Bangabandhu Bridge,Sirajgonj.

Bangabandhu Bridge, also called the Jamuna Multi-purpose Bridge , is a bridge opened in Bangladesh in June 1998. It connects Bhuapur on the Jamuna River's east bank to Sirajganj on its West Bank. It was the 11th longest bridge in the World when constructed in 1998 and currently the 6th longest bridge in South Asia. It was constructed over the Jamuna River, one of the three major rivers of Bangladesh, and fifth largest in the world in terms of volumetric discharge.

The bridge established a strategic link between the eastern and western parts of Bangladesh. It generates multifarious benefits for the people and especially, promotes inter-regional trade in the country. Apart from quick movement of goods and passenger traffic by road and rail, it facilitated transmission of electricity and natural gas, and integration of telecommunication links. The bridge is located on the Asian Highway and the Trans-Asian Railway which, when fully developed, will provide uninterrupted international road and railway links from South-east Asia through Central Asia to North-west Europe.

The river Jamuna (Brahmaputra), along with the lower stretch of the Padma (Ganges) divides Bangladesh into nearly two equal halves. Until now all road and rail communication between the two parts of the country has had to rely on time-consuming ferry services that were often disrupted because of navigability problems. The need for a bridge over the Jamuna River was felt, especially by the people living in northwestern Bangladesh, for a long time. This perceived need did not go unnoticed by the policy makers. The people and successive governments always longed to bridge the mighty Jamuna and thereby integrate the communication systems of the region.

Cholon Beel: A blend of life with water and boat

Chalan Beel is a series of wetlands connected by channels of water in the lower Altrai basin. During the rainy season, these wetlands become a single body of water with dense aquatic vegetation supporting diverse  wildlife. The banks of Chalan Beel are covered in a variety of fauna, which is inhabited by at least twenty-seven species of mammals, and thirty-four species of reptiles, with amphibians including seven species of frogs and toads. Reptiles include turtles, tortoises, lizards and a number of snake species.

Chalan Beel is an extensive lowland area in the lower Atrai basin, and spreads across singra and Gurudaspur thana on Natore, chatmohor  of pabna and ullahpara , Raiganag and Tarash upazilas of Shirajgong . It consists of a series of  beels connected to one another by various channels to form a continuous water body during the rainy season.

International research has revealed that wetlands around the world serve a critical role in maintaining biodiversity, contributing to the overall health of the planet. Unfortunately, lack of knowledge regarding the role of wetlands has led to humans encroaching on these areas in one way or another. The major problem facing Chalan Beel is the silt carried by the more than forty rivers that empty into it. While it is estimated that Chalan Beel initially covered an area of more than 1000 square kilometers, a survey in 1909 noted that it had been reduced to 368 square kilometers, and a more recent survey noted that it had shrunk to a mere 26 square kilometers.

Developments around the rivers that empty into Chalan Beel, such as the construction of the east bengal railway in the early 1900s and numerous dams, roads and railways since then, have caused the rivers to redirect and gather silt along the way. Although the silt provides fertile soil for agriculture, taking over wetlands for agriculture and habitation has taken away the livelihood of those who fished for a living, and has impacted negatively on the environment in a number of ways.

The Adventurous Island Sandwip

Sandwip Island may not be everybody’s idea of a great holiday destination but the more adventurous might want to seek it out and discover its many hidden treasures. The island is located in southeastern Bangladesh and is quite different from other parts of the country.

Sandwip Island in Bangladesh has a great historical legacy. The island itself is about 3000 years old and it has been ruled by many different people over the centuries, including Delwar Khan. It was a Portuguese and Arakanese pirate stronghold during the 17th century and even today some of the architecture on the island reflects this part of the island’s history.

                                                        
One of the nice things about Sandwip Island in Bangladesh is that it has been formed by silt deposits from the Meghna river. This makes it an incredibly fertile island – something which the people of the island have been exploiting for years. Today the main crops are melons, mangos, pineapples, gaab, jam, coconut and various crops. Sandwip has also gained a reputation for being a premier ship manufacturer. There are a lot of different things to see on this incredible little island – why not visit it and discover them for yourself?

Lalmai Moinamoti And Shalbon Bihar

 They are famous historical and archeological places around Comilla. These are a series of hillocks, where the Northern part is called Moinamoti and the Southern part is called Lalmai; and Shalbon Bihar is in the Middle of Lalmai and Moinamoti, which the was established in 8th century by King Buddadev.

Salban Vihara, almost in the middle of the Moinamoti-Lalmai hill range consists of 115 cells, built around a spacious courtyard with cruciform temple in the centre facing its only gateway complex to the north resembling that of the Paharpur Monastery. Kotila Mura situated on a flattened hillock, about 5 km north of Salban Vihara inside the Comilla Cantonment is a picturesque Buddhist establishment. Here three stupas are found side by side representing the Buddhist `Trinity’ or three jewels i.e. the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Charpatra Mura is an isolated small oblong shrine situated about 2.5 km. north-west of kotila Mura stupas. The only approach to the shrine is from the East through a gateway, which leads to a spacious hall.

If you are in Comilla and already visited Lalmai, Moinamoti then don’t miss to go Moinamoti museum  where you will find the historical things found in Lalmai & Moinamoti of 7th & 8th centuries. The Mainamati site Museum has a rich and varied collection of copper plates, gold and silver coins and 86 bronze objects. Over 150 bronze statues have been recovered mostly from the monastic cells, bronze stupas, stone sculptures and hundreds of terracotta plaques each measuring on an average of 9" high and 8" to 12" wide. Mainamati is only 114 km. from Dhaka City and is just a day's trip by road on way to Chittagong.