SATKHIRA is a district situated in the southwest of Bangladesh bordered by West Bengal of India and the Bay of Bengal. It is a place full of natural beauty, rich culture and heritage and enormous economic potential. The world-famous Mangrove Forest Sundarbans and the important Bhomra land port both make Satkhira very important for the country鈥檚 economy and environment. The district also plays a big role in trade, fisheries and tourism. Yet, despite all these contributions, Satkhira does not get the share of development and attention it deserves. It receives little public investment, has poor infrastructure and is often neglected at national decision-making.
听
District of abundance
SATKHIRA is blessed with many natural and economic resources. It is close to the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world. This forest protects people from cyclones and salty water while giving them a way to earn a living through wood, honey collection and eco-tourism and diverse flora and fauna including the Royal Bengal Tigers.
Economically, Satkhira plays a big role in the country鈥檚 growth. The Bhomra Land Port is one of the busiest trade points with India and brings in a lot of government revenue. The district is also famous for shrimp farming often called the country鈥檚 鈥渨hite gold.鈥� Many families depend on shrimp, sweet-water fish and other salt-tolerant species, which are exported abroad and earn millions of currency every year.
Satkhira鈥檚 mangoes are also very popular. Their sweet taste and high quality have made them famous in Europe, even reaching shops in London. Along with its natural beauty and cultural heritage, Satkhira has great potential for eco-tourism. With proper planning and support, it could become a major centre for sustainable tourism in Bangladesh.
听
Yet, people deprived
BUT behind all these successes, there is also a story of neglect and deprivation. Even though Satkhira contributes a lot to the country, it is still one of the least developed districts in the Khulna Division. About 80 per cent of its roads are still unpaved. During the rainy season, these roads turn muddy and almost impossible to use, cutting off many villages from towns. The district also does not have any railway connection, which makes travel and trade even more difficult.
Satkhira does not yet have a public university or even not a private university, which shows how inequality in higher education still prevailing in Bangladesh. Students who want to study at the university level have to move to Dhaka or other districts and many of them lost their hope to be settled in Satkhira. This causes a loss of young talent that the district badly needs. Although a university named Satkhira Science and Technology University has been approved, it has not yet started its activities.
In terms of governance, the situation is also worrying. People from Satkhira and even government officials who work there often face unfair treatment. They are sometimes misrepresented or tagged negatively, which affects their chances of getting promotions, transfers, or better opportunities. This creates frustration and reduces motivation among officials. Because of such misrepresentation, the people of Satkhira are also deprived in areas like employment, development projects and decision-making.
Natural disasters have made things even worse. Cyclones like Aila, Amphan and Sidr have repeatedly hit the area, destroying homes and livelihoods and pushing many families into poverty. After these disasters, government aid and development projects often arrive late or remain incomplete. Weak embankments and saline water have damaged farmland and reduced access to safe drinking water. The health system is also very weak and cannot properly serve the people. Due to poor roads and communication, even relief materials cannot reach affected people on time sometimes not at all.
Because Satkhira has not received fair attention from decision-makers, many basic services such as healthcare, education and local governance do not function well. This long-term neglect has made the people of Satkhira one of the most deprived groups in the country, despite all that they give to the nation.
听
Why neglect persists
THE neglect of Satkhira is part of a bigger problem in Bangladesh, most development plans and decisions are made in Dhaka and districts far from the capital are often ignored. Even though Satkhira earns a lot of money for the country through trade, fish and other resources, very little of that money is spent on improving its roads, schools, or job opportunities. Because the district has weak political influence and not enough local voices in national discussions, it struggles to get big development projects or special funds.
Politics game has also played a major role in keeping Satkhira behind, in return, the poor are becoming poorer, while the rich are becoming richer. In July 2024, the people of Satkhira showed great courage by standing up for human rights, freedom and justice. But even after that, there has been little interest from the authorities in real development for the district. Instead, negative news and misinformation are being spread, possibly for political reasons. This hurts not only Satkhira but the whole country. The truth is simple when one district remains undeveloped, the development of the whole nation is held back. So, the real question is: why is Satkhira still being left behind?
听
Charting Path recovery
THE way to improve Satkhira is to take special steps for its development. The district should not be seen as a neglected area, but as an important part of Bangladesh that can lead the country in growth and climate resilience.
The government should start a project called the 鈥楽atkhira Development and Climate Resilience Project.鈥� It should have enough funds and focus on building roads, schools and new ways for people to earn a living in a sustainable way.
All major roads in Satkhira should be paved properly. A new railway line should be built to connect Satkhira with Khulna and Jessore. This will make it easier for people to travel, do business and grow tourism as well the smooth supply chain for the produces of this district.
The already approved Satkhira Science and Technology University should start its activities as soon as possible. This will help local students study at home and create new ideas suited for the district鈥檚 unique natural and economic conditions.
After cyclones, support programs should not stop at short-term relief. There should be long-term plans to rebuild lives, strengthen embankments and manage fresh water properly.
Local people and officials should have a stronger voice in planning and decision-making. Unfair treatment in government jobs, such as delayed promotions or negative labelling, should be stopped.
Both the government and private sector should work together to promote eco-tourism, modern shrimp processing and mango export zones. These will help local businesses grow and create more jobs for people.
Though enormous potentials for agro-based industrialization, yet there is no inclusive economic zone in Satkhira.
听
Call for justice
SATKHIRA has given a lot to Bangladesh from the fresh air of the Sundarbans to the foreign money earned through exports. Yet, the people of Satkhira are still left behind in policy, opportunity and respect. True national progress is not possible when some regions move forward and others are ignored.
Helping Satkhira鈥� development is not an act of charity rather it is an act of just, equity and fairness. The district contributes both the economy and the environment and it deserves proper investment and attention. With the right planning and honest effort, Satkhira can become a shining example of strong, fair and sustainable development for all coastal areas of Bangladesh.
听
Md Moniruzzaman is a professor at Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management and former additional secretary of Government of Bangladesh. Md Mominur Rahman is assistant professor at Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management.
