Bhawal National Park National Park

Bhawal National Park is a protected area in central Bangladesh within Dhaka Division established to conserve remnant sal-dominated forest and local wildlife. The park preserves one of the larger tracts of semi-natural forest remaining near the central plains.

Trails and roadside access reveal sal woodland, mixed scrub and small clearings; visitors encounter typical Bangladeshi forest fauna including deer, macaques and numerous bird species. The park functions as a local recreation area as well as a conservation site.

The area was set aside as protected forest and later officially designated a national park in the 1970s as part of efforts to conserve forest remnants near the capital. Management since designation has combined protection, reforestation and limited public access.

The park lies in Gazipur District north of Dhaka in central Bangladesh, within the greater Dhaka administrative division and accessible from the capital by road.

• Establishment: Declared a national park in 1974 and managed for forest conservation and wildlife protection.
• Habitat: The park is dominated by sal (Shorea) forest and scrub typical of the region, providing habitat for deer, monkeys and a variety of birds.

Bhawal National Park is in Gazipur District north of Dhaka. It is reached by road from Dhaka by bus or private car; local buses and coach services to Gazipur and nearby towns serve the area, and from the nearest road or bus stop a short local taxi/autorickshaw ride or walk will bring you to the park entrances. Services and connections are concentrated from Dhaka and Gazipur.

• Plan visits in the dry, cooler months (roughly November-February) to avoid the heavy monsoon rains that can make forest tracks muddy and limit visibility on wildlife walks.
• Go on weekdays or early mornings to avoid heavy local picnic crowds-which concentrate at the main picnic areas on weekends-and ask at the park office about quieter trails or guided walks.
• Check with the park office about any permits, guided-tour options and current trail conditions before setting out; park staff can point you to sections where wildlife is most often seen.