Bangladesh Defense
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Date of Event:
Aug 8, 2025
SPARRSO research
Bangladesh sees new land prospects as 3 islands emerge and merge
Partha Shankar Saha &
Md Nurul Anwar Dhaka and Sandwip
Updated: 07 Aug 2025, 15: 12
The soft afternoon sun has slightly eased the summer heat. All around is an open expanse—Sitakunda’s hills lie to the east, and the waters of the Meghna River stretch to the west. Not a sign of human habitation in sight, not even animals or birds. The silence of this wilderness is broken only by the whistling wind. Following a path through the newly emerged char (sandbank) from the Meghna River, one encounters a barren land—white salt crusts on the soil, patches of grass, and unnamed bushes. Narrow canals flow with water in some places. As one moves toward Sandwip, vegetation increases, along with herds of buffalo. In the distance, enclosures prepared for livestock farming come into view.
On this barren land, Zaher Uddin and his cousin Md Sadikul are busy building homes. About 30 years ago, their houses in this very location were washed away by Meghna’s erosion. The whole family then relocated to Lakshmir Char in Noakhali. A couple of months ago, hearing the news of a new char forming, they returned.
Zahiruddin said, “We have some relatives here; we heard from them that new land had emerged. Then we gathered our implements and slowly made our way back here. We found around 80 acres of land. Our family is large, so we have taken such a huge land.”
In Lakshmir Char, several families, including theirs, had lived on only two acres of land. With the news of this newly formed char, many others like them are arriving at what is now being called the ‘Shobuj Char (Green Char),’ which is located near the Meghna estuary in Sandwip. Covering an area of about 80 square kilometers, more than half of it remains barren. In some areas, livestock grazing and limited farming are taking place. People like Zahiruddin are now trying to reclaim a place they once called home on this fresh land.
Three islands merge
Across the vast southeastern region of the country, a new tale is emerging—of new land and new settlements. This is not merely the story of people displaced by river erosion; it marks the birth of new land in Bangladesh’s history, new economic opportunities, and a convergence of natural and scientific phenomena.
A shoal emerges at the western side of Sabujchar that has emerged at the north-west coastal area of Sandwip at the confluence of Meghna Prothom Alo
For the past three decades, Sandwip, Jahajjar Char (now known as Swarnadwip), and Bhasan Char—three separate islands—have been gradually joining together. Research from the Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO) illustrates this process. The formation of new land has led to this transformation.
Economist Hossain Zillur Rahman sees this development as an exceptional and hopeful sign amid the risks posed by climate change. He remarked, “The continuous stream of data we receive about Bangladesh’s vulnerability to climate change is well-known, but SPARRSO’s research provides a unique and alternative narrative. While global forecasts of climate change predict considerable risk, our local knowledge suggests that it’s not just about erosion or submerged plains—there is hope too. This research reflects that local knowledge.”
Three islands becoming one
Sandwip is an ancient island in the Bay of Bengal, identified in SPARRSO’s research as being over 3,000 years old. It has long experienced processes of erosion and sediment deposition. Research shows that between 1989 and 2025, two other islands—Jahajjar Char (now Swarnadwip) and Bhasan Char—have emerged near Sandwip.
This isn’t just silt, it’s a national question paper. How we value our rivers, land, and people will determine whether this potential becomes a tale of prosperity or of exploitation. It’s a test of our policy, science, imagination, and courage. If we get it right, it may fulfil the dreams of countless people---Economist Hossain Zillur Rahman.
In 2006, sediment accumulation at the Meghna estuary led to the formation of Bhasan Char. The government of Bangladesh has since constructed housing and cyclone shelters there to relocate Rohingya refugees.
Mahmudur Rahman, a board member of SPARRSO, said that Sandwip, Swarnadwip (Jahajjar Char), and Bhasan Char have now become almost a single landmass. In other words, these three islands are now geographically almost connected. However, since the islands of the Meghna estuary are highly dynamic, continuous monitoring and long-term observation are essential.
The research shows that the coastal geography, particularly the southern part of the Meghna estuary, has seen a highly dynamic history of island formation and expansion between 1989 and 2025. While Sandwip is an ancient island, Swarnadwip and Bhasan Char are relatively new and have expanded steadily due to ongoing sediment deposition.
Bangladesh’s land type and merging of 3 islands
Bangladesh’s landform can broadly be divided into three categories: hilly areas (12 per cent), upland terraces (8 per cent), and alluvial plains (80 per cent). The country has largely been formed through the accumulation of vast quantities of silt carried by major rivers. Most of this silt is deposited in the sea, while some settles and gradually forms land.
(From L-R) Photo taken in 1989 and 2025
The flow and deposition of silt differ across the country’s coastal regions. In the south-western coastal belt, particularly around Khulna, land formation is relatively slow. This is due to the presence of the ‘Swatch of No Ground’, one of the world’s largest underwater canyons in the Bay of Bengal, where a huge volume of silt settles irretrievably.
Additionally, the upstream flow of many rivers in this region has declined, impeding the natural delivery of sediment.
In contrast, the Meghna estuary exhibits a different pattern. Although a large quantity of silt does reach the sea, a significant portion of it contributes to the creation of new land.
Researchers attribute this land emergence to the natural features of the area. New islands are forming around Bhola, Sandwip, and Monpura and are even beginning to merge. This transformation is the result of decades of silt accumulation.
Commenting on the merging of three islands, Professor Kazi Matin Uddin Ahmed from the Department of Geology at the University of Dhaka said, “Whole Bangladesh is formed of alluvial soil. However, the unification of three islands is certainly new information, but land accretion has been occurring rapidly in this region for at least four decades. The emergence of land around Sandwip is a positive development.”
To be continued...................
Bangladesh sees new land prospects as 3 islands emerge and merge
Partha Shankar Saha &
Md Nurul Anwar Dhaka and Sandwip
Updated: 07 Aug 2025, 15: 12
The soft afternoon sun has slightly eased the summer heat. All around is an open expanse—Sitakunda’s hills lie to the east, and the waters of the Meghna River stretch to the west. Not a sign of human habitation in sight, not even animals or birds. The silence of this wilderness is broken only by the whistling wind. Following a path through the newly emerged char (sandbank) from the Meghna River, one encounters a barren land—white salt crusts on the soil, patches of grass, and unnamed bushes. Narrow canals flow with water in some places. As one moves toward Sandwip, vegetation increases, along with herds of buffalo. In the distance, enclosures prepared for livestock farming come into view.
On this barren land, Zaher Uddin and his cousin Md Sadikul are busy building homes. About 30 years ago, their houses in this very location were washed away by Meghna’s erosion. The whole family then relocated to Lakshmir Char in Noakhali. A couple of months ago, hearing the news of a new char forming, they returned.
Zahiruddin said, “We have some relatives here; we heard from them that new land had emerged. Then we gathered our implements and slowly made our way back here. We found around 80 acres of land. Our family is large, so we have taken such a huge land.”
In Lakshmir Char, several families, including theirs, had lived on only two acres of land. With the news of this newly formed char, many others like them are arriving at what is now being called the ‘Shobuj Char (Green Char),’ which is located near the Meghna estuary in Sandwip. Covering an area of about 80 square kilometers, more than half of it remains barren. In some areas, livestock grazing and limited farming are taking place. People like Zahiruddin are now trying to reclaim a place they once called home on this fresh land.
Three islands merge
Across the vast southeastern region of the country, a new tale is emerging—of new land and new settlements. This is not merely the story of people displaced by river erosion; it marks the birth of new land in Bangladesh’s history, new economic opportunities, and a convergence of natural and scientific phenomena.
A shoal emerges at the western side of Sabujchar that has emerged at the north-west coastal area of Sandwip at the confluence of Meghna Prothom Alo
For the past three decades, Sandwip, Jahajjar Char (now known as Swarnadwip), and Bhasan Char—three separate islands—have been gradually joining together. Research from the Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO) illustrates this process. The formation of new land has led to this transformation.
Economist Hossain Zillur Rahman sees this development as an exceptional and hopeful sign amid the risks posed by climate change. He remarked, “The continuous stream of data we receive about Bangladesh’s vulnerability to climate change is well-known, but SPARRSO’s research provides a unique and alternative narrative. While global forecasts of climate change predict considerable risk, our local knowledge suggests that it’s not just about erosion or submerged plains—there is hope too. This research reflects that local knowledge.”
Three islands becoming one
Sandwip is an ancient island in the Bay of Bengal, identified in SPARRSO’s research as being over 3,000 years old. It has long experienced processes of erosion and sediment deposition. Research shows that between 1989 and 2025, two other islands—Jahajjar Char (now Swarnadwip) and Bhasan Char—have emerged near Sandwip.
This isn’t just silt, it’s a national question paper. How we value our rivers, land, and people will determine whether this potential becomes a tale of prosperity or of exploitation. It’s a test of our policy, science, imagination, and courage. If we get it right, it may fulfil the dreams of countless people---Economist Hossain Zillur Rahman.
In 2006, sediment accumulation at the Meghna estuary led to the formation of Bhasan Char. The government of Bangladesh has since constructed housing and cyclone shelters there to relocate Rohingya refugees.
Mahmudur Rahman, a board member of SPARRSO, said that Sandwip, Swarnadwip (Jahajjar Char), and Bhasan Char have now become almost a single landmass. In other words, these three islands are now geographically almost connected. However, since the islands of the Meghna estuary are highly dynamic, continuous monitoring and long-term observation are essential.
The research shows that the coastal geography, particularly the southern part of the Meghna estuary, has seen a highly dynamic history of island formation and expansion between 1989 and 2025. While Sandwip is an ancient island, Swarnadwip and Bhasan Char are relatively new and have expanded steadily due to ongoing sediment deposition.
Bangladesh’s land type and merging of 3 islands
Bangladesh’s landform can broadly be divided into three categories: hilly areas (12 per cent), upland terraces (8 per cent), and alluvial plains (80 per cent). The country has largely been formed through the accumulation of vast quantities of silt carried by major rivers. Most of this silt is deposited in the sea, while some settles and gradually forms land.
(From L-R) Photo taken in 1989 and 2025
The flow and deposition of silt differ across the country’s coastal regions. In the south-western coastal belt, particularly around Khulna, land formation is relatively slow. This is due to the presence of the ‘Swatch of No Ground’, one of the world’s largest underwater canyons in the Bay of Bengal, where a huge volume of silt settles irretrievably.
Additionally, the upstream flow of many rivers in this region has declined, impeding the natural delivery of sediment.
In contrast, the Meghna estuary exhibits a different pattern. Although a large quantity of silt does reach the sea, a significant portion of it contributes to the creation of new land.
Researchers attribute this land emergence to the natural features of the area. New islands are forming around Bhola, Sandwip, and Monpura and are even beginning to merge. This transformation is the result of decades of silt accumulation.
Commenting on the merging of three islands, Professor Kazi Matin Uddin Ahmed from the Department of Geology at the University of Dhaka said, “Whole Bangladesh is formed of alluvial soil. However, the unification of three islands is certainly new information, but land accretion has been occurring rapidly in this region for at least four decades. The emergence of land around Sandwip is a positive development.”
To be continued...................
