landscape and Atmosphere

Lawachara’s forest canopy rises in uneven tiers, with tall garjan, teak, and chapalish trees creating a filtered green light that softens everything below. The paths wind through thick clusters of bamboo, ferns, and wild banana plants. Mornings feel especially serene as mist curls around trunks, dew coats the leaves, and bird calls echo from high branches. By afternoon, patches of sunlight break through the canopy in shifting, mosaic-like patterns across the forest floor.

Trails and Scenic Areas

The park’s walking trails range from short, easy routes to longer circuits that reach deeper into the forest. Popular paths such as the “Main Trail” and “Short Trail” offer chances to see open clearings, giant trees, and shaded gullies. A narrow railway line runs straight through the forest-a striking sight as tracks vanish into dense greenery on both sides. Occasional wooden bridges cross small streams where the sound of gently running water adds to the calm of the surroundings.

Wildlife and Birdlife

Lawachara is famous for its population of endangered Western Hoolock Gibbons, Bangladesh’s only ape species. Their distinctive calls often ring out in the early morning as they swing through the canopy. Other wildlife includes barking deer, macaques, squirrels, civets, wild boar, and various reptiles that move quietly through the undergrowth. The park is also a haven for birds-drongos, hornbills, woodpeckers, hill mynas, and emerald doves are common sightings. The mix of forest sounds forms a natural chorus that follows visitors along the trails.

Indigenous Communities

Inside and around the park live several indigenous communities, including the Khasia people, who maintain small village clusters known as punjis. Their stilted homes sit among betel leaf gardens, and narrow footpaths wind between bamboo fences and small shrines. Their presence adds a cultural layer to the forest, reflecting generations of coexistence with Lawachara’s ecosystem.

Visitor Experience

Exploring Lawachara often means walking quietly along shaded paths, listening for rustling branches or distant gibbon calls. Guided tours enhance the experience by helping visitors spot wildlife and learn about the forest’s ecology. The air feels consistently cool beneath the canopy, with the earthy scent of damp leaves and the occasional waft of wildflowers or fallen fruit. Photography enthusiasts find countless moments worth capturing, from giant tree trunks to sunlight filtering through mist.

Environmental Importance

Lawachara National Park preserves one of Bangladesh’s last significant fragments of tropical rainforest. It plays a crucial role in protecting biodiversity, supporting wildlife conservation, and maintaining ecological balance in the region. The forest is also part of a wider protected area network that includes tea estates, tribal villages, and wildlife corridors-an interconnected landscape essential for the region’s environmental future.

Cultural and Natural Legacy

As one of the country’s most beloved natural areas, Lawachara stands as a symbol of Bangladesh’s commitment to conserving its wild spaces. Its harmonious blend of dense forest, indigenous culture, and wildlife makes it a place where visitors can slow down, breathe deeply, and step into a world that feels both timeless and quietly alive.