Satkhira District

Template:Infobox Bangladesh district Satkhira is a district in South-western Bangladesh. Part of the Khulna Division, it lies along the border with West Bengal in India.

Geography and climate

Satkhira District has an area of 3858.33 km², It is bordered to the north by Jessore District, on the south by the Bay of Bengal, to the east by Khulna District, and to the west by Pargana District of West Bengal. The annual average maximum temperature reaches 35.5°C (95.9°F); and minimum temperature is 12.5°C (54.5°F). The annual rainfall is 1710 mm (67 in). The main rivers are the Morichap River, Kholpotua River, Betna River, Raimangal River, Hariabhanga River, Ichamati River, Betrabati River and Kalindi-Jamuna River.

Demography

The total population of Satkhira District is 1,843,194, of which 78.08% are Muslim, 21.45% are Hindu, 0.28% are Christian, 0.01% are Buddhist and 0.18% are other religions. The population is 50.54% male and 49.46% female.

The literacy movement name is Uddiptya Satkhira.

There are two hospitals, the Zila Sadar hospital and a children's hospital, as well as seven upazila health complexes.

Subdivisions

Satkhira subdivision was established in 1861 under Jessore district. It was included into Khulna district in 1882. The subdivision was upgraded into a district in 1984 as a result of administrative decentralisation. The district consists of two municipalities, seven upazilas, 79 union parishads, eight thana and 1436 villages.

The upazilas are:

1. Satkhira Sadar
2. Assasuni
3. Debhata
4. Kalaroa
5. Kaliganj
6. Shyamnagar
7. Tala

The two municipalities are Satkhira Sadar and Kalaroa.

Places of interest, archaeological heritage and relics

Sundarbans is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world and is a World Heritage Site, and covers an area of 5747 km².

The region is home to many ancient buildings and temples such as Sultanpur Shahi Mosque (500 years old), Joykali Mandir, Puratan Satkhira (300 years old), Jahajghata Naval Fort (Mautala, 1567), Baro Duary (Ishwaripur, 1582), Shahi Mosque (Banshipur, 1599), Joseshwari Mandir (Ishwaripur, 1899), Triangular Mandir of Chanda Bhairabi (Ishwaripur),Mothbaria Nabaratna Mandir (sonabaria, kalaroa 1767), Nagar Fort of Raja Pratapaditya (Kaliganj), Parabajpur Mosque (Mukundapur), Hamman Khana (Ishwaripur), the Mozaffar Garden, and the Limpid Garden Parulia.

Politics

Satkhira is politically very liberal. Famous Political Leaders are: Md. Habibul Islam Habib (Ex. MP),Principal Mawlana Abdul Khalek (Ex. Mp), Late SM Alauddin(Ex. Member of Parlament, 1972), Kazi Shamshur Rahman (Ex. MP), Soida Razia Fayej, Dr. AFM Ruhul Haq (Health Minister), Late Alhaz Shamsur Rahman, Late Kamal Bokth Saki, Ad. Syed Eftekhar Ali, Didar Bokth, SK Anser Ali, Ad. Samsul Haque, Ad. Mustafa Lutfullah, Dr. Aftabuzzaman, Abdur Rahman (Ex. Upozila Chairman of Debhata), Abdur Rafiq, Ad. Munsur Ali, nominated person for the 2008 National Parliament Election, SK Sahid Uddin, Secretary, Bangladesh Awami League, Satkhira Zilla.

Satkhira-01 1. Engineer Mujibar Rahman 2. 3. 4.

Satkhira-02 1. M.A. Jabbar 2. 3. 4.

Satkhira-03 1. Dr. A.F.M. Ruhul Haque 2. 3. 4.

Satkhira-04 1. Mr. Golam Reza 2. 3. 4.

Literacy and educational institutions

The average literacy rate for males is 39.7%, and and for females 21%. Educational institutions: 39 colleges, 1 primary education institute, 221 high schools, 4 junior high schools, 259 madrasas, 622 government primary schools. Locally published newspapers and periodicals Dailies: Kafela, Patradut,The Daily Juger Barta, PNP Collegiate School (1846), Prananath High School(P.N.)Sultanpur (1862), B. Dey Government High School (Tala, 1888), Kumira High School(Tala, 1914), Nalta High School (1917), Chapra High School(1973), Assasuni High School (1911), Debhata BBMP Institute (Pilot High School, 1919), Dhandia High School (Tala, 1885), Kaliganj High School (1936) Ghona High School, Polash Pole High School(1970), Satkhira Govt. Girls' High School, Satkhira Govt. High School, Ratanpur T. N. High School(1940), Rahamatpur Nabajug Shiksha Sopan High School(1951), Sota Chaitaly Sangah(1994) and Sultanpur Tigers Cricket Club (2010).Town Sporting Club.Kalaroa G K M K Pilot Highschool(1932),SK Amanullah Degree College.Samakal High School. Shahid Muktijoddha Mohabiddhaloye Tala.Kalaroa Gov't College (Kalaroa),Darul Ulum Dakhil Madrasha(Islampur-Brojobaksha,Kalaroa),Kalaroa Alia Madrasha.

Economy

Main occupations: Agriculture 36.9%, fishing 1.86%, pisciculture 1.01%, agricultural labourer 26.74%, wage labourer 3.72%, commerce 13.32%, industry 1.49%, transport 2.46%, service 4.37%, and others 8.13%. Main crops: paddy, jute, sugarcane, mustard seed, potato, onion and betel leaf. Extinct or nearly extinct crops: indigo, linseed, sesame, kaun and aus paddy. Main fruits: mango, black berry, jackfruit, banana, papaya, litchi, coconut and guava. Fisheries and farms: 86 dairies, 322 poultries, 3046 fisheries, 3650 shrimp farms, 66 hatcheries and 1 artificial breeding centre.

There are 265 hat shops and bazaars, the most noted of which are Sultanpur Boro Bazaar (Biggest bazaar in the whole district), Ptkelghata (the largest bazaar in the district), Kaliganj, Nalta, Nazimganj (Kaliganj), Ratanpur bazaar (Ratanpur), Shyamnagar, Nawabeki, Ghona hat, Nurnagar Bazar (Shyamnagar), Tala, Balia (Tala); 37 fairs, noted of which are Gurpukur Mela (three hundred years old, Satkhira Town), Dublar Mela (Dublar Char, Satkhira Sadar), Baruni Mela, Dol Purnima Mela (Katunia Rajbari), Rath Jatra Mela (Kushalia, Kaliganj), Baishakhi Mela (Koila, Jugikhali, Kamarkhali, Kalaroa Upazila), Parulia Shashan Ghat Mela (Debhata), Baruni Mela (Sonar Mora), Charak Mela (Munshiganj), Rash Mela (Arpanghashia) and Dolmela (Gopalpur, Shyamnagar).

The main exports are shrimp, paddy, jute, wheat, betel leaf, leather and jute goods..............

NGOs

BARSA, Rishilpi Development Project, SoDESH-Satkhira http://www.sodeshst.blogspot.com, NCTF - Satkhira, SUS, SHETU-Bangladesh, Nawabenki Ganamukhi Foundation, UP, BUMIJE, Mukte Foundation, PROTIK Trust, Paritran, Navojeban, NGF, Agrogoti Sangstha, Eda, Ideal, Uttaran, Palli Chetana, Shusilan, Bhumistha, Kheya, Shapla Sangstha, Zakat Mission etc.

• Districts of Bangladesh
• Khulna Division
• Satkhira District
• Online Newspaper Daily Patradoot