National Dialogue calls for political consensus on Bhola’s sustainable development
Staff Reporter
A national dialogue focusing on fair elections and long-term development in Bhola was held on Thursday at the Coast Center, bringing together political leaders, parliamentary candidates, journalists, and civil society representatives.
The dialogue, titled “Our Vision for Fair Elections and Bhola’s Development,” was jointly organized by the private development organization Coast Foundation and the weekly newspaper Bonik Barta.
Participants agreed that Bhola’s progress depends not only on political commitment but also on effective planning, coordination, and inclusive governance.
The discussion was moderated by Mustafa Kamal Akanda, Director of Administration at Coast Foundation.
Candidates from Bhola-1, Bhola-2, Bhola-3, and Bhola-4 constituencies attended despite their ongoing election campaigns, alongside representatives from NGOs and the media.
Key issues raised included land and food security, healthcare, education, transportation, fisheries conservation, coastal disaster management, and sustainable development of char areas.
Speaking at the event, Mustafa Kamal Akanda said the dialogue was organized with the aim of ensuring that local development priorities reach parliamentary candidates ahead of the national elections.
He noted that Coast Foundation originated in Char Fashion, Bhola, and now seeks to project local aspirations onto the national stage.
He also thanked the candidates for their participation during a busy campaign period.
Akanda outlined several core demands, including the establishment of a permanent transportation link between Bhola and the mainland, particularly a long-awaited bridge.
He also emphasized the need for clear strategies on hilsa conservation and coastal disaster management.
Highlighting Coast Foundation’s long-standing work, he said the organization has been campaigning for khas land and settlement rights since 1998 and continues to expand healthcare services, with a proposal to establish a modern 1,000-bed hospital in Bhola.
He added that election commitments should also address land grabbing, river piracy, drug control, environmental protection, and afforestation.
Coast Foundation Executive Director Rezaul Karim Chowdhury pointed to Bhola’s economic potential, noting that nearly 30 percent of the country’s hilsa originates from the district.
He said stopping jataka fishing could significantly increase market prices, benefiting fishermen and traders alike.
He also stressed the importance of protecting the district’s roughly 100,000-acre reserve forest to secure future livelihoods and agricultural sustainability.
As an interim healthcare solution, he suggested the establishment of an airport to facilitate emergency medical treatment if a full-scale hospital is not immediately possible.
Political leaders echoed the call for development alongside electoral reforms.
BNP candidate for Bhola-4 Nurul Islam Nayon said char residents seek security for life and property, along with permanent embankments, roads, electricity, education, and effective drug control.
He said engaging directly with the realities of char communities deepens a sense of responsibility, even amid electoral pressures.
Candidates and representatives from Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Gan Adhikar Parishad, and Bangladesh Development Party also spoke, emphasizing fair elections, youth-focused development, infrastructure expansion, fisheries management, healthcare, education, and economic growth.
Local journalists and officials highlighted ongoing challenges such as illegal fishing, land encroachment, weak forest protection, and the socio-economic vulnerability of char communities.
The dialogue concluded with a shared call for political consensus on Bhola’s sustainable development.
Recommendations focused on improving the quality of life for char residents, expanding access to healthcare and education, strengthening infrastructure, protecting fisheries and forests, and ensuring participatory and transparent governance.
Mobashwer Ullah Chowdhury, a board member of Coast Foundation, expressed gratitude to the participants, saying meaningful progress is possible regardless of election outcomes.
He stressed the need to implement promised projects, including the announced 250-bed hospital, and to return char lands to their rightful owners, underscoring the importance of sustained commitment to marginalized communities.