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'{{EngvarB|date=January 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}} {{Infobox settlement | official_name = Sitakunda | native_name = সীতাকুণ্ড | settlement_type = [[Upazilas of Bangladesh|Upazila]] | image_skyline = | imagesize = | image_alt = | image_caption = Skyline of Sitakunda, Bangladesh | pushpin_map = Bangladesh | pushpin_label_position = right | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Bangladesh | pushpin_relief = 1 | coordinates = {{coord|22|{{#expr:.6167*60 round 1}}|N|91|{{#expr:.6611*60 round 1}}|E|type:adm3rd|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Bangladesh | subdivision_type1 = [[Divisions of Bangladesh|Division]] | subdivision_type2 = [[Districts of Bangladesh|District]] | subdivision_type3 = Headquarters | subdivision_name1 = [[Chittagong Division]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Chittagong District]] | subdivision_name3 = [[Sitakunda]] | leader_title = | leader_name = | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = | area_total_km2 = 483.97 | area_metro_km2 = | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = | population_total = 335,178 | population_as_of = 2001 | population_footnotes = | population_density_km2 = auto | postal_code_type = [[List of postal codes in Bangladesh|Postal code]] | postal_code = 4310 | website = [http://sitakund.com/ Sitakund] | footnotes = | timezone = [[Bangladesh Standard Time|BST]] | utc_offset = +6 }} '''Sitakunda''' ({{lang-bn|সীতাকুণ্ড}} ''Shitakunḍo,'' {{IPA-bn|ʂit̪akunɖo|IPA}}) is an [[upazila]], or administrative unit, in the [[Chittagong District]] of Bangladesh. It includes one urban settlement, the [[Sitakunda|Sitakunda Town]], and 10 [[Union Councils of Bangladesh|unions]], the lowest of [[Administrative division|administrative units]] in Bangladesh. It is one of the 14 upazilas, the second tier of administrative units, of the Chittagong District, which also includes 12 [[Administrative divisions of Bangladesh|thanas]], the urban equivalent of upazilas. The district is part of the [[Chittagong Division]], the highest order of administrative units in Bangladesh. Sitakunda is the home of the country's first [[Nature preserve|eco-park]], as well as [[alternative energy]] projects, specifically [[wind energy]] and [[geothermal power]]. Sitakunda is one of the oldest sites of human habitation in Bangladesh. During much of its history, it was ruled alternatively by various Buddhist rulers of [[Myanmar]] in the east and Muslims rulers of [[Bengal]] in the west. For a brief period in the 8th century, it was ruled by the Buddhist [[Pala Empire]] of [[History of India|India]]. The eastern rulers originated from the [[Rakhine State|Kingdom of Arakan]], the [[Mrauk U]] dynasty, [[Magh people|Arakanese]] pirates and the [[Pagan Kingdom]]. The western rulers came from the [[Sultanate of Bengal]] and the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] province ([[Subah (province)|Suba]]) of Bangala. European rule of Sitakunda was heralded by Portuguese privateers in 16th and 17th centuries, who ruled together with the pirates; and the [[British Raj]] in 18th and 19th centuries, who unified Sitakunda into the rest of the Chittagong District. Omar Siddiqi is the Current Member of parliament of Sitakunda Economic development in Sitakunda is largely driven by the [[Dhaka-Chittagong Highway]] and the railway. Though Sitakunda is predominantly an agricultural area, it also has the largest [[ship breaking]] industry in the world.<ref name=pakecon/><ref name=timeship/> The industry has been accused of neglecting [[workers' rights]], especially concerning [[work safety]] practices and [[child labor]]. It has also been accused of harming the environment, particularly by causing [[soil contamination]]. Sitakunda's ecosystems are further threatened by deforestation, over-fishing, and groundwater contamination. The upazila is also susceptible to natural hazards such as earthquakes, [[cyclone]]s, and [[storm surge]]s. It lies on one of the most active seismic faults in Bangladesh, the Sitakunda–Teknaf fault. Sitakunda is renowned for its numerous [[Islamic]], [[Hindu]] and [[Buddhist]] shrines. It has 280 mosques, 8 ''[[Mazar (mausoleum)|mazars]]'', 49 Hindu temples, 4 [[ashram]]s, and 3 Buddhist temples. Among its notable religious sites are the [[Chandranath Temple]] (a ''[[Shakti Peetha]]'' or holy pilgrimage site), Vidarshanaram Vihara (founded by the scholar [[Prajnalok Mahasthavir]]), and the Hammadyar Mosque (founded by [[Sultan]] [[Ghiyasuddin Mahmud Shah]]). The attraction of Sitakunda as a tourist destination is elevated by these pilgrimage sites along with the hill range and the eco-park. Despite its diverse population, the area has gone through episodes of [[Communalism (South Asia)|communal strife]], including attacks on places of worship. There have been reports of activity by the Islamic militant group [[Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh]] since the early 2000s.<ref name=terrport>{{Citation | publisher = South Asia Terrorism Portal | url = http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/bangladesh/terroristoutfits/JMB.htm | title = Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB): Incidents | accessdate = 28 October 2008}}</ref><ref name=terrstar>{{Citation | date = 31 March 2007 | title = The deadly terror outfit, rise of its kingpins | url = http://archive.thedailystar.net/2007/03/31/d7033101044.htm | publisher = [[Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]}}</ref> ==History== [[File:Moored boats from Arakan or Chittagong.jpg|thumb|Early 19th-century painting of pirate boats anchored near Chittagong coast]] [[File:Fragment of map of Chittagong (Bengal).jpg|thumb|Sitakunda coast featured in a map from 1818]] The legends of the area state the sage [[Bhargava]] created a pond (''kunda'') for [[Sita]] to bathe in when her husband Lord [[Rama|Ramchandra]] visited during his exile in the forests. Sitakunda derived its name from this incident.<ref name="StarSit">{{Citation | last = Dev | first = Prem Ranjan | date = 17 February 2007 | title = Point Counter-Point: Of Shiva Chaturdashi and Sitakunda | url = http://archive.thedailystar.net/2007/02/17/d702171503122.htm | publisher = [[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | title = Minorities in Pakistan | publisher = Pakistan Publications | year = 1964 | location = Karachi | page = 20 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=f6kVAAAAMAAJ}}</ref> Sitakunda has been occupied by humans since the [[Neolithic]] era; tools associated with the prehistoric [[Hoabinhian|Assam group]] have been found throughout the area.<ref name=utexas>{{Citation |url=http://inic.utexas.edu/asnic/countries/bangla/bangladeshm.html |title=Bangladesh: The Roots |publisher=Bangladesh WWW Virtual Library, Asian Studies Network Information Center, International Information Systems, University of Texas at Austin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070130092557/http://inic.utexas.edu/asnic/countries/bangla/bangladeshm.html |archive-date=30 January 2007 |accessdate=27 August 2007}}</ref> In 1886, [[celt (tool)|shouldered celts]] manufactured from [[petrified wood]] were discovered, as reported by Indian archaeologist [[Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay]] in his book ''Banglar Itihas'', or ''History of Bengal'', (volume I, 1914).<ref name="BangPre">{{Citation | last = Ahsan | first = Syed Mohammad Kamrul | year = 2012 | chapter = Prehistory | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Prehistory | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | author = Bandopadhyay, Rakhaldas | year = 1971 | title = Banglar Itihas (History of Bengal) | location = [[Kolkata]] | publisher = Naba Bharat Publishers}}</ref> In 1917, British [[mineralogist]] Dr. J. Coggin Brown uncovered more prehistoric celts.<ref>{{Citation | year = 1988 | title = Prehistoric antiquities of India preserved in the Indian museum at Calcutta | publication-place = New Delhi | publisher = Cosmo Publications | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=FYO7GwAACAAJ | author1 = Brown, J. Coggin | author2 = Marshall, John Hubert}}</ref> Large quantities of pebbles have also been found, but archaeologists have not determined whether they were used in the construction of prehistoric tools.<ref name="BangPre"/> During the 6th and 7th centuries [[Common Era|CE]], the Chittagong region was ruled by the [[Rakhine State|Kingdom of Arakan]].<ref name=BangChit>{{Citation | last = Harun | first = Jasim Uddin | year = 2012 | chapter = Chittagong District | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Chittagong_District | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> In the next century, it was briefly ruled by [[Dharmapala of Bengal|Dharmapala]] (reign: 770–810) of the [[Pala Empire]].<ref name=Ages>{{Citation| url = http://www.cpa.gov.bd/history.html | title = Chittagong through the ages | publisher = [[Chittagong Port Authority]] | archive-url = https://archive.is/2008.02.15-224347/http://www.cpa.gov.bd/history.html | archive-date = 15 February 2008 | accessdate = 3 March 2008}}</ref> The area was conquered in 1340 by Sultan [[Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah]] (reign: 1338–1349) of [[Sonargaon]], who founded the first dynasty of the Sultanate of Bengal.<ref name=BangChit/> When Sultan [[Ghiyasuddin Mahmud Shah]] (reign: 1533–1538) of the last dynasty of the Sultanate of Bengal was defeated in 1538 by [[Sher Shah Suri]] of the [[Sur Dynasty]], the Arakanese captured the region again. [[List of Arakan kings|Batsauphyu]] (reign: 1459–1482) of the [[Mrauk U]] dynasty took advantage of the weakness of Sultan Barbak Shah of Bengal to lead the invasion.<ref name=BangAra>{{Citation | last = Khan | first = Sadat Ullah | year = 2012 | chapter = Arakan | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Arakan | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> In this period, Keyakchu (or ''Chandrajyoti''), a prince of Arakan, established a monastery in Sitakunda.<ref>{{Citation | last = Barua | first = Rebatapriya | year = 2012 | chapter = Ramkot Banashram | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Ramkot_Banashram | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> Between 1538 and 1666, Portuguese privateers (known as ''Firinghis'' or ''Harmads'') made inroads into Chittagong and ruled the region in alliance with [[Magh people|Arakanese]] pirates. During those 128 years, the eastern coast of Bengal became a home to pirates of Portuguese and Arakanese origins.<ref name=BangAra/><ref>{{Citation | last = Karim | first = K M | year = 2012 | chapter = Shahjahan | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Shahjahan | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref><ref name=ChitCit/> For a brief period in 1550, it was taken over by [[Pagan Kingdom|Pagan]] invaders.<ref>{{Citation |editor=Yust, Walter |year=1952 |title=Encyclopædia Britannica: A New Survey of Universal Knowledge |volume=4 |page=427 |publisher= Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. |oclc= 930908}}</ref> In 1666, Mughal commander Bujurg Umed Khan conquered the area.<ref name=BangChit/><ref name=BangAra/> Along with the rest of [[Bengal]], Sitakunda came under the rule of the [[British East India Company]] after the company's defeat of the [[Nawab of Bengal]] at the [[Battle of Plassey]] in 1757. Rapid growth in the [[Bengali people|Bengali]] population since then resulted in an exodus of non-Bengali people from Sitakunda and its vicinity to the [[Chittagong Hill Tracts]].<ref>{{Citation | last = Khan | first = Shafiqur Rahman | date = Spring 2003 | title = Indigenous Peoples’ In Bangladesh: Land Rights and Land Use In The Context of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) | url = http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/1554715/file/1563419.pdf | format=PDF | publisher = Faculty of Law, [[Lund University]] | accessdate = 12 May 2008}} (Master's thesis).</ref><ref>{{Citation | author = Van Schendel, Willem | year = 1798 | title = Francis Buchanan in Southeast Bengal | publication-place = Dhaka | publisher = University Press Limited}}</ref> During the ''Ardhodaya Yog'' movement, a part of the [[Swadeshi movement|Swadeshi Indian independence movement]], the governance of Sitakunda was briefly in the hands of Indian nationalists when, in February 1908, they took over the central government in [[Kolkata]].<ref>{{Citation | last = Ghosh | first = Aurobindo | title = Asiatic Democracy | journal = Bande Mataram | publisher = Apurba Krisna Bose | date = 27 March 1908}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | author = Prescot, Rupert | url = http://www.leeds.ac.uk/history/studentlife/e-journal/Prescot_Rupert.pdf |format=PDF | title = Sedition and political control: The ideological paradox of British responses to Indian nationalism | publisher = [[University of Leeds]] | accessdate = 12 May 2008}}</ref> In 1910, Indian Petroleum Prospecting Company drilled here for hydrocarbon exploration, the first such activity in [[East Bengal]]. In 1914, the first onshore [[Oil well#Types of wells|wildcat well]] in Bangladesh was drilled at Sitakunda anticline to a depth of {{convert|762|m|ft}}.<ref>{{Citation | last = Ahmed | first = Kazi Matin Uddin | year = 2012 | chapter = Wildcat Well | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Wildcat_Well | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> By 1914, however, all four of the wells drilled had proven to be failures.<ref>{{Citation | last = Imam | first = Badrul | year = 2012 | chapter = Hydrocarbon Exploration | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Hydrocarbon_Exploration | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> After the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]], the [[British Raj|British colonial government]] (British Raj) replaced the [[company rule in India|governance of the East India Company]]. When the British withdrew in 1947, after creating the independent states of India and Pakistan, Sitakunda became a part of [[East Pakistan]]. The potential for a [[ship breaking]] industry first appeared in 1964 when Chittagong Steel House started scrapping ''MD Alpince'', a {{convert|20000|MT|LT|0}} Greek ship that had been accidentally beached near Fouzdarhat by a [[tidal bore]] four years earlier.<ref name="shipman">{{Citation | year = 2006 | url = http://ypsa.org/publications/Impact.pdf |format=PDF | title = Ship Breaking Activities and its Impact on the Coastal Zone of Chittagong, Bangladesh: Towards Sustainable Management | publisher = Young Power in Social Action | isbn = 984-32-3448-0 | author1 = Maruf Hossain, Dr. Md. M | author2 = Islam, Mohammad Mahmudul}}</ref><ref name="BDNPollute">{{Citation | title = Sea polluted under authorities' nose | url = http://www.bangladeshnews.com.bd/2006/07/31/sea-polluted-under-authorities-nose/ | publisher = Bangladesh News | date = 31 July 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120207122737/http://www.bangladeshnews.com.bd/2006/07/31/sea-polluted-under-authorities-nose/ | archive-date = 7 February 2012}}</ref><ref name="CBS">{{Citation | publisher = [[CBS News]] | url = http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/11/03/60minutes/main2149023.shtml | title = 60 minutes: The Ship Breakers Of Bangladesh | date = 5 November 2006}}</ref> On 15 February 1950, Hindu pilgrims form all over [[East Bengal]], [[Tripura]] and [[Assam]] arriving for [[Maha Shivaratri]] were attacked by the Ansars and armed Muslim mobs and [[Sitakunda massacre|massacred at the Sitakunda railway station]].<ref name="sinha71">{{cite book |editor-last=Sinha |editor-first=Dinesh Chandra |title=১৯৫০: রক্তরঞ্জিত ঢাকা বরিশাল এবং |language=Bengali |trans_title=1950: Bloodstained Dhaka Barisal and more |year=2012 |publisher=Codex |place=Kolkata |page=71}}</ref><ref name="kamra67">{{cite book |last=Kamra |first=A.J. |title=The Prolonged Partition and its Pogroms: Testimonies on Violence Against Hindus in East Bengal 1946-64 |year=2000 |publisher=Voice of India |place=New Delhi |isbn=81-85990-63-8 |page=67}}</ref> During the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] of 1971, Sitakunda was part of [[List of Sectors in Bangladesh Liberation War|Sector 1]], led by [[Ziaur Rahman]] and [[Major Rafiqul Islam]] of the [[Mukti Bahini]], the forces fighting for the independence of Bangladesh. The ship breaking industry began in earnest in 1974 when Karnafully Metal Works started scrapping ''Al Abbas'', a Pakistani ship damaged in 1971, and flourished in the 1980s.<ref name="shipman"/><ref name="IndiShip">{{Citation | title = Shipbreaking threatens environment along Ctg coastal areas | publisher = [[The Independent (Bangladesh)|The Daily Independent]] | date = 24 August 2007 | url = http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=36512 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928155747/http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=36512 |archivedate = 28 September 2007}}</ref> As of 2007, Sitakunda had overtaken the ship breaking industries of India and Pakistan to become the largest in the world.<ref name=pakecon>{{Citation | author = Aslam, Syed M. | date = 23 April 2001 | url = http://www.pakistaneconomist.com/issue2001/issue17/i&e1.htm | title = Ship-breaking industry: Uncertain future | publisher = Pakistan Economist}}</ref><ref name=timeship>{{Citation |title= Shock Waves Demolish Alang | publisher = Times Shipping Journal |date=March 2004 | format = Web archive copy |accessdate= 28 October 2008 | url = http://timesb2b.com/shipping/mar2004/sbreaking.html | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20050222014325/http://timesb2b.com/shipping/mar2004/sbreaking.html |archivedate = 22 February 2005}}</ref> In the early 2000s, Islamic militant organization [[Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh]] (JMB) leader Siddikul Islam (also known as ''[[Bangla Bhai]]'') ran militant training centers in the upazila at which participants learned to make bombs and handle firearms.<ref name=terrstar/><ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidDate=2005-09-29&hidType=TOP&hidRecord=0000000000000000063057 | title = Police reveal starling facts about bigots’ operations | author = Huq, Asharaful | publisher = Daily News Monitoring Service | date = 29 September 2005 | accessdate = 6 September 2007}}</ref> One of his followers, Mahfuzul Huq, was captured on 21 February 2006.<ref name=terrport/> ==Geography and climate== [[File:ChandranathHillandMandir2.JPG|thumb|The Sitakunda range]] [[File:Sitakunda18.jpg|thumb|Road sign marking ''Sahasradhara'' spring and the eco-park]] [[File:Seetakoond Hill (33071618721).jpg|thumb|left|''Sahasradhara'' spring in Mid 19th century]] [[File:Sitakunda33.jpg|thumb|left|''Sahasradhara'' spring in Early 21st century]] Sitakunda Upazila occupies an area of {{convert|483.97|km2|sqmi|2}},<ref name="census0">{{Citation | title = Area, Population and Literacy Rate by Upazila/Thana-2001 | url=http://www.bbs.gov.bd/dataindex/census/ce_uzila.pdf | format=PDF | publisher=Population Census Wing, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214233642/http://www.bbs.gov.bd/dataindex/census/ce_uzila.pdf | archive-date=14 February 2010 | accessdate=3 September 2007}}</ref> which includes {{convert|61.61|km2|sqmi|2}} of forest.<ref name="census3">{{Citation | url = http://www.bbs.gov.bd/Census2011/Chittagong/Chittagong/Chittagong%20at%20a%20glance.pdf | title = Community Report: Chittagong Zila | date = June 2012 | publisher = Population Census Wing, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics | format=PDF | accessdate = 29 December 2015}}</ref> It is bordered by [[Mirsharai Upazila|Mirsharai]] to the north, [[Pahartali Thana|Pahartali]] to the south, [[Fatikchhari Upazila|Fatickchhari]], [[Hathazari Upazila|Hathazari]] and [[Panchlaish Thana|Panchlaish]] to the east, and the Sandwip Channel in the [[Bay of Bengal]] to the west.<ref name="BangSit">{{Citation | last = Chowdhury | first = Shimul Kumar | year = 2012 | chapter = Sitakunda Upazila | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Sitakunda_Upazila | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> The Sitakunda range is a {{convert|32|km|mi|0|sing=on}} long ridge in the center of the upazila, which reaches an altitude of {{convert|352|m|ft|0}} above sea level at Chandranath or Sitakunda peak, the highest peak in Chittagong District.<ref name=ChitCit>{{Citation | last = Osmany | first = Shireen Hasan | year = 2012 | chapter = Chittagong City | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Chittagong_City | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref><ref name="BangPhis">{{Citation | last = Chowdhury | first = Masud Hasan | year = 2012 | chapter = Physiography | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Physiography | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> Part of Sitakunda is covered by the low hill ranges, while the rest is in the Bengal [[flood plain]].<ref name="BangPhis"/> To the north, Rajbari Tila at {{convert|274|m|ft|0}} and Sajidhala at {{convert|244|m|ft|0}} are the highest peaks in this range, which drops abruptly to a height of less than {{convert|92|m|ft|0}} in the vicinity of Chittagong City to the south.<ref name="BangPhis"/> About {{convert|5|km|mi|0}} north of [[Sitakunda Town]] is the Labanakhya [[Hot spring|saltwater hot spring]], which has been proposed as a source of [[geothermal energy]].<ref>{{Citation | date = 2003 | title = Promotion of renewable energy, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas abatement: Bangladesh (Country Report) | url = http://www.adb.org/Clean-Energy/documents/BAN-Country-Report.pdf | format=PDF | publisher = [[Asian Development Bank]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070624165233/http://adb.org/Clean-Energy/documents/BAN-Country-Report.pdf | archive-date = 24 June 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.rural-electrification.com/cms/upload/pdf/PSL_Marketreport-200307.pdf |format=PDF | title = Market Report on Renewable Energy Technologies in Bangladesh | publisher = Prokaushali Sangsad Limited | publication-place = Dhaka | date = 23 February 2006 | accessdate = 2 March 2008}}</ref> There are two waterfalls in the hills: ''Sahasradhara'' (thousand streams) and ''Suptadhara'' (hidden stream).<ref name=coastuddin>{{Citation | last = Kamal Uddin | first= A. M. | title = Areas with special status in the coastal zone (Working Paper WP030) | url = http://www.iczmpbangladesh.org/rep/wp030/wp030.PDF | format=PDF | publisher = Program Development Office for Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041021135625/http://www.iczmpbangladesh.org/rep/wp030/wp030.PDF | archive-date = 21 October 2004}}</ref> Both have been identified as sites requiring special attention for protection and preservation by the [[National Heritage Foundation of Bangladesh]].<ref>{{Citation | last = Sharmeen | first = Tania | date = 26 October 2007 | title = Heritage Foundation starts journey | url = http://www.weeklyholiday.net/2007/261007/cul.html | publisher = Weekly Holiday | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110610075022/http://www.weeklyholiday.net/2007/261007/cul.html | archive-date = 10 June 2011}}</ref> An area prone to [[cyclones]] and storm surges,<ref name=ICZM>{{Citation | title = Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Bangladesh: A Policy Review | url = http://www.leeds.ac.uk/cwpd/pdf/Biczmweb.pdf | format=PDF | publisher = UK Department for International Development | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040407033702/http://www.leeds.ac.uk/cwpd/pdf/Biczmweb.pdf | archive-date = 7 April 2004}}</ref> Sitakunda was affected by cyclones in 1960, 1963, 1970, 1988, 1991, 1994 and 1997; the cyclones of 29 May 1963, 12 November 1970, 29 April 1991 made [[Landfall (meteorology)|landfall]].<ref>{{Citation | title = Cyclones in Bangladesh | publisher = Bangladesh Water Development Board | accessdate = 28 January 2008 | url = http://www.bwdb.gov.bd/cyclone.htm | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080219161745/http://www.bwdb.gov.bd/cyclone.htm |archivedate = 19 February 2008}}</ref> The intra-deltaic coastline is very close to the [[Transform boundary|tectonic interface]] of the [[Indian Plate|Indian]] and [[Burma Plate|Burmese plates]], as well as the active Andaman–Nicobar fault system, and is often capable of generating [[tsunami]]s.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.fao.org/forestry/webview/media?mediaId=13138&langId=1 | title = Pre- and post-tsunami coastal planning and land-use policies and issues in Bangladesh | author = Islam, Rafiqul | publisher = [[Food and Agriculture Organization]] | accessdate = 8 September 2007}}</ref><ref name=faultstar>{{Citation | url = http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/10/21/d51021060259.htm | title = Bangladesh runs high risk of quake, tsunami | publisher = The Daily Star | date = 21 October 2005}}</ref> Cyclone preparedness measures are inadequate for the 200,000&nbsp;residents of Sitakunda who were estimated to be living in high risk areas after the 1991 cyclone. For every 5,000 people, Sitakunda has only one cyclone shelter, each of which is capable of holding 50 to 60&nbsp;people. Syedpur Union has eleven, Muradpur eight, Baraiyadhala seven, and Kumira five. Sitakunda municipality, Barabkunda, Bhatiary and Bansbaria have four shelters each. Salimpur has three and Sonaichhari Union has two shelters.<ref>{{Citation | last = Alamgir |first = Nur Uddin | date = 23 August 2006 | title = Two lakh live in high-risk areas of cyclone-prone Sitakunda | url = http://archive.thedailystar.net/2006/08/23/d608233501148.htm | publisher = The Daily Star | accessdate = 28 January 2008}}</ref> The Chittagong Coastal Forest Department developed the [[shoal|river bars]] (''char'' in Bengali) on the bank of the Sonaichhari channel adjacent to the Sitakunda coast into a kilometer-wide coastal [[mangrove]] plantation during 1989–90, to reduce the impact of cyclones.<ref name=starmang>{{citation | title = Ship-breakers clear Sitakunda mangroves | url = http://archive.thedailystar.net/2005/12/24/d5122401033.htm | publisher = The Daily Star | agency = BSS | date = 24 December 2005 | accessdate = 21 September 2007}}</ref> Although the site was initially unstable, rapid sediment accretion stabilised the soil, providing the coast with some protection. The cyclone of 1990 smashed about 25% of a {{convert|2|km|mi|0|sing=on}} sea-wall built using two-ton steel-reinforced concrete blocks, some of which were carried up to {{convert|100|m|ft|0}} inland. In contrast, a mangrove plantation just south of the sea-wall sustained damage to less than 1% of its trees, most of which recovered within six&nbsp;months.<ref>{{Citation | author1 = McConchie, D. | author2 = P. Saenger | year = 1991 | chapter = Mangrove forests as an alternative to civil engineering works in coastal environments of Bangladesh: lessons for Australia | editor = Arakel, A.V. | title = Proceedings of 1990 Workshop on Coastal Zone Management, Yeppoon, Queensland | pages = 220–233}}</ref> The planted mangrove forest that helped Sitakunda to escape as one of the least damaged areas during the devastating [[1991 Bangladesh cyclone]] is under threat from illegal tree-cutting by ship-breakers in the area.<ref name="starmang"/> Annual average temperature is between {{convert|32.5|°C|°F|0}} and {{convert|13.5|°C|°F|0}}, with an annual rainfall of {{convert|2687|mm|in|0}}.<ref name=BangChit/> Along with Chittagong and Hathazari, in June 2007 Sitakunda was badly affected by [[mudslide]]s caused by heavy rainfall combined with the recent practice of hill-cutting.<ref>{{Citation | title = Death toll in mudslide rises to 84 in southeastern Bangladesh | publisher = ReliefWeb | date = 12 June 2007 | url = http://reliefweb.int/report/bangladesh/death-toll-mudslide-rises-84-southeastern-bangladesh | agency = Xinhua}}</ref><ref name="Akbar"/> The mean annual wind speed recorded in Sitakunda between 1991 and 2001 was {{convert|1.8|kn|mph|0}},<ref>{{Citation | author1 = Khan Y.S.A. | author2 = Hossain M.S., Chowdhury M.A.T. | year = 2003 | title = Resource inventory and land use mapping for integrated coastal environment management: remote sensing, GIS and RRA approach in greater Chittagong coast | publisher = Ministry of science and information & communication technology, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh}}</ref> as measured by the wind monitoring station built as part of a [[wind energy]] exploration project jointly run by the [[Local Government Engineering Department]] and the [[Bangladesh Center for Advanced Studies]].<ref>{{Citation | url = http://lged.org/sre/werm.htm | title = Wind Energy Resource Mapping (WERM) in Bangladesh | publisher = Wind Energy Development Project, Sustainable Rural Energy Program, Local Government Engineering Department, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh | accessdate = 25 August 2007 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070814022928/http://lged.org/sre/werm.htm |archivedate = 14 August 2007}}</ref> A small 300-watt wind turbine, built by the government, provides electricity to fish farms.<ref>{{Citation | author1 = Bouma, Jan Jaap | author2 = Jeucken, Marcel | author3 = Klinkers, Leon | year = 2001 | title = Sustainable Banking: The Greening of Finance | publisher = Greenleaf | location = Sheffield, UK | isbn = 978-1874719380}}</ref> ==Geology== [[File:Barnacles.jpg|thumb|''[[Balanus|Balanus balanoides]]'']] The [[Structural geology|geological structure]] of Sitakunda, {{convert|70|km|mi|0}} long and {{convert|10|km|mi|0}} wide, is one of the westernmost structures of [[Chittagong District|Chittagong]] and [[Chittagong Hill Tracts]], delimited by the [[Feni River]] in the north, the [[Karnaphuli River]] in the south, the [[Halda River]] in the east and the Sandwip Channel in the west.<ref name="BangGeo1">{{Citation | last = Baqui | first = M. A. | year = 2012 | chapter = Geological Structure | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Geological_Structure | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> The Sitakunda Range acts as a [[water divide]] between the Halda Valley and the Sandwip Channel. The {{convert|88|km|mi|0}} -long Halda flows from [[Khagrachari District|Khagrachari]] to the Bay of Bangal, and is one of the six [[Tributary|tributaries]] of Karnafuli, the major river in the area.<ref>{{Citation | last = Faruque | first = H. S. Mozaddad | year = 2012 | chapter = Chittagong Region River System | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Chittagong_Region_River_System | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> Sandwip Channel represents the northern end of the western part of the [[Geology of Bangladesh|Chittagong-Tripura Folded Belt]].<ref>{{Citation | last1 = Alam | first1 = A.K.M. Khorshed | last2 = Chowdhury | first2 = Sifatul Quader | year = 2012 | chapter = Chittagong-Tripura Folded Belt | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Chittagong-Tripura_Folded_Belt | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> The structure contains a thick sedimentary sequence of sandstone, shale and siltstone. The exposed sedimentary rock sequences except limestone, {{convert|6500|m|ft|0}} thick in an average, provide no difference in overall [[lithology]] of Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts.<ref name="BangGeo1"/> The Sitakunda fold is an elongated, asymmetrical, box-type double plunging [[anticline]]. Both the gently dipping eastern and steeper western flanks of the anticline are truncated abruptly by the alluvial plain of the Feni River.<ref name="BangGeo1"/> For a lack of infrastructure in Bangladesh, this anticline is one of the few regularly surveyed structures in the country.<ref>{{Citation | last = Woobaidullah | first = A.S.M. | year = 2012 | chapter = Geological Survey | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Geological_Survey | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> The [[syncline]] from Sitakunda separates the eastern end of the [[Feni District|Feni Structure]] located in the [[Geological fold|folded flank]] of the [[Bengal Foredeep]].<ref name="BangGeo1"/> Local experts consider the Sitakunda–Teknaf fault to be one of the two most active seismic faults in Bangladesh.<ref name=faultstar/> After the earthquake of 2 April 1762, which caused a permanent submergence of {{convert|155.4|km2|sqmi|1}} of land near Chittagong and the death of 500 people in [[Dhaka]], two volcanoes are said to have opened in the Sitakunda hills.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.sdnpbd.org/sdi/international_days/wed/2005/bangladesh/disaster/earthquake.htm |title=Disaster Prevention: Earthquake, The Sustainable Development Networking Program (SDNP) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206221325/http://www.sdnpbd.org/sdi/international_days/wed/2005/bangladesh/disaster/earthquake.htm |archive-date=6 February 2012 |accessdate=25 August 2007}}</ref><ref name="Earth1">{{Citation | last = Chowdhury | first = Sifatul Quader | last2 = Khan | first2 = Aftab Alam | year = 2012 | chapter = Earthquake | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Earthquake | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> During a seismic tremor on 7 November 2007, fire broke out at the Bakharabad Gas Systems Limited in the Faujderhat area of the upazila when a pipeline was fractured.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://asc-india.org/lib/20071107-roninpara.htm |title=M5.2 Roninpara Earthquake |publisher=Amateur Seismic Centre |date=30 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509070611/http://asc-india.org/lib/20071107-roninpara.htm |archive-date=9 May 2008 |accessdate=29 December 2007}}</ref> The Girujan Clay Formation runs through Sitakunda at a thickness of {{convert|168|m|ft|0}}.<ref name="BangGeo2">{{Citation | last = Chowdhury | first = Sifatul Quader | last2 = Khan | first2 = Mujibur Rahman | last3 = Uddin | first3 = Md Nehal | year = 2012 | chapter = Geological Group-Formation | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Geological_Group-Formation | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | last = Kent | first = W. N. | author2 = Hickman, R. G. | author3 = Gupta, U. D. | title = Application of a Ramp/Flat-Fault Model to Interpretation of the Naga Thrust | journal = AAPG Bulletin | volume = 86 | publisher = [[American Association of Petroleum Geologists]] | year = 2002 | url = http://aapgbull.geoscienceworld.org/cgi/reprint/86/12/2023.pdf | format=PDF | accessdate = 24 August 2007 | doi = 10.1306/61eeddf0-173e-11d7-8645000102c1865d | subscription = yes}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |url=http://geology.geoscienceworld.org/cgi/reprint/26/6/487.pdf |title=Large sedimentation rate in the Bengal Delta |format=PDF |publisher=The Geological Society of America |accessdate=24 August 2007}}</ref> In the Sitakunda hills, the Boka Bil Shale Formation contains ''[[Ostreidae#Genera and species|Ostrea digitalina]]'', ''[[Ostreidae#Genera and species|Ostrea gryphoides]]'' and numerous plates of [[Balanus]] (a type of [[barnacle]]s), fragments of [[Arca (bivalve)|Arca]], [[Pecten (genus)|Pecten]], [[Trochus]], [[Oliva]] and [[coral]]s.<ref name="BangGeo2"/><ref>{{Citation |author1=Zaih, K.M. |author2=Uddin, A | url = http://www.geol.sc.edu/barbeau/zahid_uddin_2005.pdf |title=Influence of overpressure on formation velocity evaluation of Neogene strata from the eastern Bengal Basin |format=PDF |date=April 2004 |publisher=Department of Geology and Geography, Auburn University |accessdate=24 August 2007 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20051215121157/http://www.geol.sc.edu/barbeau/zahid_uddin_2005.pdf |archivedate = 15 December 2005}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.auburn.edu/academic/science_math/geology/hrl/miocene%20sedimentation.pdf |title=Miocene sedimentation and subsidence during continent–continent collision, Bengal basin |format=PDF |publisher=Auburn University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926055551/http://www.auburn.edu/academic/science_math/geology/hrl/miocene%20sedimentation.pdf |archive-date=26 September 2013 |accessdate=24 August 2007}}</ref> Both formations were identified and named by early 20th-century British [[Petroleum geology|petroleum geologist]] P. Evans.<ref name="Evans">{{Citation |author=Evans, P. |title=The tectonic framework of Assam |journal=Journal of the Geological Society of India |volume=5 |year=1964}}</ref> ==Demography== According to the census of 2001, Sitakunda had a population of 298,528 distributed to 55,837 units of households (average household size 5.3), including 163,561 men and 134,967 women, or a gender ratio of 121:100. The average population of component administrative units of the upazila are 4,072 for wards, 1,666 for [[mahalla]]s, 29,853 for [[Union Councils of Bangladesh|unions]], 5,060 for [[mouza]]s (revenue villages) and 5,060 for villages reported by the census.<ref name="census3"/> Out of the 69 mauzas here, 8 have less than 50 households, while 27 have more than 600 households.<ref name="census3"/> Of the villages, 8 have a population of less than 250, while 29 have more than 2,500.<ref name="census3"/> {{As of|2001}}, the population density of Sitakunda was {{convert|692|PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi|0}}.<ref name="census0" /> Apart from the [[Bengali people|Bengali]] majority, there are a number of small communities of ethnic minorities in the area. Many of the resident [[Rakhine people]] are believed to have settled here during the Arakanese rule of Chittagong (1459–1666), though the event is not historically traceable.<ref name="BangMagh">{{Citation |last=Hasan |first=Kamrul |year=2012 |chapter=Rakhain, The |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Rakhain,_The |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]}}</ref> The Rakhine population in [[Khagrachari District]] migrated from the surrounding area and built up their permanent abode at [[Ramgarh Upazila|Ramgarh]] in the 19th century.<ref name="BangMagh"/> Other ethnic groups include the recently migrated [[Tripuri people]].<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.iczmpbangladesh.org/rep/resource/resource.pdf |title=Resource Use by Indigenous Community in the Coastal Zone; Kamal, Mesbah |publisher=Research and Development Collective (RDC) |date=July 2001 |format=PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008195849/http://www.iczmpbangladesh.org/rep/resource/resource.pdf |archive-date=8 October 2007 |accessdate=28 August 2007}}</ref> In the District of Chittagong that includes Sitakunda, the population ratio by religion in 2001 was [[Muslim]] 83.92%, [[Hindu]] 13.76%, [[Buddhist]] 2.01% and Christian 0.12%, with 0.19% following other religions. In 1981, it was Muslim 82.79%, Hindu 14.6%, Buddhist 2.23% and Christian 0.21%, with 0.19% following other religions.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.hrcbmdfw.org/files/489/download.aspx |title=Zilawise Percentage Distribution of Bangladesh Population by Religious Communities, Religious Composition |publisher=Ministry of Planning, Government of Bangladesh |accessdate=24 December 2007}}</ref> [[Chittagonian language|Chittagonian]], a derivative of [[Bengali language|Bengali]] spoken by 14&nbsp;million people mainly in the Chittagong district,<ref>{{Citation | last = Gordon Jr. | first = Raymond G. | title = Ethnologue: Languages of the World (15th edition) | publisher = SIL International | year = 2005 | publication-place = Dallas, Texas | url = http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=cit | isbn = 978-1-55671-159-6}}</ref> is the dominant language. ==Administration== <!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Sitamap.svg|thumb|240px|right|Map of Sitakunda<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930055622/http://www.bangladesh.gov.bd/maps/images/chittagong/Sitakunda.gif Official map of Sitakunda], Government of Bangladesh</ref>]] --> Sitakunda as a [[Administrative divisions of Bangladesh|thana]] came into existence in 1879, and was renamed to Sitakunda Upazila in 1983.<ref name="urban">{{Citation |url=http://www.udd-bd.org/summery.html |title=Land Use Plan of Sitakunda Paurashava |publisher=Urban Development Directorate, Government of Bangladesh |year=2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215010245/http://udd-bd.org/summery.html |archive-date=15 February 2010 |accessdate=28 August 2007}}</ref> It ranks third in area and sixth in population out of the 26 upazilas and thanas of Chittagong.<ref name="census3"/> [[Sitakunda Town]], with an area of {{convert|28.63|km2|sqmi|2}} and a population of 36,650, is the administrative center and the sole municipality (''Pourashabha'') of Sitakunda Upazila.<ref name="census2">{{Citation | url = http://www.bbs.gov.bd/dataindex/census/municip.pdf | format=PDF | title = Area, Population and Literacy Rate by Paurashava – 2001 | publisher= Population Census Wing, BBS | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325022450/http://www.bbs.gov.bd/dataindex/census/municip.pdf\ | archive-date = 25 March 2009 | accessdate = 23 September 2007}}</ref> Shafiul Alam is the mayor of the town, gaining a landslide win over his nearest contender M Abul Kalam Azad in the 2008 mayoral election.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.independent-bangladesh.com/200808068545/country/al-beats-bnp-in-8-of-9.html |title=AL beats BNP in 8 of 9 |author=News Desk |publisher=The Independent |publication-place=Dhaka |date=6 August 2008 |accessdate=28 January 2009}}</ref> The rest of the area is rural and organized into 10 Union Committees (''Union Parishads''), namely Banshbaria, Barabkunda, Bariadyala, Bhatiari, Kumira, Muradpur, Salimpur, Sonaichhari, Saidpur and Bhatiari Cantonment Area.<ref name="census3" /> The area is divided into 69 mauzas and 59 villages. Along with neighboring towns such as [[Hathazari]], [[Chittagong|Fateyabad]], [[Patiya]] and [[Boalkhali]], Sitakunda Town was developed as a satellite town to relieve the increasing population pressure on Chittagong, with Bhatiari and Sadar unions selected as zones for industrialization, like [[Chittagong|South Halishahar]] and [[Chittagong|Kalurghat]].<ref name="starmass">{{Citation |author1=Chowdhooree, Imon |author2=Das, Kanu Kumar |date=8 April 2005 |title=Urban mass transportation for Chittagong - I |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/2005/04/08/d50408190299.htm |publisher=The Daily Star |accessdate=18 September 2007}} (Urban Page).</ref> In the 2009 Upazila elections, Abdullah Al Baker Bhuiyan was elected the Upazila Chairman, while Advocate MN Mustafa Nur and Nazmun Nahar were elected vice chairmen.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=7&id=12903$date=2009-01-23&dateCurrent=2009-01-25 |title=AL supported candidates secure victory in 14 upazilas in Ctg |author=News Desk |publisher=Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha |date=23 January 2009 |accessdate=28 January 2009}}</ref> Sitakunda Upazila makes the 280th [[List of Parliamentary constituencies in Bangladesh|electoral district]] in Bangladesh, identified as Chittagong-3.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://123.49.39.5/delimitation_pdF/const_book_2008.pdf |title=Constituency Maps of Bangladesh |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2010 |publisher=Bangladesh Election Commission |format=PDF |accessdate=13 August 2014}}</ref> In the [[Bangladeshi general election, 2008|2008 general election]], {{nowrap|A.B.M. Abul Kashem Master}} of [[Bangladesh Awami League]] (AL) was elected as the [[Jatiyo Sangsad|member of parliament]], defeating his nearest opponent {{nowrap|Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury}} of [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] (BNP).<ref>{{Citation |date=31 December 2008 |title=District-wise JS poll results supplied by the news agency BSS Tuesday |publisher=Financial Express |publication-place=Dhaka |url=http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/old/more.php?page=detail_news&date=2008-12-31&news_id=54674}}</ref> In the [[Bangladeshi general election, 2001|previous election]] held in 2001, Siddiki had defeated Kasem.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/b/bangladesh/bangladesh20019.txt |title=Voting by constituency People's Republic of Bangladesh: National Legislative Election 2001 |publisher=Adam Carr's Election Archive |accessdate=27 December 2007}}</ref> M Akteruzzaman is the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, the chief executive of the upazila.<ref>{{Citation |title=Voter registration begins in 2 Ctg pourashavas |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/story.php?nid=1293 |publisher=The Daily Star |publication-place=Dhaka |agency=BSS |date=24 August 2007 |accessdate=27 December 2007}}</ref> The upazila is served by a court presided over by a first-class [[magistrate]].<ref>{{Citation | last = Hoque | first = Kazi Ebadul | year = 2012 | chapter = Magistrate | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Magistrate | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> The Power Development Board is responsible for supplying electricity to the upazila, but due to power outages the industries in the area are strictly constrained.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.newsnetwork-bd.com/UI/Public/NewsDetail.php?LogID=8029 |title=Most areas in Ctg still under darkness; PDB fails to repair Khulshi sub-station |publisher=News Network |date=26 June 2005 |accessdate=29 December 2007}}</ref> Anwarul Kabir Talukder, the State Minister for Power, lost his job on 29 September 2006 after hundreds of demonstrators in Sitakunda blocked the Dhaka–Chittagong highway in protest at the lack of electricity; violence also erupted elsewhere in Bangladesh.<ref>{{Citation |author=Staff Correspondent |url=http://www.newagebd.com/2006/oct/01/front.html |title=Outrage for power on outside Dhaka |publisher=The New Age |date=26 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014055141/http://newagebd.com/2006/oct/01/front.html |archive-date=14 October 2007 |accessdate=2 March 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |author=Staff Correspondent |url=http://www.newagebd.com/2006/oct/01/front.html |title=Talukder dismissed after resignation announcement |publisher=The New Age |date=26 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014055141/http://newagebd.com/2006/oct/01/front.html |archive-date=14 October 2007 |accessdate=2 March 2008}}</ref> In case of fire, the services are brought in from the neighboring city of Chittagong.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/2006/01/31/d60131062983.htm |title=Girl burnt alive, 87 houses gutted |publisher=The Daily Star |agency=UNB |date=31 January 2006 |accessdate=29 December 2007}}</ref> A proposed Kumira–Sitakunda Hill Water Reservoir Project to supply safe drinking water is to be undertaken by the government.<ref>{{Citation |url=https://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/sdissues/water/workshop_asia/presentations/amin.pdf |title=Status of Water & Sanitation Services in Chittagong Water Supply and Sewerage Authority, Bangladesh |publisher=Capacity Building Workshop on Partnerships for Improving the Performance of Water Utilities in the Asia and the Pacific Region, United Nations Development for Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) |format=PDF |accessdate=29 December 2007}}</ref> ==Economy== [[File:Shipbreakingbangladesh.jpg|thumb|right|Ship breaking in Sitakunda]] [[File:Fishing boat on Bay of Bengal.JPG|thumb|Fishing boat in the Bay of Bengal]] The [[ship breaking]] industry in Sitakunda has surpassed similar industries in India and Pakistan to become the largest in the world.<ref name=pakecon/><ref name=timeship/> As of August 2007, over {{convert|1500000|MT|LT|0}} of iron had been produced from the scrapping of about 20 ships in the 19 functional ship yards scattered over {{convert|8|km2|sqmi|0}} along the coast of Sitakunda {{convert|8|–|10|km|mi|0}} from [[Chittagong]], near Fouzderhat. Local re-rolling mills, as well as similar mills, process the scrap iron.<ref name="IndiShip"/><ref name="WatMan"/><ref name="ILO">{{Citation |url=http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/sectors/shipbrk/shpbreak.htm |title=Ship Breaking: A Background Paper |author1=Ataur Rahman |author2=AZM Tabarak Ullah |publisher=Programme on Safety and Health at Work and the Environment (SafeWork), [[International Labour Organization]] |accessdate=25 August 2007}}</ref> Bangladesh, with no local metal ore mining industry of its own, is dependent on ship-breaking for its domestic steel requirements; the re-rolling mills alone substitute for import of about {{convert|1200000|MT|LT|0}} of billets and other raw materials.<ref name="IndiShip"/> There are 70 companies registered as ship breakers in Chittagong, employing 2,000 regular and 25,000 semi-skilled and unskilled workers.<ref name="ILO"/> Organized under the Bangladesh Ship Breakers Association, (BSBA),<ref name="BDNPollute"/> these include companies within large local [[Conglomerate (company)|conglomerates]] that sought [[ISO 9000|ISO certificates]].<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.phpgroupbd.com/unit/ship_breaking/index.php |title=Official Website, PHP Ship Breaking & Re-cycling Ind. Ltd. |accessdate=25 August 2007 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930122453/http://www.phpgroupbd.com/unit/ship_breaking/index.php |archivedate = 30 September 2007}}</ref> The industry has come under threat, both from a decline in the number of ships scrapped annually – down from 70–80 to about 20<ref name="WatMan"/> – and because of environmental and [[Occupational safety and health|work safety]] concerns.<ref name="CBS"/> There have been complaints that journalists and human rights activists are being barred from the ship breaking yards.<ref>{{Citation |title=Journalists, HR activists not allowed inside ship-breaking yard |url=http://www.newagebd.com/2006/mar/18/nat.html |publisher=The New Age |date=18 March 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928010114/http://www.newagebd.com/2006/mar/18/nat.html |archive-date=28 September 2007 |accessdate=6 September 2007}}</ref> The ship breaking industry is purportedly damaging the local ecology as well, taking a toll on the fish population and soil quality.<ref name=greenship>{{Citation |url=http://www.greenpeaceweb.org/shipbreak/evasionpolluter.pdf |title=The Continuous Evasion Of The "Polluter Pays Principle |publisher=[[Greenpeace]] |date=September 2002 |format=PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928051004/http://www.greenpeaceweb.org/shipbreak/evasionpolluter.pdf |archive-date=28 September 2007 |accessdate=3 September 2007}}</ref> A survey conducted by students of the [[Institute of Marine Science]] of [[Chittagong University]] in 2007 revealed that the soil of the locality is polluted by heavy metals including mercury (0.5 to 2.7&nbsp;ppm), lead (0.5 to 21.8&nbsp;ppm), chromium (220&nbsp;ppm), cadmium (0.3 to 2.9&nbsp;ppm), iron (2.6 to 5.6&nbsp;ppm), calcium (5.2 to 23.2&nbsp;ppm) and magnesium (6.5 to 10.57&nbsp;ppm).<ref name="IndiShip"/><ref>DNV-Report: {{Citation |url=http://www.greenpeaceweb.org/shipbreak/dnvbangladesh.pdf |title=Shipbreaking Practices: On site assessment Chittagong, Bangladesh |format=PDF |publisher=Greenpeace |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090920024758/http://www.greenpeaceweb.org/shipbreak/dnvbangladesh.pdf |archive-date=20 September 2009 |accessdate=25 August 2007}}</ref> Safety standards in the industry are low; between 1995 and 2005, 150 workers were killed and 576 were [[Mutilation|maimed]] or injured.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.newagebd.com/2005/jun/01/met.html |title=Greens concerned about safety in ship breaking industry |author=Staff Correspondent |publisher=The New Age |date=1 June 2005 |archive-url=https://archive.is/2007.07.30-212853/http://www.newagebd.com/2005/jun/01/met.html |archive-date=30 July 2007 |accessdate=29 December 2007}}</ref> The main causes of death were fire or explosion, suffocation and inhaling [[Carbon dioxide|CO₂]]. These old ships also contain hazardous substances like asbestos, lead paint, heavy metals and [[Polychlorinated biphenyl|PCBs]].<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.intertanko.com/upload/presentations/matser.doc |title=Facing the Deadline |format=DOC |date=16 April 2002 |publisher=InterTanko |accessdate=29 December 2007}}</ref> The workers are paid US$1.75 a day and have little access to medical treatment.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200703/21/eng20070321_359608.html |title=Feature: Workers of ship breaking industry in Bangladesh gasping for survival |work=People's Daily |date=21 March 2007 |accessdate=29 December 2007}}</ref> Among the workers, 41% of are aged between 18 and 22 years,<ref>{{Citation | title = Daily Collection of Maritime Press Clippings 2005-138 | date = 1 June 2005 | url = http://www.ibiblio.org/maritime/Scheepvaartnieuws/Pdf/scheepvaartnieuws/2005/juni/138-01-06-2005b.PDF | publisher = MaritimeDigital Archive Portal, Frederic Logghe | format = PDF | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060622171552/http://www.ibiblio.org/maritime/Scheepvaartnieuws/Pdf/scheepvaartnieuws/2005/juni/138-01-06-2005b.PDF | archive-date = 22 June 2006}}</ref> and many are reported to be as young as 10 years of age.<ref>{{Citation |author=Nurul Haque, A.N.M. |date=24 November 2004 |title=Child labour in Bangladesh |url=http://www.timesizing.com/gts0411d.htm |newspaper=The New Nation |via=Timesizing News |accessdate=30 December 2007}}</ref> There have also been allegations of large quantities of steel and non-ferrous items, such as [[bronze]], aluminum, copper, and bronze-[[Amalgam (chemistry)|amalgam]] recovered from ship breaking being smuggled out of Bangladesh.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.healthandsafetybusiness.com/Autumn06/Articles/News_Int.html |title=Bangladesh: Shipbreakers Pollute with Impunity |publisher=The Rapid Results College Limited |date=Autumn 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820092044/http://www.healthandsafetybusiness.com/Autumn06/Articles/News_Int.html |archive-date=20 August 2008 |accessdate=30 December 2007}}</ref> There also are reports of pirates targeting [[tugboat]]s pulling ships in.<ref>Bruce A. Elleman, Andrew Forbes and David Rosenberg, "[http://www.virginia.edu/colp/pdf/Piracy-and-Maritime-Crime-NWC-2010.pdf Piracy and Maritime Crime]", page 124, [[Naval War College]]</ref> Employment of local people is low in the industrial facilities.<ref name="zaka"/> The main occupations of the local people by industry are [[Tertiary sector of economic activity|service]] (28.76%), commerce (21.53%), and agriculture (24.12%).<ref name="census3"/> Out of {{convert|12140.83|ha|acre|2}} of cultivable land 25.46% yield a single crop, 57.95% yield double and 16.59% a treble crop annually. Bean, melon, rubber and [[betel]] leaf are the main agricultural exports.<ref name="BangSit"/> Fishing has traditionally been an industry restricted to low [[caste]] Hindus belonging to the fisher class, although since the last decades of the 20th century an increasing number of Muslims have joined the sector.<ref name="latif">{{Citation |url=http://www.nri.org/projects/fishtrade/issues-marketcredit.pdf |title=Livelihoods in Coastal Fishing Communities, and the Marine Fish Marketing System of Bangladesh |author1=Kleih, Ulrich |author2=Alam, Khursid |author3=Dastidar, Ranajit |author4=Dutta, Utpal |author5=Oudwater, Nicoliene |author6=Ward, Ansen |date=January 2003 |format=PDF |accessdate=3 September 2007}}</ref> Due to the introduction of engine-powered boats and [[gill net]]s, there was a rise in fish catches between the 1970s and 1990s, especially in the major fishing season (mid-July to mid-November).<ref name="latif"/> Over-fishing, however, has depleted the fish population and some fish species are facing extinction in the area, leading to seasonal [[food security|food insecurity]] (February to April).<ref name="latif"/> According to a 2001 survey, 4,000 people in Sitakunda were engaged in wild [[Spawn (biology)|shrimp fry]] collection, harvesting an average of five-and-a-half million fries a year.<ref>{{Citation |url = http://www.enaca.org/Shrimp/ShrimpActionPlanforBangladesh/A+Livelihood+Analysis+of+Shrimp+fry+Collectors.doc |title=Livelihood Analysis of Shrimp Fry Collectors in Bangladesh: Future Prospects in Relation to a Wild Fry Collection Ban |author=Frankenberger, Timothy R. |publisher=TANGO International Inc. |date=August 2002 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030810111218/http://www.enaca.org/Shrimp/ShrimpActionPlanforBangladesh/A%20Livelihood%20Analysis%20of%20Shrimp%20fry%20Collectors.doc |archive-date = 10 August 2003 |accessdate=8 September 2007 |format=DOC }}</ref> Sitakunda has a cement factory, 12 [[jute]] mills, 6 textile mills, 10 re-rolling mills, and 79 functional and defunct shipyards.<ref name="BangSit"/><ref name="WatMan">{{Citation |url=http://www.iczmpbangladesh.org/rep/wp044.pdf |title=Institutional Aspects of Ship Breaking Industry in Bangladesh |publisher=Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan Project, Water Resources Planning Organization (WARPO), Ministry of Water Resources, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh | format=PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008195827/http://www.iczmpbangladesh.org/rep/wp044.pdf |archive-date=8 October 2007 |accessdate=25 August 2007}}</ref> Two of the operational jute mills are run by the [[Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation]],<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.juteministry.org/html/bjmc.html |title=BJMC |publisher=Ministry of Jute, Government of Bangladesh |accessdate=3 September 2007 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20040608044631/http://www.juteministry.org/html/bjmc.html |archivedate = 8 June 2004}}</ref> and one has been sold to a [[private sector]] company.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/exec/view.cgi/34/22126 |title=Privatisation of textile mills turns sour in Ctg |publisher=The New Nation |date=30 August 2005 |accessdate=6 September 2007 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071009193301/http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/exec/view.cgi/34/22126 |archivedate = 9 October 2007}}</ref> To protest against privatization, workers of Hafiz Jute Mill, Gul Ahmed Jute Mill, MM Jute Mill and RR Jute Mill blocked the Dhaka–Chittagong Highway for seven hours in September 2007.<ref>{{Citation |author=Staff Correspondent |title=Jute millers block up Dhaka-Ctg Highway |url=http://www.newagebd.com/2006/sep/08/front.html |publisher=The New Age |date=8 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209153651/http://www.newagebd.com/2006/sep/08/front.html |archive-date=9 December 2007 |accessdate=20 December 2007}}</ref> As early as 1953, Sitakunda was described as the location for one of only five [[Poultry farming|poultry farms]] in [[East Pakistan]], along with [[Tejgaon]] (Dhaka), [[Narayanganj]] (Dhaka), Jamalpur ([[Bogra]]), and [[Sylhet]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Pakistan |page=156 |publisher=Pakistan Department of Advertising, Films and Publications |year=1953}}</ref> Some mining for sand from agricultural lands is carried out along the eastern side of the Dhaka–Chittagong road.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.sdnpbd.org/sdi/international_days/wed/2006/bangladesh/land_degradation.htm |title=Bangladesh & Desertification |publisher=SDNP Bangladesh |accessdate=3 September 2007 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120206221331/http://www.sdnpbd.org/sdi/international_days/wed/2006/bangladesh/land_degradation.htm |archivedate=6 February 2012}}</ref> Operators of local brick kilns are engaged in illegal hill cutting, a practice that was responsible along with heavy rainfall for the [[2007 Chittagong mudslide]].<ref name="Akbar">{{Citation | last=Choudhury | first=Iqbal Hossain | title=পাহাড়ে বিভীষিকা | newspaper=[[Chutir Dine]], [[Prothom Alo]] | volume=403 | pages=4–6 | language=bn | date=13 June 2007 }} </ref><ref name=mudslide>{{Citation |last=Alam |first=Nurul |date=8 July 2007 |title=DoE to initiate fresh survey to list illegal hill cutters |url=http://www.newagebd.com/2007/jul/08/front.html |publisher=The New Age |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015131007/http://newagebd.com/2007/jul/08/front.html |archive-date=15 October 2007 |accessdate=8 July 2007}}</ref> The rural poor are supported by [[Grameen Bank]] and NGOs such as [[CARE (relief)|CARE]], [[BRAC (NGO)|BRAC]] and [[Association for Social Advancement|ASA]].<ref name="BangSit"/><ref>{{Citation | last = Huda | first = Shamsul | year = 2012 | chapter = ASA | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=ASA | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> ==Transport and communication== [[File:Dhaka Chittagong Highway 1.jpg|thumb|Dhaka–Chittagong Highway]] The Dhaka–Chittagong Highway runs through Sitakunda, connecting the two largest cities in Bangladesh. A workshop conducted by [[Asian Development Bank]] (ADB) estimated that improving the highway would increase Bangladesh's GDP by 1% and its foreign trade by 20%.<ref>News Release, {{Citation |url=http://www.adb.org/Documents/News/BRM/brm-20070305.asp |title=Improving Logistics in Dhaka-Chittagong Corridor Can Raise GDP by 1% |publisher=ADB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607055116/http://www.adb.org/Documents/News/BRM/brm-20070305.asp |archive-date=7 June 2011 |accessdate=25 January 2008}}</ref> This roadlink between the two cities existed in the pre-railway days<ref name="BangRail1">{{Citation | last = Mukherjee | first = Hena | year = 2012 | chapter = Assam Bengal Railway | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Assam_Bengal_Railway | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> and has been identified as a part of the medieval southern [[Silk Road]].<ref>{{Citation |author=Rehman, Sobhan |title=Rediscovering the Southern Silk Route: Integrating Asia's Transport |page=139 |publisher=University Press Limited |year=2000 |isbn=984-05-1519-5}}</ref> In 2006, ADB and the World Bank announced a plan to help Bangladesh build a second highway between Dhaka and Chittagong,<ref>{{Citation |author= Syeduzzaman, M |date=24 July 2006 |title=Fools rush in |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/2006/07/24/d607241502143.htm |publisher=The Daily Star |accessdate=25 January 2008}}</ref> which would be a part of the [[Asian Highway Network]].<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.unescap.org/ttdw/Publications/TIS_pubs/pub_2303/BangladeshB5.pdf |title=Bangladesh Study Report |format=PDF |publisher=UNESCAP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927014836/http://www.unescap.org/ttdw/Publications/TIS_pubs/pub_2303/BangladeshB5.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2011 |accessdate=3 March 2008}}</ref> Historically, the rail transportation system drove developments in Chittagong and the surrounding areas, including Sitakunda.<ref name="starmass"/> The [[rail track]]s were established as part of the [[Bengal Assam Railway]] in 1898, originally running from Chittagong to [[Badarpur Railway Town|Badarpur]], with branches to [[Silchar]] and [[Laksam Upazila|Laksam]].<ref name="BangRail1"/> In September 1878, Sitakunda was included in the East Bengal Circle of Railway Mail Service (RMS) along with rest of the district.<ref>{{Citation | last = Khan | first = Ishtiaque Ahmed | year = 2012 | chapter = Postal Communication | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Postal_Communication | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> By 1904, the track system was extended to [[Chandpur Sadar Upazila|Chandpur]] to connect [[river boat]] traffic between [[Goalandaghat Upazila|Goalanda]] and [[Kolkata]].<ref name="BangRail1"/> Approximately {{convert|37|km|mi|0}} of railroads stop at six rail stations.<ref name="BangSit"/> Currently, there is no express train service between Sitakunda and Chittagong, though intercity expresses (Sylhet–Chittagong, Chandpur–Chittagong, and Dhaka–Chittagong) stop at Sitakunda station and carry a small share of the commuter traffic load.<ref name="starmass"/> By 2003, there were a total of {{convert|112|km|mi|0}} of paved roads in the upazila, along with {{convert|256|km|mi|0}} of mud roads, as well as five [[Ferry slip|ferry-gauts]] or river docks for the use of [[barge]]-type ferryboats. The traditional [[bullock cart]]s are now rarely seen in the upazila.<ref name="BangSit"/> Sitakunda was to be the landing station for a [[submarine communications cable]], but the cable now comes ashore at [[Cox's Bazaar]].<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.newagebd.com/2006/may/05/nat.html |title=Joy for e-governance to curb corruption |author=Staff Correspondent |publisher=The New Age |date=25 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823201025/http://www.newagebd.com/2006/may/05/nat.html |archive-date=23 August 2010 |accessdate=29 December 2007}}</ref> The cable has frequently been severed by miscreants, often in the Sitakunda area, since its installation on 21 May 2006.<ref>{{Citation | last = Rahman | first = Sayeed | title = Bangladesh Submarine cable link sabotaged again | work = Media & Tech | publisher = Ground Report | date = 13 November 2007 | url = http://www.groundreport.com/Media_and_Tech/Bangladesh-Submarine-cable-link-sabotaged-again | accessdate = 7 February 2009}}</ref> [[Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication]] (BNNRC) has brought internet services to the upazila by establishing Rural Knowledge Centres (RKC).<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.bnnrc.net/ |title=Rural Knowledge Center provide Data Operators to the Voter Registration and National ID Card Program and facilitate in the motivational campaign |publisher=Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication |accessdate=29 December 2007}}</ref> [[BTTB]] and [[RanksTel]] run telephone services in the upazila. The telephone area code for Sitakunda is 3028, which has to be added to Bangladesh area code +880 when making overseas calls, and the subscriber numbers consist of four digits locally.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-t/oth/02/02/T02020000120001MSWE.doc |title=Numbering Plan |publisher=Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) |year=2006 |accessdate=29 December 2007}}</ref> ==Pilgrimage sites== {{further|Chandranath Temple}} [[File:Sitakunda06.jpg|thumb|Entrance to Chandranath Temple]] Sitakunda is a major site for pilgrimage in Bangladesh, as it features 280 mosques (including the Shah Mosque) 8 [[Mazar (mausoleum)|mazars]] (including Baro Awlias Mazar, Kalu Shah Mazar, Fakir Hat Mazar, Shahjahani Shah Mazar), 49 Hindu temples (including Labanakhya Mandir, Chandranath Mandir, Shambunath Mandir), 3 [[ashram]]s (including Sitakunda Shankar Math), and 3 Buddhist temples.<ref name="BangSit"/> The Hammadyar Mosque, located at the village of Masjidda on the banks of a [[Water tank|tank]]<ref>''Tank'' is a term that was used in colonial times for a man-made body of water or reservoir (''dighi'').</ref> known as the Hammadyar Dighi, was built during the reign of Ghiyasuddin Mahmud Shah, the last Husain Shahi sultan of Bengal, as recorded by the inscription above the central entrance.<ref name=Bangmosque>{{Citation | last = Hossain | first = Shamsul | year = 2012 | chapter = Hammadya Mosque | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Hammadya_Mosque | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> The Sudarshan Vihara at village Mayani here, as well as the Vidarshanaram Vihara at village Mayani in [[Patiya Upazila|Patiya]] were both established in 1922 by [[Prajnalok Mahasthavir]] (1879–1971), an eminent Bangladeshi Buddhist preacher.<ref name=Bangprajna>{{Citation | last = Bhikkhu | first = Sunithananda | year = 2012 | chapter = Mahasthavir, Prajnalok | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Mahasthavir,_Prajnalok | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> According to legend, [[Shiva]]'s wife [[Dakshayani|Sati]] [[Self-immolation|immolated]] herself in the [[yajna]]-fire of her father [[Daksha]], as a protest against Shiva's dishonor. The God became furious and started to dance the ''[[Tandava|Tāndava]]'' with Sati's body on his shoulders.<ref name=HindGod>{{Citation |author=Kinsley, David |title=Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition |publisher=University of California Press |year=1988 |isbn=0-520-06339-2}}</ref> Knowing that the dance of destruction was about to annihilate the world, [[Vishnu]] cut the body of Sati to pieces with [[Chakram|Sudarshana Chakram]], his celestial weapon, thereby appeasing Shiva.<ref name=HindGod/> Each of 51 pieces of the body fell to earth, and the place where each piece fell became a holy center of pilgrimage or ''[[Shakti Peetha]]''.<ref name=HindGod/> The legend goes that Sati's right arm fell near a now-extinct hot spring at the Chandranth peak in Sitakunda. The site is marked by the temple of Sambhunath just below the Chandranath temple on top of the peak, and it is a major ''[[Tirtha (Hinduism)|tirtha]]'' for Hindus in Bangladesh.<ref name=Bangpeetha>{{Citation | last = Togawa | first = Masahiko | year = 2012 | chapter = Sakta-pitha | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Sakta-pitha | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | last = Chowdhury | first = Sifatul Quader | year = 2012 | chapter = Hot Spring | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Hot_Spring | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> According to [[Rajmala]], the temple of Chandranath received considerable endowments from the [[Twipra Kingdom]] in the time of king [[List of Tripuri Kings|Dhanya Manikya]], who once attempted to remove the [[lingam]] from the temple to his kingdom.<ref name="StarSit"/><ref name="Prem1">{{Citation |author=Dev, Prem Ranjan |url = http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/exec/view.cgi/62/34085 |title=Sitakunda Shrine and Shiba Chaturdarshi Festival |publisher=The New Nation |page=Editorial Page |date=16 February 2007 |accessdate=27 August 2007 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927175457/http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/exec/view.cgi/62/34085 |archivedate = 27 September 2007}}</ref> Poets from across the ages – from [[Jayadeva]] (circa 1200&nbsp;AD) to Nabinchandra Sen (1847–1909) – were said to be devoted to the temple.<ref name="StarSit"/><ref name="Prem1"/> Chandranath is within the jurisdiction of Gobardhan Math, which was founded, according to legends, by Padmacharya, a disciple of [[Adi Shankara|Shankaracharya]] and founder of ''Vana'' and ''Aranya'' sects of the [[Dashanami Sampradaya]].<ref name="StarSit"/><ref name="Prem1"/> An International Vedic Conference was held from 15 to 17 February 2007 at Sitakunda Shrine (Tirtha) Estate in Sitakunda Chandranath Dham, on the occasion of the great Shiva Chaturdarshi (a Hindu festival in worship of Lord Shiva).<ref name="StarSit"/><ref name="Prem1"/> These temples have been subject to repeated attack and violation by Muslims,<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/pdf/HHR2006.pdf |title=Hindus in South Asia and the Diaspora |format=PDF |publisher=Hindu American Foundation |date=11 June 2007 |accessdate=3 September 2007}}</ref> and [[Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council|Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad]] has asked for the pilgrims to be protected.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://bhbcop.org/bulletin/2006/may/news1.html |title=Memorendum to SAARC Ministers Bulletin |date=May 2006 |publisher=Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502003147/http://bhbcop.org/bulletin/2006/may/news1.html |archive-date=2 May 2009 |accessdate=24 December 2007}}</ref> ==Flora and fauna== [[File:Kans grass (Saccharum spontaneum) in Sitakunda1.jpg|thumb|Kans grass (''[[Saccharum spontaneum]]'') in Sitakunda]] [[File:Sitakunda20.jpg|thumb|Sitakunda eco-park]] While returning to [[Kolkata]] after completing a floral survey, [[Joseph Dalton Hooker]] (1817–1911) carried out the first survey of Sitakunda's local flora, as recorded in his ''Himalayan Journals'', in January 1851 (published by the [[Calcutta]] [[Great Trigonometric Survey|Trigonometrical Survey]] Office and Minerva Library of Famous Books; Ward, Lock, Bowden & Co., 1891).<ref name="BangFlor">{{Citation | last = Zuberi | first = M. Iqbal | year = 2012 | chapter = Flora | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Flora | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> The forests of the region are known to be evergreen type with a preponderance of deciduous species with a levelled distribution.<ref name="BangFlor"/> The topmost level consists of Garjan (''[[Dipterocarpus|Dipterocarpus alatus]]''), Telsur (''[[Hopea odorata]]''), Chapalish (''[[Artocarpus|Artocarpus chaplasha]]''), Chundul (''[[Tetrameles nudiflora]]'') and Koroi or the Moluccan albizia (''[[Falcataria moluccana]]''). The lower level consists of species of Jarul (''[[Lagerstroemia speciosa]]''), Toon (''[[Toona ciliata]]''), Jam (''[[Syzygium cumini]]''), Jalpai (''[[Elaeocarpus|Elaeocarpus robustus]]'') and Glochidion. [[Liana]]s, epiphytes (mostly of orchids, asclepiads, ferns and leafy mosses) and herbaceous undergrowths are abundant.<ref name="BangFlor"/> Savannah formations are found in the open, along the banks of rivers and swamps with common tall grasses like Kans (''[[Saccharum spontaneum]]''), Shon (''[[Imperata cylindrica]]'' and ''[[Imperata cylindrica|I. arundincca]]'') and Bena (''[[Vetiveria zizanoides]]'').<ref name="BangFlor"/> Several species of Bamboo are cultivated that are common in Bangladesh including ''[[Bambusa balcooa]]'' (which is also common in [[Assam]]), ''[[Bambusa vulgaris|B. vulgaris]]'', ''[[Bambusa longispiculata|B. longispiculata]]'', ''[[Bambusa tulda|B. tulda]]'' and ''[[Bambusa|B. nutans]]''; the latter two also being common in the hills of the region.<ref>{{Citation |editor1=Vivekanandan, K. |editor2=Rao, A.N. |editor3=Rao, V. Ramanatha |year=1998 |url=http://www.inbar.int/downloads/inbar_br_no05.pdf |title=Bamboo and Rattan Genetic Resources in Certain Asian Countries |publisher=IPGRI, International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) |isbn=92-9043-3647 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527044229/http://www.inbar.int/wp-content/plugins/download-monitor/download.php?id=inbar_br_no05.pdf |archive-date=27 May 2015 |accessdate=18 September 2007}}</ref> A number of fish species have become endangered in the area due to [[overfishing]].<ref name="latif"/> They include Bhoal (''[[Raiamas bola]]''), Lakkhya (''[[Eleutheronema tetradactylum]]''), Chapila (''[[Gudusia chapra]]''), Datina (''[[Acanthopagrus latus]]''), Rupchanda (''[[Pampus argenteus]]''), Pungash (''[[Pangasius pangasius]]''), Chhuri (''[[Trichiurus lepturus]]''), Ilsha Chandana (''[[Tenualosa toli]]''), Hilsha (''[[Tenualosa ilisha]]''), Faishya (''[[Anchovy|Anchoviella commersonii]]''), Maittya (''[[Scomberomorus commerson]]''), Gnhora (''[[Labeo gonius]]''), Kata (''[[Nemapteryx nenga]]''), Chewa (''[[Taenioides cirratus]]''), Sundari bele (''[[Glossogobius giuris]]''), Bnata (''[[Liza parsia]]''), Koral (''[[Etroplus suratensis]]'') and Kawoon (''[[Anabas testudineus]]''), as well as [[crustacean]]s like tiger shrimps.<ref>For name alternatives see <span class="plainlinks">{{cite web |url=http://filaman.uni-kiel.de/Country/CountryComNamesSearchList.cfm?Country=050 |title=List of Common Names of fish of Bangladesh |website=SeaLifeBase |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080520223126/http://filaman.uni-kiel.de/Country/CountryComNamesSearchList.cfm?Country=050 |archive-date=20 May 2008}}</span> (list)</ref> The first eco-park in Bangladesh, [[Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Eco Park]], was established in 2001 along with a [[botanical garden]], under a five-year (2000–2004) development project at a cost of {{nowrap|Tk 35.7&nbsp;million}} on {{convert|808|ha|acre|0}} of the Chandranath Hills in Sitakunda.<ref name=Bangpark>{{Citation | last = Khair | first = Abul | year = 2012 | chapter = Ecopark | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Ecopark | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> The eco-park was established to facilitate [[biodiversity]] conservation, natural regeneration, new plantations and infrastructure development, as well as to promote nature-based tourism to generate income. The park, {{convert|405|ha|acre|0}}, and the garden, {{convert|403|ha|acre|0}}, under the Bariadhala Range of Chittagong Forest Division, are rich with natural [[Gymnosperm]] tree species including [[Podocarpus neriifolius]] and species of [[Gnetum]] and [[Cycas]].<ref name=coastuddin/> The park is reported to be able to receive 25,000 visitors in a single weekend.<ref>{{Citation | url = https://www.iucn.org/downloads/pm4_1.pdf |title=Managing demand for protected areas in Bangladesh: poverty alleviation, illegal commercial use and nature recreation |format=PDF |author1=Roy, Monoj K. |author2=Philip J. DeCosse |date=March 2006 |magazine=Policy Matters |volume=14 |publisher=IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy |accessdate=18 September 2007 }}</ref> With the botanical garden included, the number of visitors can reach up to 50,000.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.usaid.gov/bd/files/NSPReview_of_Issues&Options_for_the_Sustainable_Financing_of_PA.pdf |title=Review of Issues and Options for the Sustainable Financing of Protected Areas Management in Bangladesh |format=PDF |author1=Anderson, Glen |author2=A.H.M. Mostain Billah |publisher=[[United States Agency for International Development]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081116123917/http://www.usaid.gov/bd/files/NSPReview_of_Issues&Options_for_the_Sustainable_Financing_of_PA.pdf |archive-date=16 November 2008 |accessdate=18 September 2007}}</ref> According to the ''International Journal of Biodiversity Science and Management'', however, "ignoring the dependence of local people on park resources created conflicts between local communities and the park authority" and "prohibition on the extraction of forest products from the park... make the livelihoods of surrounding villagers vulnerable".<ref>{{Citation |author1=Nath, T.K |author2=M. Alauddin |url=http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/sapi/ijbsm/2006/00000002/00000001/art00001 |title=Sitakunda botanical garden and eco-park, Chittagong, Bangladesh: Its impacts on a rural community |journal=The International Journal of Biodiversity Science and Management |volume=2 |issue=1 |date=March 2006 |pages=1–11 |doi=10.1080/17451590609618095 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001021226/http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/sapi/ijbsm/2006/00000002/00000001/art00001 |archive-date=1 October 2007}}</ref> ==Society== [[File:FCC Academic Block.jpg|thumb|[[Faujdarhat Cadet College]]]] The educational institutions of the upazila include [[Faujdarhat Cadet College]] (founded in 1958), 4 regular colleges (including Sitakunda Degree College founded in 1968), 24 high schools (including [[Sitakund Government Model High School]] founded in 1913 and Madam Bibir Hat Shahjania High School founded in 1905), 10 [[madrasa]]s, and 76 junior and primary schools.<ref name="BangSit"/> All the secondary schools and regular colleges are under the Chittagong Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education split from the Comilla Board in May, 1995.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.bise-ctg.gov.bd/districts_under_bise.html |title=Official Website, Chittagong Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education |accessdate=27 December 2007 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080429224939/http://www.bise-ctg.gov.bd/districts_under_bise.html |archivedate = 29 April 2008}}</ref> Dr. [[Muhammad Shahidullah]] (1885–1969), an eminent Bangladeshi [[linguist]], served as the headmaster of the Government High School from 1914 to 1915.<ref>{{Citation | last = Badiuzzaman | first = Muhammad | year = 2012 | chapter = Shahidullah, Muhammad | chapter-url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Shahidullah,_Muhammad | editor1-last = Islam | editor1-first = Sirajul | editor1-link = Sirajul Islam | editor2-last = Jamal | editor2-first = Ahmed A. | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | edition = Second | publisher = [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] | isbn = 984-32-0576-6}}</ref> On 24 July 1996, members of [[Bangladesh Chhatra League]] and [[Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir]] (ICS) in Sitakunda Degree College fought with guns and bombs over a minor dispute.<ref>{{Citation |title=Students clash in Sitakunda |newspaper=The Bangladesh Observer |date=25 June 1996 |page=12, col. 1}}</ref><ref name=CanIss>{{Citation| url = http://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/research/publications/index_e.htm?docid=120&cid=0&sec=CH03 |title=Issue Paper: Bangladesh Human Rights Situation |publisher=Immigration and refugee Board of Canada |date=January 1997 |accessdate=26 December 2007 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20050425141557/http://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/research/publications/index_e.htm?docid=120&cid=0&sec=CH03 |archivedate = 25 April 2005}}</ref> On 29 July 1996, two ICS members of the college were abducted and killed.<ref name=CanIss/><ref> {{Citation |title=Shibir members killed |newspaper=The Bangladesh Observer |date=31 July 1996 |page=1, col. 1}}</ref> [[Faujdarhat Cadet College]] and [[Bangladesh Military Academy]] are also situated in this upazila. {{As of|2001}}, average literacy of Sitakunda Upazila for people of 7 years of age or more is 54.6%,<ref name="census0"/> while the average literacy of Sitakunda Pourashabha is 53.9%.<ref name="census2"/> There has been an overall growth of 32.9% between 1991 and 2001, which for men was 20.5% and for women 59.2%.<ref name="census3"/> 70,315 people of the Upazila between the ages of 5 and 24 years attend schools, an overall increase of 35.6% between 1991 and 2001, which for men was 28.1% and for women 45.4%.<ref name="census3"/> The highest school attendance rate is observed in age group 10–14 years.<ref name="census3"/> The health service centers in the upazila include a health complex, an infectious diseases hospital, a railway [[tuberculosis|TB hospital]], 11 family planning centres and a veterinary treatment centre.<ref name="BangSit"/> [[Bangladesh Railway]] set up the hospital at Kumira in 1952 with a capacity of 150 beds. The capacity was reduced to 50 beds in 1994 as some focus was redirected to the Railway Hospital at [[Central Railway Building]] in Chittagong. Originally built to treat railway employees, the hospital now also treats people from the wider community.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.newagebd.com/2005/apr/10/met.html |title=Chest Disease Hospital in Ctg in bad shape |author=Chaudhury, Tushar Hayat |publisher=The New Age |page="Metro" |date=10 April 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051217185835/http://www.newagebd.com/2005/apr/10/met.html |archive-date=17 December 2005 |accessdate=18 September 2007}}</ref> [[Malaria]], [[dengue]] and other fevers, [[hepatitis]], as well as respiratory infections including [[tuberculosis]] are some of the major health threats.<ref name="shipman"/> The percentage of disabled in Sitakunda is reported to be the highest in Bangladesh, at 17% compared to the national average of 13%.<ref name="zaka">{{Citation| url = http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/126314/1/2220 |title=Wealth of Trans National Corporations and the vision of localization |publication-place=Zakaria |publisher=One World South Asia |accessdate=2 February 2009 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927005639/http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/126314/1/2220 |archivedate = 27 September 2007}}</ref> Banshbaria Union has been declared as 100% sanitized, as all households in the union adopted sanitary latrines,<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.wateraid.org/documents/plugin_documents/changinglives.pdf |title=Changing Lives: Community Based Advocacy |format=PDF |publisher=Rural Advocacy Program Water Aid Bangladesh |date=February 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209134730/http://www.wateraid.org/documents/plugin_documents/changinglives.pdf |archive-date=9 February 2012 |accessdate=3 September 2007}}</ref> while the upazila has only 16% sanitation coverage.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.adb.org/Documents/Environment/Ban/ban-roadmaintenance.pdf |title=Summary Environmental Impact Assessment |publisher= Road Maintenance and Improvement Project, People’s Republic of Bangladesh |date=July 2000 |format=PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207005826/http://www.adb.org/Documents/Environment/Ban/ban-roadmaintenance.pdf |archive-date=7 February 2012 |accessdate=8 September 2007}}</ref> A survey published in 2006 by the Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Project found that of the 18,843 [[tube well]]s surveyed, 24.7% were found to be [[arsenic contamination of groundwater|contaminated]]. Visible signs of [[arsenic poisoning]] were found in 47 people.<ref name=arsenic>{{Citation | url = http://www.bamwsp.org/Survey+Result/Upazila+Summary.pdf |title=Upazila wise Summary Results |page=1 |publisher=Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Project (BAMWSP) |format=PDF |accessdate=29 December 2007 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20051207012120/http://www.bamwsp.org/Survey+Result/Upazila+Summary.pdf |archivedate = 7 December 2005}}</ref> National newspapers published in Dhaka including [[Prothom Alo]], [[Ajker Kagoj]], [[Janakantha]] and [[The Daily Ittefaq]] are available in Sitakunda, as well as regional newspapers published in Chittagong Azadi and Purbakon. It also has its own local newspapers and a journalist community.<ref name=NMS>{{Citation | first = Shadhak Kumar | last = Chakroborty | title = Bangladesh National Media Survey | publisher = Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs | year = 2002}}</ref> In 2003, Atahar Siddik Khasru, the president of the local Press Club, went missing on 30 April and was rescued on 21 May.<ref name=Frontiers>{{Citation |url=http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10150 |title=Bangladesh – 2004 Annual Report: A journalist abducted |publisher=Reporters Without Frontiers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061122085404/http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10150 |archive-date=22 November 2006 |accessdate=26 December 2007}}</ref> He was abducted and tortured by unidentified men allegedly on charges of protesting against the harassment of Mahmudul Haq, editor of local magazine ''Upanagar''.<ref name=Frontiers/><ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.cpj.org/attacks03/asia03/bangla.html |title=Attacks on the Press: Bangladesh |publisher=Committee to Protect Journalists |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308115156/https://www.cpj.org/attacks03/asia03/bangla.html |archive-date=8 March 2013 |accessdate=26 December 2007}}</ref> On 6 May, about 30 local journalists working for national and local press took to the streets in protest.<ref name=Frontiers/> The other weekly newspaper is ''Chaloman Sitakunda''.<ref name="BangSit"/> Television channels available in the upazila include satellite television channels like [[Channel i]], [[ATN Bangla]], [[Channel One (Bangladesh)|Channel One]], [[NTV (Bangladesh)|NTV]], as well as terrestrial television channel [[Bangladesh Television]].<ref name=NMS/> The festivals of [[Maha Shivaratri|Shiva Chaturdashi]] in middle of the month of [[Falgun]] (end of February) and Chaitra Sankranti at end of the month of [[Choitro|Chaitra]] (mid April) are observed with much fanfare, featuring the largest Hindu fair of the district.<ref name="BangSit"/><ref>{{Citation |author=Haque, Mahbubul |title=Chittagong Guide: Tourist, Industrial, Shipping & Business Guide |page=85 |publication-place=Barnarekha, Dhaka |year=1981}}</ref> The Sitakunda Upazila Krira Sangstha (Sports Club) is noted for its participation in soccer.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://club-soccer.com/Continents/asia/bangladesh.htm |title=Bangladesh, Country Directory, Club Soccer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002201136/http://club-soccer.com/Continents/asia/bangladesh.htm |archive-date=2 October 2011 |accessdate=27 December 2007}}</ref> There are 151 clubs, a public library and two cinema halls in the upazila.<ref name="BangSit"/> ==See also== * [[Sitakunda massacre]] * [[Shakti Peethas]] * [[Hinduism in Bangladesh]] * [[List of Bangladesh tropical cyclones]] * [[Upazilas of Bangladesh]] ==References== {{reflist|30em}} Sitakund Local Guides * [http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=419246&cityname=Sitakunda-Bangladesh Sitakunda Weather] {{Upazilas of Chittagong Division}} {{Upazilas and Thanas of Chittagong}} {{good article}} [[Category:Upazilas of Chittagong District]]'