Kutubi Forum

Damaged dam threatens hybrid power plant in Kutubdia island

2009-11-23T18:35:00.000-08:00

Big breaches in the seawater protection dam have threatened the existence of the country's lone 1000kw capacity wind and battery powered hybrid electricity plant in the island of Kutubdia, its chief executive said Saturday. Md. Fazlur Rahman, managing director of Pan Asia Power Services Ltd that operates the plant, said the dam protecting the wind turbines along the coast has been damaged badly in cyclones, raising fears for the long term prospect of the project.
"The Water Development Board (WDB) constructed the four kilometres dam decades ago. But now they don't bother about filling up the one-kilometre long breach washed away by cyclones in the last two years," he told reporters in Dhaka. He said the authorities have dumped some sand bags to protect the 50 wind turbines powering the plant, but they might give in to increasingly rough seawater. "We need a permanent solution to protect the hybrid plant, which is the lone source of electricity for Kutubdia's thousands of farmers," he said, urging the government to reconstruct the dam immediately.

"Please save it. It is the first, largest and successfully running renewable energy project in the country, providing power to some of the poorest people in the country," he said. Pan Asia Power Services started building the rare electricity plant over two acres of land in 2007 and finished the project in March 2008. In the past one year it has generated some 240 megawatt of power. The project cost more than Tk 11 million although installations of all materials, equipment and machinery were completed by local people.

Rahman said that it costs Tk 7-8 to generate one unit of electricity at the plant while the existing diesel-run plant in the island spends Tk 40 to generate similar amount of power. He said the project was commissioned ahead of the schedule and it was supposed to be taken over by the state-run Power Development Board (PDB) about nine months ago. But the PDB, which commissioned the project, is not showing any interest in its takeover.

News By: Kutubi Forum

To save Kutubdia island from river erosion

2009-10-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

Bangladesh is one of the most populated countries in the world having 32% coastal area that is 47,211 square kilometres. According to the population census in 2001, some 35 million people live in the coastal area which is 28% of the total population. According to the geographic position and Biodiversity, it is to say that the coastal ecosystem is the most diversified and ever changing. It has a vibrant potentials as well as jeopardy and hazards. Through last couple of decades development activities of mankind, especially, the over exploitations and pollutions of the water resource and biodiversity have increased the risks of the disasters as a result of
climate changes. Especially, river erosion, flood, tidal waves, cyclones become ever
related to these regions. Continuing river erosion and increasing birth rate on the other hand made the coast inhabitants vulnerable and homeless. According to some analysis, it is seen that the livelihood standard, average age, per capita land, access to education, health service, social security in the coastal areas etc are much less than those of mainland. As a result, the social and economic vulnerability is increasing with the natural calamities, especially, river erosion.

River erosion and submerging of the coastal lands are the national phenomenon being one of the main natural disasters. Centre for Environment and Geographic Information Services- CEGIS shows in a recent research that 0.1 million people become homeless every year in the country due to river erosion. In the last 34 years submerging of river side lands are 219286 acres in Jamuna, 69135 acres in Ganges and 95119 acres in Padma. To be concerned that, erosion in
the Jamuna would cause 3408 acres of land, 543 localities, 3360 metres of embankment, 5160 metres of roads, 4 educational institutions, and 2 market place to be submerged by 2007.
In the mean time, the Ganges would cause 1778 acres of lands, 136 acres of localities and 570 meters of roads while the Padma would cause 1600 acres of lands, 370 acres of localities, 3930 metres of roads, 9 educational institutions, 5 market places and 1 Union Council office to be submerged in the river by recent rate of erosion. Geography and Environmental Science
Department of the Jahangirnagar University presented a chart of the losses of river erosion between 1996 to 2000, that is as follows, Loss of life may not be happened due to erosion but it makes people undone. It causes a massive financial loss. Huge erosion is seen in the coastal islands such as Bhola, Sandwip, Hatya, Kutubdia etc. Coastal estuaries, especially, the basin of Kutubdia Channel, Hatya Channel, Sandwip Channel and Karnafulli filled with about 30868 cubic metres of tidal water from the Bay ofBengal and again carry down the fresh waters from
38896 km2 of oastal and mid areas of Bangladesh. The immense pressure of the downwards tide, current force and twirl, waves and tides, lack of trees on the riverbank causes erosion to the coastal islands every year. However, the highest rate of the erosion is on the Bhola mainland with some islands including Kutubdia.

Government initiates for embankment construction and maintenance every year in association with the Water Development Board in order to protect the coastal erosion. It is true that, the fund allocation is much less than the need,moreover, there is lack of proper implementation for mobilization of this fund. In 2004, it is seen in Tojumuddin in Bhola that localities are being eroded and on the other hand, new embankment is being built very nearly. According to the local people this embankment would not sustain long and soon it would be submerged to the river. The suppliers never maintain the proper size and quantity while making sand bag for the protection of embankment, they usually report and claim bill for 1000 bags against only
100 bags provided. On the other hand, Water Development Board built 40 kilometres of embankment to protect Kutubdia from erosion, of which 24 kilometres have been damaged in the cyclone of 1991.In the re-tender of the embankment reconstruction, Rajakhali, Khudiar Tek and Tabaler Char were deducted from the list of protected area by the embankment. It brings the total area of the Kutubdia Island to only 36 square kilometres. Though the damaged length of the embankment is around 10.5 km but reconstruction is only going on for 0.42 km. Under this situation nothing could save Kutubdia in any disaster. The risk of submerging of Kutubdia is gradually increasing, but no protection measures are taken yet. Some marginal level of mangrove plantation and embankment construction have been so far done out of government initiatives. Mangroves are being destroyed gradually by the Shrimp culture and Salt fields. If this rate sustains, it will not take more than 45 to 50 years to erode completely.

News By: Kutubi Forum

subject-matter Kutubdia port. Minister sees Sonadia not suitable for port. long-proposed deep sea port at Sonadia in Kutubdia

2009-10-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

Shipping minister Shajahan Khan has said the planned construction of a long-proposed deep sea port at Sonadia in Kutubdia, Chittagong, could pose a ‘security risk’ being close to the Myanmar border. He suggested Akram Point near Mongla would as a more suitable location.
‘Security risk may loom large if a deep sea port is constructed at Sonadia, very close to Myanmar border,’ the minister said at an open discussion at a Khulna hotel on Saturday. ‘From view point of security, it would be more reasonable to install deep sea port at Akram Point, and the construction of the Padma Bridge would enhance the importance of Mongla Port,’ Khan said.

He said the government was already moving to dredge the river Pashur in Mongla to restore greater navigability. ‘Long-term plans have been chalked out to develop and modernise Mongla port, which could rise to be the greatest sea port in Bangladesh,’ said Khan, who took over the reins of the shipping ministry from Afsarul Amin after a cabinet reshuffle at the end of July

With its geographic location, Bangladesh is looking to the long-proposed deep-sea port to make it a major player in regional trade and act as a gateway to the region. A feasibility study for the proposed deep-sea port project, undertaken by a Japanese consulting firm, suggested the Sonadia-Moheshkhali point as the best location as recently as April.

Japan’s Pacific Consultant International (PCI) said the deep-sea port could be set up at Sonadia channel in three phases until 2055 at a cost of $ 1.2 billion with the first phase completed by 2016. Sonadia Island succeeded so far as the best optimal location for a deep sea port out of nine possible locations,
PCI said in its ‘Techno-Economic Feasibility Study of a Deep Sea Port in Bangladesh’. The present government has also said work would start on a three-phase construction of the deep-sea port by the end of the next year.

News By: Kutubi Forum

River Erosion in Kutubdia

2009-10-26T13:40:00.000-07:00

Background
Bangladesh is one of the most populated countries in the world having 32% coastal area that is 47,211 square kilometres. According to the population census in 2001, some 35 million people live in the coastal area which is 28% of the total population. According to the geographic position and Biodiversity, it is to say that the coastal ecosystem is the most diversified and ever changing. It has a vibrant potentials as well as jeopardy and hazards. Through last couple of decades development activities of mankind, especially, the over exploitations and pollutions of the water resource and biodiversity have increased the risks of the disasters as a result of
climate changes. Especially, river erosion, flood, tidal waves, cyclones become ever
related to these regions. Continuing river erosion and increasing birth rate on the other hand made the coast inhabitants vulnerable and homeless. According to some analysis, it is seen that the livelihood standard, average age, per capita land, access to education, health service, social security in the coastal areas etc are much less than those of mainland. As a result, the social and economic vulnerability is increasing with the natural calamities, especially, river erosion.

Coastal River Erosion
River erosion and submerging of the coastal lands are the national phenomenon being one of the main natural disasters. Centre for Environment and Geographic Information Services- CEGIS shows in a recent research that 0.1 million people become homeless every year in the country due to river erosion. In the last 34 years submerging of river side lands are 219286 acres in Jamuna, 69135 acres in Ganges and 95119 acres in Padma. To be concerned that, erosion in
the Jamuna would cause 3408 acres of land, 543 localities, 3360 metres of embankment, 5160 metres of roads, 4 educational institutions, and 2 market place to be submerged by 2007.
In the mean time, the Ganges would cause 1778 acres of lands, 136 acres of localities and 570 meters of roads while the Padma would cause 1600 acres of lands, 370 acres of localities, 3930 metres of roads, 9 educational institutions, 5 market places and 1 Union Council office to be submerged in the river by recent rate of erosion. Geography and Environmental Science
Department of the Jahangirnagar University presented a chart of the losses of river erosion between 1996 to 2000, that is as follows, Loss of life may not be happened due to erosion but it makes people undone. It causes a massive financial loss. Huge erosion is seen in the coastal islands such as Bhola, Sandwip, Hatya, Kutubdia etc. Coastal estuaries, especially, the basin of Kutubdia Channel, Hatya Channel, Sandwip Channel and Karnafulli filled with about 30868 cubic metres of tidal water from the Bay ofBengal and again carry down the fresh waters from
38896 km2 of oastal and mid areas of Bangladesh. The immense pressure of the downwards tide, current force and twirl, waves and tides, lack of trees on the riverbank causes erosion to the coastal islands every year. However, the highest rate of the erosion is on the Bhola mainland with some islands including Kutubdia.
Steps to prevent erosion
Government initiates for embankment construction and maintenance every year in association with the Water Development Board in order to protect the coastal erosion. It is true that, the fund allocation is much less than the need,moreover, there is lack of proper implementation for mobilization of this fund. In 2004, it is seen in Tojumuddin in Bhola that localities are being eroded and on the other hand, new embankment is being built very nearly. According to the local people this embankment would not sustain long and soon it would be submerged to the river. The suppliers never maintain the proper size and quantity while making sand bag for the protection of embankment, they usually report and claim bill for 1000 bags against only
100 bags provided. On the other hand, Water Development Board built 40 kilometres of embankment to protect Kutubdia from erosion, of which 24 kilometres have been damaged in the cyclone of 1991.In the re-tender of the embankment reconstruction, Rajakhali, Khudiar Tek and Tabaler Char were deducted from the list of protected area by the embankment. It brings the total area of the Kutubdia Island to only 36 square kilometres. Though the damaged length of the embankment is around 10.5 km but reconstruction is only going on for 0.42 km. Under this situation nothing could save Kutubdia in any disaster. The risk of submerging of Kutubdia is gradually increasing, but no protection measures are taken yet. Some marginal level of mangrove plantation and embankment construction have been so far done out of government initiatives. Mangroves are being destroyed gradually by the Shrimp culture and Salt fields. If this rate sustains, it will not take more than 45 to 50 years to erode completely.

The sea has crept almost 15km into Kutubdia island off the coastal town of Cox's Bazar in southeastern Bangladesh

2009-10-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

The sea has crept almost 15km into Kutubdia, an island off the coastal town of Cox's Bazar in southeastern Bangladesh, one of the world's most dangerous cyclone zones. "The sea has been coming closer and closer," said Abdul Mutalib, 75, whose mud hut was washed away 15 days ago.

"Allah jane ke hobe [God only knows what will happen]" he added wearily in Bengali, or Bangla, the national language, wiping beads of sweat off his weather-beaten face with the back of his hand. He knows the island will eventually disappear entirely, and then "Sabhi shesh ho jabe [everything will come to an end]."

F.M. Nurul Alam, a senior coordinator at the COAST trust, a social justice NGO working in southern Bangladesh, explained patiently: "Since the day they are born, the people of Kutubdia are waging a war with the sea."
Erosion as a result of stronger and higher tides, cyclones and storm surges is eating away the islands off Bangladesh's southern coast. Kutubdia, once a 250 sq km island, has been reduced to about 37 sq km within a century, but the islanders are convinced the sea level has also been rising.

Yet the largely fishing community of Kutubdia cannot live without the sea. "We only know how to catch fish," said British Jawaldas, a fisherman, who says he has observed the sea encroaching six kilometres inland over the last 10 years.

"We can't do anything else, which is why we think twice about migrating from here. We know the end is coming, but what work will we find to feed our families elsewhere?"

Global warming is sounding the death knell for low-lying coastal islands that are only five to eight metres above sea level, said local scientists. The rising sea will also strengthen tidal forces and exacerbate erosion, the COAST Trust pointed out.

"Factual information regarding the extent of sea level rise in Bangladesh is very limited," said Mohammed Shamsuddoha, general secretary of the Equity and Justice Working Group, a network of NGOs. "But the Khulna region in southwestern Bangladesh has recorded a 5.18mm per year sea level rise."
Sea level rises at some tidal stations in the Bangladesh coast are: Hiron Point: 4mm per year; Char Changa: 6mm per year and Cox's Bazar: 7.8mm per year, as reported by the Meteorological Research Centre of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in the capital, Dhaka.

A rise of more than one metre, which could be reached in this century, means Bangladesh could lose 15 percent to 18 percent of its land area, turning 30 million people into "environmental refugees" by 2050 according to some estimates, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) noted.

On the other hand, new land is being created. After studying 32 years of satellite images, Bangladeshi scientists found the landmass was increasing by 20 sq km annually as a result of silt being deposited in the Bay of Bengal by big Himalayan rivers like the Ganges and the Brahmaputra, said Mohammed Abu Syed, a research fellow at the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies.
But the new silt islands, or "chars", only become habitable after a few years, and the country's existing landmass is being washed away faster than new land is being formed. More than 60 percent of Kutubdia's population has migrated, and most of the remaining 150,000 are considering leaving. Atiqul Chowdhury, coordinator of the health, disaster management and coastal renewable energy section of the COAST Trust, said at the rate at which the island was shrinking, the Trust estimated that it would disappear within the next 70 years.
Diversifying

As the sea works its way inland, increasing salinity has also affected the ability of the island's farming community to grow paddy rice and vegetables.

"It was amazing - we used to dig a well in one spot and the water would be sweet, while another well only a few metres away would have salty water," recalled Saber Ahmed, 45, who now lives in a settlement for "environmental refugees" from Kutubdia.

He is among the fortunate 10,000 families from the island resettled by the government in Cox's Bazar in the 1980s, where they have continued fishing as a way of life and making a living.

Several farmers in Kutubdia have switched to producing salt, "but this seasonal, as it is possible only during the dry season", said the COAST Trust's Chowdhury.

The quantity of land in Bangladesh is limited, and even more so on an island like Kutubdia, so the COAST Trust has encouraged poor farmers to take up farming shrimps and mud crabs in floating nurseries or cages. The crustaceans are reared in floating plastic containers tied to a bamboo frame planted in the sea or river.

The COAST Trust has set up more than 200 cooperatives to help fishing communities market dried fish, and also provides microcredit to women to set up small-scale businesses to support their fishing families.

Disaster warning

Almost every month more families in Kutubdia lose their homes to the sea. "We provide livestock and building material to the families," said Chowdhury.
COAST, along with the NGO, CARE Bangladesh, has set up disaster committees in the communities to warn them of incoming cyclones or tidal surges. Committee members use megaphones to warn the community of impending disasters. COAST has also set up a radio link between at least eight islands along the southern coast to track potentially disastrous weather events. "But the question remains, 'What will happen to the people? What is their future in a country where landlessness is a huge problem?'" said the COAST Trust's Nurul Alam. "They have no future to plan for." Many Kutubdia residents who fled the 1991 cyclone, which claimed 22,000 lives, have been forced to build their homes on wetlands near the official settlement for refugees in Cox's Bazar; others have settled in cramped living conditions in neighbouring towns like Chittagong, where they work as day labourers. "We are trying to campaign for the resettlement of environmental refugees with the government," said Nurul Alam. "Or the developed countries will have to take up the responsibility of resettling them." Kutubdia is one of a large number of islands off the southern coast of Bangladesh - with a combined population more than 2.5 million - and all of them are shrinking. Bhola, the biggest, has lost about 227 sq km of land in the last 50 years; Hatiya, which once covered 1,000 square km, has been reduced to 21 sq km over the last 350 years.

"We know all about the greenhouse gases being released into the air by the developed countries, which is why we are suffering," said Gopal Jaladas, the son of a fisherman who goes to college.

In the last two years he has seen his entire neighbourhood of 150 huts swept into the sea by tidal surges. "Why don't you tell them to stop?" he asked the IRIN reporter. "We are drowning here."

News By: Kutubi Forum
Source : http://irinnews.org

Lottery Draw at Kutubdia. Organised by "Kutubdia Multipurpose Blind and Crippled Welfare Cooperative Society"

2009-10-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

Over 150 people including seven policemen and 12 Awami League leaders and activists were injured in clashes and police action centring the lottery draw organised by AL leaders at Kutubdia Ideal High School ground on Wednesday night.

Suspecting manipulation of the lottery, the participants beat up the organisers.

As police went into action, the mob attacked the police station and ransacked it, turning Kutubdia upazila Sadar into a battlefield.

"Kutubdia Multipurpose Blind and Crippled Welfare Cooperative Society"

organised the lottery at Kutubdia Ideal High School ground on Wednesday.

Upazila AL President Syed Ahmed Kutubi and General Secretary Md Nurus Safa are president and secretary of the society.

The two AL leaders along with upazila Jubo League President Asadullah Chowdhury, General Secretary Misbah Uddin Yusuf and a few other party leaders arranged selling thousands of Tk 10 lottery tickets in the name of the society in March this year, said police and witnesses.

The upazila administration stopped the ticket selling, as the society was not registered with the Directorate of Social Welfare. But later the AL leaders concerned resumed the sale of tickets through 'managing' the administration in July.

The organisers, who announced September 30 as the date for the lottery draw, sold 20,000 tickets till the date. They also announced 48 prizes including first prize of Tk 25,000, second prize of Tk 10,000 and third prize of Tk 5,000.

Following announcement that the lottery draw would be held at Kutubdia Ideal High School ground at 7:30pm on Wednesday, several thousand people gathered there to witness it.

The organisers started the lottery draw at 8:00pm when there was no electricity in the venue.

Ignoring objection from the spectators, the organisers went ahead with the draw.

When the organisers announced prizes except the top ten winners, agitated people attacked the organisers, injuring at least 12 people including AL leaders Syed Ahmed and Nurus Safa.

They also ransacked the draw venue.

During the clashes that followed between the mob and police, around 150 people were injured.

The situation came under control at around 10:30pm, said Cox's Bazar Superintendent of Police Md Sakhawat Hossain.

Fifteen seriously injured people were admitted to different hospitals.

Police arrested 10 people and a case was filed for attacking the police station and ransacking it, Kutubdia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Yusuf Siddiqui said.

A nine-member enquiry committee was formed yesterday morning to probe the incidents involving lottery, said Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Zafar Alam.

A tense situation is prevailing in the area.

News By: Kutubi Forum
Source : http://thedailystar.net

Neglected Kutubdia

2009-10-26T11:53:00.000-07:00

Kutubdia is divided into 6 unions, 9 mouzas and 29 villages. The only town of the island is Kutubdia town, with an area of 9.82 square kilometres.

Ten years ago Kutubdia stretched out to where the boats are, says British Jawaldas, a fisherman

a excellent photo in Kutubdia

2009-10-26T11:51:00.000-07:00

a excellent photo in Kutubdia

2009-10-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

a excellent photo in Kutubdia

Kutubdia, an island off Bangladesh's southern coast

2009-10-26T11:34:00.000-07:00

Kutubdia, an island off Bangladesh's southern coast

The sea is eating away Kutubdia, an island off Bangladesh's southern coast

2009-10-26T11:25:00.000-07:00

The sea is eating away Kutubdia, an island off Bangladesh's southern coast

Welcome To Personal Message or Comments For Kutubi Forum or Nejam Kutubi

2009-10-26T11:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome To Personal Message or Comments For Kutubi Forum or Nejam Kutubi

Kutubdia Island

2009-10-13T09:43:00.000-07:00

Kutubdia is an island in the Bay of Bengal, off the coast near Chakaria, Cox's Bazar District. The island forms the Kutubdia upazila or sub-district and bounded by the bay of bengal on the north, west and south, Kutubdia channel, banshkhali, chakaria and maheshkhali upazilas on the east.

First time Internet Services at Kutubdia.

2009-10-13T09:26:00.000-07:00

COAST trust, is a NGO working in the coastal belt of Bangladesh to promote the livelihood of the coastal people providing the basic needs like education, information technology and other services. In this context COAST has established a Coastal Rural Knowledge Center (CRKC) in the remote island Kutubdia (Under Cox’sBazar district) for ensuring the ICT facilities in local level. The center will provide an opportunity among the students and rural youths to be oriented with the laptop computer in the island where electricity is yet to reach.

The opening ceremony was held on 2nd January’07 at kutubdia high school presided one by Mr. Delower Hossin , Chairperson of school management committee. The executive Director of COAST Trust Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury has inaugurated the ceremony where many people from different walks of society attended in the program.

The chief guest Mr. R.K Chowdhury said, this ICT center will be a knowledge center for the students and professional in the remote island.With the introduction of Internet service, rural youths and students will come under the fold of information technology and move forward along with the urban youths.

He also emphasis on learning English intensively and speaking English in school level. In global contested, - without learning English, no nation can create any space for development.

Its in his speech that – The CRKC/ICT center will be milestone of ICT development in kutubdia, added in his speech The chairperson of the session Mr. Delower hossion said - this center will change the livelihood pattern of the new generation, if they proper use it. People will have access for reading daily news paper through internet. We should not wait for tomorrow to get the today’s news paper, we can get it easily just clicking in the mouse in internet.

End of the session the participants practically used the laptop for reading the daily news paper and oriented with other functions of trust. Initially COAST Trust has provided one laptop, one mobile set with GPRS connection, 6 nos of solar home system (300wp) with converter and one technical staff for providing the services.

The inauguration program was also addressed by Kutubdia Model High School Headmaster Nasir Uddin Kutubi, Unicef project officer Syedul Huq Milky, The Daily Star journalist Muazzem Hossain Shakil, Atiqul Islam Chowdhury, F M Nurul Alam and others.

News By: Kutubi Forum
Source :coastbd.org

Kutubdiapara: A Slum of Environmental Refugees in Cox’s Bazar Urban Areas

2009-10-13T09:18:00.000-07:00

Kutubdia, an outreach island situated in the south-western part

of the Bay of the Bengal, have been eroding fast due to strong

tidal action, as well as by cyclonic action and storm surges.

This island, once which was 250-squire kilometre is size, lost

around its 65 percent during last 100 years and more than 60

percent of its population migrated in urban areas and, many

others are thinking to be migrated as presently 2700 people live

in per square kilometre areas.

News By: Kutubi Forum
Source : coastbd.org

Kutubdia wind power plant under threat Says operator Pan Asia Power Service

2009-10-13T09:13:00.000-07:00

The Tk 12 crore one-megawatt (MW) wind power plant at Kutubdia upazila in Cox's Bazar is under threat as its protecting dam has been washed away by a string of cyclones that struck the project site. Bangladesh Power Development Board initiated the project in 2006, aiming to test the feasibility of alternative power sources. Pan Asia Power Service Ltd completed its installation in March 2008. The project is providing power for at least 12,000 subscribers partially -- out of the 30,000 potential subscribers across the upazila, an official said yesterday. But the government's reluctance to rebuild the embankment has left the project under threat, the official alleged. "I'm urging the government to rebuild the dam as soon as possible, otherwise the project will be completely ruined," said Md Fazlur Rahman, managing director of Pan Asia Power Service, at a press briefing at Dhaka Reporters Unity. Wind power provides a new way for Bangladesh to generate electricity. Gas is the main source of generating electricity, contributing 87.05 percent. Coal takes up 4.75 percent, hydro 2.49 percent, diesel 1.23 percent and furnace oil 4.49 percent of 4,500MW electricity generation a day. "The project site is worsening by the day due to tidal waves in the Bay of the Bengal, but nobody is helping us," said Rahman. Wind power is cheaper than other sources of energy. India produces 12,000MW electricity from wind power. "If India can produce huge electricity in the same coastal belt, in the same weather condition, so can Bangladesh," said Rahman. Traditionally, demand for electricity rises in summer season and Bangladesh can mitigate the increased demand by setting up such wind power plants, said Rahman. "Wind flow in summer season is seen more than any other time, which can generate more electricity," he said. The Kutubdia wind power plant shows the way to go for such a power plant as an alternative energy source, said Rahman. The Kutubdia Island was traditionally powered by diesel generators, which cost Tk40 for generating single KW (kilowatt) of electricity. On the other hand, the wind power plant spends only Tk 8 for generating the same amount of electricity, said Rahman. The government should go for more wind power plants, as they do not require huge lands or funds, he said.

News By: Kutubi Forum
Source :DainikBangladesh.COM ,
National Weather Reporter,Source-DS

a excellent photo in Kutubdia.

2009-10-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

It was very overcast and clouds, too much for a good photo in Kutubdia

2009-10-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

a excellent photo in Kutubdia.

2009-10-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

a excellent photo in Kutubdia.

2009-10-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

a excellent photo in Kutubdia.

2009-10-13T08:58:00.000-07:00

a excellent photo in Kutubdia.

2009-10-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

a excellent photo in Kutubdia

2009-10-13T08:54:00.000-07:00

a Island photo same Kutubdia.

2009-10-13T08:50:00.000-07:00

a Island photo same Kutubdia.

Kutubi Forum Ceremonial Council In Cox's Bazar

2009-10-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

Kutubi Forum Ceremonial Council In Cox's Bazar

Climate change stalks coastal Kutubdia, Bangladesh

2009-10-12T05:05:00.000-07:00

Triggered by climate change, frequent cyclones and storm surges are sweeping away Bangladesh’s existing landmass. Rising sea levels and increased salinity have not only affected farming in the country’s coastal areas but also caused mass migration, creating environmental refugees.
Kutubdia, Bangladesh: The sea has crept almost 15 km into Kutubdia, an island off the coastal town of Cox's Bazar in south-eastern Bangladesh, one of the world's most dangerous cyclone zones. "The sea has been coming closer and closer," said Abdul Mutalib, 75, whose mud hut was washed away 15 days ago.

"Allah jane ke hobe (God only knows what will happen)," he added wearily in Bengali, the national language, wiping beads of sweat off his weather-beaten face with the back of his hand. He knows the island will eventually disappear entirely, and then "Sabhi shesh ho jabe (everything will come to an end)”.

F M Nurul Alam, a senior coordinator at the COAST trust, a social justice NGO working in southern Bangladesh, explained patiently: "Since the day they are born, the people of Kutubdia are waging a war with the sea”.

Erosion as a result of stronger and higher tides, cyclones and storm surges is eating away the islands off Bangladesh's southern coast. Kutubdia, once a 250 sq km island, has been reduced to about 37 sq km within a century, but the islanders are convinced the sea level has also been rising.

Yet the largely fishing community of Kutubdia cannot live without the sea. "We only know how to catch fish," said British Jawaldas, a fisherman, who says he has observed the sea encroaching six kilometres inland over the last 10 years.

"What will happen to the people? What is their future in a country where landlessness is a huge problem?"

"We can't do anything else, which is why we think twice about migrating from here. We know the end is coming, but what work will we find to feed our families elsewhere?"

Global warming is sounding the death knell for low-lying coastal islands that are only five to eight metres above sea level, said local scientists. The rising sea will also strengthen tidal forces and exacerbate erosion, the COAST Trust pointed out.

"Factual information regarding the extent of sea level rise in Bangladesh is very limited," said Mohammed Shamsuddoha, general secretary of the Equity and Justice Working Group, a network of NGOs. "But the Khulna region in south-western Bangladesh has recorded a 5.18mm per year sea level rise".

Sea level rises at some tidal stations in the Bangladesh coast are: Hiron Point: 4mm per year; Char Changa: 6mm per year and Cox's Bazar: 7.8mm per year, as reported by the Meteorological Research Centre of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in the capital, Dhaka.

A rise of more than one metre, which could be reached in this century, means Bangladesh could lose 15 percent to 18 percent of its land area, turning 30 million people into "environmental refugees" by 2050 according to some estimates, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) noted.

On the other hand, new land is being created. After studying 32 years of satellite images, Bangladeshi scientists found the landmass was increasing by 20 sq km annually as a result of silt being deposited in the Bay of Bengal by big Himalayan rivers like the Ganges and the Brahmaputra, said Mohammed Abu Syed, a research fellow at the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies.

But the new silt islands, or "chars", only become habitable after a few years, and the country's existing landmass is being washed away faster than new land is being formed.

More than 60 percent of Kutubdia's population has migrated, and most of the remaining 150,000 are considering leaving. Atiqul Chowdhury, coordinator of the health, disaster management and coastal renewable energy section of the COAST Trust, said at the rate at which the island was shrinking, the Trust estimated that it would disappear within the next 70 years.

Diversifying

As the sea works its way inland, increasing salinity has also affected the ability of the island's farming community to grow paddy rice and vegetables.

"It was amazing - we used to dig a well in one spot and the water would be sweet, while another well only a few metres away would have salty water," recalled Saber Ahmed, 45, who now lives in a settlement for "environmental refugees" from Kutubdia.

He is among the fortunate 10,000 families from the island resettled by the government in Cox's Bazar in the 1980s, where they have continued fishing as a way of life and making a living.

More than 60 percent of Kutubdia's population has migrated, and most of the remaining 150,000 are considering leaving

Several farmers in Kutubdia have switched to producing salt, "but this seasonal, as it is possible only during the dry season,” said the COAST Trust's Chowdhury.

The quantity of land in Bangladesh is limited, and even more so on an island like Kutubdia, so the COAST Trust has encouraged poor farmers to take up farming shrimps and mud crabs in floating nurseries or cages.

The crustaceans are reared in floating plastic containers tied to a bamboo frame planted in the sea or river.

The COAST Trust has set up more than 200 cooperatives to help fishing communities market dried fish, and also provides microcredit to women to set up small-scale businesses to support their fishing families.

Disaster warning

Almost every month more families in Kutubdia lose their homes to the sea. "We provide livestock and building material to the families," said Chowdhury.

COAST, along with the NGO, CARE Bangladesh, has set up disaster committees in the communities to warn them of incoming cyclones or tidal surges. Committee members use megaphones to warn the community of impending disasters. COAST has also set up a radio link between at least eight islands along the southern coast to track potentially disastrous weather events.

"But the question remains, 'What will happen to the people? What is their future in a country where landlessness is a huge problem?'" said the COAST Trust's Nurul Alam. "They have no future to plan for".

Many Kutubdia residents who fled the 1991 cyclone, which claimed 22,000 lives, have been forced to build their homes on wetlands near the official settlement for refugees in Cox's Bazar; others have settled in cramped living conditions in neighbouring towns like Chittagong, where they work as day labourers.

"We are trying to campaign for the resettlement of environmental refugees with the government," said Nurul Alam. "Or the developed countries will have to take up the responsibility of resettling them".

Kutubdia is one of a large number of islands off the southern coast of Bangladesh - with a combined population more than 2.5 million - and all of them are shrinking. Bhola, the biggest, has lost about 227 sq km of land in the last 50 years; Hatiya, which once covered 1,000 square km, has been reduced to 21 sq km over the last 350 years.

"We know all about the greenhouse gases being released into the air by the developed countries, which is why we are suffering," said Gopal Jaladas, the son of a fisherman who goes to college.

In the last two years he has seen his entire neighbourhood of 150 huts swept into the sea by tidal surges. "Why don't you tell them to stop?" he asks a reporter. "We are drowning here".

News By: Kutubi Forum
Source : http://southasia.oneworld.net

Govt body meets on deep sea-port site in Kutubdia.

2009-10-12T04:46:00.000-07:00

As a high-powered government committee sits in Dhaka today to select a site for a much-needed deep seaport, officials and experts here singled out Moheskhali to be the best among the three options.

Several surveys carried out since 1974 recommended that the Moheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar would be the most suitable site.

The inter-ministerial committee headed by shipping minister Akbar Hossain in its first meeting today will however discuss the eco-technical feasibility of three possible sites—Moheshkhali, Kutubdia and Akram Point —for the proposed deep seaport

The eight-member committee, formed following a directive from the prime minister, includes cabinet secretary and secretaries of the Finance Division, Economic Relations Division, Planning and Shipping, chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority and chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Meanwhile, a recent shipping ministry announcement that the government initially selected Kutubdia as the deep seaport site took experts and port specialists in the port city by surprise.
The ministry on November 28 also assigned a committee to conduct a feasibility test at Kutubdia in next two months.

But experts said that despite having all kinds of suitable infrastructures at Moheshkhali, the government move to set up a deep seaport at Kutubdia would fail to serve the country’s demand properly.

‘It’s not our headache whether the port will be set up at Kutubdia or Moheshkhali. But it should be set up at the most suitable place,’ ML Rahman, who pioneered the concept of deep seaport and placed a proposal before the government in 1974, told New Age in an exclusive interview.

Rahman, former principal officer of Marine Mercantile Department and ex-member (operation) of the Chittagong Port Authority, was surprised by the government decision to set up a port at Kutubdia, while all the surveys and researches conducted so far proved that Moheshkhali is far better than any other places of the country for the proposed port.
If the government sticks to its decision and the port is built at Kutubdia, it would fail to serve the purpose properly, he feared.

Bangladesh government engaged Bangladesh Transport Survey Economic Intelligence Unit in 1974 as consultants to study the possibility of a deep seaport on the coastline of Bangladesh which found that ships up to 60,000 dead weight tonnage (DWT) could be accommodated at Mohershkhali, said Rahman, former commandant of Bangladesh Marine Academy.

The Netherlands Economic Institute (NEI) also examined possible sites of Kutubdia Channel, Sonadia Island. Elephant Point, Saintmartin Island, Mayu River, Kutubdia Point and Passur River in 1976-77, but found none to be suitable for a deep seaport, he added

‘The NEI while considering the above seven sites added Moheshkhal channel in Cox’s Bazar, Patenga point and Middle Island in the Karnaphuli River in Chittagong,’ Rahman told New Age in an exclusive interview. Of all these options, they found only Moheshkhali to be fit.

The NEI study looked into all aspects for setting up a deep seaport, including major costs, onward transport, provisions of port facilities, sheltered water and dredging.

High cost of transport to and from Chittagong, Mongla and other Inland destinations and origins were also considered in the survey, he said.

‘To develop a deep seaport at Moheshkhali with a modest draft of 65 feet is also considered as the cheapest and easiest,” he said.

He also mentioned that the total investment to develop Moheshkhal as a deep seaport initially for 1,50,000 DWT vessels would stand at $159.3 million only, the lowest investment compared to all the sites mentioned earlier.

‘To save the money we may convert Moheshkhali initially as a deep seaport for lighterage only and can save huge foreign exchange now being spent on lighterage in the open sea at Chittagong,’ the expert suggested.

A canal through Thailand and Myanmar joining Gulf of Siam (Thailand) and Bay of Bengal to bypass the Singapore straits is being completed soon and for that the international shipping routes will come closer to Moheshkhali, he said adding that a modern port is being developed near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

‘The Moheshkhali Island has an area of over 125 square miles, geographically situated closer to International Sea Routes than any other suitable place in Bangladesh and has bigger space than Singapore or Hong Kong ports,’ Rahman said.

An international airport is essential near a seaport and if the seaport is built at Moheshkhali, the Cox’s Bazar airport may serve the purpose, he pointed out, adding that it would be impossible to build a separate airport around Kutubdia.
The soil in the Moheshkhal Island is also better than Kutubdia and since the Island is on the sea side, the tidal wave and swells have little impact on its channel, the expert said.

He also said that the tidal effect at Moheshkhali channel is about three knots in contrast to six to seven knots in Karnaphuli river and the dredging spoil could be economically used for reclaiming low areas of the Island.

He also informed that the satellite map recently published by the world meteorological body of the United Nations indicates that sea bed is rising and depth of the water is declining in the Bay of Bengal on the southern part of Bangladesh.

‘We must consider all these perspectives before setting up a deep seaport and my first choice is Moheshkhali channel,’ he said.
Earlier, the government in 2002 decided to set up a deep seaport at Moheshkhali and formed a committee for the feasibility test, but the committee did not start its work.

A top official of the CPA expressed his opinion in favour of Moheshkhali. ‘Moheshkhali is fit considering all aspects of the proposed deep seaport,’ he told New Age.
He said that though the government initially selected Kutubdia for the study, but final decision would be taken after conducting feasibility tests at Kutubdia, Moheshkhali and Akram Point.

News By: Kutubi Forum
Source : Dynamic Daring Daily

It was very overcast and clouds, too much for a good sunset photo in Kutubdia.

2009-10-12T04:29:00.000-07:00

It was very overcast and clouds, too much for a good sunset photo in Kutubdia.

A pre-feasibility study of wind resources in Kutubdia Island, Bangladesh

2009-10-12T04:07:00.000-07:00

Titre du document / Document title

A pre-feasibility study of wind resources in Kutubdia Island, Bangladesh

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

SHAFIUZZAMAN KHAN KHADEM⁽¹⁾ ; HUSSAIN Muhtasham⁽¹⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾Renewable Energy Research Centre, Energy Park, Faculty of Science, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, BANGLADESH

Résumé / Abstract

Kutubdia is one of the coastal islands in Bangladesh. The wind speed data at the wind monitoring station of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Kutubdia, located in a built-up area, appears to be low, but at another location, near the seashore, Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) finds that the wind energy availability should be reasonably high. Considering the surface roughness, obstacle condition and terrain information of the island, a micro-scale prediction has been done using (100 x 100m²) grid cells in the Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program (WAsP) to develop monthly and annual wind atlas and also a wind resource map which shows that at 50m height, the annual wind speed over Kutubdia coast varies from 5.1 to 5.8m/s. Southern and Eastern sides of Kutubdia appear to be promising for wind electricity generation using large turbines where wind power density at a height of 50 m or higher is found to be above 200 W/m² annually over the year September 1996 to August 1997. It is found that at 30m height, the coast side of Kutubdia should be sustainable for small turbines.

Revue / Journal Title

Renewable energy ISSN 0960-1481

Source / Source

2006, vol. 31, n^o14, pp. 2329-2341 [13 page(s) (article)] (16 ref.)

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Elsevier Science, Oxford, ROYAUME-UNI (1991) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Asia ; Measurement ; Modeling ; Power density ; Wind generator ; Roughness ; Wind velocity ; Wind energy ; Bangladesh ; Island ; Wind ; Feasibility studies ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Asie ; Mesure ; Modélisation ; Puissance volumique ; Aérogénérateur ; Rugosité ; Vitesse vent ; Energie éolienne ; Bengla Desh ; Ile ; Vent ; Etude faisabilité ;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Asia ; Medida ; Modelización ; Generador aire ; Rugosidad ; Velocidad viento ; Energía eólica ; Bangla Desh ; Isla ; Viento ;

Mots-clés d'auteur / Author Keywords

Wind resource assessment ; WAsP analysis ; Kutubdia Island ; Bangladesh ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 20690, 35400013354130.0090

Nº notice refdoc (ud4) : 18049441

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2009-10-12T03:47:00.001-07:00

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Wind Battery Hybrid Power Plant at Kutubdia

2009-10-10T04:21:00.000-07:00

Wind Battery Hybrid Power Plant at Kutubdia
Background Information:

The project was conceived in 2006 and the site was visited the author on 18/11/2006. A presentation was in the Board on 29/11/2006. The Board gave go-ahead signal for this project. Accordingly, an international tender was floated by BPDB. A contract was signed between Bangladesh Power Development Board and M/S. Pan Asia Power Services Ltd. on 22/03/2007 for the 1000KW Capacity Wind Battery Hybrid Power Project at Kutubdia, Cox’s Bazar. The project implementation works started on 03/04/2007. During project implementation phase, on 15/11/2007, the Super Cyclone SIDR crossed the coastal areas of Bangladesh. There was 10 to 15 feet higher tidal surge above the dam in front of the project. All equipment and materials were submerged by those high waters. Some 3-Ton Steel Towers were taken away by those strong waves deep inside the sea. All completely ready civil construction materials including 1800 sacks of cement were fully damaged. After the SIDR, we started the implementation works again. Installation works were completed on 31/12/2007. The project testing time was from 01/01/2008 to 29/03/2008. The project was officially commissioned on 30/03/2008 by a very high level committee of BPDB.

The Battery Hybrid Power Plant (WBHPP) was officially started on 30/03/2008. The project was running well. Till 02/05/2008, total 27MWh. was generated by the WBHPP in 33 days. On 05/05/2008, the project was partially damaged by the super cyclone Nargis with the highest danger signal no. 10. To import and install the damaged equipment and materials from China and India, it took from May 05, 2008, to September 17, 2008. The project was re-started on 18 August 2008. After the devastations by the super cyclone NARGIS, we invented some innovative techniques to keep the wind turbines safe during the severe cyclones. We applied those innovative techniques later against the tropical cyclone Bijli and the tropical cyclone Aila. We were very much successful and our wind turbines were unharmed during these severe cyclones.

Contents of WBHPP at Kutubdia

The WBHPP at Kutubdia contains the following equipment and materials:

Foreign/Imported Materials:

· 50 Nos. 20KW capacity wind turbines

· 50 Nos. Converters-cum-controllers

· 150 Nos. of Blades

· 8 Nos. Boosters-cum-chargers

· 8 Nos. 150KW Capacity Inverters

· 1 No. of Synchronization and Paralleling Panel

Local Materials: To keep the total project costs as low as possible, we have tried our best to maximize the utilization of the local equipment and materials. In the WBHPP at Kutubdia, we have used the following local materials.

· 1000 Nos. of 12VDC, 200AH Batteries

· 1 No. Central Control Panel Board

· 2 Nos. 600KVA, 0.4KV/11KV Transformers

· 1 No. of 11KV Grid Sub-Station

· 10 km of 11 KV Transmission Line

Installation, Testing and Commissioning:

The installation and testing of all materials, equipment and machineries of the whole project have been completed by the local people. No foreign expert/engineer was required to install, run and test the equipment and machineries of the whole project. The installation and testing works of all materials, equipment and machineries of the whole project have been supervised by the author himself. Our engineers and technicians have got very valuable exposures and experiences in installation, operation and maintenance of this completely new technology project.

Electricity Generation Achievements:

The WBHPP has been running well for more than one and half years. We are supplying 0.60 to 0.80 MWH electrical energy every day at 11,000Volts. Till to date, we have supplied more than 240 MWh. electrical energy to the consumers of the Kutubdia Upazilla Sadar. This is to be mentioned here that this is the only Renewable Energy Project in Bangladesh supplying green power at 11KV voltage levels successfully and regularly.

Financial Savings and Achievements:

Kutubdia is an isolated island. Normally, electricity is generated by diesel generators in this remote island. It very expensive, difficult, highly risky and time consuming to transport diesel to this isolated island. We are replacing directly diesel with the energy generated by the Wind Battery Hybrid Power Project. When we supply electricity at 11KV levels, the diesel generators are stopped completely. Till to date, we have supplied more than 240 MWh. electrical energy to the consumers of the Kutubdia Upazilla Sadar. One kWh electricity from diesel is costing more than Tk.40.00 here in Kutubdia. So, we have already saved diesel of Tk.96,00,000.00. BPDB has earned Tk.12,00,000.00 by selling power to the consumers. So, total monetary benefits from the WBHPP is Tk.1,08,00,000.00. Moreover, we have saved Green House Gas Emissions (Carbon-Di-Oxide). We have attained these financial benefits within the running period of one year of this project.

Unique Features of this Project:

First in the country:

· This is the FIRST Grid Quality Renewable Energy Project in the country.

· This is the FIRST 11,000Volt running Renewable Energy Project in the country.

· This is the LARGEST running Renewable Energy Project in the country.

· This is the most successful Renewable Energy Project in the country.

· This is the First RET project in the country with successful supply records of 240MWH. Electricity of grid quality 11,000Volt power.

First in the world:

· This is the largest Off-Grid Renewable Energy Project in the world.

· This is the First and Largest Wind Battery Hybrid Power Plant in the world.

· This is the First Renewable Energy Power Plant in the world with BOOSTERS.

· This is the First Renewable Energy Power Plant in the world with So many Paralleling and Serising of the 1000 pcs of 12VDC, 200AH Batteries.

· The 150KW Inverters and the synchronization and paralleling of these inverters of this project are the largest in the world of its kind.

Cost Comparisons: Plant Machineries Cost

The total global installed capacity of wind power is more than 1,30,000 MW. Wind energy technology is one of the fastest developing technologies in the world. Wind electricity has emerged as the cheapest source of grid quality renewable energy in the world. Wind power is proven all over the world. One MW grid quality AC power from wind energy costs about Tk.10.00 (normal grid connected) to 15.00 (hybrid) crores. Whereas, 1MW grid quality AC power from Solar PV will cost more than Tk.100.00 crores. Other renewable energy sources have limited scopes and very high costs in our country.

Can We Rely on Wind Power:

Total global installed capacity of wind energy is more than 1,30,000MW. Germany has total more that 30,000MW installed capacity of wind power. Our neighboring country India has total 12,000MW installed capacity of wind power. Wind Power plants have plant factors from 27% to 30% and with these plant factors they are technically feasible and commercially viable. Wind speed does not remain constant at all. It fluctuates in every second. It is also not available all the times of a day. Because of fluctuations in wind flow and non-availability for all times, wind electricity cannot be supplied directly to the consumers. It must be supplied either with batteries or with base-load power plants. This must be mentioned here that the Annual Plant Factor of all power plants of BPDB is from 45% to 48%. One of the most important problems faced with Kutubdia wind project is that the people of Kutubdia thought that the wind turbines will produce electricity at its full capacity 365 days in a year like the diesel generators. For the Wind Turbines, wind is the fuel and it is completely dependent on nature. The wind flow is very weak in the Winter Season and good during the Summer Season. During morning hours up to 10 O-Clock, the wind is very weak or zero. From 10:00 AM, wind starts to blow and at about 12:00 Noon, the wind is good for electricity generation. Summer winds are better for electricity generation that the Winter winds. The electricity generation from this 1MW capacity power is 0 to 400KW during winter season (November to February) and 0 to 800KW in the Monsoon Season (March to October) depending on the available wind speeds. Sometimes, the wind is very good but sometimes it is zero. So, we cannot supply 1MW electricity all the times of a day and 365 days of a year. When we started to supply wind electricity for 3 hours during day times and 3 to 4 hours during night times, the people and some high level engineers of BPDB ordered us to supply 1MW power for 24 hours. They think that the 1MW plant will generate 1MW power even little wind is there irrespective of wind speed. Now, the people of Kutubdia and engineers of BPDB are understanding the real situation.

Cyclones Faced by the Project:

SIDR: During project implementation phase, on 15/11/2007, the Super Cyclone SIDR crossed the coastal areas of Bangladesh. There was 10 to 15 feet higher tidal surge above the dam in front of the project. All equipment and materials were submerged by those high waters. Some 3-Ton Steel Towers were taken away by those strong waves deep inside the sea. All completely ready civil construction materials including 1800 sacks of cement were fully damaged. After the SIDR, we started the implementation works again. Installation works were completed on 31/12/2007.

Nargis: The Tropical Cyclone Reshmi crossed the coastal areas of Bangladesh on 5 May 2008 with danger signal no. 10 and with winds of about 200 to 240 km/hr. Our project was partially harmed and we supplied power after about 3 months of this cyclone.

Reshmi : The Tropical Cyclone Reshmi crossed the coastal areas of Bangladesh on 28 October 2008 with danger signal no. 6 and with winds of about 140 to 160km/hr. Our project was not harmed and we supplied power just after 2 days of this cyclone.

Bijli : The Tropical Cyclone Bijli crossed the coastal areas of Bangladesh on 18 April 2009 with danger signal no. 7 and with winds of about 150 to 180km/hr. Our project was not harmed and we supplied power just after 3 days of this cyclone. But the dam was partially damaged.

Aila : The Tropical Cyclone Aila crossed the coastal areas of Bangladesh on 25 May April 2009 with danger signal no. 7 and with winds of about 150 to 180km/hr. Our project was not harmed and we supplied power just after 3 days of this cyclone. But the damaged was completely washed away.

After all these six severe cyclones and also some dangerous tornadoes, all 50 nos. wind turbines are running very well and we are still supplying electricity for 5 to 6 hours everyday at the maximum capacity of the WBHPP. So, cyclones and tornadoes are no more the main hindrances for wind power exploitation.

Technical Achievements:

We have been operating and maintaining this wind energy project for more than one and half years. During this operation and maintenance period, we have faced many challenging problems. We have invented local solutions and have solved all those challenging problems with locally available equipment and materials. We have invented very easy solutions to the most complicated and delicate problems of the equipment materials of the Wind Battery Hybrid Power Plant.

Potentials of Wind Energy in Bangladesh:

My company has measured wind speeds at four locations in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. These locations are (1) Parky Saikat near Patenga, Chittagong; (2) Mognamaghat, Pekua, Cox’s Bazar; (3) Muhuri Dam, Sonagazi, Feni; and (4) Kuakata, Patuakhali. These four sites are representatives of the entire coastal areas of our country. We have seen that the annual average wind speed in these four sites is more than 6.5 m/s. It an internationally accepted thumb rule that a site having annual average wind speed of 6.0 m/s or higher is feasible for harnessing wind electricity with commercial viability. From our preliminary data, we can understand that generating electrical energy with commercial viability in Bangladesh is possible.

Month	Muhuri Dam, Feni (m/s) H=50m, RCL=0	Mognamaghat Cox’s Bazar (m/s) H=50m, RCL=0	Parky Saikat Patenga, Chittagong (m/s) H=50m, RCL=0	Kuakata Patuakhali (m/s) H=50m, RCL=0
January	5.10	5.30	4.90	5.80
February	5.30	4.80	5.10	5.50
March	7.00	7.30	7.60	7.70
April	7.70	7.90	7.80	8.30
May	8.10	8.20	8.20	7.90
June	7.20	8.00	7.60	6.90
July	7.40	8.40	8.10	7.70
August	6.80	7.70	7.40	7.50
September	6.70	7.10	6.90	6.90
October	6.20	6.80	6.40	6.30
November	5.60	5.90	5.60	5.50
December	4.90	5.40	5.10	4.80
Annual Average Wind Speed (m/s)	6.50	6.90	6.725	6.733

We have more than 1400 km coastal lines (including all curvatures) along the Bay of Bengal. The average capacity of the most widely installed and most popular grid connected wind turbine in India and other countries is 2 MW. Up to 10km distance inside from the coastal belt is very much suitable for wind energy harnessing without any effect of the terrains or roughness classes. So, the area of the highly prospective zone for wind power harnessing along the coastal areas is about 1400x10 ≈14,000sq.km. Our coastal is thickly populated. More 3 to 4 crore people are living in those areas. Our coastal areas have many golden resources like salt, fish, shrimp etc. So, 100% of this 14,000sq.km prospective areas will not be available for harnessing wind power. The land used by wind turbines can be easily used for other purposes. In light of all these circumstances, if we consider, only 20% of this total propective zone to be available for the installation of the wind turbines, it is about 3500sq.km. It is possible to install 10 to 15 wind turbines of 2MW capacity in 1sq.km area. So, in only 20% of our coastal areas which is highly prospective for wind power, we can install up to 28,000 MW of wind turbines. These potentials are only for the grid connected wind turbines.

Moreover, in the remote and isolated islands, we can install small wind turbines of up to 20KW capacity and thus we can fulfill their constitutional rights for grid quality electricity. The small scale wind turbines can be installed at any remote and isolated place in the country at any time.

Natural Coincidence:

In our country, the peak windy season is from April to September i.e. during the Summer Season. The Summer Season is also peak demand season for electricity. So, the increased demand for electricity during the Summer Season can easily be satisfied by the wind electricity available from the higher monsoon winds.

Multiple Purposes of the WBHPP:

The WBHPP at Kutubdia has become a tourist spot. In last year, we got more than 20,000 visitors for the WBHPP at Kutubdia. Moreover, the project can serve as a training centre for human resource development for further such type of projects in the country and also in abroad.

Conclusion:

Each citizen and all areas of the country have the constitutional rights not for 12Volt electricity but for 440V, 50Hz grid quality. The whole country is suffering from severe load-shedding during the peak hours of 19:00hrs to 24:00 hrs. But with the help of the Wind Battery Hybrid Power Plant, there was no load-shedding at Kutubdia during the peak demand hours in last one and half years. Our people have become so much skilled that only few persons can install the small wind turbines at any place in the country at any time. So, the electricity demand of the remote and isolated islands of Bangladesh can be satisfied with the small scale wind turbines. Unlike solar PV, they can run small and cottage industry machineries with the perfect 440Volt AC, 50Hz grid quality wind power. Thus, wind power can play an important role for the overall socio-economic development of Bangladesh.

News By: Kutubi Forum

Source: Energy Bangla Article

Md. Fazlur Rahman

Kutubdia, Cox's Bazar District (CTG division) with an area of 2491.86 sq km, is bounded by chittagong district on the north, bay of bengal on the west

2009-10-10T03:58:00.000-07:00

Cox's Bazar District (Chittagong division) with an area of 2491.86 sq km, is bounded by chittagong district on the north, bay of bengal on the south, bandarban district, Arakan (Myanmer) and the naf river on the east, the Bay of Bengal on the west. Annual average temperature maximum 34.8°C and minimum 16.1°C; annual rainfall 4285 mm. The district having been a coastal region often falls victim to sea storm, tidal bore, hurricane and cyclone. Main offshore islands: Maheshkhali, Kutubdia, Matarbari, Sonadia, Shah pari and St Martin's or Jinjira. Main rivers are the matamuhuri, bakkhali, Reju Khal, Naf, Maheshkhali channel and Kutubdia channel; Main forests areas are Phulchhari Range, Bhumaria-ghona Range, Meher-ghona Range, Bak Khali Range. Cox's Bazar represents the longest sea beach of the world and charming forest belt.

District (Town) Cox's Bazar municipality was constituted in 1869 and was turned into a town committee in 1959. The town committee was replaced by municipality in 1972 and it was elevated to B grade in 1989. The municipality covers an area of 6.85 sq km with 27 mahallas and 9 wards; population 60234; male 57.09%, female 42.91%. The literacy rate among the town people is 52.2%. Cox's Bazar having been a great tourist resort various establishments have developed in the town including 6 big hotels, 30 medium hotels, 50 semi-medium hotels, Jhinuk market for the tourists and the Burmese market dealing in luxury goods from Burma, Thailand and China.

Administration Cox's Bazar thana was established in 1854 and Cox's Bazar Subdivision was formed comprising of Cox's Bazar sadar, Chakoria, Maheskhali and Teknaf thanas. Afterwards three new thanas were constituted under this subdivision such as Ukhia, Kutubdia and Ramu. Under the decentralisation scheme the thanas were transformed into upazilas and the Cox's Bazar subdivision was elevated to a district in 1984. It consists of 7 upazilas, 3 municipalities, 27 wards, 58 mahallas, 67 union parishads, 199 mouzas and 975 villages. The upazilas are cox's bazar sadar, chakoria, maheskhali, teknaf, ramu, kutubdia and ukhia.

News By: Kutubi Forum

Kutubdia in Cox's Bazar

2009-10-02T04:02:00.000-07:00

The Island, KUTUBDIA is famous for THE LIGHT - HOUSE. It contains all the mysteries of the creation. It is surrounded by the Bay Of Bengal. I am telling about The Divine Beauty Of A Land, Kutubdia. Though it is very small in size, It has the ability to lead all the huge land by its Natural Beauty. God decorated it with His own hands. The Sea Beatch Of it is very attractive and It is not less qualified than Cox's Bazr Sea Beatch. The scenery of Sun-set and Sun-rise are obviously Eye-catching for all the human beings. The way of producing Salt is unimaginative. I have a firm believe that, Kutubdia Sea Beatch has the only lackings of Advertisement and Media. Otherwise, It would be another attractive place for the Nature Lovers. As a representative of the land, I try my best to disclose its unique Beauty to the universe.
Kutubdia Upazila (cox's bazar district) with an area of 27 sq km which was 54 sq km., Distance of Thana/Upozila from Zila sadar by road 90 km, is bounded by the bay of bengal on the north, west and south, Kutubdia channel, Banshkhali, Chakaria and Maheshkhali Upazilas on the east. Administration Kutubdia thana was established in 1917 and was turned into an upazila in 1983. It consists of 6 union parishads, 9 mouzas and 29 villages. Archaeological heritage Marks of War of Liberation Memorial monument 1 (ghatkul). Population approximately 1,14,000; male 51.66%, female 48.34%; Muslim 91.27%, Hindu 8.65%, others 0.08%. Religious institutions Yusef Ali Miaji Masjid, Kalarma Masjid, Ek Hatia Fakirer Masjid, Maharaja Kazir Masjid, Tomb of Qutb Awliya. Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 23.85%; male 31.5%, female 16.2%. Educational institutions: college 1, government high school 1, non-government high school 7, madrasa 15, government primary school 32, non-government primary school 39. Old institutions: Kutubdia High School (1938), Durung High School (1948).

Cultural organizations Public library 1, press club 1, sporting club 1, co-operative society 1. Main occupations Agriculture 32.13%, fishing 4.67%, agricultural labourer 23.99%, wage labourer 5.76%, commerce 11.88%, service 3.94%, industries 2.2%, others 15.43%. Land use Cultivable land 8903.28 hectares, land for cultivation of salt 1416 hectares, fallow land 242.82 hectares.Land control The market value of the first grade arable land is Tk 9500 per 0.01 hectare.Main crops Paddy, potato, watermelon, ginger, tomato, bean, betel nut. Extinct and nearly extinct crop Kaun. Main fruits Mango, banana, papaya, plum, coconut. Farming Shrimp cultivation in 115 hectares. Communication facilities Roads: pucca 147 km, mud road 44 km. Traditional transport Horse carriage, bullock cart, palanquin. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct. Manufactories Rice mill 2, salt mill 1, ice mill 1, saw mill 4. Cottage industries Welding 15, bamboo work 300, goldsmith 18, blacksmith 20, tailoring 200. Mineral resources Natural gas, sulphur. Hats, bazars and fairs Hats and bazars 12. Notable bazars are Bara Ghop Bazar, Dhurung Bazar. Main exports Fish, salt. NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac, Gana Swasthya Kendra, Prism Bangladesh, IFAD Unnayan Sahajogi Team. Health centres Upazila health complex 1, satellite clinic 4, family planning centre 6.Most Attractive Sea Beach and Light House.

News By: Kutubi Forum

Kutubi Forum in Kutubdia, Cox's Bazar

2009-09-30T09:37:00.000-07:00

Kutubi Forum

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