Ramsagar National Park - A Blend of Natural Beauty and Man-Made Resources

Located in the Dinajpur District in the north-west of Bangladesh, the Ramsagar National Park spreads out over an area of about sixty square kilometers, with a vast man-made water reservoir as its focal point. The area around the Ramsagar Lake is a popular picnic spot for both locals and tourists, and the abundant flora and fauna in the area enhances the peaceful sensation of being close to nature.
The water reservoir was built between 1750 and 1755 to provide local inhabitants with safe drinking water. Its construction was initiated by Raja Ram Nath and some 1.5 million laborers worked on the project. The reservoir was named in his honor. The Parjatan Corporation, which manages many tourism projects in Bangladesh, has developed some visitor facilities around the lake, such as rest-rooms, picnic spots and kiosks to sell refreshments, as well as playgrounds for children to enjoy. Popular activities in the area include fishing, boating and hiking. There is not much in the line of indigenous forest in the Ramsagar National Park, but the Forest Department of Bangladesh have planted a variety of ornamental and fruit trees that have flourished and become lush forested areas.
The lake is populated by a variety of fish, as well as fresh water crocodiles, while animals that visitors are likely to see on land include Sambar Deer, Chital Deer, Wild Boar, Blue Bull, Sloth Bear and Hyena. Birding enthusiasts can look out for resident White-Breasted Water Hen, Jacanas, Moorhen, River Tern, Sand Piper, Ringed Plover and Grey and Purple Herons. Moreover, the lake is a stop-over for innumerable migratory water-fowl, making for a spectacular sight during migration season.
With the concept of eco-tourism gaining in popularity all over the world, the Forest Department of Bangladesh is considering a number of the country’s national parks for developing this concept, and the Ramsagar National Park is on that list. Eco-tourism allows visitors, both local and international, to enjoy the natural beauty of the country, provides local communities with a sustainable income, raises awareness of the challenges of development versus conservation, and looks for ways to ensure that future generations will also have the opportunity of enjoying the beauty of Bangladesh.