Madhupur Upazila

Geography

Madhupur is located at 24.6167°N 90.0250°E / 24.6167; 90.0250 . It has 74984 households and total area 500.67 km².It has a large forest area named 'Madhupurer Gor". Madhupur is famous throughout the country for delicious pineapples. Madhupur is bounded by Jamalpur Sadar upazila on the north, Gopalpur and Ghatail upazilas on the south, Muktagachha and Fulbaria upazilas on the east. Sarishabari and Gopalpur upazilas on west. Main rivers are Jhinai, Bangshi, Banar and Atrai.

Demographics

As of the 2011 Bangladesh census, Madhupur has a population of 296729. Males constitute 51.13% of the population, and females 48.87%. Madhupur has an average literacy rate of 41.2% (Male-42.7% & Female-39.7).

Economy

Land use Total land cultivable 32900 hectares, fallow land 2000 hectares; land under irrigation 65%.

Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is Tk 10000 per 0.01 hectare. Main crops Paddy, jute, wheat, cotton, potato, patal, ginger, betel leaf, kasava and vegetables. Extinct and nearly extinct crops Indigo, varieties of pulses and aman paddy.Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, litchi, papaya, pineapple and olive.

Fisheries, dairies, poultries Fishery 18, dairy 28, poultry 103, hatchery 1. Communication facilities Roads: pucca 150 km, semi pucca 19 km; waterways 32 nautical mile. Traditional transport Palanquin (extinct).

Manufactories Silk mill 1, rice and flour mill 53, ice factory 17, lathe & welding 63, saw mill 109, bakery 7 and bidi factory 1.

Cottage industries Weaving 27, goldsmith 103, blacksmith 26, bamboo work 320, potteries 43, wood work 42, tailoring 216; apiculture by private initiative. Hats, bazars Hats and bazars are 45, most noted of which are Madhupur, Dhanbari and Garo Hat; fairs 3 (Sholakudi Mela, Dhanbari Baishakhi Mela & Dhalpur Boishakhi Mela).

Main exports Pineapple, silk, cotton, jackfruit and honey. NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac, asa, Proshika and caritas, World Tourist Mission, Family and Child Welfare Centre, World Vision Bangladesh.

Arts and culture

Public library 1, rural club 73, cinema hall 6, playground 29. Main occupations Agriculture 52.29%, agricultural labourer 22.8%, wage labourer 2.82%, commerce 8.42%, transport 2.11%, service 2.79%, others 8.77%.

Administration

Madhupur has 01 Municipal and 6 Unions, 242 Mauzas/Mahallas, and 343 villages. The 6 Unions are:

1. Madhupur Municipal
2. Arankhola Union
3. Ausnara Union
4. Alokdia Union
5. Sholakuri Union
6. Golabari Union
7. Mirzabari Union

Health

Health centres Upazila health complex 1, family welfare centre 11, satellite clinic 6, charitable dispensary 1, missionary hospital 1, leprosy hospital 1.

Education

College 5, High School 30, Madrasa 137, Government Primary School 156, Non-Government Primary School 53, Missionary High School 3, Missionary Primary School 13, Kindergarten 13, NGO Managed Primary School 57.