Dharmapur National Park

Dharmapur National Park
The Sal forest of Dharmapur National Park
Location in Bangladesh
Location	Biral Upazila, Dinajpur District, Bangladesh
Nearest city	Dinajpur
Coordinates	25°32′23″N88°32′52″E / 25.539639°N 88.547689°E / 25.539639; 88.547689
Area	704.70 hectares
Established	24 November 2021

Dharmapur National Park is a protected forest area located in the Dharmapur Union of Biral Upazila in Dinajpur District, northern Bangladesh. It was declared a national park on 24 November 2021. Known for its natural beauty, diverse trees, and rich wildlife, it is considered one of the most important forests in northern Bangladesh. Locally, it is also known as Dharmapur Sal Forest. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Location and area

Dharmapur National Park is located about 8 kilometers west of Dinajpur City, to the south of Biral Upazila, just east of Kaliaganj Bazaar in Dharmapur Union. The park spans across 21 mouzas (revenue villages) and covers an area of about 2,730 acres (704.70 hectares). ^[5] Two rivers, the Bijra and a 10-kilometer stretch of the Nona River, flow through the forest, adding even more variety to the landscape. ^{[6] [7]}

Biodiversity

Dharmapur National Park is best known for its Sal forests. Here are rows of old, dense Sal trees. In addition to Sal, the park has a variety of other trees and plants such as Jamrul, Tarul, Shilkodai, Shimul, Minjiri, Segun, Gamar, Akashmoni, Ghoranim, Sonalu, Gutijam, Haritaki, Boyra, Amloki, Devdaru, Aparajita, Bet, Agar, and Khejur. There are also thickets of bamboo and cane scattered throughout the forest. ^{[6] [8] [9]}

The forest is home to more than fifty species of birds, as well as animals such as jungle cats, jackals, mongooses, foxes, rabbits, snakes, and vultures. In the past, tigers, bears, and nilgai could also be found here, but now they are nearly extinct in this area. The forest is especially enchanting because of the many birds, particularly the melodious calls of doves. ^[10]

Tourism and conservation

Dharmapur National Park is a favorite destination for visitors because of its scenic beauty and peaceful surroundings. Winding paved roads, rows of Sal trees, open skies, and the shade from various trees make walking through the forest a memorable experience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the forest was able to recover some of its natural environment, and as a result, the number of animals and plants increased slightly. According to local residents, turning the area into a national park has created new opportunities for nature and biodiversity conservation. At the same time, it has opened up new sources of employment and tourism income for the local community. ^{[11] [6]}

Dharmapur Forest was once much denser and rich in wildlife. However, land grabbing and illegal logging have led to the shrinking of the forest and loss of biodiversity. To protect the forest and its wildlife, the government took steps to designate it as a national park. Currently, forest conservation activities are ongoing in coordination with the local community, the Forest Department, and the local administration. ^{[12] [6]}

See also

• List of protected areas of Bangladesh

References

1. "List of Protected Areas by Forest Department". Forest Department. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
2. "List of Protected Areas by Forest Department" (in Bengali). Forest Department, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
3. "Dharmapur National Park" (in Bengali). Forest Department. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
4. "Tourist Spot – Dharmapur". Dinajpur District Portal. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
5. "The Sal Forests of the North: Dharmapur". Prothom Alo. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
6. "Dharmapur Sal Forest, a Place of Beauty in Dinajpur". Dhakatimes News. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
7. Meherun N. Sultana and Muntasir Akash (2018). "Biodiversity Registration of the Dharmapur Forest Beat, a Wet Deciduous Patch of Dinajpur District". Proceedings of the 21st National Conference & AGM, Zoological Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
8. "USAID Bangladesh Tropical Forest & Biodiversity Analysis – Dharmapur National Park" (PDF). NORC/USAID. 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
9. Pavel Partha (23 August 2011). "Will the Scars of Blood Ever Dry in Madhupur Sal Forest?". Daily Samakal (in Bengali). Retrieved 20 July 2025.
10. "Forest Department". bforest.gov.bd. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
11. "Dharmapur Sal Forest of Dinajpur: Searching for Lost Heritage". Channel i. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
12. "Administration's Initiatives for Conservation of Dharmapur Sal Forest". Banglanews24. Retrieved 20 July 2025.