A pink paradise of water lilies

As the monsoon settles over the wetlands of Pabna, Dikshi Beel in Chatmohar upazila has transformed into a breathtaking canvas of pink and green, drawing visitors from near and far to admire its seasonal beauty.

Rows upon rows of water lilies have bloomed across the vast wetland.

From a distance, the flowers appear like a giant pink carpet spread over the green waters of the beel. Closer to the water, the sight becomes even more captivating: delicate blossoms float beside broad green leaves, creating a scene that seems almost untouched by time.

The flowers change shades as the morning light grows stronger. Under a blue sky-or beneath clouds drifting across the monsoon horizon-the lilies, water and surrounding wetlands seem to merge into one vast natural painting.

Located about 10 kilometres from Chatmohar upazila headquarters, Dikshi Beel has become a popular destination for people looking to escape the bustle of everyday life. Every day, local residents and visitors from different parts of the region arrive to experience the beauty of the wetland.

Some travel across the beel by boat, while others stop along the road that cuts through the wetland to take photographs. Bridges along the route offer additional vantage points, allowing visitors to enjoy the sweeping landscape from above the water.

A morning among the lilies
On Wednesday morning, a visit to Dikshi Beel revealed the wetland at its most vibrant. Countless flowers had blossomed across the water. Children from nearby villages were busy collecting lilies, while others travelled by boat in search of flowers.

For visitors, the experience is more than simply sightseeing. The sound of water, the movement of boats and the vast open sky create a rare sense of closeness to nature.

Shamim Ahmed, a resident of Pashurdanga village beside the beel, said the number of blooming water lilies has increased significantly this season.

“Many flowers have bloomed in the beel. Local people are also collecting and selling them,” he said.
But the beauty comes with a warning.

According to Shamim, numerous fishing nets and other fishing equipment have been placed across the wetland, potentially damaging the lilies and threatening aquatic biodiversity. He urged the authorities to take action to protect the beel.

Another local resident, A. Samad, said the increasing number of visitors has brought new attention to Dikshi Beel.

“People come here every day. Some take photographs, while others travel around by boat. Many collect flowers and take them home,” he said.

Beauty under pressure
Dikshi Beel is not merely a scenic destination. It is part of the wider wetland ecosystem connected to the Chalan Beel region, one of Bangladesh’s important wetland landscapes. Its waters support fish, aquatic plants and other forms of biodiversity.

Environmentalists fear that uncontrolled fishing practices could undermine that ecosystem.
SM Mizanur Rahman, central joint secretary of the Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), said protecting Dikshi Beel should be viewed as part of a broader effort to conserve Chalan Beel.

“Public awareness is essential to protect not only the biodiversity of Dikshi Beel but also the entire Chalan Beel,” he said. “The beauty of Dikshi Beel increases manifold during the rainy season. The lilies and other natural resources of the beel need to be protected.”

Jahangir Alam Madhu, coordinator of the organisation Amra Chalan Beel Bachai, said the beauty of the wetland attracts everyone, but its natural resources cannot be taken for granted.

“Everyone should be aware of protecting the biodiversity and fish resources of the beel, including the water lilies,” he said, adding that the use of illegal China Duari fishing nets should be stopped.
Protecting a natural treasure

Authorities say they have already begun taking steps against harmful fishing practices.
Md Abdul Matin, senior upazila fisheries officer, said China Duari nets had already been seized during a recent drive in Dikshi Beel.

“We are working to protect the fish resources and biodiversity of the beel,” he said.
The challenge now is to balance the growing popularity of Dikshi Beel as a tourist attraction with the need to preserve its fragile ecosystem.

For a few months each year, the monsoon gives the wetland a spectacular transformation. Pink blossoms stretch across the water, boats glide between the flowers and the open sky reflects on the surface.

But the real beauty of Dikshi Beel lies not only in what visitors see today. It lies in whether the lilies will continue to bloom, the fish will continue to thrive and future generations will still be able to experience this extraordinary wetland in all its natural splendour.