Sunamganj : A district surrounded by rivers, canals
Md. Emran Hossain, Sunamganj
In the northeast of Bangladesh, bordering India’s Meghalaya state, on the banks of the Surma River, lies Sunamganj – the land of mystic poet Hasan Raja, Baul poet Shah Abdul Karim, lyricist Radharaman Dutta, and countless Baul saints; enriched with fish, stone, paddy; surrounded by haors, rivers, canals, and beels. On one hand, it is rich in fish, stones, and paddy, on the other hand, it has immense potential for tourism.
The area of Sunamganj district is about 3,747.18 square kilometers. Sunamganj is bounded by Meghalaya state of India to the north, Habiganj and Kishoreganj districts to the south, Sylhet district to the east, and Netrokona district to the west.
In this district’s administrative structure, there are 12 upazilas. The upazilas are Jamalganj, Tahirpur, Bishwambharpur, Dharmapasha, Madhyanagar, Sunamganj Sadar, Dowarabazar, Chhatak, Shantiganj, Jagannathpur, Dirai, and Shalla. This district has 88 unions, 2,887 villages, and 4 municipalities. Various indigenous communities such as Manipuri, Khasi, Hajong, and Garo live in this district. The country’s second largest Ramsar site, Tanguar Haor, is located in this district.
This haor, spread over an area of about 100 square kilometers, is the second largest freshwater wetland in Bangladesh. The haor is known by the names Noy Kuri Kanda and Chhoy Kuri Beel. Sunamganj is called the capital of haors. The district has about 137 small and large haors. Among them, Tanguar Haor, Shanir Haor, Dekhar Haor, Paknar Haor, Halir Haor, Nolua Haor, and Karcha Haor are notable. The haors have numerous small and large Hijal-Korcha groves which attract tourists.
There are about 1,105 closed and open water bodies (jalmahals) in this district. The freshwater fish of Sunamganj’s haors are sent to Dhaka, the capital, as well as to different regions of the country. Numerous rivers, canals, and beels run through the heart of the district. Among the main rivers are Surma, Kushiyara, Jadukata, Chhalti, and Kalni. These rivers are the main driving forces behind Sunamganj’s way of life, agriculture, waterways, and ecosystem. The Surma River, flowing beside Sunamganj town, is unique and full of natural beauty.
Sunamganj’s main economic base is agriculture, fisheries, and mineral resources. Every year, about 1,396,800 metric tons of Boro paddy are produced in Sunamganj. The rice produced in Sunamganj fulfills a significant portion of the country’s food demand. Each year, a huge amount of rice is produced in this district, which contributes importantly to the country’s economy. Various types of vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, garlic, and maize are cultivated in this district.
Sunamganj district has companies like Chhatak Cement Factory, Takerghat Limestone Mining Project, Lafarge Surma Cement Factory, Chhatak Pulp and Paper Mills, Akij Food and Beverage Ltd. There are 4 customs stations in this district along with several sand and stone quarries where hundreds of thousands of workers earn their livelihoods.
In the field of education, Sunamganj is gradually advancing. This district has numerous old institutions including Sunamganj Government College and Government Jubilee High School.
Sunamganj is not lagging behind in tourism either. The district is home to Ramsar site Tanguar Haor, Asia’s largest Shimul Bagan, Niladri Lake, Hasan Raja’s house, and many other historical and famous places. Archaeological relics like the ancient Laur Kingdom’s Holholia Zamindar House, Pagla Jame Mosque, Bhatipara Zamindar House, Sukhair Rajapur Zamindar House, and Dewan Hasan Raja’s house are symbols of the heritage and culture of this place.
The number of tourists visiting Tanguar Haor for houseboat tours is increasing day by day. Yet amid everything, Sunamganj district’s greatest strength is its people. Hardworking, self-reliant, and culturally inclined, these people are constantly striving to build their own destiny overcoming adversity.
The changes initiated in river erosion prevention, infrastructure development, education, and healthcare are expected by locals to turn Sunamganj into a district full of possibilities in the future.
