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{{Short description|Wildlife sanctuary in Bangladesh}}
{{Orphan|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Kassalong reserve forest
| iucn_category = II
| photo = KR_Forest.png
| photo_caption = Kassalong forestreserve landscapeforest
| map = Bangladesh Chittagong division
| map_caption =
| map_width = 240
| relief = yes
| location = [[Rangamati District]], [[Chittagong Division]], [[Bangladesh]]
| nearest_city = [[Rangamati]]
| coordinates = {{coord|23|1008|2243.8|N|92|1018|01.52|E|region:BD|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref =
| area = 1,48,500 hactare
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}}
'''Kassalang reserve forest''' (also spelt as '''Kachalong''',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-43363|title=One-fourth of 4 lakh acre Kachalong Reserve Forest grabbed in Rangamati|newspaper=The Daily Star|date=29 June 2008|access-date=13 April 2024}}</ref> [[Bengali language|Bengali]]:'''কাসালাং সংরক্ষিত বন''', [[Chakma language|Chakma:]] '''𑄇𑄥𑄣𑄕𑄉 𑄝𑄋''') is an evergreen mountainous forest in [[Bangladesh]]. <ref>{{Cite web |title=List Of National reserves in Bangladesh {{!}} SmartScrapers |url=https://rentechdigital.com/smartscraper/business-report-details/bangladesh/national-reserves |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=SmartScraper |language=en}}</ref> It covers an area of 1485 square kilometerkm<sup>2</sup> (1,48500 hactare / 3,66,952 acres). It is a protected area in Bangladesh. Kassalang reserve forest is one of the largest and dense forest in Bangladesh. The area of Kassalang is situated far away from human residencesettlements that make it special for nature lovers. It houses Bangladesh's richest wildlife resource after [[Sundarbans]] and [[Sangu Matamuhari]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Kassalong and Rankhiang Reserved Forests in the Chittagong Hill Tracts – BFIS e-Library |url=http://bfis.bforest.gov.bd/library/the-kassalong-and-rankhaiang-reserved-forests-in-the-chittagong-hill-tracts/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |language=en-US}}</ref> It is under the [[Baghaichari Upazila|Baghaichari.]] Forest Division of the [[Forest Department (Bangladesh)]]. It is a 9a bio-ecological zone in [[Chittagong Hill Tracts]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kassalong Reserve Forest |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/tags/kassalong-reserve-forest |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}}</ref>
== History ==
The word Kassalong comes from [[Chakma language]].The name of the sanctuary originated from the Kassalong river. Kassalong river is a major drought river in that area. This dense forest area declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1881 by [[British Raj]]. <ref name=":0" />
== Location ==
Kassalang reserve forest is located 11 km (6.83 mi) north-east of [[Baghaichari Upazila]], [[Rangamati]]. It is situated between Latitudelatitude of '''23°8'43.8"''' to Longitude of '''92°18'1.52"'''. Kassalang shareshares it’sits border with [[Sajek Valley]] and [[Dighinala Upazila|Dighinala]] atto the south, [[Panchhari Upazila|Panchhari]] atto the west, Indian state of [[Tripura]] atto the north and [[Mizoram]] atto the east. It covers the northern part of [[Chittagong Hill Tracts]]. Lungsir Tlang [[Mountain range]] passes through Kassalang reserve forest. Kassalang river has crossed across the forest. The prime water streams of the forest are Tangama chara and Goba chari.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kāsālang Reserved Forest forest reserve, Chittagong, Bangladesh |url=https://bd.geoview.info/kasalang_reserved_forest,7477159 |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=bd.geoview.info}}</ref>
== Climate ==
The [[Climate]] is generally humid and warm. Average humidity is 78.02%. The temperature rises up to 37 °C in May and drops down to minimum 8 °C in January. This dense forest enjoys tropical [[Monsoon of South Asia|Monsoon]] from June to September every year.
The warmest month is May (32.72º °C / 90.9º °F), coldest month is January (16.22º °C / 61.2º °F), wettest month is July (453.28mm28 mm / 17.85in85 in) and driest month is December (2.04mm04 mm / 0.08in08 in).There is 205 days with no rain (56%).
The yearly temperature is 27.17º °C (80.91º °F) and it is -0.57% lower than Bangladesh's averages. Kassalang typically receives about 141.7 millimeters (5.58 inches) of precipitation and has 159.23 rainy days (43.62% of the time) annually.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rangamati, Chittagong, BD Climate Zone, Monthly Averages, Historical Weather Data |url=https://weatherandclimate.com/bangladesh/chittagong/rangamati |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=weatherandclimate.com}}</ref>▼
▲The yearly temperature is 27.17ºC (80.91ºF) and it is -0.57% lower than Bangladesh's averages. Kassalang typically receives about 141.7 millimeters (5.58 inches) of precipitation and has 159.23 rainy days (43.62% of the time) annually.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rangamati, Chittagong, BD Climate Zone, Monthly Averages, Historical Weather Data |url=https://weatherandclimate.com/bangladesh/chittagong/rangamati |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=weatherandclimate.com}}</ref>
== Geography ==
Kassalang reserve forest is in a hilly area of eastern highlands. The estimate terrain elevation above sealsea level is 170 metermeters. Tertiary sediment had formed this forest’sforest's landscape which contains a decentlarge amount of [[Ironiron]], which is usually found as [[Ironiron oxide]]. This element makes the soil yellowish or red. [[Sand]] is full of [[Humus|Humus .humus]]. The soil [[PH]] is mostly between 5.1 to 5.7 and the valley site soil is much [[Fertility|Fertilefertile]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Forest and Forestry - Banglapedia |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Forest_and_Forestry |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=en.banglapedia.org |language=en}}</ref>
Kassalong Riverriver is the main tributary of the Karnafuly river at the northeast of Kassalang reserve forest. The river receives the water of four hilly rivulets that flow north to south. The Kassalong meets with the Karnafuli 20 km north of Rangamati district. The river along with some stream and canal supply [[Fresh water]] to the reserve.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Kasalong River - Banglapedia |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Kasalong_River |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=en.banglapedia.org}}</ref>▼
▲Kassalong River is the main tributary of the Karnafuly river at the northeast of Kassalang reserve forest. The river receives the water of four hilly rivulets that flow north to south. The Kassalong meets with the Karnafuli 20 km north of Rangamati district. The river along with some stream and canal supply [[Fresh water]] to the reserve.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kasalong River - Banglapedia |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Kasalong_River |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=en.banglapedia.org}}</ref>
== Biodiversity ==
=== '''Flora''' ===
The general walk in the forest is not easy due to the hilly terrain. Kassalong is also one of the contrycountry's most dense forestforests decorated with a large diverse floral system. The most important commercial timber species of the Kassalang reserve forest is Pitraj, Civit, Jarul, Gamar, Koroi, Garjan, Chapalish, Toon, Champa, Batna, Udal, Simul, Chandul, etc. There is a large area of [[Bamboo]] jungle mostly of [[Melocanna baccifera]]. Most of the trees are of the [[Evergreen]] type and some are [[Semi-evergreen]] type specially the tallest trees. There are some [[Deciduous]] and [[Semi-deciduous]] trees, so the forest never loses its semi-evergreen look and remain green all year round. 467 plant species were identified, which include 144 tree species, 98 shrub species, 63 climbers, 144 herbs, 11 epiphytes and 7 ferns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Inam |date=2011-11-18 |title=Green desert in the hills |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-210609 |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-16 |title=Flora |url=https://bforest.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/bforest.portal.gov.bd/notices/c3379d22_ee62_4dec_9e29_75171074d885/5.%20Biodievsrity%20Flora_NCS.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://www.bforest.portal.gov.bd |archive-date=2024-04-16 |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=www.bforest.portal.gov.bd}}</ref>
=== '''Fauna''' ===
Kassalang reserve forest is rich in wildlife resources. There is a decent amount of wild species in this forest. 7 new [[Mammal|Mammals]], 5 [[Reptile|Reptiles]] and 4 [[Amphibian|Amphibious]] species have found in a recent serve. There are 123 species of bird in the forest including [[Golden-crested myna]],one of the most rare [[Bird]] species of [[South Asia]]. The forest is also the residence of endangered species [[Great hornbill]]. [[Asian elephant]], [[Western hoolock gibbon]], [[Dhole]], [[Wild boar]], [[Rhesus macaque]], [[Capped langur]], [[Southern red muntjac]], [[Sambar deer]], [[Hog deer]], [[Gaur]], [[Asian black bear]], [[Indian leopard]], [[Himalayan serow]],[[Clouded leopard]], [[Asian golden cat]], [[Marbled cat]], [[Burmese python]], [[Arakan forest turtle]] are the supreme wild species.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-21 |title=Kassalong: High time to save the dwindling forest |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/panorama/kassalong-high-time-save-dwindling-forest-59053 |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}}</ref>
[[Asian elephant]], [[Western hoolock gibbon]], [[Dhole]], [[Bengal fox]] , [[Golden jackal]], [[Wild boar]], [[Rhesus macaque]], [[Capped langur]], [[Southern red muntjac]], [[Sambar deer]], [[Hog deer]], [[Gaur]], [[Asian black bear]], [[Indian leopard]], [[Himalayan serow]], [[Clouded leopard]], [[Asian golden cat]], [[Marbled cat]], [[Burmese python]], [[Arakan forest turtle]] are the supreme wild species.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2020-03-21 |title=Kassalong: High time to save the dwindling forest |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/panorama/kassalong-high-time-save-dwindling-forest-59053 |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |title=Hoolock hoolock |url=https://www.primatewatching.com/h-hoolock |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=primatewatching |language=en}}</ref>
Kassalong reserve forest has the highest density of [[Clouded leopard]] in the country. The most rare species; [[Gaur]]<nowiki/> and [[Himalayan serow|Himalayan red serow]] also had discovered in some [[Cameracamera trap]] imageimages. There are also some report of [[Tiger|Tigers]]<nowiki/> in that area, near kassalangKassalang river. Scientists said that there may have a little Tiger population in the forest.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Molla |first=Mohammad Al-Masum |date=2022-07-29 |title=International Tiger Day: Tiger population rises globally |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/tiger-population-rises-3082171 |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref> Creative Conservation Alliance has found [[Tiger]] [[Pugmark]]<nowiki/>i nin the forest. [[Forest Department (Bangladesh)]] believe that there is a population of 15-20 [[Tiger]] tiger in that forest.<ref>{{Cite web |last=মাহমুদ |first=ইফতেখার |date=2021-08-01 |title=কাসালং বনে বাঘের অস্তিত্ব |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/environment/%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%82-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%98%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Prothomalo |language=bn}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-17 |title=Debate rages over existence of tigers in CHT |url=https://en.ntvbd.com/bangladesh/19149/Debate-rages-over-existence-of-tigers-in-CHT |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=NTv Online |language=en}}</ref>
== See alsoBiome ==
=== Mountainous biome ===
Mountainous biome is the minor biome of Kassalong. There are some big mountain ranges along with a lot of small hills and ridges with high grasslands. It provides habitat for many bird species. <ref name=":1" />
=== Forest biome ===
This is the major biome of the sanctuary. It is the home of all antelope, reptile and mammal of the forest. This densely forested area has covered the valley site of the reserve. <ref name=":2" />
== Researches ==
[[Creative Conservation Alliance]] and [[Bangladesh Forest Department]] are jointly researching '''Kassalong Reserve Forest'''. As a result, various species of animals have been discovered. Their work methods are survey, camera trap, pugmark following, genetical research etc. Forest areas like Kassalong provides a vast working place for the forestry and wildlife researchers. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Creative Conservation Alliance {{!}} Community Conservation {{!}} Bangladesh |url=https://www.conservationalliance.org/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=Conservation |language=en}}</ref>{{portal|Environment|Bangladesh}}
== See also ==
* [[Chittagong Hill Tracts]]
* [[List of protected areas of Bangladesh]]
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{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Forests of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:IUCN Category II]]
[[Category:Bagaichhari Upazila]]
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