Medhakachhapia National Park, National park in Chakaria, Bangladesh
Medhakachhapia National Park is a forest reserve with tropical evergreen trees in Cox's Bazar District. The area contains diverse animal species and native tree stands across roughly 400 hectares.
The forest was established as a protected area in 2004 and declared a national park by the government of Bangladesh on 8 August 2008. It lies in Chakaria Upazila, Cox's Bazar District, covers 395.92 hectares and is managed by the Cox's Bazar North Forest Department. The aim was to protect the century-old garjan (Rhizophora apiculata) stand.
The forest is known locally for its giant garjan trees, and the park was created mainly to protect a stand of century-old garjan. Within 1 to 3 km of the park live about 18,305 people in 3,523 households, villages that depend on farming, salt cultivation and fish farming, and whose numbers are rising with the arrival of Rohingya refugees.
The park is best visited with local guides who know the trails through the forest areas. Comfortable shoes and insect protection are important since it has a tropical forest climate.
The area is known for its very old Rhizophora trees that are more than a century old. These trees are rare representatives of a forest type that is seldom protected in Bangladesh.
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