Nijhum Dweep, a calm, cool and silent Island.

Deer is the king creature of Nijhum Dweep

The name of the island is Nijhum Dweep (Nijhum Island). It is one of the most glamorous areas of Bangladesh. The island is surrounded by a mangrove forest. We know that, world’s largest mangrove forest is Sundarban. The position of Nijhum Dweep is second in the list of mangrove forest.

This virgin Island is enriched with lots of plant, animals and beautiful natural views. It is raised on the estuary on the channel of the great Meghna River in the mouth of the mighty Bay of Bengal. The geographical location of Nijhum Dweep has been identified just two kilometers south west of Hatia Upazila and directed under the jurisdiction of the Noakhali District of Bangladesh. Nijhum Dweep consist more than 4/5 small Island like  Char Kamla, Char Osman, Corner of Char Osman and isolated from the mainland by Hatia channel.

Interesting matter is that, this beautiful island was sunk under water many, many days. In 1972 people of the forest department was discover this calm Island. This second mangrove forest of the country was designated as the Nijhum Dweep National Park in 2001 by the government of Bangladesh. Now this island has been declared as the unique eco-tourist spot for its ideal natural setup with the rich biodiversification factors and the perennial mangrove forest of Bangladesh.  

Boat riding in Nijhum Dweep

The forestry department of Noakhali District created lush mangrove forests in Nijhum Dweep as part of preservation efforts for the area. One of the major attractions in these mangrove forests is the herd of Spotted Deer, which is increased to number more than 20,000. The Keora tree was chosen for its fast growing root system, it’s anchors itself into the soft sandy ground. The leaves of this hardy tree are the favorite food of spotted deer’s, but most of the leaves of this tree are too high for the deer. You will be able to see here an excellent example of how animals help one to another; the resident monkeys of the forest shake or pluck the leaves from the trees and then after they dropping leaves where the deer can pick them up. The wood of the trees is used in the construction of local housing, as the materials for boat. It is also used as the fuel material for domestic use.

Nijhum Dweep really an extraordinary place.  As beautiful and adventures as well.  There are rivers, forests, and simple rural people also.  Extraordinary have all the deer and birds.  After reaching the Island someone would be like to bath first. But it would not be wise to do more skip there. It can be harmful to stay more time in brackish water. So go to the river and take your bath quickly. The shore of the river is so beautiful that you will be like to stay there all day long. Although there is a lot of deer, you can't watch them without going in the deep forest.

The gateway of the deep forest is a very interesting place. There are forest three sides of the gateway and in the middle of the main gateway, there are no trees and looks like a big football ground. Depth of the water is very less here. Deer footprint can be seen at the time of entering in the deep forest. They come here at night to drink water.

Beautiful birds of Nijhum Dweep

In the very past, there was no animals at Nijhum Dweep. Now there are lots of animals including Deer’s, Clawless Otter, Fishing Cat, Snakes, Tortoises, Turtles and Dolphins etc. In addition to the mangrove forest, the island has huge inter-tidal mudflats and sand-flats, which are of utmost importance to resident and migratory water-fowl, and serves as the southern most stop-over for close to 100 species of migratory birds, around a dozen of which are considered to be globally critically endangered. 

Today, more than eight thousand people live in the Island. Most of them depend on cultivation for their livelihood.  Rests of them are busy with fishing, and are self-sustaining to an extent through the produce they grow and there are a few markets on the island.

Way to go: It is impossible to go Nijhum Dweep directly. That is why visitors have to travel through different places to reach the destination. There is two way to go there, from Dhaka or from Chittagong. If you decide to go from Chittagong then you have to go Hatia Island by Motor boat or Ship and from there you can go to Nijhum Dweep by local motor boat. From Dhaka you can go Char Tomzuddion by launch from Sadarghat launch terminal. Steamer like MV Farhan and MV Tipu are safe and popular steamer for this route. To go there you should book a cabin before one day at least. It will take around six to seven hours to reach Hatia and from there you can go to Nijhum Island by local motorboat. It will take around 2 or 3 hours to reach the Nijhum Dweep.

Where to stay: There is some Government and non Governmental rest house available in the Island but it is impossible to stay there without getting permission before. . If you can take earlier permission for forest department then you can stay in forest rest house. Another possibility for accommodation is in District Parishod Guest house. If you take the permission from Thana administration of Hatia you can also stay in the District Parishod Guest house. Remember, accommodation is very limited for the tourists in this Island. So arrange it before go there.

For the adventurous people and holyday maker Nijhum Dweep could be one of the greatest experience and coolest place of traveling and it will be a memorable enjoyment to stay there and expend few days in this isolated Island.