Sitakunda Eco Park

From there, after crossing a one-kilometer hilly trail, you will reach the Suptadhara waterfall. Another kilometer further along, you will see the signboard for the Sahasradhara waterfall. Along this one-kilometer path, there are picnic spots, a watchtower, and a cold platform (“Him Chattar”). From here, you can catch a glimpse of the distant sea. The water flowing from both the Sahasradhara and Suptadhara waterfalls has been used to create an artificial lake by building a dam. If you head north after Sahasradhara, you will see more hills in the Botanical Garden area. From the top of these hills, you can view the Bay of Bengal. The hills run north to south and vary in height—lower hills range from 15 to 18 meters, while higher hills are approximately 150 to 365 meters tall. The Chandranath Hill has an elevation of 410 meters. These hills are primarily composed of sandstone and shale. Geologically, they are part of the Garo Hills range. The climate in this region is humid tropical.

The main attractions of the Botanical Garden and Eco Park

Suptadhara Waterfall:- Suptadhara is one of the notable waterfalls in the country. It is ideal for those who are not accustomed to long walks or trekking. The waterfall can be reached after about one to one and a half hours of hiking on a hilly path, climbing 400 to 500 steps, followed by an additional half hour of trekking. Compared to other waterfalls, this one requires less walking and trekking. During the monsoon, the rocky walls surrounding the waterfall become lush with wild plants, moss, and grass, over which the water flows.

Sahasradhara:- Located at a height of approximately 200 feet, Sahasradhara is a breathtaking creation of nature amidst stunning beauty. The stream of the waterfall flows through dense green rubber trees, creating a mesmerizing sight.
Chandranath Temple: Following the internal road of the Eco Park, one can easily reach the Chandranath Shiva Temple, located five kilometers inside the park, either by car or on foot. To reach the temple, you have to climb 252 steps. However, from the base of the hill, there are a total of 1,600 steps leading up to the Shiva Temple. During the month of Falgun, when the Shivaratri festival takes place, the entire Chandranath forest becomes filled with the devotional hymns and chants of Vaishnavs from both home and abroad.

Plants: The evergreen forest of the Botanical Garden and Eco Park houses a total of 412 species from 96 plant families. Among them are 156 species of trees, 110 species of shrubs, 119 species of herbs, and 27 species of climbers. The garden features rare plants like the black rose, along with approximately 35 types of roses, hibiscus, night queen, lotus, terrestrial lotus, nagballi, ixora, radhachura, kamini, woodbine, olokananda, bougainvillea, hasnahena, gandharaj, and phonika, combining to form a collection of 150 varieties of flowers.

Wildlife: Throughout the winding hills, various species of birds and wildlife can be spotted. Among the diverse wildlife in the Eco Park, notable species include the barking deer (muntjac), monkeys, langurs, rabbits, jungle cats, fishing cats, mongooses, monitor lizards, cobras, pythons, jungle fowl, peafowl, parrots, hill mynas, starlings, black-headed orioles, and owls, among others.

Orchid House: A beautiful orchid house has been established in the Botanical Garden, featuring several hundred visually striking orchids from different species.

Kazi Nazrul Sculpture: In January 1926, the rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam visited Chittagong. On January 24th, he composed his famous poem “Bātāyan Pāśe Gubāk Tarur Sāri” and the song “Sāmpāner Gān.” During his visit, Nazrul explored the forests of Sitakunda. Mesmerized by the stunning beauty of the Sitakunda hills, sea, and waterfalls, he wrote the timeless song, “Akashe Helan Diye Pahar Ghumay Oi.” In honor of his memory, a sculpture of Kazi Nazrul Islam has been erected in the Botanical Garden and Eco Park.

Dense Forest: Since the establishment of the Eco Park in 2001, extensive tree planting has resulted in the creation of a dense forest. Filled with the sounds of various animals and birds, this forest is a favorite spot for tourists to explore.

Rose Garden: The park boasts four rose gardens with 800 rose plants displaying a stunning collection of hybrid roses in red, blue, purple, green, pink, white, black, maroon, and yellow.

Children’s Corner: To entertain young visitors, the Eco Park has a designated children’s corner.

History of the Botanical Garden and Eco Park

In 1998, Bangladesh’s first Eco Park was established at the foothills of Chandranath Hill. Later, in 2001, the Botanical Garden and Eco Park were created over an area of 1,996 acres of resilient forest in the Sitakunda block of the reserved forests of Ramgarh-Sitakunda, centered around the Chandranath Temple, Suptadhara Waterfall, and Sahasradhara Waterfall. This initiative aimed to conserve and develop the environment and biodiversity while providing recreational opportunities for the public.
The hilly forest areas of Chittagong were once considered hotspots for biodiversity. However, over time, the increasing pressure of population growth has led to a decline in wildlife, plant species, and natural resources. In this context, the park was established to preserve the deteriorating environment and biodiversity of the hilly forests while promoting eco-tourism. The sanctuary covers an area of 808 hectares. The park, which spans 1,996 acres, is divided into two parts: the Botanical Garden, covering 405 hectares (approximately 1,000 acres), and the remaining 996 acres designated as the Eco Park area. Additionally, 0.62 hectares of land has been acquired.

Ticket Price of the Botanical Garden and Eco Park

Caṭṭagrāma

Note- Beware of all kinds of brokers/scammers. Be very careful on the way so as not to get into any kind of danger. In case of any problem, take the help of local administration or call the National Emergency Service of Bangladesh – 999.