Nesarabad(Swarupkathi)

Swarupkati Upazila (pirojpur district) with an area of 199.14 sq km, is bounded by Banaripara upazila on the north, Jhalokati sadar, Kawkhali (Pirojpur) and pirojpur sadar upazilas on the south, Jhalokati Sadar upazila on the east, Nazirpur and Pirojpur Sadar upazilas on the west. Main rivers are Swarupkati, Sandha and Belua; Atghar Kuriana Beels are notable.

Nesarabad (Town) consists of 9 wards and 9 mahallas. It has a population of 19281; male 54.09%, female 45.91%. Literacy rate among the town people is 58.2%. The town has two dakbungalows.



Administration Nesarabad thana was turned into an upazila in 1983. It consists of 1 municipality, 10 union Parishads, 83 mouzas and 137 villages.

Archaeological heritage and relics Two domed mosque, remnants of Rajbari at Kaurikhara and Ragbari (18th century).

Historical events During the War of Liberation the Pak army burnt and sacked all the shops of Miar Hat and Enderhat. Besides, in collaboration with the Razakars, they killed about 100 persons. The Pak army killed seven persons from a single house hold at Bachharakati and buried them in one grave.

Marks of the War of Liberation Mass killing site 1.

Population 202520; male 49.5%, female 50.5%; Muslim 71.49%, Hindu 28.46% and others 0.05%.

Religious institutions Mosque 513, temple 85, church 1.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 46.5%; male 53.8% and female 39.2%. Educational institutions: college 9, high school 39, government primary School 114, non-government primary school 43, madrasa 33, vocational school 3. Noted old institutions: Baldia Government Primary school (1875), Sohagdal Government Primary school (1906), Swarupkati Pilot Model High School (1927), Mahamudkathi Ichhamuddin Secondary School (1971), Akalam Muslim High school (1930).

Cultural organisations Club 40, public library 1, cinema hall 3, theatre group 1, women’s organisation 1, playground 50.

Main occupations Agriculture 27.25%, agricultural laborer 12.47%, wage laborer 7.72%, commerce 25.05%, service 6.22%, fishing 1.07%, construction 1.49%, industry 1.28% and others 17.45%.

Land use Cultivable land 14538 hectares; fallow land 1862 hectares.

Value of land Market value of land of the first grade is approximately Tk. 7400 per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, jute, wheat, sugarcane, chilli, onion, garlic, betel leaf, betel nut and pulses.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Local variety of paddy, arahar and kaun.

Main fruits Coconut, banana, papaya, guava, litchi, lemon, black berry, amra.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 14.6 sq km, semi pucca 10 sq km and mud road 125 sq km; waterways 15 nautical mile.

Traditional transport Palanquin (extinct), horse carriage (nearly extinct) and boat.

Manufactories Flour mill 150, ice factory 20.

Cottage industries Bamboo work 200, goldsmith 200, blacksmith 220, tailoring 500, wood work 1200, welding 15, bidi 5.

Hats, bazars and fairs Hats and bazars are 24, fairs 7.

Main exports Betel leaf, coconut, guava, betel nut and amra.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are Brac, Asa, Grameen bank, caritas, Proshika, CARE.

Health Centers Upazila health complex 1, family planning centre 12, satellite clinic 2.

By
[ Ontor Saidul ]