Naogaon, Rajshahi
A long, ancient pond fringed with sal forest near the Indian border, protected as a national park and visited by migratory birds in winter.
Alta Dighi is one of the great old ponds of the Varendra country, dug long ago — local legend ties it to a queen and to the colour alta, the red dye worn on the feet, from which it takes its name. It is long and deep, and it has held water through centuries of dry Barind summers.
Around the dighi grows a strip of sal forest, part of the woodland that once covered this border country. The pond and the forest are now protected as a national park, with walking paths under the trees.
In winter, migratory ducks and other waterbirds settle on the water. It is a peaceful place for a walk and a picnic, very different from the busy towns of the north.
Leave Naogaon or Joypurhat early to reach the water while the birds are active.
Follow the banks through the sal forest and watch for waterbirds.
Rest in the shade, and leave nothing behind.
Lunch at the bazar and bus back to town.
December to February for migratory birds; October to March in general
In Dhamoirhat upazila, in the far north of the district. Take a bus from Naogaon to Dhamoirhat (it can also be reached from Joypurhat), then an auto-rickshaw to the dighi. Allow about 2 hours from Naogaon and check the route locally.
Walk the paths along the banks and through the sal trees; the full length of the dighi makes a pleasant walk of an hour or so.
