The people of Kurigram, a district in northern Bangladesh, are facing severe socio-economic discrimination, leading to it being identified as the country's poorest district.

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the poverty rate in Kurigram stands at 70.8 percent, with the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) reporting that 53.2 percent of the population lives in extreme poverty.

A significant factor contributing to this dire situation is river erosion, particularly affecting those living in the chars (river islands).

Stranded for five years, Kurigram villagers await bridge reconstruction

In response, there has been growing demand from local communities for the Ministry of Char Affairs to actively implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Kurigram District Char Development Committee recently organised a rally and formed a human chain to press for their demands.

Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu, convener of the Char Development Committee in Kurigram, said that the district has a population of approximately 24 lakh, with 16 rivers, including the Brahmaputra, Dharla, Teesta, Dudhkumar, and Phulkumar, flowing through it.

He said that the district contains over 450 chars, where about 550,000 people reside in an area of 800 square kilometers. Agriculture is the primary source of income for those living in these chars.

“Due to the district’s unique geography, surrounded by rivers and chars, it faces challenges distinct from other regions,” he added.

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Most of the chars have been excluded from development activities since the country’s independence, which has led to stagnation in the lives of the people there.

These communities remain marginalized, lacking basic needs like connectivity, healthcare, and education.

Despite efforts from NGOs and government allocations, improvements have been limited, with issues like child marriage, malnutrition, and increasing deprivation continuing to rise. There are currently 91,672 disabled people in the district.

Professor Bebu stressed the need for a separate ministry dedicated to improving the lives of the char population, arguing that if a ministry exists for hill people, there should be one for the char communities as well.

Flooding is another recurring issue, as almost all upazilas in Kurigram are affected by floods 3-4 times annually, yet relief and rehabilitation efforts remain insufficient.

Besides, due to the lack of a long-term plan, no sustainable solution to the flood problem is possible.

River erosion has displaced about 2,000 families across 9 upazilas, worsening the financial hardship of these families, often pushing even those with stable livelihoods into poverty.

Child marriage is another alarming issue in Kurigram. According to UNICEF data, the national marriage rate for girls under the age of 18 is 66 percent. In Kurigram, however, the situation is even more concerning, with the rate reaching approximately 78 percent.

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Education also remains a challenge in these char areas. According to the sources, out of 1,240 primary schools in Kurigram district, 169 are in the char areas. Secondary schools are practically non-existent.

However, to ensure education for the people , it is essential to have at least one primary school and one secondary school in each char.

Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Nusrat Sultana said that the government is committed to improving the quality of life of the people of the char.

“The higher authorities have already been informed about the importance of forming a separate ministry for char affairs,” she added.