Dhaka:Newly emerged islands in the Meghna estuary near Hatiya upazila are offering significant economic opportunities for Bangladesh, with potential in agriculture, livestock farming, fisheries, human settlement, and tourism.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, over the past four decades, more than 30 large and small chars have emerged in the Meghna estuary surrounding Hatiya, the southernmost part of the country. Approximately 164,000 acres have been recorded by the Ministry of Land, significantly contributing to the country's land resources.
Despite the continuous threat of river erosion to settlements and livelihoods, the emergence of new land is creating opportunities for agricultural expansion, rehabilitation of displaced families, and economic development. Several of these chars have attracted human settlements and are being utilized for paddy cultivation and livestock rearing. Some islands have been developed for specialized purposes, including military training facilities and the rehabilitation of Rohingyas displaced from Myanmar.
Notably, Char Ataur has become a hub of settlement and livelihood activities after emerging from the Meghna two decades ago. By 2020, the Bangladesh Navy had implemented an Ashrayan project on the char, rehabilitating 200 landless families. Dhalchar, another island, is now home to over 15,000 people after emerging in the 1990s. Conversely, Jaglar Char remains largely uninhabited, with disputes over land occupation leading to deadly clashes last year.
Swarnadwip, formerly Jahaijjar Char, has been transformed from a pirate hideout into a strategic asset under the Bangladesh Army's management. Similarly, Bhasan Char has been developed to accommodate Rohingyas under the government's Ashrayan-3 project, featuring a protective embankment and modern housing facilities.
Local residents and experts suggest that with proper planning, protection, and management, these newly emerged chars can significantly contribute to the national economy. Dr. Mohammad Mohinuzzaman from Noakhali Science and Technology University highlighted the potential for cultivating crops like groundnuts and soybeans, while Ashish Kumar Kar of the Department of Agricultural Extension emphasized the importance of rehabilitating erosion-affected families to protect agricultural land.
Noakhali Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shafiqul Islam mentioned that the government has plans to prevent illegal occupation and lease some char areas to landless people. Experts stress the need for effective land governance and sustainable management to unlock the chars' potential, offering Bangladesh an opportunity to expand agricultural production, develop livestock and fisheries, rehabilitate communities, and promote tourism. Proper planning and equitable management are deemed crucial for these emerging resources to become productive national assets.