Barhatta Upazila (netrokona district) with an area of 221.50 sq km is bounded by kalmakanda and dharmapasha upazilas on the north, atpara and mohanganj upazilas on the south, Mohanganj and Dharmapasha upazilas on the east and netrokona sadar upazila on the west. Main rivers are Dhalai and Kangsha; noted canals are Nalhati and Aothitpur; noted depressions Kalahogla Beel, Magura Beel, Lungi Beel, Urha Beel, Makra Beel and Naldugi Beel.

Barhatta (Town) stands on the Kangsha River. Its area is 3.29 sq km. It consists of 3 mouzas. The town has a population of 5602; male 52.98%, female 47.02%. The density of population is 1703 per sq km. The literacy rate among the town people is 46%. The town has two dakbungalows.

Administration

Barhatta thana, now an upazila, was established in 1905. The upazila consists of 7 union parishads, 147 mouzas and 228 villages.

Historical events

During the war of liberation the freedom fighters destroyed the Thakurkona Railway Bridge by explosive in order to resist the advance of the Pak army. To liberate the Thana headquarters from the occupation army the freedom fighters attacked the police station and in the encounter that followed few civilians were killed. Barhatta upazila was liberated on 8 December 1971. This day is being observed as the Barhatta Day.

Marks of War of Liberation

In memory of martyr Mukshed Mia the Barhatta Chandrapur road has been named Shahid Mukshed Road.

Religious institutions

Mosque 164, temple 65, tomb 6.

Population

142174; male 51.42%, female 48.58%; Muslim 86.30%; Hindu 13.45%, Christian 0.02%, Buddhist 0.03%, ethnic nationals 0.12% and others 0.08%.

Literacy and educational institutions

Average literacy 23.8%; male 28.8%, female 18.5%. Educational institutions: college 2, higher secondary school 2, secondary school 12, junior school 1, madrasa 38, government primary school 56, non-government primary school 30, satellite school 10 and community primary school 3.

Locally published newspapers and periodicals

Monthly Makorsa.

Cultural organisations

Club 30, public library 1, playground 14, theatre group1 and women's organisation 2.

Main occupations

Agriculture 48.56%, fishing 2.21%, agricultural lablourer 24.22%, wage labourer 3.13%, commerce 8.71%, service 2.72% and others 10.45%.

Land use

Total cultivable land 13516.79 hectares; single crop 16%, double crops 71, treble crops 13%; land under irrigation 23%.

Land control

Among the peasants 41.43% are landless, 16.90% small, 32.43% intermediate and 9.24% rich.

Value of land

The market value of the land of the first grade is about Tk. 5000 per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops

Paddy, jute, potato, cauliflower, cabbage, brinjal.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops

Tobacco, linseed, sesame and pulses.

Main fruits

Jackfruit, mango, banana, black berry (jam), papaya, water melon, etc.

Fisheries, dairies, poultries

Fishery 32, livestock 2, dairy 7, poultry 295.

Communication facilities

Roads: 288 km, pucca 28 km, semi pucca 3 km and mud road 257 km.

Traditional transport

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

Manufactories

Rice mill 35, ice factory 5, saw mill 10.

Cottage industries

Goldsmiths 18, wood works 250, blacksmiths 35, tailoring 230, welding 8, bamboo works 120, potteries 210.

Hats, bazars and fairs

Hats and bazars are 14, the most noted of which are Gopalpur Bazar, Barhatta Bazar, Fakirer Bazar, Garier Bazar, Bousi Bazar and Aothitpur Bazar. Main fairs: Baroni Mela at Barhatta Sadar and at Chatti Village; annual fairs are also held at Laufa, Noihati, Dashal and Goraund village every year during the occasion of bull fights.

Main exports

Rice, fish and egg.

NGO activities

Operationally important NGOs are brac, asa, Bangladesh Nari Progoti Sangha, Popy, Sova, Pari, SPS, SDS Foundation, PAK, Usha Cooperative Society Ltd. and Palash Destitute Woman's Sangha.

Health centres

Upazila health complex 1, satellite clinic 1, family planning centre 6.
 

(Source: Banglapedia)

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