Char in Bangladesh, a temporary river island

Chars or Shifting Islands of Bangladesh

the riverine islands

Chars or Shifting River Islands of Bangladesh

The term ``Char`` is used to characterize the floodplain sediment islands that form and change along Bangladesh's river channels and coast. Chars are dynamic landforms that are continuously eroded and deposited by river currents and tides. They vary in size, shape, altitude, vegetation, and quality of soil. Some chars are stable and permanent, while others are ephemeral and unstable. The Brahmaputra, Ganges, and Meghna rivers all contributed to the establishment of Bangladesh's ``Chars`` riverine islands.

Who lives in the chars?

Millions of people, including farmers, fishermen, and boatmen, live in extreme poverty and precarity on the Chars. These communities reside in bamboo and thatch shacks and confront numerous obstacles, including food insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, lack of clean water, and limited access to education & healthcare, markets, and social protection. In addition, they experience frequent flooding, cyclones, riverbank erosion, salinity intrusion, and landlessness. Despite these hardships, char inhabitants have developed various coping mechanisms and means of subsistence, including agriculture, fishing, livestock husbandry, weaving, and migration.

Two women planting rice seedlings on a char of Brahmaputra river

Unique Landscape:

The Chars are a landscape unlike any other, with no permanent structures and little vegetation. The islands’ susceptibility to inundation during the monsoon season makes agriculture difficult. The islands are also susceptible to erosion, which can result in the loss of entire islands.

Economic Sources:

Agriculture and fisheries are the primary economic drivers for the Chars. The islands are well-known for their production of rice, corn, and vegetables. Fishing is also a significant economic activity, with communities employing traditional fishing methods such as nets and traps.

Ecological importance of a char:

Chars are also essential to Bangladesh’s ecology and economy. They provide habitats for a variety of flora and fauna, including endangered species like the Bengal tiger, Irrawaddy dolphin, and Gangetic gharial. In addition, they contribute to the nation’s food security, income generation, and employment opportunities.

Nonetheless, chars are threatened by a number of factors, including climate change, upstream interventions, population pressure, land theft, and environmental degradation. These factors influence both the natural processes of char formation and transformation and the socioeconomic conditions of char inhabitants. Therefore, there is a need for sustainable management and development of chars that strikes a balance between human and environmental concerns.

Development Efforts:

The government of Bangladesh has launched a number of development projects to address the difficulties confronted by the Chars communities. These initiatives include the construction of roads, bridges, and schools, as well as the support of agriculture and fishing.

The Chars of Bangladesh are a distinctive landscape that poses a number of difficulties for the inhabitants of these riverine islands. Despite these obstacles, the Chars offer a unique and rich cultural experience to visitors interested in discovering the resourcefulness and ingenuity of the inhabitants.

Traditional bamboo houses on a Char island in Bangladesh

A boat navigating the waterways of a Char island

A Char island village market with people buying and selling goods.

A farmer meticulously planting rice seedlings on a fertile Char island in Bangladesh

A fisherman casting his net in the waters of a Char island

Aerial view of a Char island in Bangladesh, showcasing the bustling activity

Aerial view of a vast Char island in Bangladesh, showcasing river network and fertile land

Cattle grazing on the lush pastures of a Char island

Farmers cultivating crops on the fertile land of a Char island.

friendly locals of a remote Char village in bangladesh met a foreigner first time

Local people carrying goods by boat, depicting daily life on a Char island

Lush green landscape of a Char island in Bangladesh

Proso millet (Canary seed) stalks swaying gently in the breeze on a Char island in bangladesh

Resilient inhabitants of a Char island in northern Bangladesh

Tourists enjoying a walks through the scenic village of a Char in bangladesh

Chars or Shifting Islands of Bangladesh

the riverine islands

Chars or Shifting River Islands of Bangladesh

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