Feature

NSU Earth Club goes to Bandarban

Ishtiaque Shams

THE great orange orb of heaven suddenly disappeared into the mist. The eyes of the onlookers took a long awaited blink - a sigh of satisfaction, an unassailable attempt of preserving a truly breath-taking sight in mind. Such simple words cannot explain the experience of witnessing a sunset at the Tiger Hill in Bandarban. The sun of the seventh day of January had set, as the earth club members experienced an eventful first day at Bandarban.

On the night of January 6, thirty-seven earth club members, alumni and faculty members gathered in front of North South University, to begin what would be Earth Club's first weeklong eco-trip in a year. The bus finally arrived and the journey began.

After a night of singing and dancing in the bus, the group got down for breakfast at Bandarban Town. The weary eyed, sparingly slept bunch then boarded three jeeps, which carried them to the Milonchori Resort. Situated in a small mountain, the resort itself is a site worth watching. The cottages are designed like the houses of the indigenous people of the hill-tracks. Some of them are named after birds of Bangladesh such as Munia, Moina etc. Trees, birds, snakes and frogs accompanied the residents of this naturally enriched resort. The small bamboo bridges, wooden steps and spiraling log stair cases make it more of a tourist spot than just a rest house.

After rest and lunch, the group again boarded the jeeps, which carried them through spiraling, narrow, mountain roads to the Buddha Dhatu Jadi. It is an attractive temple located 300 feet above sea level, on a hill at Balaghata, 2 km from Bandarban town. Its golden color, eye-catching architecture is a feast for the eyes of the visitors. On the ground floor the temple contains many statuettes depicting scenes of Buddhist scripture. At the top of the temple are more statues depicting Buddha and other religious figures, and an obelisk and a massive bell. Next stop for the group was Meghla Safari Park. It was another trip through the road resembling a stream through a mountain. It is situated near the Chittagong-Bandarban Highway. A magnificent lake, cottages, rest houses, a zoo, watchtowers and restaurants make it an example of how man and nature can truly bond. All manmade beauties lie on one bank of the lake, and a hanging wooden bridge connects it to natural forests, hills and wildlife on the other bank. On our way back to the Milonchori Resort, we stopped at Tiger Hill, to witness the sunset. The scenic view of Bandarban town and its adjoining area from the hill top rest house is simply amazing.

On January 8, the group visited Lama, a quiet and remote area in the Bandarban district. After a long journey between mountains, over steams and through clouds the travelers arrived at the gate of the Quantum Meditation Resort. This resort was established in Lama, to create a space for spiritual pursuit amidst natural surroundings. After a short rest and speech from our resort guide, the tour began. As we passed through the many sections of the resort we couldn't help but appreciate the beauty and magnificence of the breath taking scenes.

According to the guide taking a dip in the two natural springs Abe Shefa (The Spring of Healing) and Abe Kudrat (The Spring of Glory) rejuvenates the mind and body in seconds. The use of a special kind of clay found under the springs has successfully eradicated stubborn rashes and skin blemishes. Chiching Phak, or 'Open Sesame', a narrow dark waterway between two sharp ridges, almost merging into each other, surprisingly opens up to a large enclosure. Jable Shams or the Hill of the Sun the highest point in the resort is the site of a very special meditation, the Surjomukhi, or 'Facing the Sun' meditation- where one unexpectedly feels the touch of a cool breeze under the scorching heat of the sun.

In addition, there are lakes, hills, wildlife and a diverse range of plants and trees brought from all over Bangladesh. A safari park Kantaran is a 3-acre fenced off valley housing deer, rabbits, hedgehogs and various species of birds.

About ten stages or manchas are scattered all over the resort and are perfect places to sit and meditate. There is a 1300 sq. ft. dhyanghar or meditation hall where 200 people can meditate together. The gentle murmur of the spring flowing by the side of the dhyanghar creates the perfect harmonic background for meditation. There are many clay and wood sculptures scattered all over that blend with the surroundings. Brick stairways, pathways and bridges not only make traversing easier but also add architectural beauty. At night, generators and solar panels illuminate this remote area where power lines are yet to be extended. The center also houses Sishu Kanon, a school and rehabilitation center for impoverished local children.

On our way back to the Milonchori Resort, we stopped for lunch and then started for a visit to the Sangu River. The clear blue water, the calming breeze and soft light of the setting sun, was a perfect end to the day.

After breakfast on January 9, the team left the resort to find the jeeps that were parked outside the resort. The journey began and some 40 minutes later we arrived at a small market place. Here a gate marked the entrance to a popular tourist spot, Shaila Propat (waterfall). Some hundred steps leading down to a rocky stream. The rocky bank of the stream is very slippery and a few of the merry gang dared to traverse it.

Then we went to Nilgiri Resort. Panoramic Nilgiri Resort is situated on the apex of a hill and is supervised and controlled by Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Rifles. It is about 2500 feet above sea level. We were awestruck when we got a glance of the Cox's Bazar sea beach from Nilgiri. A lot of natural beauties including the waves of Cox's Bazar sea beach, breezy air, the colourful life of the Mru indigenous community on the horizon touching the hills, the lush greenery marked the Nirgili trip. After lunch the enthusiastic travelers were off again. It was then time for another sunset, from another hill Chimbuk.

Chimbuk is a unique hill with different kinds of tourist attractions. It is called the Darjeeling of Bengal. It is 2000 feet above sea level. The zigzag road and view of the Sangu river en route to Chimbuk is a thrilling experience. The top of this hill is plain like a plateau. Some of us stretched our hands and could easily touch the clouds.

Returning to the Milonchori Resort, the group prepared for a barbecue night. Singing dancing and a short drama show carried through the night. The next morning some early risers of the group decided to view the sunrise over the hills before the journey back home began. Thus a memorable and inspiring trip to the rooftop of Bangladesh ended, as the rays of hope from a new morning sun shimmered over the hilltops.