Pirojpur, Oct 12 (V7N) — Majherchar Island, located in the Baleshwar River near the Sundarbans, remains a symbol of untapped potential and persistent struggle. Though the island, which formed in the 1940s, is rich in natural beauty and development possibilities, its residents are forced to live in harsh conditions, cut off from many of the basic services enjoyed by the rest of the country.

The island, part of Betmore Rajpara Union in Pirojpur’s Mathbaria Upazila , spans 840 acres . Of this, 543 acres are designated as a reserved forest, while the remaining 288 acres were distributed to landless people between 1966 and 1990. Residents were granted one and a half to three acres of land for 99 years as part of a government initiative to provide settlements for the landless.

Despite its scenic beauty—offering lush mangrove forests, coconut trees, and winding paths surrounded by greenery—Majherchar Island has not seen any substantial development in the past 85 years. Thousands of tourists from the southern region visit the island every year, attracted by its natural charm, diverse wildlife, and proximity to the Sundarbans. However, the island remains woefully underdeveloped as a tourist destination.

Local residents, primarily fishermen, live in constant fear of natural disasters. With only an incomplete embankment ( Beribandha ) to protect them, homes and agricultural lands frequently flood. There are no proper health centers, fire-fighting services, or markets on the island. Residents must rely on their own efforts and luck when faced with medical emergencies. Children often take up fishing at an early age, as access to education beyond primary school is non-existent.

Most of the island's approximately 300 families rely on fishing for their livelihood, though they also engage in limited agricultural activities. The community faces significant challenges due to the lack of infrastructure. There are no sustainable markets to sell their catch, and they often lose much of their hard-earned income. Additionally, frequent natural disasters make it difficult for the islanders to recover from one calamity before the next strikes.

Residents are deprived of clean water, proper medical care, education, and security. A small primary school provides the only formal education on the island, and there are just two cyclone shelters for protection during natural disasters. Despite their citizenship, the islanders feel disconnected from the rest of the country, receiving little to no government assistance.

Md Hasan, a 30-year-old fisherman from the island’s Jlepalli area, described the daily hardships: "Days go by in misery. The family does not survive by catching fish in the river. A thousand people are suffering from insecurity, and there is no one to see our suffering. We need a dam to save our community."

The lack of development on Majherchar is a glaring issue. Local leaders and residents are calling for the construction of proper embankments and the establishment of essential services such as health centers, schools, and markets. The construction of a dam, in particular, is a top priority for the community to protect them from the flooding that frequently devastates their lives and livelihoods.

Given its natural beauty and proximity to the Sundarbans, Majherchar Island holds significant potential for tourism, which could be harnessed to benefit both the islanders and the national economy. However, without necessary interventions, the island’s residents will remain trapped in a cycle of hardship, unable to realize the development potential of their unique home.

For the 1,100 residents of Majherchar, immediate action is needed to bring relief and opportunities. The island remains a testament to the challenges faced by communities isolated from the nation's growth, where people continue to struggle for survival in the face of nature's fury and governmental neglect.

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