Dhal Char
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2021) |
Dhal Char is the southernmost[1] island of Bhola district in Bangladesh. The island has attracted the attention of researchers, environmentalists and tourists alike for its unique position as one of the country's remotest permanently inhabited islands, far out in the Bay of Bengal. It also one of the most threatened pieces of land in the world as a result of rising sea levels, due to climate change.
History
[edit]Dhal Char, located at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal, began its settlement phase between 1960 and 1965. Despite its remote location, the island's population steadily grew, particularly after Bangladesh achieved independence in 1971.
In 1970, a devastating cyclone known as The 1970 Bhola Cyclone struck the island, leaving significant destruction in its wake. However, the resilience of its inhabitants led to a continued rise in settlement and development in the following years.[2]
The island's strategic position near the sea transformed it into a notable hub for hilsa fishing, a vital contributor to the local economy. The Dhal Char Union Council estimates that the island produced hilsa worth approximately Taka 200 crore (equivalent to Rs 166 crore or $21 million) annually, further solidifying its importance to the region.[3]
Geography
[edit]Dhal Char is one of the numerous islands in the delta of the Meghna River in the wider Ganges Delta region. The nearest other bodies of land are Char Kukri Mukri to the northeast and Char Nizam to the west, both similar, albeit larger, islands.
The eastern part of the island is witnessing rapid river bank erosion due to strong tidal flow of the Meghna as well as inclement weather in the Bay of Bengal. The island is marked as one of the most vulnerable areas for natural disasters and is regularly pummeled by cyclones in the northern Bay of Bengal ocean.[4][5][6] Similar to most islands in the area, the land is low-lying, and at high tides large portions of the island go under water. Much of the shore is mud flats on the eastern side, while the southern and western sides have extensive mangrove swamps, which check land erosion.
Dhal Char is a union parishad under the Char Fasson Upazila of the district.
Transportation
[edit]Transportation from the mainland is possible only through boats. The nearest ferry terminal is Kacchapiya Ghat, about 35 kilometres (22 miles) away in southern Char Fasson.
Demographics
[edit]Despite the resident population occupying only a fraction of the land area towards the northern tip of the island, Dhal Char is home to approximately 13,000 people.
- Floating people: 5000
- Households: 1500
Islam is the predominant religion. There are two mosques.
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ Muhammad Nazmul Hoque (6 May 2019), The Legal and Scientific Assessment of Bangladesh's Baseline in the Context of Article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (PDF), Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) of the United Nations, Nippon Foundation, p. 45
- ^ Nault, Kellie (2024-11-05). "The 1970 Bhola Cyclone and the Birth of Bangladesh • The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute". The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- ^ Montu, Rafiqul Islam (2022-08-06). "Why Thousands Are Fleeing The River Islands Of Bangladesh". www.indiaspend.com. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- ^ "Thousands stranded in Dhal Char amid cyclone risk". The Daily Star. 3 May 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- ^ "Amphan slams into the coast". The Daily Star. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- ^ "Cyclone Bulbul leaves trail of destruction over coastal areas". The Daily Star. 10 November 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
21°54′22″N 90°44′24″E / 21.906°N 90.740°E
 | This Barisal Division location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This article about an island is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |