Swarna Dweep

Swarna Dweep, also known as Jahaijar Char, is an inhabited island in the Bay of Bengal. It is a part of the Hatiya Upazila under Noakhali District of Chittagong Division, Bangladesh. It is administered by Bangladesh Army as a strategic training base. The Island is 360 square kilometer and is located in the Meghna estuary.[1]

History

Swarna Dweep emerged in the Bay of Bengal in 1978 under Noakhali District and was named Jahaijar Char. The island was inaccessible and soon became a safe haven for bandits and pirates.[2]

In 2013, the Island was renamed to Swarna Dweep and the administration of the island was given to the Bangladesh Army, who were tasked to develop the island, establish government services, and maintain security.[2] By 2017, Bangladesh Army had built two cyclone shelters and one army camp. The army has developed a daily farm, fish farming, and a coconut plantation.[1] In addition to 1,500 coconut saplings, the army planted 60 thousand tamarisk saplings. They use the island for armored training, and have eliminated piracy in the island.[3] The government announced plans to build a shelter named Mujib Killa in the Island.[4] As part of a bigger plan to build 400 storm shelters along the coastline of Bangladesh.[5]

In 2018, President Abdul Hamid laid the foundation of a hospital in the island to be built by Bangladesh Army.[6][7] The government also announced plans to turn the island into a tourist area.[8]

In January 2020, Bangladesh Army carried out winter exercises in the island called Operation Bijoy Gourab. It was overseen by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.[9]

References
  1. "Army undertakes massive development scheme at Swarna Dweep". The Independent. Dhaka. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  2. "Army ever ready to foil any evil force: Hasina". Prothom Alo. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  3. "Once pirates' den, Swarno Dwip now a safe haven". UNB. Archived from the original on 2019-02-09. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  4. দুর্যোগে জানমাল রক্ষায় আবার ‘মুজিব কিল্লা’. Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  5. "Govt to build 400 "Mujib Kella"". jagonews24.com. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  6. "Swarna Dweep can be Singapore of Bangladesh". The Daily Observer. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  7. "President Abdul Hamid: Swarna Dweep can be Bangladesh's Singapore". Dhaka Tribune. 2018-03-25. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  8. "Nijhum Dwip, Hatiya, Swarna Dweep look to tourism bonanza". Bangla Tribune. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  9. "PM witnesses army's winter exercise at Swarna Dweep". UNB. Retrieved 2020-10-17.

22.519°N 91.299°E / 22.519; 91.299


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