Tourist surge boosts revenue

Lawachara National Park in Moulvibazar has emerged as a hotspot for education, research, and eco-tourism, captivating the attention of travel enthusiasts from far and wide.

This renowned park, situated within the West Banugach Reserve Forest, has become a haven for biodiversity and wildlife enthusiasts.

Over the last 17 months, the park has witnessed an influx of visitors, with revenue of Tk 1 crore 2 lakh 71 thousand 865. Drawing in a substantial 2 lakh 56 thousand 344 tourists during this period, Lawachara National Park has set its status as a sought-after destination.

Shahidul Islam, the Wildlife Ranger of Sreemangal office, shared insights into the park's economic success, accrediting it to revenue streams such as ticket sales, foreign visitor admissions, car parking fees, banquets, and suiting services. Both domestic and international visitors, numbering 2 lakh 56 thousand 334, have flocked to Lawachara National Park between July 2022 and November of this year.

The Wildlife Management Department highlighted the park's significance, emphasizing its role as a nationally and internationally recognized biodiverse forest. Spanning an area of 1,250 hectares within the West Banugach Reserve Forest's 2,740 hectares, Lawachara National Park was designated a 'National Park' in 1996.

This mixed evergreen park boasts an impressive array of flora and fauna, hosting 460 animal species in a secluded and unique setting. Among these are 167 plant species, 4 amphibian species, 6 reptile species, 20 mammal species, 17 insect species, and an impressive 246 bird species.

Sources close to the park reveal its growing prominence on the global stage. As one of the four countries worldwide where the owl is found, and the largest habitat for these majestic creatures, Lawachara National Park has become a premier destination for owl enthusiasts. Consequently, the park serves not only as a tourist attraction but also as a living and natural laboratory, drawing researchers from prestigious universities across the globe.

Lawachara National Park, situated in Kamalganj Upazila, Moulvibazar District, has firmly established itself as a major national park and nature reserve in Bangladesh. Located just 160 km northeast of Dhaka and 60 km from Sylhet, it stands as an integral part of the country's northeastern region, only 8 kilometers away from Sreemangal Upazila.

With its rich biological diversity, including the critically endangered western hoolock gibbons, of which only 62 individuals remain, Lawachara National Park continues to thrive as a beacon of conservation, education, and eco-tourism in Bangladesh.