Kalia Upazila

Kalia কালিয়া
Upazila
Arumina Eco-Park
Coordinates: 23°2′N 89°38′E
Country	Bangladesh
Division	Khulna
District	Narail
Area [1]
• Total	301.32 km^2 (116.34 sq mi)
Population  (2022)[2]
• Total	243,166
• Density	810/km^2 (2,100/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+6 (BST)
Postal code	7520[3]
Website	kaliapaurashava.com(in Bengali)

Kalia (Bengali: কালিয়া) is an upazila of Narail District in the Division of Khulna, Bangladesh. Kalia Thana was established in 1866 and was converted into an upazila in 1984.[4] It is named after its administrative center, the town of Kalia.

Geography

Kalia Upazila has a total area of 301.32 square kilometres (116.34 sq mi).[1] It borders Lohagara Upazila to the north, Dhaka Division to the east, Bagerhat and Khulna districts to the south, Jessore District to the southwest, and Narail Sadar Upazila to the northwest. The Nabaganga River flows south through the upazila.[4]

Demographics

Historical population

Year	Pop. (000)	±%
1981	184	—
1991	197	+7.1%
2001	208	+5.6%
2011	220	+5.8%
2022	243	+10.5%
Source: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics[1]

Religions in Kalia Upazila (2022)[5]
Religion			Percent
Islam			87.02%
Hinduism			12.97%
Other or not stated			0.01%

As of the 2011 Census of Bangladesh, Kalia upazila had 48,579 households and a population of 220,202. 54,831 (24.90%) were under 10 years of age. Kalia had an average literacy rate of 55.25%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 1019 females per 1000 males. 35,744 (16.23%) of the population lived in urban areas.[1][6]

Administration

Kalia Upazila is divided into Kalia Municipality and 14 union parishads: Babrahasla, Baioshona, Boronaleliasabad, Chacuri, Hamidpur, Jaynagor, Kalabaria, Khashial, Mauli, Pahardanga, Panchgram, Peroli, Purulia, and Salamabad.[7] The union parishads are subdivided into 111 mauzas and 187 villages.

Kalia Municipality is subdivided into 9 wards and 19 mahallas.[1]

Education

See also: Education in Bangladesh

There are five colleges in the upazila. They include Munshi Manik Miah College, and Shaheed Abdus Salam Degree College.[8]

History of the Liberation War

On 8 December 1971, freedom fighters attacked Kalia High School and Municipality house to Pakistani Army and Razakars camp. During the last 3 days (8-10 December), 3 freedom fighters were killed and 4 Pakistani soldiers and 9 Rajakars were killed.

Religious institutions

Mosque 293, Temple 77, Church 1, Tomb 3

Entertainment center

There is located Arunima Eco Park at Panipara, Kalia. [9]

Among the most captivating sights is the synchronized flight of numerous birds, forming mesmerizing patterns against the azure sky. The cacophony of their calls and songs fills the air, creating an unforgettable symphony of nature.

The diversity of bird species at Arunima is truly remarkable, with over 200 species recorded, including both common and rare varieties. Bird enthusiasts can spot white storks, egrets, herons, kingfishers, and many more, each contributing to the park’s rich biodiversity. [10]

Notable people

• Ekhlas Uddin Ahmed (1932–1985), politician
• Dhirendra Nath Saha (1932–2017), politician
• SM Abu Sayeed (1937–2017), politician
• Sheikh Abdus Salam (1940 1971), teacher and activist

See also

• Upazilas of Bangladesh
• Districts of Bangladesh
• Divisions of Bangladesh

References

1. "Bangladesh Population and Housing Census 2011 Zila Report – Narail" (PDF). bbs.gov.bd. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.
2. National Report (PDF). Population and Housing Census 2022. Vol. 1. Dhaka: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. November 2023. p. 400. ISBN 978-9844752016.
3. "Bangladesh Postal Code". Dhaka: Bangladesh Postal Department under the Department of Posts and Telecommunications of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. 21 October 2024.
4. Aawhad, AAM (2012). "Kalia Upazila". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
5. Population and Housing Census 2022 - District Report: Narail (PDF). District Series. Dhaka: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. June 2024. ISBN 978-984-475-240-5.
6. "Community Tables: Narail district" (PDF). bbs.gov.bd. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. 2011.
7. "Union List". Bangladesh National Portal. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
8. "List of Institutions". Ministry of Education. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
9. "Arunima Eco Park". Find Tourist Attractions in Bangladesh.
10. Eusha Binte Omar. "A Birdwatcher's Paradise in Narail". Eusha Pedia.