Kaptai National Park,Rangamati,Bangladesh

Introduction:
Kaptai National Park was established in 1999 and its area is 5,464.78 hectares(13,498.0 Acres). Prior to declaration of the national park it was Sitapahar Reserve.The original Sitapahar Reserve area was 14,448.0 acres.Out of this an area of 100 acres have been dereserved for the establishment of the industrial estate at Kaptai.It is about 57 kilometer from Chittagong city.It comprises with two Ranges namely Kaptai Range and Karnaphuli Range.Kaptai National park is being managed under CHT South Forest Division.It is historically important because of first time Teak(Tectona grandis) plantation in Bangladesh was started from this area.Its forest type is mixed evergreen forest.In 2009 IPAC(Integrated Protected Area Co-management) project started its activities in this protected area.
Animals:
Notable animals are Asian elephant(Elephas maximus),Hoolock Gibbbon(Hylobates hoolock),Phayres Leaf Monkey(Trachypithecus phayrei),Capped Leaf Monkey(Trachypithecus pileatus), Wild Boar(Sus scrofa), Sambar(Cervus unicolor), Barking Deer(Muntiacus muntjak),Rock Python(Python molurus),Green Cat Snake(Boiga cyanea) etc.
Birds:
It is a harbor of many wild birds.Notable birds are Red junglefowl(Gallus gallus),Kalij Pheasant(Lophura leucomelanos) Lineated Barbet(Magalaima lineata),Oriental Pied Hornbill(Anthracoceros albirostris),Indian Roller(Coracias benghalensis), Whitebreasted Waterhen(Amaurornis phoenicurus), Cattle Egret(Bubulcus ibis),Great Egret(Casmerodius albus),Greater Racket-Tailed Drongo(Dicrurus paradiseus),Jungle Myna(Acridotheres fuscus),Redbreasted Parakeet(Psittacula alexandri), Lesser Coucal(Centropus benghalensis) etc.
Plants:There are many important plants available in the Kaptai National Park such as
Kali Garjan(Dipterocarpus turbinatus),Gutgutia(Fortium serratum), Bohera(Terminalia belerica), Pitali(Trewia nudiflora), Pitraj(Aphanamixis polystachya), Jarul(Lagerstroemia speciosa), Chatim(Alstonia scholaris), Ashok(Saraca indica), Mehogoni(Swietenia mahagoni), Toon(Toona ciliata), Dharmara(Stereospermum personatum), Udal(Sterculia villosa), Civit(Swintonia floribunda), Bandorhola(Duabanga grandiflora),Barmala(Callicarpa arbores), Amloki(Phyllanthus embelica), Horitoki(Terminalia chebula), Dhakijam(Syzygium grande), Teak(Tectona grandis), Sonalu(Cassia fistula),Champaphul(Michelia champaca), Bonsimul(Salmalia insignis), Bura(Macaranga denticulata), Batna(Castanopsis armata), Hergoja(Dillenia pentagyna), Chalta(Dillenia indica),Chapalish(Artocarpus chaplasha),Gilla(Entada phasioloides),Wildbanana(Musa sapientum),Muli Bamboo(Melocanna baccifera),Canes and Orchids.
The objectives of the Kaptai National Park:

• to conserve biodiversity for both flora and fauna;
• to enrich biodiversity through habitat improvement and conservation activities;
• to promote environmental and socio-economic condition;
• to create recreational facilities for tourists from home and abroad;
• to encourage eco-tourism development and alleviate poverty;and
• to facilitate education and research.

Attractions in the Kaptai National Park:

• Bangchori and kallabunia Tribal Forest villages;
• Bonoful Forest Rest House;
• Kaptai Mukhbeat Forest Rest House;
• Prosanti Picnic Spot;
• Sitapahar and Rampahar;
• Ancient Forest Plantations(1920,1926,1927,1935 etc.).
  

Threats to forests and wildlife:

• Illegal settlements;
• Illegal woodcutting;
  
• Swidden/Jhum/Shifting cultivation;
• Poaching;
• Forest fragmentation by the Road networks;
• Fuel wood collection;
• Participatory monoculture forestation programme;
• Army/Naval fire arms training in the forest;
• Cattle grazing in the forest;
• Forest fires.