With a healthy Hindu minority and close historical ties with India, Bangladesh is no stranger to Hindu shrines. Many of these are listed as the national heritage and hold a place of pride in the hearts of the entire Bangladeshi populace. Many of these temples dating way back in time, are now popular tourist attractions and  offer  lots of opportunity to any history enthusiast to take a peek into the story of these beautiful structures.

The Dhakeshwari Temple – located in the national capital, Dakshineshwari which literally means “the Goddess of Dhaka” is the national temple of Bangladesh.  This temple is the heart of all the socio-cultural activities and hosts the biggest Durga pooja of the year. Though it is one of the most ancient temples in Bangladesh, it no more has that ancient look thanks to all the renovation and restoration activities. Spread over a large area, this temple also houses four identical structures dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Kantejew Temple – built in the 18^th century by Maharaja Prannath and completed by his adopted son, Maharaja Ramnath of dinajpur. Also known as the Knatanagar Temple, this is one terracotta architectural marvel. Walled all over with beautiful terracotta tiles, a visitor will be mesmerized by the intricate designs and pictorial stories. This Krishna temple also had another beauty to boast, it had nine spires which were unfortunately destroyed by an earthquake in 1897.

Temples of Bhatpara – Another relic is the 11 temples of Bhatpara, a small village in the heart of abhayanagar. This complex though now is in a state of neglect, it still has the mystic aura of adventure and explore. Build by Raja Nikontho Rai this temple complex was supposed to be the home of the king’s daughter, Abhaya and her husband, Lord Shiv. It is believed, that the king being childless prayed to lord shiva for a daughter and promised to give her hand in marriage to the lord if his wish was fulfilled. The king was soon blessed with a daughter and kept his promise and build this complex of 11 temples for the newlyweds. Even now one can see the remains of terracotta tiles that once adorned these walls.

Buddha Dhatu Jadi – located in the Bandar ban hill district, this is one of the oldest Buddhist temples of Bangladesh and house the second largest statue in Bangladesh of Buddha. Boasting of Arkanese architecture a close relative of South-East Asian style, this temple is an absolute treat to any visitor. The elegance of metal structures adoring the temple are eye catching and the pious aura soothing to the soul.

Bangladesh is very beautiful. It has very dense forest area. Bangladesh has a low forest cover, but those forests are diverse in nature and of major importance for the national economy and local people’s living. In this conditions of severe forest degradation and depletion like in many other developing countries, the existing national forest policy was announced in 1994 after exactly one hundred years of the first forest resources policy announcement in 1894. The aim of article to seriously analyze the evolution of the national forest policy from the historical perspectives.

Forest Resources

The previous versions of forest policy were characterized by commercialization of forest use for maximization of state revenue. The current policy is tremendously departed from its previous versions and recognized the importance of people’s involvement in forest management. Yet the formulated policy, though rich in content, is not properly implemented because of a number of barriers. Future focus is recommended to be on eradicating the problems to implement the existing one rather than formulating new policies.The forest resources of Bangladesh are under extreme pressure from illegal timber cutting and encroachment by agriculture through clear felling and burning, and overgrazing.

The largest areas of forest are in the chittagong hills and the sundarbens. The study seeks to develop a forest policy that balance of economic efficiency and forest management practices based on ecological principles. Ricardian-type supply schedules are developed by ranking alternative site-quality/biological treatment combinations according to unit cost of production and comparing them with an econometrically derived long-term demand schedule. The optimal level of resource development is determined by equating minor cost of production (in end-value terms) with the projected long-term forest products price level. This is equivalent to increasing the sum of consumer and producer surpluses, commonly referred to as net economic benefits.

The main victims of a poverty stricken country are its children. Bangladesh has had a hopeless track record when it has come to kids health. Most of the children in the nation especially in the rural places suffer from acute lack of nutrition. The trouble gets aggravated as Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with nearly 1,000 people per square kilometer. Although there has been considerable progress in the last 15 years the overall children health condition in Bangladesh is being defined as one of the severe in South Asia. In Bangladesh a huge number of children are deprived of their basic human rights due to unsatisfactory health, nutrition and education as well as social conditions. In addition, kids are exposed to serious forms of physical and mental violence at home, in the work place, in institutions and other public areas.

Children suffering in bangladesh

The characteristics and extent of violence against children irrespective of age, sex and class has been improving day by day. Especially poor children health condition are very bad there. On the whole, our children are not safe despite efforts made by government and non-government organizations in ensuring the rights of the children. According to the latest UNICEF report the death rate rate in children under-five stands at an alarming 94 deaths per 1,000 live births. Lack of nutrition, pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, measles, injuries are adding to the high rate of neonatal deaths in the country. Nearly one-half of all kids below the age of five years are either underweight or slower. The weak child health care facilities in the country means that most of these children are not vaccinated exposing them to the risks of life harmful diseases.

Bangladesh has a subtropical monsoon weather indicated by wide seasonal different versions in rainfall, moderately warm temperatures, and high humidity. During summer the sun shines hotly. The heat is terrible. Water goes dry. Ponds, canals, lakes and small rivers go dry. There is scarcity of water everywhere. The earth gets parched. People sweat at the slightest work and become tired and thirsty. People can not work at ease. Summer is also the season of various fruits. Various seasonal fruits ripe then. Three seasons are generally identified: a hot, humid summer from March to June; a cool, rainy monsoon period from June to October; and a cool, dry winter season from October to March. In normal, maximum summer season in bangladesh temperatures between 32°C and 38°C. May and april is the hottest months in most area of the country.

Summer Season in bangladesh

Bangladesh look very beautiful in summer season. In summer season and rainy season, the temparature raom around 28-35 degree celcius and there are heavy rainfalls in May, June and July. But it does not mean that there will be rain for 5/6 days in a Rowland can also go to bangaldesh in summer and rainy season. But you have to get ready for sudden rain. Most of these fruits—perishable in nature with high dietary value-are available during the specific season of production. Between these fruits; mango, jackfruit, litchi, banana, papaya, pineapple, watermelon, guava, lemon, star fruit, honeydew etc are available during the summer season in bangladesh. So, it is no surprise that summer in Bangladesh is called season of fruits—specially for mango, jack fruit, lichi and jam (black berry)—the common crowd favorites. In taste, flavor and structure, scores of most these fruits in Bangladesh are higher than similar fruits in other countries.

Bangladesh is a country of wide, basically unknown and unspoiled natural beauty and reserves, which are purely outstanding and amazing. Eco-tourism is a new concept in the country though it has created in the last 15 years in different countries of the world. The marketing of eco-tourism in the world today has reached maximum sophistication and supply of goods and services has maxed than its present demand. Now a day more and more people want to spend leisure time for nature, so it is an essential window of the hospitality Industry. The eco-tourism makes possibilities in areas having exclusive features or qualities in natural scenic beauty, wildlife and forests. As a destination for eco-tourism of bangladesh is truly hard to beat. Bangladesh is one of the beautiful places in South Asia with great economic possibilities. But the main fascination of Bangladesh should be its opportunities for eco-tourism with its wide range of birds , forests, animals, marine life, and hills.

Eco-tourism of bangladesh

The wildlife of Bangladesh is not only rich on land or the air but also in the Bay of Bengal and in its great rivers. For scuba divers, Saint Martin’s Island may provide great diving possibilities and they would be pretty different from the waters in the Caribbean. To develop a form of tourism that utilizes exclusive local, natural, traditional and cultural resources, and to promote the conservation and efficiency of forests through right management, and to blend successfully the resources and the marketing of tourism, it is important to apply eco-tourism and a green productivity program in an organized way. The concepts and practices of eco-tourism of bangladesh and green productivity can be, and should be, a part of the tourism development method for Bangladesh. Tourists visiting virtually unknown, developing countries like Bangladesh are concerned about food, disease, infection, inconvenience, language obstacles, safety and security and so on. Government, NGOs and private organizers engaged in the general tourism industry should work hand in hand to create eco-tourism and green productivity projects.

The nature of Bangladesh is extremely relaxing, as it not too hot and too cold. six season in Bangladesh around the year will give you exclusive experience of six new feelings. Geography of Bangladesh is very ideal for agriculture. Therefore, farmers cultivate different food and grains in different seasons. The country has a good number of knowledgeable populations and there have large number universities and institutions all over the country. Apart from natural beauty of bangladesh, city life of the country is also exciting. There are many exclusive hotels, shopping malls, food courts and bars are available here. Tourists, those visit Bangladesh once, like its nature, geography, lifestyle, festivals and etc.

Natural Beauty Of Bangladesh

Bangladesh natural beauty has many characteristics. Bangladesh is a beautiful country. It has some points that have the potential to get really well-known destinations. Cox’s bazar is the top beach in the world. This beach oh Bangladesh is in 1st position in the selection of new seven wonders of nature, sorted by the New Seven Wonders Foundation. The total length of 121 km.Apart from beaches Bangladesh is also well-known form it natural beauty and warm hospitality of its kind people. Bangladesh is full-filled with many natural beauties. It is very wonderful in every where. The vast Bay of Bengal is located in the South of bangladesh.Bangladesh and India earn foreign currency each year of great sundarban. A huge number of foreign travelers come to visit this heritage of humanity each year.

The natural beauty of bangladesh is extremely beautiful. The life of a large number of people depend on sundarban. A huge number of fish in river sundarban. That the fish caught all over the year and sell in the market. With its moving green hills, dense forests, cool climate and broad sandy beaches, Chittagong Division, located in southern Bangladesh, is the second largest of the country’s six administrator divisions. It is divided into eleven districts (zillas), namely Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachhari, Feni, Lakshmipur, Comilla, Noakhali, Brahmanbaria and Chandpur. The Chittagong Division is a vital agricultural area, as well as being a major provider of hydroelectric power. The beautiful Patenga Beach situated where the fast-flowing river Karnaphuli empties into the sea, and the man-made Foy’s Lake with its beautiful scenery and diverse flora and fauna – a popular picnic spot with residents and guests.

Bangladesh environmental network

Bangladesh Environmental Network (BEN) was introduced in the year 2000 in a small country known Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a country with its area covering almost 144,000 km sq with a population of 150 million people. Due to its small area it has very less energy resources to support its population. Therefore if the huge population of this country is not environmentally aware then they might become the main contributors and sources of pollution. It was very important for the people of Bangladesh to step forward and take an action against their growing problems; therefore in this situation Bangladesh Environmental Network (BEN) program was arranged. BEN was the first global organization which consists of non-resident Bangladeshis and their friends who are committed to help Bangladesh deal with its environment problems.

Before the Bangladesh Environmental Network (BEN) was organized Bangladesh was facing a huge problem with the environment, the main components of environment were harmed such as the composition and quality of the atmosphere, the quantity and quality of water, erosion and degradation of soil, biodiversity of plants and animals along with human health issues. These factors further gave rise to other problems such as sudden climate changes and global warming due to which the sea level rose and caused frequent floods in the next 15 years. The degree of environmental degradation kept staggering as there were no actions taken towards it. Quality of water was damaged, high concentration of arsenic and many other chemicals such as Mn, Cr, Pb, Ni, U were found, which gave rise to plenty of other water born diseases. Air pollution had destroyed the country badly; deforestation and destruction of biodiversity kept increasing day by day. During all this the government failed terribly, inadequacy of government, absence of right policies, ill convinced projects, improper implementations of project, absence of environmental legislation and court, weak position of environment ministry in government and poor NGO and CSO response kept increasing the disaster more day by day. This was the moment when the Bangladesh Environmental Network (BEN) program was introduced.

Internet has allowed the Bangladesh Environmental Network (BEN) program to spread worldwide and has made it successful. Today, there are more than 700 members from more than ten countries participating in the BEN program. The members of Bangladesh Environmental Network (BEN) programs are concerned non-resident Bangladeshis (NRB’s), environmental activists, friends of Bangladesh, researchers and scholars. The objective of Bangladesh Environmental Network (BEN) program is to assist the environmental movement in Bangladesh with international expertise and to help build a board-based environmental movement there, to introduce Bangladesh government to adopt environment friendly policies, to raise awareness of the international community about the impact of global processes, such as climate change and archive the disseminate information on environmental problems in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Environmental Network (BEN) program focused on its 5 basic principles that are self-reliance, non-partisan character, emphasis on RB-NRB cooperation, non-hierarchical organization and consensus decision making.

After the introduction of Bangladesh Environmental Network (BEN), BEN members proactively participated in many other programs. They supported a conference on Sundarban in 2001, BEN supported River Protection Moment; BEN cosponsored the second international conference on Bangladesh Environment Network in 2002. Somehow Bangladesh could experience the change and development done by Bangladesh Environmental Network (BEN) and as the result of this joint effort with residents of Bangladesh, there have been several notable achievements, such as, introduction of unleaded gasoline to replace leaded gasoline, ban on two stroke engines/ replacement with CNG based 3-wheelers, re-imposition of ban on polythene bags, demolition of encroachments along with the banks of Buriganga, initiation of a national and regional movement for the protection of rivers, etc. As such, Bangladesh Environmental Network (BEN) has changed/transformed Bangladesh to an extent. However, that much is still not enough, what Bangladesh needs is the support and cooperation from its neighbor countries. Likewise we should choose an environmental cause and contribute our time and effort and take part in the Bangladesh Environmental Network (BEN) discussions and activities. United we can overcome so let’s work together to go from where we are in terms of environmental disaster with Bangladesh Environmental Network (BEN).

Tea gardens in bangladesh

Tea gardens of Bangladesh is very popular. Bangladesh is one of the few countries in South Asia, which remains to be explored. The area around Sylhet is traditional tea growing area. The picturesque Surma Valley is covered with terraces of tea gardens and lush green tropical forests. Srimangal is known as the tea capital of Bangladesh and for miles around one can see the green carpet of tea gardens on the hill slopes.

The area has over 150 tea gardens including three of the largest tea gardens in the world both in area and production. Nearly 300,000 workers are employed on the tea estates of which over 75% are women. Employers prefer to engage women for plucking tea leaves since they do a better job and are paid less than the men. A visit to the tea plantation in Sylhet is a memorable experience. The gardens are relics from the days of the British Raj. The plantations were started by the British and the manager still live in white timber homes as they did in those days. The bungalows stand on huge beautifully maintained lawns and the service and lifestyle is pretty much unchanged.

The humus content in the soil here is more than in the traditional tea-growing areas of Sylhet. The tea produced in Panchagarh is supposedly much better in quality than that of Sylhet. Several nurseries have been set up in Panchagarh and Thakurgaon to supply high quality saplings to the tea gardens. This promises to be a good avenue of employment for the locals and chances of increased exports of tea. As of now Bangladesh exports tea to Pakistan and Russia. This may soon reach wider markets and become everyone’s cup of tea. Tea is an important export item in bangladesh. Bangladesh ranks tenth among the ten largest tea-producing and exporting countries in the world. In the year 2000, the country’s tea production was 1.80% of the 2,939.91 million kg produced worldwide. Most of the 163 tea estates in Bangladesh are located in the North-eastern region of Bangladesh-Maulvi Bazar, Hobiganj, Sylhet, Brahmanbaria districts. There are a few number of tea estates in Panchagar District and in Chittagong,a South-eastern district.

Most of the tea estates are located in the northeast region of Bangladesh. The first tea garden was established by the Duncan Brothers. Since then all the tea gardens have been established by clearing jungles. Those who did the jungle clearing were non-locals brought by Duncan from Assam, Bihar, Madras, Orissa and other places in India. At present, the total number of tea estates are 163 and the total number of tea factories are 114. The total garden area is 115,629.76 ha. The tea gardens is a huge source of revenue for the government of Bangladesh. History of Bangladesh tea industry dates back to around 1823 when tea started to be grown for commercial purposes in the Assam forests.

Tea plantation in Bengal developed concurrently with that in the northeastern part of India during the early nineteenth century. In 1855, the Assam indigenous tea plant was established in Chandghani Hills of Sylhet. Near about the same time, wild tea was found among Khasiand Jainta Hills. Around 1840, tea plantation started in Chittagong. The first commercial tea gardens plantation was established in 1857 in Mulnichera in Sylhet. The Sylhet valley is formed by a beautiful, winding pair of rivers named the Surma and the Kushiara both of which are fed by innumerable hill streams from the north and the south. The valley has good number of haors which are big natural depressions. During winter these haors are vast stretches of green land, but in the rainy season they turn into turbulent seas.

Bangladesh has 163 tea gardens (including seven in Panchagarh where tea cultivation started only recently) with 36 of them considered “sick.” The maximum daily cash pay for the daily rated worker in 2008 was Taka 32.50 (less than half a US$). This is a miserable pay having a severe effect on the daily lives of the tea workers. Although the workers get rations at a concession, a family can hardly have decent food items on their plate.

Wildlife sanctuaries & national park

Bangladesh is one of the greenest countries on earth. Apart from that it is also famous for wildlife sanctuaries and national park. 85% of people live here in small villages and on cross roads. Bangladesh is situated in the Bay of Bengal sharing borders with India and Myanmar.

Protected area of Bangladesh covers approx. 2% of the country’s total area or 243 677 ha. There are eight National Parks in Bangladesh as well as seven wildlife sanctuaries, five conservation sites and one game reserve.Bangladesh’s National Parks can be illustrated as large areas of natural beauty where the flora and fauna are protected and preserved for the public to enjoy and gain education. Wildlife sanctuaries are restricted areas where wildlife sanctuaries and natural resources are protected for the provision of undisturbed breeding. Game reserves are represented by the government as a place that protects wildlife sanctuaries as well as serves to increase the numbers of various species. Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the University of Chittagong (UCHIT), Chittagong, Bangladesh are financed by the Norwegian Cooperation Programme for Development Research and Education (NUFU).

The Sundarbans region of Bangladesh and India has changed extensively. Only half of its original size has been preserved as before, the rest has been cleared and converted for agricultural use over the past 150 years.Six major animal species have been eliminate this century the Javan rhino, wild buffalo, swamp deer, hog deer, gaur and mugger crocodile.There are no villages in the Sundarbans sanctuaries but the whole area provides a livelihood for some 300,000 people, working seasonally as wood-cutters, palm collectors, fisherman, and honey hunters. The Sundarbans mangrove forest, one of the largest such forests in the world is formed at the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghan rivers on the Bay of Bengal. Total area of the entire Sundarbans is about one million HA, 60% of which is found in Bangladesh and the rest in India.

Forest department under the ministry of environment and forests, government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is responsible for preservation, conservation, and management of wildlife sanctuaries in the country. National parks, nature reserves and other protected areas of this country’s or territory.  Bangladesh is an interesting country lying at the junction of the Indian and Malayan sub-regions of the Indomalayan Realm.Bangladesh was very rich in wildlife sanctuaries. Some 120 species of mammals, 578 species of birds, 128 species of reptiles and 19 species of amphibians. Now situation is serious for most wildlife sanctuaries, especially large mammals, birds of prey, many waterfowl, certain reptiles and some amphibians.

Climate is just the weather that is ascendant or normal in a particular region; the term climate includes temperature, rainfall and wind patterns. Humans are now, due to pollution from industrial processes and wasteful lifestyles directly influencing the climate of the earth. Human influence is now believed to be changing the climate much faster than occurring in the past under natural processes. In terms of the impact of climate change few places in the world will experience the range of effects and the intensity of changes that will occur in Bangladesh, which will include:

1. Average weather temperatures rising

2. More extreme hot and cold spells

3. Rainfall being less when it is most needed for agriculture

4. Melting of glaciers in the source areas of Bangladesh‟s rivers

5. More powerful tornados and cyclones

6. Sea level rise displacing communities

7. Turning freshwater saline and facilitating more powerful storm surges

Bangladesh is trapped between the Himalayas in the north and the encroaching Bay of Bengal to the south. Bangladesh is most open to natural calamities due to the absolute frequency of extreme climate events and its high population density. Floods are frequent and cause the greatest economic and human losses to the country.

 As Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries on the planet, any climate change or disaster necessarily affects millions of people. Bangladesh is already one of the poorest places on earth with around half the population below the poverty line, the cost to Bangladesh of climate change could be more than half that the country has ever received in foreign aid.

Bangladesh is among the most catastrophe prone countries in the world. The rate of flooding episodes is growing, with catastrophic once in a generation floods occurring more regularly. Increasingly severe disasters will play an important part in that calculation for even without serious climate change.

However, if people have to play a part in reducing the impact of climate change through climate change adaptation methods or through disaster mitigation measures, there must be a detailed up-to-date awareness of the predicted effects of climate change and where these will take place throughout the country.

However, many more people could be affected by climate change’s impact on disease, due to hotter weather and changing rainfall patterns a number of diseases in South Asia may become more common. Climate change is also likely to produce better conditions for Dengue Fever in Asia, which could lead to the disease spreading out to other areas of Bangladesh from its stronghold in Dhaka.