Nijhum Dwip
Type: Island
Contributed By: Nayeem
Brief
Initially Nijhum Dwip or Nijhum Island was known as Char Osman, after the name of a brave settler Osman who established the first settlement with his buffalo & cattle. Later the government’s high officials have changed that name. But still in documents, the island is known as Char Osman. This island is an ideal place for tourists, especially during the winter.
A cluster of islands (mainly, Ballar Char, Kamlar Char, Char Osman and Char Muri) emerged in the early 1950s as an alluvium in the shallow estuary of the Bay of Bengal on the south of Noakhali. These new sandbanks first drew the notice of a group of fishermen, who named it Baular Char (literally, the alluvium of sand) later transformed into Ballar Char. Occupying an area of 14,050 acres the island situated between 21 0 1 / to 22 0 6 /north latitude and 90 0 3 / to 91 0 4 / east longitude.
Migratory Birds in Nijhum Dwip: During winter, thousands of migratory birds flock in to island. The fishermen use the airy and sunny land as an ideal place for drying their catches from the sea. Sometimes many of them also construct straw huts on the island as seasonal residences.
In 1974 the Forest Department took an afforestation program for a duration of twenty years in the north side of the island. Covering an area of nine thousand acres, it has now developed into a deep forest with a variety of plant species. Among the trees Keora is much seen. Besides this Gewa, Kankra, Bain, Babul, Karamja, Pashur and many other species are seen.
On 8 April 2001 the government declared the 40390 acres of forest of Jahajmara range including 9550 acres of forest land on Nijhum Dwip as a National Park for the protection and development of the biodiversity of the forest. But in practice, there a very lazy appearance of that declaration.
It was named ‘Nijhum Dwip’ by former Minister Amirul Islam Kalam in 1979 observing its isolation and mild nature.
The Opportunity of Deer watching if you stay at Nijhum Resort: At very early morning, a deer which was survived a flood in Nijhum resort area; comes at Nijhum resort everyday.You can feed it with your own hand.
How to go
How To Reach: Noakhali District
Noakhali, a traveler’s unique destination, is located in the South-Eastern part of Bangladesh. On the north, the beautiful district is bounded by Comilla, the Mehgna River. On its south, resides the Meghna River and The Bay of Bengal. While Feni and Chittagong districts lie on the east, Lakshmipur and the Bhola districts are located on the west side.
Dhaka and Noakhali districts are linked by road. You can take bus from Dhaka to reach Noakhali. Some of the bus services are listed below for your assistance.
1. Ekushey Paribahan
Contact: 01678047382
Departure: Mirpur- 6:00 am; Jigatola- 6:30 am; Sayedabad- 7 and 7:30 am
2. Bilash
Contact: 01712693836
Counter: TT Para, Sayedabad
3. VIP
Contact: 01819120623
Counter: TT Para, Sayedabad
Time: 6:30 am to 9 am
4. Shahi
Contact: 01913628038
Departure: Mirpur- 4:40 am; Jhigatola- 5:40 am; Sayedabad- 6:40 am and 7:40 am
Where to Stay
Some places to stay in Noakhali are listed below for your assistance.
1. Pubali Hotel
Address: Main road (Paurakalyan High School), Maijadi Court, Noakhali
Contact: 0321-61257
2. Hotel Al Morshed
Address: Main road (Jame Masjid turn), Maijadi Court, Noakhali
Contact: 0321-62173
3. Hotel Rafsan
Address: Main road, Maijadi Court, Noakhali
Contact: 0321-61395
4. Noakhali Circuit House
Address: Noakhali Sadar Upazila
Phone: 0321-621510
5. Zila Parishad Dak Bungalow
Address: Sonapur, Noakhali
Phone: 0321-62296
Things to do
- You can buy dry fish from local people.
- Enjoy this one of the most beautiful and popular island in our country.
Eating Facilities
There are several low facilitated restaurants available at the island for villagers. You can have your dinner and lunch there if you want. Otherwise you have to cook yourself.
Travel Tips
- Do not leave any trace that you were there. Just return back silently, without disturbing the nature and the inhabitants of the island.
- Rivers around that part of the country have immense tide. So think again before having a swim on river.
- Act politely with locals. Do not get irritated by their continuum queries. Because it’s you who went there, not they.
