Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary, Protected forest reserve in Chattogram District, Bangladesh

Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary covers the Ramgarh–Sitakunda forests about 45 km north of Chittagong port, in Fatikchari, Chattogram District. Its irregular terrain of ridges and spurs carries tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, with dense shrubby growth, patches of closed forest and bamboo. Soils vary between loam, clay loam and sandy loam, and annual rainfall reaches about 3,000 mm.

The sanctuary lies in the Ramgarh–Sitakunda forest tract about 45 km north of Chittagong port and is classed as IUCN protected area category II. Its history is tied to the forest itself: 925 families, mostly from tribal ethnic groups, live inside the sanctuary boundaries. The sources record no founding date or government designation.

The Tripura people who live within the sanctuary have developed their own relationship with the forest, visible in how they farm and build around the landscape. You can see their settlements integrated into the surroundings, where daily life follows rhythms connected to the forest itself.

The sanctuary is most accessible during drier months when paths are easier to navigate through the forest. Bring sturdy footwear and water, and plan for slow-paced walks since the vegetation is thick and movement requires time.

The sanctuary provides refuge for rare animals like the Himalayan Serow and Capped Langur that exist in few other places in Bangladesh. These creatures hide deep in the undergrowth and can only be spotted by patient observers willing to spend quiet time in the forest.