Bangladesh is a beautiful country.
The South East region of this country is rich with forests and hills
This region is also rich with plants diversity.
Numerous species of wildlife are living here under the shelter of these plants.
So this region has been recognized as a heaven of wildlife resources.
To preserve such richness Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary has been declared in this region.
The Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over the five Unions of Teknaf Upazila of Cox’s Bazar District.
It is one of the rich protected forests of Bangladesh.
It covers an area of 11,615 Hectares.
This forest was first declared as a Game Reserve in 1983.
Later it was declared as Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary in 2009.
The Naf River is flowing beside this sanctuary, Myanmar border is in the East and the Bay of Bengal is in the West.
Teknaf WS is mainly a forest of hilly ecosystem.
Small hillocks and hills have beautified this sanctuary.
Here the hills have spread from one end to another in a curly way.
Numerous streams are flowing from those hills.
Those streams spread like web throughout the forest to rejuvenate the surrounding.
These streams remain full with water in monsoon but the flow decrease in winter.
The biodiversity of Teknaf WS is very rich.
The herbs and shrubs together make a green layer on the ground.
Flowers of different colors grow here.
The greenery becomes colorful with flowers.
Such beauty attracts various species of insects.
They rejuvenate the forest by flying on the flowers and plants.
Beside these plants, various species of trees are also seen in here.
Garjan is the dominating tree here.
A very old Garjan garden is present here, indicating the heritage of this sanctuary.
A series of Garjan trees has made this forest rich.
This sanctuary also has a garden of Water Cherry.
The Water Cherry trees are one of the tallest trees in this forest.
The fruit of this tree is vital for the wildlife here.
Beside this, Chapalish, Hargoja, Jarul, Uriaam etc. are also found.
These trees provide food and shelter to the wildlife of this forest.
Various species of birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals are available in this forest.
Different species of birds are found in this mixed evergreen forest.
Parrots, Barbets, Sunbirds, Kingfishers and some raptor birds are seen in here.
The surrounding becomes vibrant with the presence of these birds.
This sanctuary is also a safe home to amphibians and reptiles.
Various species of frogs and snakes can be seen roaming in the stream water.
The lizards are seen on the trees.
Various species of mammals are also found in this sanctuary.
The Elephant is one of the noticeable mammals in the Teknaf WS.
There are several groups of Elephants in this forest.
One thirds of the total Elephant population of Bangladesh is found in this sanctuary.
They can be seen almost everywhere in the sanctuary.
Being social animal, they live in group.
A mangrove forest is sited on the bank of the Naf River in the east of the sanctuary.
The critically endangered Long-tailed Macaque is found here.
They are not found in any other places in Bangladesh.
Kudum Cave is another attractive place of Teknaf WS.
This cave holds a unique ecosystem.
Different species of plants and animals are seen here.
This cave is a safe home to Blyde’s Horseshoe Bat.
They have been living here for years.
Teknaf WS is playing a vital role in conserving the wildlife of Bangladesh.
And the flora is also being conserved due to the conservation of the wildlife.
But due to various activities like: expansion of agricultural lands, deforestation, illegal hunting etc. the ecosystem of the sanctuary is being harmed day by day.
Some greedy people are appropriating the forest lands for agriculture to meet up their lust.
Apart from this, a number of refugees from the neighboring country are now living in the forest land.
As a result, forest land is shrinking, floral diversity is reducing and the wildlife are losing their breeding ground.
The wildlife are entering into the localities for food and habitats.
As a result, human-wildlife conflicts are occurring.
If this continues, probably the sanctuary will soon become unbalanced.
So everybody has to come forward to conserve the flora and fauna to keep the sanctuary green.
Only then the Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary will sustain.
11 мар 2016
