Bhawal National Park and the sal forest

North of Dhaka in Gazipur, Bhawal protects a remnant of the sal forests that once covered much of central Bangladesh.

Bhawal National Park in Gazipur was established in 1974 to protect part of the Madhupur–Bhawal sal forest tract. Sal trees, which shed and regrow their leaves each year, dominate the woodland, mixed with other native species and plantations. Being close to the capital, the park is a popular place for picnics and walks. Expanding industry and settlements around Gazipur put pressure on the forest, which makes the protected area important for wildlife and for the city's green space.