Pablakhali Wildlife Sanctuary

Tucked into the northeast corner of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the Pablakhali Wildlife Sanctuary is home to elephants and a wide variety of other animals. The sanctuary is the finest hill forest remaining in Bangladesh and it also an important wetland site.

The Pablakhali Wildlife Sanctuary in Bangladesh is located in the Rangamati District in the Chittagong division. It was established in 1983 so the wildlife and vegetation in the sanctuary is quite settled and well-developed. It is not a very big wildlife sanctuary, as it only covers 420.87 square kilometers, however that does not mean it has nothing to offer. Quite to the contrary, this tiny little sanctuary is positively teaming with life! Some of the animals you can expect to see here include capped langur, hoolock, Asian elephant, rhesus macaque, gibbon, tiger, otters, wild boars, guar, Indian muntjac, Indian python and sambar. Bird lovers can look forward to seeing herons, egrets, little grebe, common coot, common moorhen, waterfowl, white-winged wood duck, Asian openbill stork and more. There are also small cats, dholes and dozens of other animals living in this fascinating wildlife sanctuary. Nature lovers will find that much of this diversity is owing to the regions great topographical diversity. The area is well watered and varies in altitude.

The best time to visit the Pablakhali Wildlife Sanctuary in Bangladesh is between November and May. Visitors can choose between bird safaris and jungle safaris and both are equally rewarding. Accommodation can be found in the immediate area by way of two rest houses. You will find that both Bangla and English is spoken here, so most people can find a way to communicate with the locals and tour guides. The nearest town is Rangamati which can be easily reached by road or rail. Most visitors will touch down at the Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong before taking the train to Rangamati en route to the Pablakhali Wildlife Sanctuary. Whatever way you choose to get there, make sure that you do end up visiting this great wildlife sanctuary!

Adventure: Jungle safari, Bird safari

Wild Life: Tiger, Gaur, Asian Elephant, Rhesus Macaque, Capped Langur, Hoolock Gibbon, Dhole, Small Cats, Otters, Wild Boar, Indian Muntjac, and Sambar,Waterfowl, Little Grebe, Herons, Egrets, Common Moorhen, Common Coot, Asian Openbill Stork, and White-winged Wood Duck, Indian python

Location: At the northern end of Kaptai Lake in the south-eastern part of Kassalong Reserve Forest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, some 112 km from Rangamati Town. The western boundary is formed by the Kassalong River.

Area: 42,087 hectares

Outstanding Features:

* Wide variety of mammals, including elephants

* A refuge for birds

* Beautiful hilly terrain ranging from 100-300 m

Brief History: It was established as a game sanctuary in June 1962, later declared as Wildlife Sanctuary in 1983.

Habita, Flora & Fauna: Three forest types can be distinguished in the sanctuary: tropical wet evergreen forest; tropical Semi-evergreen; and tropical moist deciduous forest. Among larger mammals, the most important is the population of Asian Elephant. Other mammals are Rhesus Macaque, Capped langur, hoolock Gibbon, Dhole, small cats, otters, wild Boar, and Sambar. There are also numerous bird species in the Sanctuary.

Different bus services from Dhaka go directly to Rangamati. These buses stop at Rangamati Launch Ghat. From there, board on launches that go directly to Pablakhali (5 hours). You can also use engine boat, but it may pricey (tk 600-700). You can also use Khagrachhari road to reach the sanctuary. That route is Dhaka-Khagrachhari-Marissa-Pablakhali (by boat).

How To Reach: Rangamati District

Some of the hotels/motels in Rangamati are listed below for your assistance.

1. Hotel Golden Hill
Address: Reserve Bazar Rangamati
Contact: 01820 304714

2. Hotel Green Castle
Address: Reserve Bazar Rangamati
Contact: 61200

3. Hotel Lake View
Address: Reserve Bazar Rangamati
Contact: 62063

4. Hotel Sufia
Address:Kathaltoli Rangamati
Contact: 62145

5. Peda Ting Ting
Contact: 62082

There is a beautiful rest house at Pablakhali Wildlife Sanctuary, but prior permission is required from Divisional Forest Officer, Chittagong Hill tract (North). courtesy-Nishorgo.