| Khulna | |
|---|---|
| — Metropolis — | |
 | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 22°49′0″N 89°33′0″E / 22.816667°N 89.55°ECoordinates: 22°49′0″N 89°33′0″E / 22.816667°N 89.55°E | |
| Country | Bangladesh |
| Administrative District | Khulna District |
| Municipal status gained | 1984 |
| City orporation gained | 1990 |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Talukder Abdul Khaleque |
| Area | |
| - Metropolis | 59.57 km2 (23 sq mi) |
| Population (2008 est.) | |
| - Metropolis | 855,650 |
| - Density | 14,364/km2 (37,202.6/sq mi) |
| - Metro | 1,388,425 |
| Time zone | BST (UTC+6) |
| National Calling Code | +880 |
| Calling Code | 041 |
| Literacy rate | 59.1% |
| Website | http://www.khulnacity.org |
Constituent districts
Khulna Division consists of the following districts:
- Bagerhat District
- Chuadanga District
- Jessore District
- Jhenaidah District
- Khulna District
- Kushtia District
- Magura District
- Meherpur District
- Narail District
- Satkhira District
Khulna is the third biggest industrial city of the country. It is a divisional headquarter which serves as a gateway to the seaport of Mongla and the Sundarbans. Khulna is also famous for shrimp processing and newsprint.
Mongla : Mongla is the second seaport of the country and gateway to the Sundarbans. It lies 38 km. to the south of Khulna. The port authority has got motor launches to go to the forest.
Sundarban : In the south-western part of Bangladesh, in the district of greater Khulna, lies the Sundarbans, the beautiful forest. It is a virgin forest which until recently owed nothing to human endeavour and yet nature has laid it out with as much care as a planned pleasure ground. For miles and miles, the lofty treetops form an unbroken canopy, while nearer the ground, works of high and ebb-tide marked on the soil and tree trunks and the many varieties of the natural mangrove forest have much to offer to an inquisitive visitor.
Here land and water meet in many novel fashions, Wildlife presents many a spectacle. No wonder, you may come across a Royal Bengal Tiger swimming across the streams or the crocodiles basking on the river banks. With the approach of the evening herds of deer make for the darking glades where boisterous monkeys shower Keora leaves from above for sumptuous meal for the former. For the botanist, the lover of nature, the poet and the painter this land provides a variety of wonder for which they all crave.
The Sundarbans is a cluster of islands with an approximate area of 6000 sq. km. forming the largest block of littoral forests. It's beauty lies in its unique natural surrounding. Thousands of meandering streams, creeks, rivers and estuaries have enhanced its charm. Sundarbans meaning beautiful forest is the natural habital of the world famous Royal Bengal Tiger, spotted deer, crocodiles, jungle fowl, wild boar, lizards, theses monkey and an innumerable variety of beautiful birds. Migratory flock of Siberian ducks flying over thousands of sail boats loaded with timber, golpatta (round-leaf), fuel wood, honey, shell and fish further add to the serene natural beauty of the Sundarbans.
This is indeed a land for the sportsmen, the anglers and the photographers with its abundance of game, big and small, crocodile, wild boar, deer, pythons, wild-birds and above all the Royal Bengal Tiger, cunning, ruthless and yet majestic and graceful, For the less adventurously inclined, there are ducks and snipes, herons and coots, yellow-lags and sandpipers. It is also the land for the ordinary holiday makers who desire to rest or wander around at will to refresh their mind and feast their eyes with the rich treasure that nature has so fondly bestowed.
General Information
AREA : Nearly 2400 sq. miles or 6000 sq. km.
FOREST LIMITS : North-Bagerhat, Khulna and Sathkira districts : South-Bay of Bengal; East-Baleswar (or Haringhata) river, Perojpur, Barisal district, and West-Raimangal and Hariabhanga rivers which partially form Bangladesh boundary with West Bengal in India.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS : Wildlife photography including photography of the famous Royal Bengal Tiger, wildlife viewing, boating inside the forest will call recordings, nature study, meeting fishermen, wood-cutters and honey-collectors, peace and tranquility in the wilderness, seeing the world's largest mangrove forest and the riverine beauty.
FAMOUS SPOTS : Hiron Point (Nilkamal) for tiger, deer, monkey, crocodiles, birds and natural beauty.
Katka for deer, tiger, crocodiles, varieties of birds and monkey, morning and evening symphony of wild fowls. Vast expanse of grassy meadows running from Katka to Kachikhali (Tiger Point) provide opportunities for wild tracking. Tin Kona Island for tiger and deer.
Dublar Char (Island) for fishermen. It is a beautiful island where herds of spotted deer are often seen to graze.
Means of Communication : Water transport is the only means of communication for visiting the Sundarbans from Khulna or Mongla Port. Private motor launch, speed boats, country boats as well as mechanised vessel of Mongla Port Authority might be hired for the purpose. From Dhaka visitors may travel by air, road or rocket steamer to Khulna - the gateway to the Sundarbans. Most pleasant journey from Dhaka to Khulna is by Paddle Steamer, Rocket presenting a picturesque panorama of rural Bangladesh. Day and night-long coach services by road are also available. The quickest mode is by air from Dhaka to Jessore and then to Khulna by road.
Journey time : It varies depending on tides against or in favour in the river. Usually it takes 6 to 10 hours journey by motor vessel from Mongla to Hiron Point or Katka.
Accommodation Inside the forest
Hiron Point : Comfortable three-storied Rest-House of the Mongla Port Authority. Prior booking is to be made.
Katka : Forest Department Rest-House located here. Prior booking essential.
Journey by Rocket Steamer to Mongla and Khulna
Minimum Journey time is 22 Hours for Mongla and 24 Hours for Khulna from Dhaka.
Entry Permission : Prior permission must be obtained through written application from the Divisional Forest Office, Circuit House Road, Khulna (Phone 20665, 211731) to visit the Sundarbans. Required entrance fees for visitors, vessel or boat payable at the relevant forest station/range office.
Fee for Commercial Photography :
Movie Tk. 5,000.00 per role exposed
Video Tk. 4,000.00 per Cassette
Still Tk. 1,000.00 per role exposed
Guided Tours : Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation & other tour operators offers all-inclusive guided package fours from Dhaka to Sundarbans and return during the tourist season (October to March).
Climate : Climate in the Sundarbans is moderate. Air is humid. Full monsoon is from June to September. The annual rainfall average between 65" and 70". During ebb-tide the forest becomes bare by 6-7 feet and at high tide (30 miles and hour) the entire territory of the forest floats on water.
Life in Forest : Only means of transportation inside the forest is boat. There is no road, no trail of a path anywhere. The wood-cutters make temporary dwellings at the edge of the forest at a height of 8-10 feet for fear of wild animals others live on boats. In the chandpai region it is fascinating to see the nomadic fishermen (living with families on boats) catching fish with the help of trained offers. Exciting activities take place in Dublar Char in the forest where fishermen from Chittagong gather for four months (mid Oct. to mid Feb.) to catch and dry fish. But the most daring and exciting of all activities is presented by the honey-collectors who work in groups for just two months (April-May) and it is interesting to see how they locate a hive and then collect honey.
Flora and Fauna : The Sundarbans is endowed by nature with rich flora and fauna. It is a wonderful place to see or to shoot a Royal Bengal Tiger with Camera if one has the time to wait in the forest. There are a good number of tigers in the Sundarbans. Lovely spotted deer are easy to find. Besides there are a wide variety of wildlife for which the Sundarbans is so famous
Visit to the Forest
Permission from the Division Forest Officer, Khulna is required to visit to the forest. Cholera vaccine is to be taken well in advance. Anti-malarial, anti-diarrhoeal, insectrepellent cream, drinking water, green coconuts, medical kit, light tropical dress, thick rubber soled boots etc. are to be carried with the tourist. It will be wise to take the help of an experienced guide to make the journey fruitful.
Tourist season & Shooting : Best time to visit the Sundarbans is from November to March. Exciting honey collection season is during April-May. Hunting is prohibited by law in the country for the preservation of wildlife. Certain species of birds, however, can be shot with prior permission of the Divisional Forest Officer, Khulna, (Phone : 20665 & 21173).
Visit to the Forest : Permission from the Division Forest Officer, Khulna is required to visit to the forest. Cholera vaccine is to be taken well in advance. Anti-malarial, anti-diarrhoeal, insectrepellent cream, drinking water, green coconuts, medical kit, light tropical dress, thick rubber soled boots etc. are to be carried with the tourist. It will be wise to take the help of an experienced guide to make the journey fruitful.
Geography
Khulna is located in south-western Bangladesh with a total area of 59.57 km²,[4] while the district itself is about 4394.46 km². It lies south of Jessore and Narail, East of Satkhira, West of Bagerhat and North of the Bay of Bengal. It is part of the largest delta in the world. In the southern part of the delta lies the Sundarban, the world's largest mangrove forest. The city of Khulna is in the northern part of the district, and is mainly an expansion of trade centers close to the Rupsha and Bhairob rivers.
The annual average temperature for Khulna is 35.5 °C with a record low of 12.5 °C.
Civil Administration
- The law enforcement of Khulna is under the jurisdiction of Khulna Metropoliton Police (K.M.P.).
- Rural development is under Khulna Development Authority (K.D.A.).
- [Khulna City Corporation (K.C.C.)].Mayor: Talukder Abdul Khaleque
Economy
Like the other big cities of Bangladesh, notably Dhaka and Chittagong, Khulna is undergoing a major transformation, due to its immensely growing population and its status as Bangladesh's third largest city. Because of its strategic location of only 45 km from the port of Mongla, Khulna is considered as being a port city like Chittagong. 25% of all trade handled in Bangladesh passes through Mongla, while the rest goes through Chittagong. Khulna is also known as the city of Shrimps, because 75% of all shrimps exported from Bangladesh are cultivated in the Khulna zone. In addition to this, a major portion of the Golden Fiber (Jute) is exported through Khulna Zone.
Khulna has the largest shipyard of Bangladesh. Khulna Shipyard is operated by Bangladesh Navy. Khulna has some heavy and medium type industries like Khulna Hardboard Mills, Bangladesh Oxygen Company, Khulna Oxygen Company, Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills, Star Jute Mills, and Dada Match Factory.
Khulna is famous for its fish and seafood industries. Lobster, Prawn, Catfish, Shrimp and Crab are now being exported abroad from Khulna.
Khulna is also famous for its coconuts.
Major markets and shopping centers in Khulna include Safe 'n' Save a unique supper store, Boro Bazar and Daak Bangla, Daulatpur Bazar, and Khulna New Market.
News Papers & Magazines
There are few daily and weekly newspapers are published from Khulna contributing to the development of mass media and free flow of information. Most notable news papers are the Purbanchal and Daily Tribune etc. The Purbanchal is available on the internet at http://www.purbanchal.com
Education
The education system of Khulna is under the jurisdiction of the Jessore Board.
Besides, Khulna has six IGV(Integrated General and Vocational) schools and one technical school of UCEP(Underprivileged Children's Educational Programs), which is a non-profitable organization. Six IGV schools are:
- UCEP-K C C School, Rupsha
- UCEP-Sonadanga School, Sonadanga
- UCEP-M A Majid School, Fulbarigate
- UCEP-Khalishpur School, Khalishpur
- UCEP-Zohra Samad School, Tootpara
- Media:UCEP-Wazed Ali School, Banorgati
The technical school is: Khulna Mohsin Technical School, 7, Junction Road , Baikali, Khulna.
UCEP's Khulna Divisional office situated at there.
Language
Bengali language (Bangla) is the official language of Bangladesh. There are few thousand Pakistani origin people or Bihari people speak Urdu, those unfortunate people are stranded after the liberation war between Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) and Pakistan. Bihari people were actually from the state of Bihar and surrounding areas of India and they migrated to East Bengal or East Bengal (presently Bangladesh) at 1947. They actually use a mixed form of Urdu language, especially mixed with Bhojpuri, Bengali, Hindi and English.
English is widely used as the business language. Most of the educated people can speak and understand English. As English is used as medium of education in some educational institutions.
Munda, Domari, Romani, Telugu, Gujrati, Marwari and other minor languages are used by minority communities usually found in the cities.
Universities
- Khulna University of Engineering and Technology
- Khulna University
- Northern University, Majid Sarani Road, Khulna
- Asian University, Royel More, Khulna
- Darul Ihsan University, Majid Sarani Road(Opposite Swarno Komol), Khulna
- America Bangladesh University,Majid Sarani Road,Khulna
- Gov.Azamkhan commerce University collage ,Khulna
- Gov.B.L University collage ,Khulna
Medical colleges
- Khulna Medical College
Metro Thanas
- Daulatpur Thana (Metro Thana), Khulna City
- Khalishpur Thana (Metro Thana), Khulna City
- Khan Jahan Ali Thana (Metro Thana), Khulna City
- Sonadanga Thana (Metro Thana), Khulna City
- Sadar Thana (Metro Thana), Khulna City
Transportation
Khulna has a very good transport system with links to all the districts of Bangladesh. The city possesses roads broad enough for motor vehicles to pass. However like the rest of Bangladesh, the people of Khulna like to travel using rickshaws which provide cheap, public and environmentally friendly transport. Though it is a busy city, Khulna doesn't have any traffic jams. Khulna has only one bus terminal named Sonadanga Bus Stand. "Baby Taxi" (Auto rikshaw) is very popular & common vehicle in Khulna city.
There is a rail junction situated at the hard point of Khulna which is linked to Northern Bangladesh & Capital city Dhaka. Though there are also road links with that region, the rail system remains a popular mode of transportation. The Sundarban Express is a luxury express train which has two trains daily to Dhaka.
Besides other forms of transport, there is a water transport terminal (B.I.W.T.C.). Barisal division is mainly connected to Khulna by water vehicles.
There is no airport in Khulna. Instead, the city is connected to Jessore Airport, which is about 70 km from Khulna. The airport has domestic flights to the rest of Bangladesh, with Biman Bangladesh Airlines, GMG Airlines, United Airways and Royal Bengal Airlines. Also, Khan Jahan Ali Airport is currently under construction in Bagerhat, which is set to serve the city of Khulna and its surrounding areas.
Telecommunications
Khulna has connections with the land-line telephone system by BTCL and the cellular phone network service, PSTNs as well as some internet services Grameen Phone, Teletalk, Banglalink, Warid, Aktel, Citycell, AKIJ Online Ltd etc. Below are some important telephone and post codes:
Postal code: 9000(GPO),9100(HO),9202,9203,9204,9204,9205,9206,9207,9208,9240,9241
Telephone code: 041
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