Chapter 01: Introduction

1.1 Introduction
Fieldwork is an integral part of qualitative research. As a part of course GELB 412, a fieldwork
was conducted to evaluate the socio-economic and landuse survey of Sylhet in the month of
February 16, 2025.
Strategic land development planning is built on the foundation of efficient land use surveys.
Establishing the groundwork for upcoming development projects requires a thorough
understanding of the situation of land utilization today. Beyond just being instructive, creating
well-informed and sustainable development plans requires a thorough understanding of the
land resources designated for development as well as an awareness of current land use.
Decision-makers can use these surveys to evaluate growth potential, pinpoint places that should
be preserved, and make sure that development complies with community and environmental
requirements. Essentially, they offer the vital information required for well-informed and well-
balanced land development plans.

1.2 General Background

Land is the basis for agriculture and other rural land uses, encompassing soils, climate,
vegetation, topography and other natural resources. The UN defines land as “a delineable area
of the earth’s terrestrial surface, encompassing all attributes of the biosphere immediately
above or below this surface including those of the near-surface climate, the soil and terrain
forms, the surface hydrology (including shallow lakes, rivers, marshes and swamps), the near-
surface sedimentary layers and associated groundwater reserve, the plant and animal
populations, the human settlement pattern and physical results of past and present human
activities” (FAO). To geographers, land represents a repository of varied resources, including
minerals, plant life, wildlife, marine ecosystems, and human potential. Its deterioration has far-
reaching consequences on interconnected resources. Serving as the bedrock of human
existence, land makes significant contributions to societal well-being by providing essential
materials for sustenance and advancement.
But as the world's population continues to grow, underused land is being strained. The
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) offers statistical statistics pertaining to the nation's
population. According to their 2017 report, the population of this land-hungry nation, which
occupies an area of 1,48,460 km2, is roughly 160 million. It becomes essential to do a factual
analysis of land use, taking into account both the resources that are currently available and
those that may be developed in the future, as well as to responsibly utilize and preserve the
land. Informed land use practices make problems worse, which emphasizes the necessity of a
thorough survey to pinpoint current problems. The ultimate objective of land use planning is
to achieve the best possible balance.
For planning to be effective, two requirements must be fulfilled:
• All parties involved must agree that changes in land use are necessary or that action must be
taken to stop an undesirable change.

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• The ability and political will to implement the strategy must exist.
In situations where these requirements are not fulfilled but issues are urgent, it can be
acceptable to launch an awareness campaign or establish demonstration sites in an effort to
establish the prerequisites for efficient planning. The land, which is scarce, provides us with
the necessities of clothing, housing, food, water, and fuel. Land is becoming a more limited
resource as the population and ambitions rise. In order to satisfy new needs, land must adapt,
but this also creates new conflicts between competing land uses and between the interests of
individual land users and the general welfare. The creation of new farmland competes with
forestry, water resources, and wildlife, and land taken for towns and industry is no longer
available for farming. The idea of planning to use land as efficiently as possible is not new.
Farmers have planned their crops season after season over the years, choosing what to grow
and where. Their choices have been based on their own requirements, their understanding of
the terrain, and the available labor, capital, and technology. The demand for knowledge and
rigorous techniques of analysis and planning grows with the area's size, the number of
individuals involved, and the complexity of the issues.

1.3 Aims and Objectives

The primary aim of this study is to gain a comprehensive insight into the land use in the Amtoli,
Chunarughat, and Habiganj as well as to examine the socio-economic attributes of the local
population.
Consequently, derived from the main aim, the study's more specific objectives are as follows:
a. To gain an understanding of the socio-economic characteristics of the inhabitants
residing in Amtoli, Chunarughat, and Habiganj
b. To delineate the environmental attributes and land use patterns of Amtoli, Chunarughat,
and Habiganj at the individual plot level.
1.4 Study Area

Map of Study Area 1.1

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 Satellite map of study area 1.2

A. Location
Amtoli Union, located in the Sylhet Division of Bangladesh's Chunarughat Upazila of Habiganj
District, has been chosen as the study area because of its unique geographic location and
regional environmental issues.

Chunarughat (চুনারুঘাট), is an Upazila of Habiganj District in the Division

of Sylhet, Bangladesh. Chunarughat is located at 24.2083°N 91.5222°E. It has 61,132
households and total area 495.50 km2. The 2574.7 square kilometer Habiganj District (Sylhet
Division) is situated between latitudes 23°58' and 24°42' north and longitudes 91°09' and
91°40' east. The districts of Sunamganj to the north, Tripura State to the south, Maulvibazar
and Sylhet to the east, and Brahmanbaria and Kishoreganj to the west form its borders.
B. Chunarughat and Habiganj District at a glance

Others Information of District

Name of Area Municipality Union Mouza Village Population Density Literacy

Upazila (sq (per sq rate (%)
km) km)

Ajmiriganj 223.98 1 5 66 133 114265 510 37.1

Chunarughat 495.50 1 10 159 373 302110 610 40.8

Nabiganj 439.61 1 13 203 356 345179 785 41.0

Baniachong 482.26 - 15 237 359 332530 690 34.7

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 Bahubal 250.65 - 7 140 342 197997 790 39.8

Madhabpur 294.28 1 11 176 267 319016 1084 39.8

Lakhai 196.54 - 6 52 65 148811 757 33.7

Habiganj 191.88 1 8 94 225 263695 1374 50.7

Sadar
Table1. 1

81,959 (27.13%) of the 302,110 people living in Chunarughat Upazila were under the age of
ten, according to the 2011 Census of Bangladesh, which also included 61,132 households.
Chunarughat had a sex ratio of 1054 females per 1000 males and a literacy rate (age 7 and
above) of 40.78%, which was lower than the 51.8% national average. 19,651 people, or 6.50
percent, resided in cities.[9] Of the 39,286 (13.00%) ethnic population, 8,088, 3,157 were
Munda, and 1,668 were Oraon. There were 233752 people living in Chunarughat as of the 1991
Bangladesh census. Of the population, 49.8% are women and 50.2% are men. There are 119571
adults in this upazila. The average literacy rate in Chunarughat is 49.2% (7+ years), whereas
the national average is 32.4%.

Literacy Rate and Educational Institutions: Average literacy: 40.5%, male: 42.2%, female:
38.9%.
• Educational institutions: 19, primary training institute 1, technical college 1, secondary school
155, primary school 885, community school 2, kindergarten 17, madrasa 140.
• Notable educational institutions: Habiganj Government Bindaban College, Paniumda Ragib-
Rabeya School and College, Alif Sobhan College, Gobindapur Government High School, Rajar
Bazar Government High School, Jalsukh Krishna Govinda Public High School, Mirashi High
School, Fakirabad Government High School, LR Government High School, Adaoir Lokenath
High School, Nabiganj JK High School, Shayestaganj High School, Chhatian Bishwanath High
School, Dinarpur High School, BKGC Government Girls' High School, GK and HK High
School, Jagadishpur JC High School, Dakshina Charan Pilot High School, Laskarpur Primary
School, Habiganj Government Primary School, Ubahata Kudratia Dakhil Madrasa, Mirpur
Dakhil Madrasa, Shayestaganj Kamil Madrasa, Habiganj Daruchchhunnat Senior Madrasa.

Main sources of income Agriculture 61.13%, non-agricultural labourer 7.20%, industry 2.25%,
commerce 10.95%, transport and communication 1.98%, service 4.58%, construction 1.13%,
religious service 0.39%, rent and remittance 1.80% and others 8.59%.

C. Climate and Average Year Round in Habiganj

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 figure 1.3

In Habiganj, the dry season is warm and mainly clear, while the wet season is hot, oppressive,
and mostly cloudy. The average annual temperature fluctuates between 52°F and 91°F; it is
rarely lower or higher than 48°F or 97°F. The best seasons to visit Habiganj for hot-weather
activities are from mid-October to mid-November and from early March to mid-April,
according to the beach/pool score.

average temperature in Habiganj 1.4

D. Geomorphology of Habiganj District

Hills, piedmont plains, haors, rivers, and floodplains make up the region's geomorphology.
There is minimal elevation variation between ridges and basins in the floodplains and harbors
area, which have nearly flat reliefs. While the hills have severe slopes, the Piedmont plains
have gradually sloping relief.

➢ Active tectonic uplift creates both linear and sub-linear ridges, particularly along fault
systems such as the Rashidpur Fault.
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 ➢ Evidence of Holocene activity can be seen in the alluvial plains and valley bottoms
formed by river sedimentation.
➢ Structures that resemble terraces along riverbanks, indicating river incision and
occasional uplift.

E. Physiography
The upazila of Chunarughat is encircled by hills, rivers, tea gardens, and forests. There used to
be a lot of beels (wetlands) and haors (huge floodplains in the shape of bowls) in this area.
Chunarughat's "Taraff" area was renowned for its ten sizable haors. But as of the now, the
Chunarughat upazila has no significant haors. Water is now seldom present in the region
because of the death of the rivers and canals. There are many little and large hillocks scattered
around the area.

F. Rivers and Waterbodies

There is a mythology attached to the Khowai River's former name. The Khowai River was once
known as Khema or Kshama, according to local legend. The origin of this name is explained
by a well-known legend: To observe a traditional Khasi religious holiday, a foreign trader once
anchored his big boat, known as a pansi, near the riverbed. A noble Khasi girl named Khema
was captivated by his appearance, fell in love with him, and declared her intention to wed him.
But a young guy from their own tribe was chosen to marry her by the Khasi community.
Khema, devastated, gave herself up in the river. In her remembrance, the river has since been
referred to as Khema or Kshama.

1.5 Limitations
• Locating the grid locations posed a considerable challenge for the students
conducting this type of survey for the first time.
• Landuse survey was time consuming
• Moving from one plot to another and working was difficult to do alone
• There was a significant chance of bias since questionnaire responses were
frequently insufficient.

Chapter 02: Literature review

and Conceptual Framework

2.1 Introduction
Setting precise definitions for uncertain phrases that are essential to the coherence of this report
is the first important step this chapter takes. Miscommunications are reduced and a clear
comprehension of this report is ensured by setting these exact definitions. After that, the chapter
explores an examination of important works and occasions in the field of land usage surveys.
This conversation takes place in both national and international settings, giving a thorough
basis for the topics that follow while also shedding light on the field's development.
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 2.2 Concept of land
A tract of land is defined geographically as a specific area of the earth's surface; its
characteristics embrace all reasonably stable, or predictably cyclic attributes of the biosphere
vertically above and below this area including those of the atmosphere, the soil and underlying
rocks, the topography, the water, the plant and animal populations and the results of past and
present human activity, to the extent that these attributes exert a significant influence on present
and future uses of the land by man." - Brinkman and Smyth, 1973
KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Land can refer to real estate or property that is designated by fixed spatial
boundaries.
• In economics, land is a primary factor of production, along with capital and labor.
• Land itself is a valuable resource but if it contains natural resources such as oil and
gas, its value can increase.
• Investing in land for development can be costly and may come with certain risks but
it can also be a source of profits and value appreciation.
• Land is used for residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, agricultural, and
tranportational purposes.

A plot of land is a factor in some kind of production, both legally and commercially. No other
production, like food production, would be feasible without the land, even though it is not used
in this process. As a result, we can think of land as a resource that has no production costs.

We cannot expand the supply of land, even though people can always alter its usage to make it
more or less profitable.
The UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) defines land as “the
terrestrial bio productive system that comprises soil, vegetation, other biota, and the ecological
and hydrological processes that operate within the system.
The foundation of many socioeconomic and ecological interactions is land, the basic canvas on
which human activity takes place. The idea of land in the context of an extensive land use
survey encompasses more than just physical space; it also involves the complex interaction of
social, environmental, and developmental factors. It represents the starting point from which
communities develop, resources are used, and means of subsistence are developed. The careful
analysis of land use, the effects of human activity, and the sustainability of its diverse
applications all depend on an understanding of the complex nature of land. The monetary value
of a piece of land is known as its land value. An independent real estate appraiser can determine
its value. One of the significant measures of a community's financial health is land value.
Real estate transactions, local government taxes, and property investments are just a few of the
financial activities that depend on accurate land valuation. For these activities to take place and
for buyers and sellers to have faith in them, land must be valued appropriately.
Land is the basis for agriculture and other rural land uses, encompassing soils, climate,
vegetation, topography and other natural resources. The UN defines land as “a delineable area
of the earth’s terrestrial surface, encompassing all attributes of the biosphere immediately
above or below this surface including those of the near-surface climate, the soil and terrain

7
forms, the surface hydrology (including shallow lakes, rivers, marshes and swamps), the near-
surface sedimentary layers and associated groundwater reserve, the plant and animal
populations, the human settlement pattern and physical results of past and present human
activities”.- FAO

2.3 Concept of Land Use

"Land use concerns the products and/or benefits obtained from use of the land as well as the
land management actions (activities) carried out by humans to produce those products and
benefits." -The United Nations' FAO Water Development Division
“Land use is an approach that is helpful to be carried out in both village and cities. In developed
countries land is used in a systematic manner but in developing country land is not used
properly.”(Stamp, 1930)
‘Land use does not consider production only, but also land functions such as protected areas,
land recreation, road-building, waste disposal sides and use restricted areas such as buffer zones
for exhaust gases, areas for regenerating groundwater, buffer zones for traffic noise pollution,
etc.’(Zimmermn,1999)
The term "land use" describes how people use land for their commercial and cultural endeavors.
Residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, agricultural, and transportation uses are the
main uses of land. The state of the land, its natural resources, and the environment can all be
impacted by ongoing land use. The health of people and other creatures who live on the land,
as well as the sustainability of the land itself, may be negatively impacted by these condition
changes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is concerned about development usage
and agriculture. Local zoning rules and municipal regulations control how land is used. In order
to comprehend the results of land use, town and city planners as well as other organizations
concentrate on how land is used. They can then offer recommendations for how it should be
used going forward and possibly influence changes to land use regulations.

Typical land uses consist of:

Residential: Accommodations and associated facilities.
Commercial: Trade, retail, and business operations.
Agricultural: Land-based production, including farming and forestry.
Industrial: Manufacturing facilities, factories, and other industrial activities.
Recreational: Parks, green spaces, and other places to relax.
Conservation: Wildlife reserves, protected areas, and other conservation initiatives.

2.4 Land Use Survey

The systematic collection, examination, and mapping of information about the various ways
that land is used is known as a land use survey. It entails analyzing the many uses of land for
commercial, residential, industrial, agricultural, recreational, and other purposes. This survey's
main goal is to record and classify the historical and present land use trends in a given area.
Making well-informed judgments on resource management, urban planning, and
environmental preservation is made easier by this method.

Important elements of land use surveys:

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Data Collection: Data collection involves surveyors visiting various locations and
documenting land use activities, including the kinds of buildings, plants, and infrastructure
present.

Classification: The information gathered is divided into many groups, including open space,
transportation, commercial, industrial, residential, and agricultural.

Mapping: A land use map that graphically depicts the various land uses in the region is made
using the classified data. Analyzing land use patterns, locating regions with particular land
uses, and comparing land use patterns over time are all possible via land use surveys.

Applications: Urban planning, resource management, environmental management, and

agricultural planning are just a few of the uses for land use surveys.
Remote Sensing: To gather data on land use, remote sensing methods like satellite imaging
are employed in addition to field surveys.

LUCAS: The European Union conducts a comprehensive survey called the Land Use and
Land Cover Area frame Survey (LUCAS) to gather data on land use and cover, including
data on land and water management.
2.5 Foundations of Land Use Survey: Pioneering Initiatives
Although land surveying has been done since the time of the ancient Egyptians, contemporary
land use surveys that seek to understand land utilization were first presented by a British
geographer in the late 20th century. Using over 20,000 six-inch field maps, L. Dudley Stamp
conducted a groundbreaking land use survey in England in the 1930s, enlisting Grammar
School pupils to complete painstaking mapping work (Coleman & Maggs, 1965). The practice
of land use surveys in England began with this survey, which created comprehensive ordnance
maps for a particular location. After a 15-year break after the end of World War II, Stamp
returned to the same region to assess changes in land use patterns. Stamp's 1937 and 1948
volumes "The Land of Britain" and other publications resulting from these studies offered
important insights into patterns of land use (Stamp, 1966). By creating a land use commission
in 1948, the International Geographical Union (IGU) significantly advanced the discipline of
land use surveys. By 1952, the commission had successfully sparked the global adoption of
land use survey techniques by inviting geographers from all across the world to participate in
training in these techniques. Pioneer Land Surveyors of New Zealand" describes the pioneering
work of early surveyors such as Joseph Thomas, Laurence Cussen, Edwin Brookes Jr., and
Frederic Carrington, who were instrumental in the planning and mapping of areas including
Canterbury, Waikato, Taranaki, and New Plymouth. Through their work, crucial advancements
that significantly improved measurement precision were implemented, such as meridional
circuits, triangulation surveys, and the use of steel bands. These innovative projects marked the
start of systematic land management and planning in New Zealand by laying the foundation
for structured land use, urban development, and infrastructure.

2.6 Land Use Survey: Bangladesh Scenario

In the 1950s, Dudley Stamp was instrumental in bringing land use surveying techniques to
Bangladesh, helping to produce the nation's first land use map in partnership with the
University of Dhaka's Department of Geography. The government of Bangladesh has been
methodically integrating land use data at 10-year intervals since the 1980s. Interestingly, a

9
significant portion of Bangladeshi research has focused on land use changes over time or on
particular land use categories, with a focus on urban areas and how they relate to environmental
changes brought about by urbanization.
The BBS uses secondary data to create the nation's yearly land usage statistics. According to
the Bangladeshi Surveyor General's office, the total land use is in line with the entire
geographic area. The Office of the Chief Conservator of Forests provides information on the
forest region. Private forests and forestry operations carried out on public lands under the
social forestry program are not included in this area, which is related to the designated gazette
area.
A benchmark of land usage, including crop and non-crop utilization, is provided by the
agricultural census. Annual crop statistics from the BBS's Agriculture Crop Production Surveys
are used to calibrate the benchmark land use statistics for crop area in the following years. The
BBS field crew performs these calibrations at the upazila level, and they are combined at the
zila, regional, and national levels. (produced a single crop annually).
The following five categories contain the land use statistics: 1. Total area (Bangladesh's entire
geographic area) 2. The area that is designated as a government reserve forest. There are no
private forests included.) 3. Unsuitable for farming (urban, large river, major highway, etc.) 4.
Cultivable waste space (area that can be grown but is never grown) 5. Current fallow area: This
region can be farmed, but it is left fallow for one or two seasons. 6. Net crop area (the total of
the areas that are single, double, and triple cropped) The crop area data also include information
on the following: total crop area; single crop area (producing only one crop in a year); double
crop area (producing two crops in a year); triple crop area (producing three crops in a year);
and quadruple crop area (producing four crops in a year). The area under crop land is
determined and land usage statistics are compiled using remote sensing technology (Remote
Sensing Technology) in conjunction with other survey techniques. Only the area planted to
Boro and Aman crops is estimated by the Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization
(SPARRSO) in Bangladesh.

When satellite imagery from 1975 to 2003 was combined with socioeconomic data, research
by Dewan and Yamaguchi (2009; 2012) showed a notable increase in built-up areas, which
was mainly attributable to population growth and economic development. Water bodies, arable

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land, vegetation, and marshes were all significantly reduced as a result of this expansion. In a
similar vein, Mamun (2013) carried out research to outline shifts in land use patterns in the
capital, Dhaka. In the meantime, Chowdhury (2011) started a thorough evaluation of land use
and land cover changes throughout Bangladesh, although only for a small period of time (2000–
2008), focusing mostly on the detection of land cover changes.

Dey et al. (2012) conducted another in-depth investigation that focused on land erosion and the
loss of land as a result of both natural and man-made forces. In addition to looking at the causes
of land degradation, this study also explored how changes in land use patterns were impacted
by this deterioration. Together, these studies highlight a primary focus on analyzing changing
land use patterns or detecting changes in land use.

Significant urban transformation brought on by population growth is revealed by a recent study

that examined Dhaka's land use and land cover (LULC) variations during the last 20 years.
Researchers used Landsat imagery from 2001, 2011, and 2021 along with GIS and remote
sensing techniques to categorize the city's topography into built-up regions, vegetation, water
bodies, and bare soil. The results show that vegetation cover decreased by 29%, water bodies
stayed mostly the same, while built-up areas increased by 27% and bare land increased by 2%.
The population of Dhaka increased by almost 11 million people during this time, highlighting
the strain on natural resources and the necessity of sustainable urban development.

2.7 Land Use Pattern in Bangladesh

Using satellite data and GIS technologies, the study "Analysis of Land Use and Land Cover
Changing Patterns of Bangladesh Using Remote Sensing Technology" looks at how land use
has evolved in Bangladesh between 1990 and 2019. It discovered that whereas water bodies
and woods decreased by 9.20% and 3.86%, respectively, urban areas significantly increased
(by 5.18%) as a result of population expansion and development. Reforestation initiatives may
have contributed to the small increase in vegetation cover. In order to preserve natural resources
in the face of growing urbanization, the study highlights the necessity of sustainable land use
management, better municipal planning, and increased public awareness. Using 42 Landsat
satellite photos, Hasan et al.'s paper "Analysis of Land Use and Land Cover Changing Patterns
of Bangladesh Using Remote Sensing Technology" (2021) looks at how land use and land
cover (LULC) changed in Bangladesh between 1990 and 2019. Using maximum likelihood
algorithms for supervised classification, the study found notable changes: urban areas grew by
5.18%, accounting for 6.27% of the total land area by 2019; forests and water bodies declined
by 9.20% and 3.86%, respectively; and vegetation cover rose by 3.36%. These changes are
ascribed to the depletion of natural resources brought on by fast urbanization and population
increase. In order to lessen the negative effects of such changes, the study emphasizes the need
for sustainable land management and well-informed policymaking.

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 Table 2.1 Land use (%) of Bangladesh (Source: Jerin and Ishtiaque, 2014)

According to CIA World Factbook 2018 estimation, the land use of Bangladesh is as follows-
• Agricultural land: 70.1% -Arable land: 59% -Permanent crops: 6.5% -Permanent pasture:
4.6% • Forest: 11.1% • Other: 18.8%
Significant environmental and social repercussions result from the dynamic nature of land use
and land cover (LULC). These changes, which vary in both space and time, are closely linked
to the interaction between human activity and the surrounding biophysical terrain. Bangladesh
has a serious problem with the amount of land available per person, especially in South Asia.
At about 0.06 hectares per person, Bangladesh has the second-lowest per capita land ratio in
Asia, behind the Maldives, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (FAO,
2014).
The concerning trend of diminishing arable land, which decreased from 0.11 to 0.06 ha/person
between 1981 and 2011, underscores the ongoing decline in land availability for agriculture in
Bangladesh (FAO, 2014). This trend is compounded by rapid urbanization and
industrialization, contributing to the loss of agricultural land and exacerbating challenges such
as soil salinization.
Drivers of Land Use Change in Bangladesh
1) Rapid Population Increase

• The population of Bangladesh is densely populated.

• Land is under pressure as a result of rising housing, food, and service demands
brought on by population growth.
2) Urbanization
• Cities that are rising quickly, such as Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna, are
encroaching on nearby marsh or agricultural areas.
• Causes floodplain and agricultural regions to be transformed into urban
neighborhoods.

3) Intensification of Agriculture

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 • driven by the need for food security and advancements in technology (such as
irrigation and HYV seeds).
• Changes in land use patterns and crop varieties.

4) Development of the Economy

• Land is needed for infrastructure projects like bridges and highways as well as
industrial zones like EPZs.
• Rural land conversion is accelerated by private investment and land
speculation.

5) Natural Hazards and Climate Change

• People are forced to migrate and change how they use land due to factors like
flooding, river erosion, sea level rise, and salinity in coastal locations.
• For instance, in coastal regions, salinity has caused agricultural land to be
converted to shrimp cultivation.

Figure 2.2

Bangladesh's growing urban footprint, which increased at a rate of 4.8% between 2000 and
2011, places it fourth among Asian countries in terms of urban expansion during that time
(FAO, 2014). Bangladesh's urbanization rate is currently close to 3.5%. Despite the fact that
Bangladesh is primarily an agrarian country, with around 60% of its land used for farming,
urban expansion is still encroaching on these agricultural areas (BBS, 2019). The continuous
difficulty of reducing agricultural spaces as a result of diverse uses and environmental
challenges is highlighted by the fact that between 1976 and 2010, agricultural land decreased
by 1.12 million hectares while non-agricultural land increased by 1.22 million hectares (Hasan
et al., 2013).

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 Map 2.3 The spatial status and distribution of LULC in Bangladesh between
1992 (a) and 2015 (b) (Source: Rai, et al., 2017)

The number of urban regions in the nation increased significantly between 1976 and 2014.
26,799 hectares were categorized as urban and industrial zones in 1976. By 2000, this area had
grown to 47,495 hectares; by 2010, it had risen to 87,616 hectares (Hasan et al., 2013); and by
2014, it had astonishingly increased to 1,644,300 hectares (Reddy et al., 2016). Interestingly,
Dhaka experienced the largest urban growth, rising from 11% to 344% between 1960 and 2005
(Dewan and Yamaguchi, 2009).

Chapter 03: Methodology

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3.1 Introduction
Methodology describes the procedures to be followed for carrying out a research. It also
explains the tools/methods to be used how they will be used for collection and analysis of
information relevant for the research work. It can be defined as an attempt to find out in a
systematic investigation is called the methods of research. The "how" of a research endeavor
is its research methodology, which includes the steps a researcher takes to gather data, evaluate
it, and make inferences. In addition to discussing the research techniques (such as surveys,
experiments, or interviews), it also provides an explanation of the rationale for the selection of
that particular techniques.
Selection of Study
Area

Compilation of
Cadastral Maps

Geo-referencing & Plot

Digitization

Field Survey

Land Use Survey Socio-economic

Survey

Land Use Map Questionnaire data

analysis

Data Integration
and Analysis

Figure 3.1: Methodological work-flow of the study area

Importance of Research Methodology

• A key component of any research project is research technique. It assists in

guaranteeing:
• The precision and dependability of the findings
• Validity of the results
• Openness and reproducibility for further researchers
• A well-defined path for the study procedure

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3.2 Data Sources
Depending on the source geographical data are classified under two categories:
A. Primary data
B. Secondary data

Primary data: Data created by the researcher themselves, including surveys, interviews, and
experiments specifically created to comprehend and address the current study issue

Secondary data: Means data collected by someone else earlier, experiments such as-
Government publications, websites, books, journal articles, internal records etc.

Sources of primary data:

a) Face to face interview: It describes the information that a person gathers.
Another name for it is a personal interview. Investigating people's answers is a
useful way to learn more in-depth details. The purpose of this survey is to
ascertain the respondents' responses and to watch how they behave.
Additionally, the interviewer can learn about their employment experience and
gain insight into their standard of life.
b) Questionnaire: A research tool made up of a list of questions is called a
questionnaire. Compared to verbal or telephone surveys, it offers certain
benefits, such as requiring less work from the questionnaire. Standardized
responses, however, can occasionally irritate the interviewer. Interviewers can
obtain direct responses from respondents by using this survey. They can learn
about their issues and the kind of assistance the respondent is looking for from
NGOs and governments.
c) KII (Key informant interview): People who are aware of what is happening
in the neighborhood are interviewed in-depth and qualitatively. The goal of key
informants is to get first-hand knowledge of the community from a diverse
group of people, such as residents, professionals, and community leaders.

Sources of secondary data:

The secondary data is collected from various books, documents, articles, that are
related.
▪ Publicly available sources
Government publications: One of the most significant sources of secondary
information is the publications of the many ministries and departments of the
Government of India, as well as state governments and district bulletins.
International publications: These include yearbooks, reports, and monographs
released by several United Nations organizations, including the FAO, WHO, UNDP,
and others. The Human Development Report and the Demographic Yearbook are two
of the United Nations' most significant publications.

16
 Newspapers and magazines: These readily available sources of secondary data
include daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, and monthly publications.
Electronic media: In recent years, the internet in particular has become a significant
source of secondary data.

▪ Unpublished sources: All statistical data is not always published. There are
various sources of unpublished data such as records maintained by various
government and private offices, studies made by research institutions, scholars
etc.

3.3 Data processing and analyzing

A frequency table and an Excel data sheet were used to examine and analyze the collected data.
Depending on the type of data, primary and secondary data are studied both quantitatively and
qualitatively.
Notes from focus groups or individual interviews regarding the standard of their diet and living
conditions, as well as answers to open-ended questionnaires, could be considered qualitative
data. It will be evocative. One crucial technique for gathering qualitative data is observation.
A semi-structured evaluation tool can direct observation by posing important questions about
the events being witnessed. When an interviewee enters his or her level of satisfaction on the
variable scale "satisfied or dissatisfied," we discover that some ordinal data has been obtained.
The "yes" or "no" response also gives us information about their employment experience. We
can estimate their standard of living based on their earnings.
Each data set has a distinct numerical value, and quantitative data is the value of data expressed
as counts or numbers. The amount and percentage of their pay are available to us. We also
know their age, how long they have been involved in shrimp farming, what proportion of them
have received training, how satisfied they are with their income as a percentage, and how
satisfied they are with government programs.

3.4 Phases of the Study

The approach used for the field survey in Bagmara, Magurura, and Dewgach Mouza followed
certain steps and methods meant to find, pick, process, and evaluate data relevant to our
research goals. This included a methodical approach to data gathering, from choosing research
locations to processing and analyzing the collected data afterwards. There are three distinct
phases to the total project:

A. Pre-field Work Activities

17
 Figure 3.2

1. Rationale of Selecting the Study Area

Together with the academic members teaching the course, fourth-year students in the
University of Dhaka's Department of Geography and Environment came up with the
justification for the research area. A conscious decision was taken to investigate the dynamics
of shifting land use patterns in accordance with the academic curriculum and taking into
account the students' cognitive and physical capacities in Bagmara, Magurura and Degach
mouza, located within Amtoli union, Chunarughat upazila, Sylhet.
First of all, these mouzas are a collection of rural land use patterns that are changing noticeably
as a result of population pressure, infrastructure development, and agricultural growth. They

18
are therefore perfect for studying various land use practices and comprehending the
socioeconomic factors that influence them.

Second, the region offers a chance to investigate human-environment interactions in a setting

that is comparatively less urbanized and where both modern and traditional land use systems
coexist. This difference makes it possible to analyze land use changes and how they affect
local livelihoods in a meaningful way. After arriving at the field site, our instructor divided
the team into several functional groups to ensure efficient fieldwork. These groups included:

• GIS and Remote Sensing Group

• Accommodation Group
• Transportation Group
• Food and Medical Group

Better coordination, data collecting, and fieldwork management were made possible by this
separation of duties. Because of the various contributions made by each group, we were able
to finish the questionnaire survey and land use mapping in a methodical and efficient manner.

Map 3.3 Satellite images of Deorgach union of 2004(top),2014(middle), 2024(bottom)

2. Collection of Mouza map

19
The GIS and Remote Sensing (RS) team gathered and created the mouza map that was used
in the study. The researchers used Google Earth Engine, a potent cloud-based geospatial
processing tool, to guarantee an accurate depiction of the study area. The borders of the
Bagmara, Magurura, and Dewgach mouzas were digitized and delineated using this
platform's access to recent satellite images and land cover data. The team created a precise
base map that can be used for grid development and spatial analysis by utilizing Google Earth
Engine to view land use features at high resolution. The map's accuracy and dependability
were guaranteed by the integration of remote sensing technologies with GIS, offering a solid
basis for additional field-based land use studies and spatial interpretation.

Study area map 3.4

3. Preparing a Portable Google Map

Exporting kml files with the grid and the digital plots was necessary to create a mobile-friendly
Google Map. These made it easier for students to access and carry the map, which made it
easier for them to find individual plots.

20
 Portable google map 3.5

4. Preparing Table for Collecting Land Use Data

Fig- 3.6 Fractional code list (left) and data collection table (right)

Data collecting tables were used with a fractional code list that included different land use
classifications. Concurrently, a survey instrument was carefully created for the questionnaire
survey, guaranteeing that information about land uses, socioeconomic and demographic
backgrounds, as well as the subjective beliefs and forecasts of the respondents, was fully
included.

21
 Fig- 3.7 Questionnaire

B. . During Work Activities

➢ Conducting Plot-to-plot Land Use Survey
Using a portable map, the plot was first located on-site before beginning a plot-to-plot land use
survey. Following that, information was gathered for the Code Sheet and the Plot Map. The
procedure involved making sure that plot boundaries were accurate, redrawing features if their
shape changed, and giving fresh plots standardized identification numbers. Vernor C. Finch
developed the fractional code method, which was used in the survey to methodically gather
information on the land use and environmental features of the studied area.
➢ Conducting Questionnaire Survey
• Section A- Socio-economic data
• Section B- Settlement and household Amenities
• Section C- Land ownership and land use
• Section D- Social Amenities
• Section E- Disaster and Environment
➢ Observation
Students recorded additional information during the survey that was important to the study
even though it was not specifically covered by the questionnaire.
C. Post-Field Work Data Processing and Analysis
I. Image and Map Analysis
22
In ArcGIS 10.3, the grid maps used for the field survey were scanned and georeferenced to
match the generated grid. Once more, features that were discovered or fixed during field
observations were digitized. For every feature, the relevant information from the code sheet
was entered into the ArcMap program. Following the merging of the segmented shapefiles
produced by several groups into a single file, any residual flaws were carefully examined using
validation checks. In the end, the validated shapefile that included Baghmara, Magurura and
Deogachh Mouza were used to produce a range of maps that showed the socioeconomic
conditions and various land uses in the study area, setting the stage for additional research.

Figure-3.8 Screenshot of analysis of data collected through land use survey

II. Questionnaire Data Processing

SPSS software was initially used to process the obtained data. After that, a thorough data
cleaning process was performed to fix any errors or discrepancies. After that, each person
worked independently to create frequency tables for different criteria. It's crucial to remember
that different students and reports used different approaches because the task was customized
for each student. Microsoft Excel was used to create the frequency tables and graph charts in
this specific report.

Figure-3.9 Questionnaire data processing and analysis: Raw excel data (top) and preparing frequency table (bottom)

23
 Chapter 04: Socio-economic dynamics
of Deorgach, Magurura and Baghmara

4.1 Introduction
Land use patterns are influenced by socioeconomic factors in a variety of intricate ways. At the
intersection of socioeconomic and environmental dynamics, changes in land use and land cover
(LULC) are a complex issue that requires a deep understanding of the complex interactions
between human activity and its effects on the environment (Brown et al., 2013).

Satellite map of Questionnaire Survey Location 4.1(Group_3)

4.2 Religion

RELIGION
Islam Hinduism

4.5

95.5

Figure 4.2

24
The religious makeup of the questioned population is shown by the pie chart, which shows that
95.5% of the respondents identify as Muslims and 4.5% as Hindus.

4.3 Earning people and sources of earning

Earning people

5 4

4 9

3 51

2 106

1 167

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Figure 4.3

With 167 households in this group, the data demonstrates that the majority of households only
have one earner. There are 106 homes with two earners, 51 with three earners, 9 with four
earners, and just 4 with five earners. This shows that households with several earners are
relatively rare, while single-income families are the most prevalent.

25
 Figure 4.4

According to the "Sources of earning" chart, the majority of respondents' main sources of
income are business (30.9%) and agriculture (25.8%). Jobs (11%), day labor (13.4%), and other
sources (7.7%) come next. Rickshaw/auto driving (5.6%), shopkeeping (3.3%), housewives
(1.2%), retirees (0.9%), and the hotel and tourism industry (0.3%) all make smaller amounts.
With more than half of all responses coming from industry and agriculture alone, the
cumulative line makes it abundantly evident that a sizable section of the population relies on a
small number of important revenue streams.
4.4 Monthly Household Income and Expenditure

Taken loan

45.7
54.3

Yes No
Figure 4.5

26
 Figure 4.7
Figure 4.6

The monthly allocation of household income and expenses is depicted in the charts. The most
typical range for monthly spending is 10,001–30,000 BDT, which is also the income range for
the majority of families. Families that make or spend less than 10,000 BDT or more than 50,000
BDT are quite rare. Compared to the expenditure chart, the income chart displays a somewhat
larger spread in the upper categories, indicating that although some families make more money,
their spending is still modest. The majority of families, in general, make a moderate income
and keep their spending within that range, showing a balance between income and expenses.

4.5 Sources of loan

Sources of loan
100
90
80
70
60
50
89 89
40
30
20
10
10 4 5
0 2
0 Bank Association NGO Moneylender Others

Figure 4.8

In all, 89 respondents said they had taken out loans from banks and non-governmental
organizations, 10 said they had taken out loans from associations, and 5 said they had taken
out loans from other sources.

27
 4.6 Migration

Migrated persons

Others 12.8 19

Grandfather of householder 8.7 13

Father of Householder 12.8 19

Householder 65.8 98

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Valid Percent Frequency

Figure 4.9

The distribution of migrated people across various categories is seen in the "Migrated Persons"
chart. With 65.8% of the total, the "Householder" group is the most prevalent, followed by
"Others," "Father of Householder," and "Grandfather of Householder," all of which have lesser
percentages. This graphic illustrates how important householders are to migratory patterns.

Migration information

Migrated from other district 12 8.3

Migrated from nearby village 33 22.9

Village area under research 99 68.8

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Frequency Valid Percent

Figure 4.10

The distribution of migration sources among people is shown in the "Migration Information"
graphic. "Migrated from other district," "Migrated from nearby village," and "Village area
under research" are its three types. At 99, or 68.8% of the total, the "Village area under
research" exhibits the highest frequency. With "Migrated from nearby village" at 33 (22.9%)
28
and "Migrated from other district" at 12 (8.3%), the remaining two groups have lower
frequencies and percentages. The main source of migration in the area under study is
highlighted in this graphic.

Migration reasaon
Others 12.2
Poverty 8.5
Security 1.2
Marriage related 4.9
Job related 25.6
Drought 4.9
Waterlogging 4.9
Cyclone 1.2
Flood 17.1
Riverbank erosion 14.6
Education 4.9

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Figure 4.11

An overview of the several reasons influencing migration may be seen in the "Migration
Reasons" chart. Two important categories are "Job related," which has the highest frequency
(25.6), followed by "Others" (12) and "Flood" (17.1). As seen by their lower frequencies, other
factors including "Poverty," "Security," "Marriage related," "Drought," "Waterlogging,"
"Cyclone," "Riverbank erosion," and "Education" have less of an effect on migration decisions.
The main reasons for migration in the population under study are highlighted in this graphic.

60
Migration type
52
50
40
30 25
20 14
10 4 2 3
0
Permanent Cyclic Seasonal Commuter Locator Others
Migration Migration Migration

Figure 4.12

An overview of the several reasons influencing migration may be seen in the "Migration
Reasons" chart. Two important categories are "Job related," which has the highest frequency
(25.6), followed by "Others" (12) and "Flood" (17.1). As seen by their lower frequencies, other
factors including "Poverty," "Security," "Marriage related," "Drought," "Waterlogging,"
"Cyclone," "Riverbank erosion," and "Education" have less of an effect on migration decisions.
The main reasons for migration in the population under study are highlighted in this graphic.

29
 Staying outside in country
350

300
77.2
250

200

150
250
100
22.8
50
74
0
Yes No

Frequency Valid Percent

Figure 4.13

Immigrated

37

Yes
No

278

Figure 4.14

4.7 House info

30
 House Types

Pacca

Adha pacca

Kacha

Jhupri

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Figure 4.15

House Materials
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Tin + wood Tin + Bamboo Tin + brick Brick Dhalai Tin Fence
(welding)

Figure 4.16

The distribution of different materials used in housing construction is depicted in the "House
Materials" chart. "Tin + brick" is the most common category, occurring almost 50 times.
Materials including "Tin + wood," "Tin + bamboo," "Brick," "Dhalai (welding)," and "Tin
fence" exhibit frequencies that are noticeably lower. This graphic emphasizes how common
brick and tin are as building materials in the homes of the people who were polled.

31
 House ownership

Frequency 5

324

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Others Sheltered Relative's house Tenant Own

Figure-4.17

The "House Ownership" chart shows how different people's housing circumstances are
distributed. With a frequency of 324, the "Own" category is the most common, suggesting that
the majority of people are home owners. The frequency of other categories, such as "Tenant,"
"Relative's house," "Sheltered," and "Others," are far lower, with values of 2 or 5. The
proportion of home ownership among the population studied is highlighted by this graphic
4.8 Electricity

Electricity Sources
2.7

97.3

Rural electricity Solar electricity

Figure-4.18

4.9 Transportation

32
 Transport Types

Others 103.1

Auto/CNG 160 48.9

Boat/Troller 0.9
3

Rickshaw/van 109 33.3

Cycle 45 13.8

0 50 100 150 200 250

Frequency Valid Percent

Figure-4.19

The distribution of different forms of transportation that people utilize is seen in the "Transport
Types" chart. "Auto/CNG" is the most prevalent category, accounting for 48.9% of the total
with a frequency of 160. Other modes are "Others" at 10 (3.1%), "Cycle" at 45 (13.8%), and
"Rickshaw/van" at 109 (33.3%). The popularity of auto/CNG vehicles as the main mode of
transportation among the surveyed population is demonstrated by this visualization.

4.10 Technology

Percentage of Using Technology

3.3

Fridge
Computer
26.2
42.8 TV
Sewing machine
Oven
0.9
4.8
Smartphone

17.5 Others
4.5

Figure-4.20

The distribution of different technologies used by people is shown in the "Percentage of Using
Technology" chart. "Fridge," with 42.8% of usage, is the largest segment. The remaining
categories are "Smartphone" at 3.3%, "Computer" at 26.2%, "TV" at 17.5%, "Sewing machine"

33
at 4.5%, and "Oven" at 4.8%. A little percentage also falls into the "Others" category. This pie
chart illustrates how commonplace computers and refrigerators are among the devices used by
the people questioned.

4.11 Newspaper readers

NEWSPAPER READERS
Frequency Valid Percent

250

83.6
29

9.7

12

4.4

1.3
4
3

DAILY WEEKLY MONTHLY NONE OTHERS

Figure-4.21

The frequency of newspaper reading among people is depicted in the "Newspaper Readers"
chart. With a frequency of 250, or 83.6% of respondents, the category "None" is the most
prevalent. Other categories are "Others" at 4 (1.3%), "Daily" at 29 (9.7%), "Weekly" at 12
(4.4%), and "Monthly" at 1 (0.3%). This graphic shows how few people in the studied
population really read newspapers.

4.12 Sanitation

34
 SANITATION TYPE
Pacca Kacha (sanitary) Kacha (Not sanitary) Open

2%1%

32%

65%

Figure-4.22

The distribution of various sanitation facilities that people use is shown in the "Sanitation Type"
chart. The greatest portion, "Pacca," makes up 65% of the total. While "Kacha (not sanitary)"
and "Open" make up smaller amounts, at 2% and 1%, respectively, the "Kacha (sanitary)"
group makes up 32%. The prevalence of Pacca sanitation facilities in the population examined
is shown in this pie chart.
4.13 Harvesting

Harvest Frequency
60
52.6
50

40 39.8

30

20

10
6.4
0 1.2
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

Figure-4.23

The "Harvest Frequency" chart is a scatter plot that shows how frequently various harvest
amounts occur. About 52.6 is the point that represents the maximum frequency, and about
39.8 is another important point. The lower harvest frequencies of 6.4 and 1.2 are shown by
additional points. With a noticeable concentration at higher values, this image illustrates the
variance in harvest frequencies within the population under study.

35
 Opinions on changing land

150
180

Yes No

Figure-4.24

4.14 Communication quality

Communication Quality
200 173
150
100 83
35 51.6
50 10.4
24.8 32
0
9.6
Very good
Good
Considerably
Bad
good

Frequency Valid Percent

Figure-4.25

The distribution of people's perceived communication quality is shown in the "Communication

Quality" chart. With a frequency of 173, or 61.6% of respondents, the "Good" category is the
most prevalent. "Very good" comes in at number 35 (12.4%), "Considerably good" at number
83 (29.4%), and "Bad" at number 32 (9.6%). This graphic shows that a sizable percentage of
respondents think their communication is of good quality.

4.15 water sources

36
 Water sources
90
80 81.8
70
60
50
40
30
20
10 13.1
4.8
0 0.3
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5

Figure-4.26

The "Water Sources" chart is a line graph that shows how different water sources are distributed
among people. A considerable dependence on a primary water source is indicated by the
highest point, which is at about 81.8. A steep drop ensues, with lower frequencies appearing at
points 4.8, 0.3, and 13.1 for other sources. This graphic highlights the prevalence of a certain
water source among the people under study, whereas other sources are significantly
underutilized.

Distance from water sources

2–4 km 0.3

1–2 km 3

0.5 to 1 km 1.5

From Neighbour's house 15.2

Own house 80.1

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Figure-4.27

4.16 Fuel

37
 Figure-4.28

Two pie chart shows that the distribution of various cooking fuel sources utilized by people
make up the ‘Cooking fuel chart’. With 262 or 70% of the total usage, wood is most common
fuel according to the pie. The smaller chart has others at number 3, Gas at number 4 and
Kerosine ar number 1

4.17 Healthcare

The majority of respondents (57.7%) lived within 1 kilometer of health centers, followed by
34.8% who lived between 1–2 km and just 7.4% who lived more than 2 km away, as shown
in the bar chart. According to this statistics, the majority of those polled found health services
to be easily accessible.

Distance to health-center
250
194
200

150
117
100
57.7
50 34.8 25
7.4
0
Nearby within 1 km Near within 1–2 km Far more than 2 km

Frequency Valid Percent

Figure- 4.29

38
 Medical staff

Yes
No

Figure 4.30

4.18 Facilities

Distance of post office

140 131 50.00%
119
120
40.00%
100 85
80 30.00%
60 20.00%
40
10.00%
20
0 0.00%
Nearby within 1 km Near within 1-2 km Far more than 2 km

Frequency Valid Percent

Figure 4.31

The distribution of travel distances to a post office is shown in the "Distance of Post Office"
chart. With the highest frequency of 131, the category "Near within 1 km" is followed closely
by "Nearby within 1 km" with 119. The frequency for the "Far more than 2 km" category is 85.
A steady fall in the valid percent line suggests that fewer people are traveling longer distances
for postal services. The majority of individuals can reach post offices within a short distance,
as this graphic illustrates.

39
 Distance of Bazar

Far more than 2 km

Near within 1-2 km

Nearby within 1 km

0 50 100 150 200

Figure 4.32

The "Distance of Bazar" figure shows the distribution of the distances people travel to get to a
bazaar. With the highest frequency, the category "Nearby within 1 km" suggests that the
majority of people can readily access the bazaar. "Far more than 2 km" has the lowest
frequency, while "Near within 1-2 km" exhibits a moderate frequency. This graphic shows that
a sizable section of the populace resides close to their bazaar, making access simple.

Far more than 2 km3.00%

7.80% 20.30%

Near within 1-2 km 30.10% 39.40% 44.80%

Nearby within 1 km 66.70% 51.60% 33.70%

0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00% 120.00% 140.00% 160.00%

Primary School Secondary school college

Figure 4.33

The chart named "Distance to Educational Institutions" depicts how close primary schools,
secondary schools, and colleges are to people. Primary schools have the highest accessibility
within 1 km at 66.7%, whereas colleges exhibit a lower access rate of 33.7%. Secondary
schools report a moderate access rate of 51.6%. In summary, the chart highlights that while the
majority of people reside near primary schools, access to higher education institutions such as
colleges is comparatively restricted.

40
 250

202
200
160
150 133 130
106 99 104
100 78
74 73 75
60 66 63
50
22

0
Bank Library Religious Centers Agriculture Upazila ICT
Extension Center Center

Nearby within 1 km Near within 1-2 km Far more than 2 km

.
Figure 4.34

The "Access to Community Services" table, which shows how close different services are to
one another, reveals that religious centers have the best access, with 202 people living within
a one-kilometer radius, followed by banks with 160 and libraries with 133. There are fewer
people with access to Upazila ICT Centers and Agriculture Extension Centers (130 and 99,
respectively). This demonstrates that while access to agricultural and ICT resources is more
restricted, the majority of people have easy access to banks and religious services.

Hospitals

Far more than 2 km 26.00% 35.40% 33.00%

Near within 1-2 km 42.00% 42.20% 36.10%

Nearby within 1 km 30.40% 21.10% 29.20%

0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00% 120.00% 140.00%

Govt Hospital Private Hospital Grameen Healthcare Center

Figure 4.35

41
The bar graph displays the respondents' closeness to various hospitals: 29.2% are close to
Grameen Healthcare Centers, 21.1% are close to private hospitals, and 30.4% dwell within 1
km of government hospitals. Additionally, a sizable portion of the population lives 1-2
kilometers from these facilities, suggesting that access to healthcare services varies.

4.19 Satisfaction

OVERALL SATISFACTION
Very satisfied Satisfied Considerably satisfied Dissatisfied Very dissatisfied

22 24

111
147

The pie chart shows respondents' overall satisfaction, with 111 saying they are satisfied and
147 saying they are extremely satisfied. A largely positive evaluation of satisfaction levels was
shown by the modest percentage of respondents who expressed dissatisfaction or extreme
dissatisfaction.
4.20 Disasters and disaster-related information

Arsenic In water

100

224

Yes No

Figure 4.36

42
A pie chart illustrating the amount of arsenic in water is displayed in the image. 224
respondents, or a significant majority, said "Yes," confirming the presence of arsenic pollution,
whilst 100 said "No."

Waterlogging issues

22.60%

77.40%

Yes No

Figure 4.37

The picture shows a pie chart that shows how common waterlogging problems are in the region.
About 77.4% of those surveyed said "Yes," suggesting that waterlogging is a problem, while
22.6% said "No," indicating that it is not. The substantial effects of waterlogging on the area
are shown in this graphic, underscoring the necessity of efficient management techniques to
deal with the issue.

Disaster management opportunity

13.40%

86.60%

Yes No

Figure 4.38

A pie chart depicting opinions of local catastrophe management opportunities is shown in the
image. Approximately 86.6% of respondents said "Yes," indicating that they believed in the
possibility of successful catastrophe management, whilst 13.4% said "No." This demonstrates
a high degree of optimism about the community's ability to enhance catastrophe response and
management tactics.

43
 4.21 Respondent's information

Age
5.60% 11.90%
7.60%

13.40% 16.90%

18.50%
26.20%

0-10 years 11-20 years 21-30 years 31-40 years

41-50 years 51-60 years 61+ years

Figure 4.39

The respondents' age distribution is seen in the pie chart, with the largest group (26.2%) being
between the ages of 31 and 40, followed by 18.5% in the 21–30 age range and 16.9% in the
41–50 age range. The respondents' varied age distribution is demonstrated by smaller segments,
which include 13.4% for those aged 11–20, 7.6% for those aged 0–10, and 5.6% for those aged
61 and more.

Education
15.70% 1.90% 13.50%
13.50%
19.40%
12.10% 23.90%

Uneducated Some education Primary

Lower Secondary Secondary Higher Secondary
Madrasa

Figure 4.40

The respondents' educational backgrounds are depicted in the pie chart. 19.4% have less than
a secondary education, while the largest group (23.9%) has completed secondary school. Other
groups include 1.9% who attend a madrasa, 12.1% who are ignorant, and 13.5% who have both
primary and some schooling. The respondents' varied levels of education are demonstrated by
this distribution.
44
 Marital status
900 825
800
700
600 518
500
400
300
200
100 27 5 3
0
Unmarried Married Widower Separated Divorced

Figure 4.41

We can see that a large number of people are married, some are unmarried and widower. The
number of Divorced and separated people are less.

Occupation
Others 98
Not applicable 308
Retired 18
Unemployed 35
Rickshaw/auto/van/truck driver 30
Boat driver 6
Shopkeeper 34
Housewife 369
Hotel & tourism 8
Fisherman 6
Day worker 62
Business 118
Job 113
Agriculture 179
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

Figure 4.42

45
 Workplace

16 31 128
17
22
31
21
54
649

Own Area Nearby village Near Sea Own Upazila Other Upazila
Other District Dhaka city Sylhet city Others

Figure 4.43

The respondents' workplace distribution is shown in the pie chart. Most (649) operate in their
local region, with 128 working in neighboring villages and smaller groups in Dhaka city (54),
other upazilas (31), and other districts (21). This suggests that respondents strongly favor
local jobs, with few working in far-off places.

Distance range
25.00%

20.00%

15.00%

10.00%

5.00%

0.00%

Figure 4.44

46
 Vehicle used
Other (Tomtom, Motorcycle, etc.) 6
Mixed (3 or more modes) 24
CNG + Other (Van, Rickshaw, etc.) 42
Bus + CNG 29
Bus + Train 26
Auto + CNG 14
Auto + Bus 11
CNG (only) 30
Train (only) 7
Bus (only) 104
Auto (incl. variations) 44

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Figure 4.45

The "Vehicle Used" chart shows how different forms of transportation are distributed among
people. With a total of 104, Bus (alone) is the most popular mode. CNG + Other (Van,
Rickshaw) has 42, followed by Auto (with variants) with 44. Bus + CNG and Mixed (3 or more
modes) are two other combinations with moderate utilization rates of 24 and 29, respectively.
This graphic highlights the surveyed population's strong preference for buses as their main
form of transportation.

Estimated fare(transportation)
2000 and above 6
1000 – 1999 19
500 – 999 19
300 – 499 23
200 – 299 24
150 – 199 45
100 – 149 85
50 – 99 79
20 – 49 25
Under 20 11

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Figure 4.46

The distribution of expected transportation fares among people is shown in the "Estimated Fare
(Transportation)" chart. With 85 people reporting fares between $150 and $99, this is the most
popular range. The range of 100-149 at 79 comes next. Additional ranges are 50-99 with 45
and 300-499 with 24. With just six people, the least reported fare is 2000 and above. This

47
graphic shows that the majority of people place their estimated transportation costs in the lower
to mid-range range.

Types of crops
120 50.00%
45.00%
96
100
40.00%
35.00%
80
30.00%
60 53 25.00%
20.00%
40
15.00%
19 10.00%
20 15 13 11
7 5 6 7 5.00%
3
0 0.00%

Frequency Valid Percent (Excl. Missing)

Figure- 4.47

The "Types of Crops" figure shows how different crop types are distributed according to valid
percent and frequency. With a frequency of 96, paddy (all varieties) is the most often reported
crop. At 58, Boro (all types) comes next. The frequencies of other categories, such Ginger
(including wheat and mustard) and Mixed Crops, are significantly lower, at 15 and 13,
respectively. Beyond the top few crop kinds, the line that represents the valid percent shows a
steep decrease. This graphic emphasizes how common boro and paddy crops are in the area
under study.

48
 Amount of land

20+ acres

10–15 acres

4–5 acres

2–3 acres

0.51–1 acre

0.31–0.50 acre

0.11–0.30 acre

0.10 acre

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Figure 4.48

The distribution of land ownership among people is seen in the "Amount of Land" chart. The
most prevalent land size, with a frequency of about 30, is between 0.51 and 1 acre. With smaller
frequency, 2–3 acres and 4–15 acres come next. Most people possess relatively tiny parcels of
property, usually about or less than 1 acre, as indicated by the least common categories of 0.10
acre and 20+ acres. The surveyed population's propensity for smaller landholdings is
demonstrated by this graphic.
Agricultural techniques
25 30.00%

20 25.00%
20.00%
15
15.00%
10
10.00%
5 5.00%
0 0.00%

Frequency Percent

Figure 4.49

The frequency and percentage of different agricultural activities among respondents are shown
in the "Agricultural Techniques" chart. With a frequency of 22, Modern Technology (General)

49
is the most often reported technique. Use of Hybrid or Improved Seeds at 15 and Irrigation &
System Improvements at 18 come next. Other methods, such training and knowledge transfer
and mechanization and machinery, are less common. With a wide range of methods used by
the population being questioned, this graphic emphasizes how dependent agriculture is on
contemporary methods.

Disaster types
Hailstorm / Lightning / Heavy Rainfall 3
Riverbank Erosion 2
Earthquake 2
Flash Flood 4
Cyclone/Storm 5
Waterlogging 17
Flood (all types) 30
Drought 32

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Frequency

Figure 4.50

The frequency and percentage of different disasters that respondents experienced are displayed
in the "Disaster Types" chart. With a frequency of 32, hailstorms, lightning, and heavy rain are
the most commonly recorded disasters. Drought comes in second with a frequency of 32.
Waterlogging and Cyclone/Storm have lower frequencies of 17 and 5, respectively, whereas
flood (all forms) has a frequency of 30. There are even fewer reports of other kinds, such
earthquakes and flash floods. The frequency of flooding and other extreme weather events in
the examined area is highlighted by this image.

Chapter 05: Landuse pattern of

baghmara rajapur, Deorgach and
Magurura mouza

5.1 Introduction
The Land Use Survey's main goal is to identify unique land use patterns and understand the
underlying assumptions that underlie them. In particular, this chapter focuses on elucidating
the land use patterns in Lalua and Banatipara Mouza while describing the area's physical
characteristics. The two sections that make up this chapter are Environmental Characteristics
and Land Use Characteristics.

50
5.2 Environmental Characteristics
a) Geographic Features

Map- 5.1

51
 Percentage of type of geographic features
Piedmont Plain 4.59472046

Pleistocene Tract 0.069018083

Floodplain 86.7171617

Beel 1.465423941

Back Swamp 0.931499977

Natural Levees 5.035810108

0 20 40 60 80 100
Figure-5.2

Different terrain types, such as floodplains, back swamps, and natural levees, are represented
on the map using a color-coded scheme; each category is explained in the legend. The
floodplain is the most prominent feature, making up a sizable 86.72% of the land, indicating a
major impact on nearby ecosystems and land usage. Diverse landscapes are indicated by the
identification of additional features such as beels and the Pleistocene tract. For planning and
environmental management, this map is an invaluable tool for comprehending Baghmara's
geographic setting.
b) Land levels
The picture shows the elevation changes around the area with a Land Levels Map of Baghmara
in the Magura. 3,879,659 square kilometers make up the entire region. The highest land level
is indicated in pink on the map, followed by the second level in green, the third level in light
blue, and the lowest level in yellow, all of which are distinguished by a color-coded legend.
Significant raised land is shown by the highest level, which makes up 49% of the region, and
the second level, which makes up 41%. A bar chart that graphically depicts these percentages
and shows the distribution of land levels is also included on the map.

52
 Land levels
60%
49%
50%
41%
40%

30%

20%

10% 7%
1%
0%
Highest Level (Tila) Second Level (Vita) Third Level (Nal) Lowest Level (Khal)

Figure- 5.3

Chapter 06: Pattern and factors of

land use Change
Map-5.4

53
 c) Drainage quality

Map-5.5

54
 17%
19%

110%

289%

Well Drained Moderate Drained Poor Drained Water Logged

Figure-5.6

The map shows the drainage quality where light yellow shows poor condition and well
condition represented by orange. Well drained shows 289% in pie chart and amount of poor
drained condition is 19%.
d) Soil texture

Figure 5.7

55
 Soil texture

Loam 6%

Clay Loam 27%

Clay 8%

Silt Loam 10%

Silt 3%

Sandy Loam 43%

Sandy 2%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

Figure- 5.8

The picture shows the Magura District's Baghmara Soil Quality Map, showing several soil
types as clay, loam, sandy loam, and silty loam. To show drainage qualities and agricultural
potential, each kind is color-coded. The map is accompanied by a bar chart that displays the
distribution of soil textures, with clay loam accounting for 27% and sandy loam for 43%. Other
varieties include sandy soil (2%), loam (6%), silt loam (10%), and clay (8%). Planning for
agriculture and efficient land management depend on this information.

e) Inundation

56
 Map- 5.9

Inundation
67%
70%

60%

50%

40%

30% 22%
20%
7%
10% 3%
0%
0%
Flood Free Low Flood Moderate Deeply Permanent
(<30cm) Low (30-90 Flooded Waterbodies
cm) (>90cm)

Map- 5.10

The picture shows the areas impacted by flooding on an inundation map ofstudy area. Flood-
free areas, low flood zones, moderate low flood regions, and seriously flooded areas are all

57
indicated by a color-coded legend on the map. The distribution of these zones is shown in the
bar chart that goes with it; 67% of the area is considered flood-free, 22% is low flood, and the
percentages for moderate low (7%) and deeply flooded (3%) are lower. In order to evaluate
flood hazards and guide land use decisions, this data is essential for disaster management and
urban planning.
f) Salinity level

Salinity Percentage

Low salinity 7%

Moderate salinity 1%

High salinity 0%

No salinity 93%

Map- 5.1

Map- 5.11

A Salinity Level Map of Baghmara in the Magura District is shown in the picture, showing
how the soil salinity is distributed throughout the area. The map classifies locations according
to salinity levels using a color-coded legend; the majority of regions are displayed in blue,
signifying no salinity. Specific percentages are shown in the accompanying table: 93% of the

58
region is salinity-free, 7% is low salinity, 1% is moderate salinity, and there are no high salinity
areas. This data is essential for soil management and agricultural planning since it guides
irrigation techniques.

g) Drought

Map- 5.12

59
 DROUGHT
Seasonally Affected Occasionally Affected Rarely Affected Never Affected

37%
42%

6%
15%

Map- 5.13

The picture shows the Magura District's Baghmara Drought Map, showing the areas that are
impacted by the drought. Regions on the map are categorized using a color-coded legend:
Seasonally impacted (yellow), seldom affected (pink), occasionally affected (green), and not
affected (blue). A pie chart illustrating the distribution of drought impacts is included with the
map. It reveals that 42% of the region is seasonally affected, 37% is occasionally affected, 15%
is rarely affected, and 6% is not affected. The effects of drought on nearby populations and
farming methods can be lessened with the help of this thorough review, which also helps to
understand drought sensitivity and is essential for efficient agricultural planning and water
resource management.

5.3 Land Use Characteristics

A. Settlement-related Land Use

60
 Map- 5.14

Settlements

Pucca House Semi Pucca House

Kutcha House Thatch House
Mud House Vacant Homestead
Homestead Garden Other Type
Upazila Health Complex Hat/Bazar/Growth Centre
Shop/Market/Office Administrative
Educational Sports
Mosque/Dargah Eidgah
Graveyard Pucca Road
Semi Pucca Road Kutcha Road
Halot/Gopat Rice Processing Mill
Oil Meel Handlooms
Figure- 5.15

61
The area coverage (in square kilometers) of different land use types in a region is shown in this
table. Semi-pucca dwellings (492,374.25 sq km) and pucca houses (135,038.43 sq km) occupy
the biggest areas, followed by household gardens (66,906.10 sq km) and kutcha roads
(75,943.07 sq km). Brick farms, handlooms, mosques/dargahs, and various road types also
occupy a significant amount of space. Additionally included are public service structures such
as marketplaces, administrative offices, health facilities, and educational institutions. They also
include places of worship and cultural sites like cemeteries and eidgahs. The variety of physical
infrastructure in the region is demonstrated by the category "Other Type" (172,057.14 sq km),
which takes into account mixed or unidentified land use.

62
B.Agriculture

Map- 5.16

63
 1400000
1200000
1000000
800000
600000
400000
200000
0

Figure- 5.17

With a mosaic of plots used for growing crops like HYV paddy, wheat, pulses, jute, spices, and
vegetables, as well as areas devoted to homestead gardening, grazing, and fallow lands, the
agricultural map graphically depicts the spatial distribution of different farming-related land
uses within a region. A complex agricultural system is reflected in the variety of land use types,
such as mixed cropping, seasonal and permanent fallow, and fruit growing, including jackfruit,
papaya, and banana. The line graph correspondingly illustrates the predominance of HYV
paddy, which by far occupies the largest area, followed by wheat and spices. Seasonal grazing
also exhibits a discernible rise, but coverage is substantially lower for the majority of other
crop kinds and uses.

C. Wetlands

64
 Map- 5.1 8

65
 Permanent (Artificial)
Permanent (Natural)
Seasonally Waterlogged
Parmanent Pond
Seasonal Pond
Doba/Ditch
Canal/Khals
Pond/Dighi
Beel/Jheel
Baor
Haor
Sand Bar

0 50000 100000 150000 200000

Figure- 5.19

D. Forest and woodlands

66
 Map- 5.20

67
 Natural Timber Trees Natural Fuel Trees
Natural Fruit Trees Natural Mixed
Natural Bamboo Bushes Man-made Timber Trees
Man-made Fuel Trees Man-made Fruit Trees
Man-made Mixed Trees Man-made Bamboo Bushes
Man-made Nursery Man-made Betel Trees

figure- 5.21

The spatial distribution of the region's natural and artificial tree resources is depicted on the
map. The perimeter and southern regions are primarily home to natural forest kinds, such as
fruit trees, mixed trees, bamboo bushes, and natural timber trees, which denote conserved or
naturally occurring green areas. In contrast, coordinated efforts to afforest and green
metropolitan areas are shown in the increased prevalence of man-made plantations such as
nurseries, road-side plantings, and institutional plants along structured gridlines and close to
traffic networks. The accompanying pie chart illustrates the relative amounts of each kind,
showing that man-made types—such as nursery plots and roadside plantations—contribute
significantly to the green coverage, while wild wood trees and mixed trees account for a sizable
share.

E. Cropping intensity

A Cropping Pattern Map of Baghmara in the Sylhet is included in the picture, showing the
various cropping techniques used in the area. Areas of single cropping (shown in red), double
cropping (shown in green), and triple cropping (shown in white) are indicated on the map using
a color-coded legend. A bar chart that measures the distribution of cropping patterns is included
with the map. Single cropping occupies the most area, followed by double cropping and triple
cropping. To help farmers and planners make well-informed decisions on crop management
and resource allocation, this information is crucial for comprehending agricultural productivity
and land use efficiency.

68
 Map- 5.22

More Cropping

Tripple Cropping

Double Cropping

Single Cropping

0 100000 200000 300000 400000 500000 600000 700000 800000 900000

Figure- 5.23

69
 F. Inter-culture

Map- 5.24

70
 300000

250000

200000

150000

100000

50000

Figure- 5.25

G. Irrigation intensity

71
 Map- 5.26

Regular Occasional

Figure-5.27

72
An irrigation intensity map of Baghmara in the Magura District is shown in the picture,
illustrating how irrigation techniques are distributed. Areas that receive regular irrigation are
indicated by green on the color-coded map, whereas areas that receive sporadic irrigation are
represented by orange. A pie chart that graphically depicts the irrigation distribution is included
with the map. According to the data, there are roughly 1,382,684.35 square meters of territory
that receives regular irrigation and 1,008,496.28 square meters that receive sporadic irrigation.
Understanding the region's agricultural practices and water management requires knowledge
of this information, which emphasizes how important regular irrigation is to crop sustainability
and productivity.

H. Mode of irrigation

map-5.28

73
 1600000 1480020.094

1400000

1200000

1000000

800000
663255.2285
600000

400000
231534.626
200000 95006.1697
10012.85733 8320.6714
0
Canal/Khal Power Pump Shallow Deep Don Swing Basket
Tubewell Tubewells

Figure 5.29

A Mode of Irrigation Map for Baghmara in the Magura District is shown in the picture, showing
the many irrigation techniques used there. Canals/khal (in blue), deep tubewells (in pink), the
don technique (in yellow), power pumps (in green), shallow tubewells (in orange), and swing
baskets (in purple) are the many irrigation sources that are distinguished on the map using a
color-coded legend.A bar chart that measures the area irrigated by each technique is included
with this map. With a total area of about 1,480,020.09 square meters, the power pump is the
most important source, demonstrating its vital function in irrigation. About 663,255.23 square
meters are made up of shallow tubewells, whilst 231,534.63 square meters are made up of deep
tubewells. The swing basket method is the least used, covering only 8,320.67 square meters,
whereas canals/khal constitute around 950,606.17 square meters, reflecting traditional
irrigation practices. The region's varied irrigation techniques are highlighted in this thorough
analysis, which also underscores the importance of power pumps in boosting agricultural
output.

I. Irrigation sources

74
 Map 5.30

75
 2500000

2000000

1500000

1000000

500000

0
River Khal/Canal Pond/Tank Wells Natural Ground
Pool Water

Figure 5.31

An irrigation sources map of Baghmara in the Magura District is shown in the picture, showing
the many irrigation techniques that are employed there. With its biggest area of almost
2,184,927 sq km, groundwater is depicted in light blue, indicating the region's significant
reliance on this source for irrigation. Approximately 239,161 square kilometers are covered
with canals, or khals, which are indicated in dark blue and are a vital supply of surface water.
The yellow-highlighted ponds/tanks and natural pools/beels make up a moderate amount of the
total area, measuring roughly 56,210 sq km and 7,775 sq km, respectively. Even though they
take up less space—2,762 sq km for rivers and 16,165 sq km for wells—they nevertheless
contribute to the irrigation system.

Chapter 06: Pattern and

Factors of Land Use Change

6.1 Introduction
There includes discussion of the land use patterns and socioeconomic traits. Nonetheless, a key
discovery of the entire study is the connection between these two. In this chapter, the evolving
trend and the driving forces underlying these changes will be examined.

6.2 pattern of landuse change

76
 Map- 6.1

The distribution of land usage in Habiganj District's Upazila-Chunargath area is depicted on

the map. distinct land uses are represented by distinct color-coded zones, including:

Agricultural Land: Usually depicted in green tones, this type of land is used to grow crops.
Forests: Darker greens or browns are used to represent forests, which are locations with
natural vegetation and forests.
Urban Areas: Shown by pink or other contrasting hues, these areas are inhabited towns or
regions.

Additionally, the map features particular roads, water bodies, and landmarks that set the
geographical arrangement in context. The legend is a helpful tool for planning and development
since it is necessary to comprehend the forms of land use that are shown. All things considered,
this map is an essential tool for those involved in environmental management, urban planning,
and agricultural.
6.3 Change in Vegetation Cover (2000-2020)

77
 Map-6.2

The image presents two NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) maps comparing
land cover in the same area for the years 2000 and 2020.

Left map: A variety of land uses are depicted on the left map (NDVI_2000), where green
areas denote vegetation, light brown areas represent grassland, and dark brown portions
represent built-up areas. According to the distribution, there may be a considerable amount of
vegetation in some places.

Right Map (NDVI_2020): This map, on the other hand, shows changes over the past 20
years. While built-up zones have grown, as evidenced by the rise of brown patches, the green
spaces that reflect vegetation have shrunk.
6.4 Change in Build-up Area (2000-2020)

Map- 6.3

6.5 Future Trend of Land Use Change: Peoples’ Perception

78
 Changes
No of Species Declined 0.40%
Harmed Vegetation and Cropland 0.70%
Change in Crops 0.40%
Environmental Degradation 0.40%
Change in Animal Species 0.40%
Loss of Soil Fertility 0.40%
Loss of Biodiversity 2.10%
Biodiversity Losses Due to Drought 0.40%
Loss of Vegetation / Crops Harmed 11.00%

0.00% 2.00% 4.00% 6.00% 8.00% 10.00% 12.00%

Figure- 6.4

The bar graph illustrates a number of environmental changes, but the loss of vegetation and
damaged crops—which make up over 12% of the total—are the biggest causes for concern.
Other noteworthy problems include biodiversity loss brought on by drought, which suggests
that the respondents encountered significant environmental difficulties.

Chapter 07: Summary Findings

7.1 Introduction
This chapter encapsulates key findings from the preceding chapters, presenting the information
in the same sequence as presented throughout the report.
7.2 Socio-economic Characteristics

✓ The quality of homes and restrooms, which are primarily katcha and semi-pucca,
reflects the low to lower middle class economic position of the residents of Baghmara,
Deorgachh, and Magurura Mouza.

✓ The livelihood is more precarious since more family members are reliant on fewer wage
earners who are mostly involved in primary economic pursuits like farming and fishing.

✓ Workplace of most people are their own area, but low number of people prefer to work
in outside of the country.

✓ Large number of people aware of healthcare and get some facilities

79
7.3 Land Use Characteristics
• Clay loam and sandy are the predominant soil texture.
• Because Habiganj lies inland and away from coastal saltwater intrusion, its salinity is
modest. The soil remains naturally non-saline due to heavy rainfall and freshwater from
rivers.
• HYV paddy and local paddy are the predominant agricultural crop in Baghmara,
Deorgachh, and Magurura Mouza.
• An increase in build-up area and a continuous decrease in agricultural land is a
noticeable finding of the study.
• May be flood free due to moderate and well drainage quality.
• Vegetables grow in all season
• Have educational institutions and different commercial centers.
• Groundwater is the main source of irrigation water

7.4 Factors of Land Use Change

Due to a number of interrelated variables, land use change in Habiganj district's Chunarughat
Upazila has stayed comparatively limited over time. The majority of people in the region still
rely on agriculture as their primary source of income, with rice, seasonal crops, and tea being
widely grown. Because it is a rural upazila, it has not seen quick infrastructural development
or substantial urban expansion, which has led to stable land use patterns. Large tea plantations
and restricted forests also prevent land change since they are protected and have long been used
for particular purposes. In comparison to more urbanized regions, the region experiences less
population pressure, which lowers the demand for residential or commercial real estate. There
is little industrial activity, and the absence of big factories or industrial areas has contributed
to the preservation of natural and agricultural terrain. Additionally, the area's lack of
transportation infrastructure and connectivity has reduced its appeal for rapid expansion.
Significant changes in land usage are discouraged by the local inhabitants' deep traditional
commitment to their land, particularly for farming and tea cultivation. Together, these
environmental, socioeconomic, and infrastructure variables slow down the rate of land use
change in Chunarughat, preserving the area's landscape over time.

Conclusion and Recommendation

This study emphasizes how socioeconomic circumstances and land use practices in Amtoli,
Chunarughat, and Habiganj are intricately related. The results show that although urbanization
threatens arable land and presents obstacles to sustainable development, agriculture continues
to be the main source of income. Agricultural productivity is further complicated by salinity of
the soil and poor infrastructure. The study emphasizes how urgently a thorough approach to
land use planning that takes present and future requirements into account is needed. To
guarantee that the land can sustain future generations, development and environmental
protection must be balanced. Residents' sense of ownership and stewardship must be promoted
by acknowledging and incorporating the community's reliance on traditional farming methods
into contemporary planning initiatives.

Recommendations-

80
 1. Sustainable Land Management: Put into effect strategies that strike a balance
between environmental preservation and development, making sure that agricultural
land is shielded from urban expansion.
2. Infrastructure Development: To help local farmers become more productive,
improve irrigation and transportation systems to promote agricultural efficiency and
market accessibility.
3. Community Awareness Programs: Arrange training sessions and workshops to
inform locals about the value of land protection and sustainable farming methods.
4. Policy Advocacy: Motivate local authorities to enact and implement laws that
safeguard agricultural areas against industrial expansion and promote sustainable land
use.
5. Continuous Monitoring: To ensure adaptive management of land resources, set up a
framework for routine land use surveys to track changes and evaluate the success of
strategies put in place.

References:
i. Abedin, J., Maruf Billah, M., & Akter, H. (2018). The socio-economic status and
land use pattern: A micro-level analysis in Bangladesh. International Journal of
Sciences: Basic and Applied Research (IJSBAR), 42(3), 185–194. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329164970_The_Socioeconomic_Status
_and_Land_Use_Pattern_A_Micro-level_Analysis_in_Bangladesh
ii. Haque, M. I., Gupta, S., & Biswas, C. (2016). Socio-economic condition and land
use pattern of Khadimnagar Union in Sylhet Sadar Upazila (Technical Report No.
GEE_2014125013). Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Department
of geography and enviornemnt. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312494276_SOCIO-
ECONOMIC_CONDITION_AND_LAND_USE_PATTERN_OF_KHADIMNA
GAR_UNION_IN_SYLHET_SADAR_UPAZILA
iii. Metternicht, G. (2018). Introduction. Land Use and Spatial Planning, 1–6.
doi:10.1007/978-3 319-71861-3_1
iv. Reddy, C. S., Pasha, S. V., Jha, C. S., Diwakar, P. G., & Dadhwal, V. K. (2016).
Development of national database on long-term deforestation (1930–2014) in
Bangladesh. Global and Planetary Change, 139, 173-182.
v. Statistics, B. (2017). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), Statistics and
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vi. Rai, R., Zhang, Y., Paudel, B., Li, S., & Khanal, N. R. (2017). A synthesis of studies
on land use and land cover dynamics during 1930–2015 in Bangladesh.
Sustainability, 9(10), 1866.
vii. Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Chunarughat Upazila. Wikipedia. Retrieved May
19, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chunarughat_Upazila
viii. Stamp, D. (1966). Philatelic cartography: A critical study of maps on stamps with
special reference to the Commonwealth. Geography, 51(3), 179-197.
ix. Bhattacharjee, S., Islam, M. T., Kabir, M. E., & Kabir, M. M. (2021). Land-use and
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319–340.

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APPENDICES

Appendix I

Administrative letter

82
 Drone survey of the study area

83
 During survey

84
 Using this place as my plot number

85