The coastal zone of Bangladesh is a mixture of very old settlements and new land developments. It was part of different kingdoms and ruled by different dynasties for many centuries, which consequently shaped the cultural trait and the social fabric of respective populations. Along the coast in east-western directions, the physical features change, as well as the social makeup. The western part is a moribund delta (in this part the largest mangrove forest, Sundarban, is located), the middle part (the Meghna estuary area) is an active delta and the eastern part (Chittagong coast) is a stable landmass. These parts have also some cultural differentiations rooted in the political history. The western part (Khulna) belonged to the territory of Rada, the Barisal area (formerly called Bakerganj) was known as Chandradwip, the Comilla -Noakhali area was part of Samatata and the eastern part (Chittagong coast) belonged to Harikela. These “regional” entities continued for centuries until the Mughals1 integrated them in the seventeenth century. In many respects, the coastal zone is different from rest of the country.

On the other hand, the coastal zone is an area where old lands erode and new lands accrete and develop with different degrees of human interventions. What is now considered the mainland of South Noakhali has been largely accreted, about 90,000 ha, after the construction of two cross dams by the Bangladesh Water Development Board in 1957 and 1964 respectively. In particular in the middle part, the connotation of the coastal zone is “new land”. The coastal zone includes 19 districts out of a total of 64 in which Bangladesh is administratively divided and is full of diversity with respect to geo-physical characteristics and livelihoods (see figure). Although district headquarters are reachable from the capital city, Dhaka, in twelve hours at the most using various modes of transport, some offshore islands are still quite difficult to get to.

About 20 million people live in the coastal region of Bangladesh, 20 per cent of whom directly depend on the coastal and marine resources for their livelihood. They live exclusively on fishing of wild fish, along with crabs, prawns and shrimps. In addition, the mangrove ecosystem provides living support to nearly 300,000 coastal people through fishing, collecting honey, wax and timber, hunting, and so on. Fishery production in mangroves increased significantly to 14,000 tonnes in 1982-83, compared to 640 tonnes in 1972-73. Many thousands are engaged in collection of honey and wax. It was estimated that about 232 tonnes of honey and wax were harvested in1983. In addition, collection of shrimp fry is an important source of livelihood. The mangrove forest also has a buffer function, protecting the densely settled agricultural areas to the north from the full force of cyclonic storms and tidal waves.

The area has a typical monsoon climate with a warm and dry season from March to May. A rainy season from June to October follows as does a cool period from November to February. The mean annual rainfall is 2,000 millimeters (mm), of which approximately 70 percent occurs during the monsoon season. Rainfall generally varies in a northwest to southeasterly direction, increasing from a mean annual rainfall of 1,500 mm in the northeast to 2,900 mm in the southeastern corner. Potential evapotranspiration rates are of the order of 1,500 mm and exceed the rainfall rates from November to May. The relative humidity is high, varying from 70 percent in March to 89 percent in July.

The marine resource of Bangladesh is also of great importance, geographically provided by a relatively shallow embayment of the northeastern Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal in the southern part. The Bay of Bengal occupies an area of 2,173,000 sq km, with an average depth of 2,600 meters and a width of 1600 km. In 1974, the special economic zone provision allowed Bangladesh the right of enjoying up to 200 nautical miles (370 km) from the seashore, which comprises an area of 166,000 sq. km, larger than the land mass.

The ecosystem in this region is quite distinct and tropical in nature. The huge river drainage and the profusion of wetlands, marshes, and mangroves increase productivity of near-shore fish species. About 475 species of fishes are found in this renewable habitat, along with 16 species of marine shrimps. In addition, several species of crabs and 31 species of turtles and tortoises, of which 24 live in coastal fresh-water environment, are also found (P. Gain, 1998). The marine fishery is totally open and contributes to 23 per cent of the total fish catch.

The marine fisheries are of two types: industrial (trawling) and artisanal, the former contributing about 6 per cent and the later 17 per cent of the total catch. Another aspect is the discovery of petroleum and gas reserves in the marine zone. It was recently estimated that about 20 trillion cubic feet of gases can be extracted from the bottom of the Bay of Bengal. The most recent World Bank estimate shows that Bangladesh is expected to receive US$ 1049 million by 2004, most of which would go to the oil and gas sectors. Regarding ocean transportation facilities, the Bay of Bengal is of great significance to Bangladesh and neighboring countries like Sri Lanka, India and Myanmar. Carriage of cargoes to and from these countries is of immense importance. The oceanic transport route directly supports the principal seaports of Bangladesh, Chittagong and Mongla.

Bangladesh by Coastal District Households & Population:

Bangladesh by Coastal District Allocation of Area (In acres):

Source: The Bangladesh Census of Agriculture  (rural), 1996, BBS

Bangladesh by Coastal District Literacy Rates of Population of 7 Years and  Above age:

Source :  Population Census, 1991, BBS