It is not often that you accidentally stumble over good news in respect of nature and wildlife in Bangladesh; more often than not even concentrated research yields little good news.

It is therefore with pleasure that I report on the presence of Sheikh Mujib Safari Park and Zoo between Chittagong and Cox’s Bazaar.

Within a larger forest area (Dulahazara Forest), the Park constitutes 2.5 square km of only slightly degraded tropical broadleaf forest. Sheikh Hasina decreed it a park in 1997 in memory of her father, who had hidden in the Chittagong Forests during the so-called Agartala Conspiracy. By 2000 it had been fully fenced. Replanting of certain forest species had begun, as had the breeding of chital and sambar deer, which together with goyal can be seen throughout the park.

Birdsong is everywhere, colourful butterflies abound, as do lots of other creatures. And you can walk for hours without seeing another human being, quite unusual in Bangladesh. It is probably the only proper forest in the Chittagong Division that is easily accessible, both practically and politically. The few remaining forests in the Hill Tracts are in very poor condition.

Anyone going to the area should really treat themselves to a good long walk in the forest. There is a shop with green coconuts just outside the gate to perk you up afterwards.

The Park is just off the road, south of the village of Malumghat, 48 km north of Cox’s Bazaar and well signposted. It can easily be visited on a car trip from Chittagong to Cox’s Bazaar and is only an hour by car from the latter. It is often possible to stay in the pleasant guest house of the Baptist Christian Memorial Hospital in the village; phone Mr. Runal in Chittagong (031 624174) at least five days in advance to check for reservations, but you can also just drop in on chance – after all, Cox’s Bazaar is only 50 km to the south.