Khulna division
Direct elections involving all citizens over the age of 18 are held every five years here for the unicameral parliament known as Jatiya Sangsad. Bangladesh is divided into six administrative divisions. Khulna is one of the six divisions. It is located in south-west of Bangladesh with total districts of 10 in this division.
Khulna division is lagging behind the rest of the country since its inception as a division. But it has a huge potential for tourism, frozen foods (prawn), newsprint, hardboard mills, jute industry and so on. The world's largest mangrove forests Sundarbans, Shatgombuj Mosque, Khan Jahan Ali's Mazar etc. are located in this division. Mongla Port, the county's second largest port, is just 38 km away from its administrative headquarters.
But this division is facing a set of problems such as fragile road condition, c power and gas shortage, delaying in the construction of Khulna Khan Jahan Ali Air Port, highly politicised Mongla Port and limited budget allocations etc. These are hampering the development of the southern region. Besides, this division is a disaster prone area. Cyclones SIDR and AILA are perfect examples of it that resulted in huge damage of property and human life.
Khulna was once famous for jute and newsprint mills which had generated huge employment opportunities for the people of the southern region. But the recent trend shows that jute mills are being closed down.
Though the demand of jute and jute made goods in world market are now gradually increasing because of its being bio-degradable, the government is not taking proper initiative for the revival of the sector. Apart from this, there is much potential for the tourism sector in this division. If the BPC takes proper initiatives such as proper marketing campaign for the tourist spots and planned development projects, then it will flourish in the near future. Shrimp cultivation is one of the promising sectors in Bangladesh and more than 90% shrimp products come from this division.
Finally, I want to say there is no scarcity of resources in Khulna division. But there is lack of initiative, proper policy support and negligence by the government in regard to the development of this division. So, the government should take proper initiatives and change its mindset for the development of Khulna division.
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