Nijhum Dwip, a silent Island

Nijhum Dwip is a small island located in the Hatiya Upazila of Noakhali district in the south of Bangladesh. Although everyone referred to it as islands, it is actually a Char situated on the estuary of the sea. To reach the island of Main Hatiya on the southern side of Noakhali, it has to pass through the Meghna River. Branch of Meghna is in the north and west of the Bay of Bengal and on the south and east this little green land of Nijhum Dip located which has been able to make the place as a tourist spot for a short time.

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Around 1200 people live on average every square kilometer. But still there are some places in our country where people's homesteads are very low; there is an unrestricted expansion of nature.

And if somebody wants to leave the association of the people and immerse them in nature, then there can be nothing better than these places. One such place is Nijhum Island. The Island is really silent. There is no tourist glare, light flashes or any kind of mechanical vehicle.

Naming and History: As far as history is known, the former name of the Island was named Char Osman. Osman first settled on this Island with his Buffalo team. The island was named after him. In 1979, former minister Amirul Islam changed the name of the island to Nijhum Dwip. According to the local forest department, this island of about 14,000 acres was raised in the year 1950. Until the 1970s, people were not living here.

In 1970, forest department started their activities on this island and released four pairs of deer. Later, in 1996, in a census report, it was found that the number of deer rose to 22,000 in this 26 years from 1970-1996. From then on, this island was declared as a sanctuary of deer. There are also numerous deer in the island today.

The island is mainly a cluster of islands. The rivers and canals in the middle of it, as if precisely the Sundarbans. As the coastal region, winter intensity in winter is relatively low. The fierce sea breeze and amazing nature will bring the feeling of great happiness. Recently a new Char (island) has been awakened to the south of the island, the tourists whose name is 'Virgin Island'.

What to see?  If you are nature-loving, then there is no word. Thousands of guest birds come in the winter in the islands along the main island. Some of them include Sarali, Lenja, Jiriya, Pyeong, Chakhachakhi, Rangamuri, Bhutihans and many other ducks, swan, Kadakhocha, Batan, Gulinda aquatic birds etc. And there are many local birds including eagles, seagull, and herons all year round. There are deer, fox, wild pigs, various snakes and monkeys in the forests surrounding the island.

To see the birds or deer, you have to get up early. Deer can be seen by visiting local guide with the main island. To see the birds, you have to go by trawlers to the islands nearby; there will be a lot of mud.  Kabiraj and Domar Char is very good place to see the birds. Even if you are an adventurer, this Island will not disappoint you.

You can walk in the jungle, as well as camp in the sand of the sea or arranging bar-b-que. There is a large flock of buffalo and many things to travel to the sea by boat.

How to go from Dhaka to Nijhum Dwip? A single launch named ‘MV Farhan leave from Sadarghat in Dhaka to Hatia. It takes about 12 hours to reach the Tamruddin Ghat of Hatiya after starting at 5:30 pm. Deck ticket is 350 Taka, the single cabin is two thousand Taka, double is four thousand Taka.

After reaching Hatiya can go to Namar Bazar by a fishing trawler. Trawler fare is 200 Taka per person. If you do not get the trawler, you can go to Moktarghat by motorcycle (300 Taka per head). From there by engine boat after crossing the Meghna River in 5-10 minutes you will reach the island. Then you will have to go to the Namar bazar again by motorcycle (Taka 50) or rickshaw (Taka 100). Besides, you can go to the train to Noakhali's Maizdi. Nijhum Deep (island) can be reached from there to the trawler.

At the time of return, you will get that only launch from Hatiya at around 12.30 noon. Or you can catch a train to Dhaka by going on the trawler to Maizdi.

Where to stay? Before going to the Island, it is a good idea to arrange accommodation from Dhaka. Otherwise, you will face to various problems. For the tourists, there is a cyclone shelter named Nijhum Resort. There are nine two and three bedded rooms. There are also 3 dormitories with 22 beds. To stay here, you need to contact with Abakash Parjatan Company limited in Dhaka.

This office is located on the 9th floor of AlHajj Shamsuddin Mansion, 17 New Eskaton Road in Dhaka. Phone: 01552372269, 02-8358485, 02-9342351, 02-9359230. On the Nijhum Resort, the rent for every two-bed rooms is 1,000 Taka and the rent for the family room of 3 beds is 2,000 Taka. The dormitory room for 12 beds is 2,400 Taka and the 5-bed dormitory room is 1,200 Taka. Note that, only one can stay in each room. If there is a crisis in the room, there can be a maximum of two people and therefore an additional Taka 100 is to be paid.

You can also contact directly at Nijhum Resort. Contact number 01724-145864. There is another boarding named Masjid (mosque) boarding. They have 8 rooms with single and double. There is no arrangement for generators and attached bathrooms, although there is a generator and eclectic bathroom arrangement at Nijhum Resort but not here. Masjid Boarding contact number- 01727-958879. Here, the rent of each single room is 120/150 Taka and the double room rate is 200-250 Taka.

There are also three or four residential boards/hotels at a very cheap price in the local market here. There is also a wonderful bungalow in the forest department beside the Deputy Commissioner bungalow. For staying here you need to take permission from concerned authorities.

Where to eat? There are all kinds of food arrangements for tourists in the local market (Namar Bazar). Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea biscuits all are available here.

Keep in mind:

• The government declared the jungle of Nijhum Island (Deep) as a protected sanctuary. Besides, this whole island is the resource of Bangladesh. So do not throw dirt everywhere.

• If you have a hunting habit, please forget to do that here. In order to protect the animals and birds of the island, the government and forest department are very concerned including the local people.

• Local people are quite polite and innocent. They will not want to cooperate if you don't do the same. In that case, your travel will not be pleasant.

• If you want to see birds in the surrounding areas, it is better to go there in the flow conditions, because when the fall starts, the boat will not be able to float in the River.

• During the hot season, the sea is quite rough. At this time, it is a good idea to check the weather.

 • Going to Nijhum Island is time-consuming and labor-intensive, so it is good to go there without the kid and senior people.

• Launch always starts at the right time, so be careful about this.

• Do not try to damage the trees.

• Do not disturb the birds in Nijhum Dwip.