Kuakata is often celebrated for its serene beaches and peaceful atmosphere, a breathtaking destination in Patuakhali’s Kalapara upazila. Visitors are captivated by the panoramic views of the Bay of Bengal, but behind its beauty lies a stark reality that many, especially the communities around the area, face every day.
As an International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) youth fellow, I had the opportunity to visit two of these villages—Hossainpara and Modhukhali. What I witnessed during my visit opened my eyes to the untold struggles of those who call this region home.
In one of the villages, I met Abdur Mia, a fifty-six-year-old fisherman, whose harsh reality left me almost speechless.
“I have to give a significant portion of my daily catch to moneylenders from whom I have borrowed at very high interest rates. They give me little money in exchange, which is barely enough for our day-to-day living,” he said, adding that they are not prohibited from selling their catch elsewhere.
Abdur’s words echo the common experience for the area’s fishermen, who often pledge their remaining assets to moneylenders for loans. These high-interest loans, used to buy fishing equipment and sustain their families during fishing bans, leave them in a perpetual state of poverty.
With meagre earnings from their catch, they struggle to meet basic needs such as food, healthcare, and education—issues that further perpetuate hardship for future generations.
In addition to these economic struggles, the women of Kalapara face challenges unique to their gender. Early marriages, poor access to healthcare, and a lack of educational opportunities for children make it even harder for them to break the cycle of poverty.
Furthermore, there are no health cards at local health centres, and the absence of community doctors for home visits exacerbates the problems.
Environmental devastation: Payra Power Plant
Modhukhali, located near the Payra Thermal Power Plant, offers another glimpse into the hardships faced by the local communities. The power plant, built on agricultural land, has severely impacted the livelihoods of the people who once depended on farming for sustenance.
The land where the plant now stands was falsely claimed to be single-crop land by local leaders, allowing its appropriation for industrial use. Promises of job opportunities for the locals have largely gone unfulfilled, with workers from outside the community being hired instead.
Despite receiving some rehabilitation efforts from the government, villagers continue to face significant challenges. The environmental impact has also been severe, with plant emissions leading to widespread air, soil, and water pollution.
The plant emits toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, causing locals to suffer from numerous health problems such as allergies and breathing difficulties. Additionally, its excessive groundwater extraction has caused the water levels to drop significantly, leading to freshwater scarcity for locals.
Furthermore, the sand used to fill low-lying areas for the plant has dissolved into the river water, making it unbreathable for the fish. This, coupled with air pollution, has drastically reduced agricultural productivity.
Despite repeated visits to the local agricultural office for advice, little guidance has been received on alternating crops and farming techniques. Many local women have resorted to animal rearing, but poor living conditions have caused their livestock to perish as well.
Other challenges include the absence of cyclone centres in the region and inaccessible healthcare services during natural calamities, as the nearest one is located significantly far away.
However, there has been one positive development—the introduction of electricity to the village, a luxury previously unavailable to them. Nevertheless, with high unemployment rates and a lack of financial stability, the villagers find it difficult to pay their electricity bills, further adding to their financial burden.
Despite these numerous challenges, the strength and resilience of the Modhukhali community is undeniable. Yet, it is clear that more support is needed to ensure these villagers can lead healthy and fulfilling lives. The stories from Hossainpara and Modhukhali made me realise that beauty, often celebrated in tourist destinations like Kuakata, can mask the harsh realities faced by local communities.
Although economic growth is often touted as a sign of progress, it is essential that development efforts also prioritise the well-being of these vulnerable populations. Policymakers and the government need to implement better solutions to alleviate the struggles faced by these communities.
To address the challenges faced by the villagers in Kalapara, a multifaceted approach is necessary to ensure access to freshwater and healthcare, create local jobs, build shelters, improve flood resilience through better infrastructure, initiate rehabilitation projects for resettlement, empower local women, and provide education to the local populace.
The villagers, with their unity and strength, have the potential to thrive—but they need robust policies, community support, and resources to help them adapt to the challenges of climate change and sustainable development. With the right combination of policies, community support, and resilience, these communities can move toward a more sustainable and prosperous future.
Messenger/EHM
