By Mamun Kabir
When speaking of the origins of Cox’s Bazar, the name of the Bakkhali River must come first. The Bakkhali River was the commercial hub of this region and the foundation upon which the town was established. Around this river, the city of Cox’s Bazar gradually grew into the one we know today.
At that time, the “town” referred only to the areas surrounding the present-day court building and the Cox’s Bazar Municipality building. Next to the town, there were only two villages—Bahar Chhara and Tekpara. Later, a part of Peshkarpara was incorporated into the municipality. The municipal boundaries at that time extended south up to Golchattar, east through Morang’s Chhara to the D-Ward Government Primary School, then south to Tekpara, continuing along the northern side of the main road to Rumalirchhara’s Chhara. To the north lay the Bakkhali River, stretching from the food godown/warehouse to the main road. On the west, the boundary was marked up to the eastern side of Motel Road.
Origin and Historical Significance of the Bakkhali River
The Bakkhali River is one of the major rivers flowing through the south-eastern hilly regions of Bandarban and Cox’s Bazar districts in Bangladesh. The river stretches about 69 kilometers in length, with an average width of 95 meters, and flows in a meandering pattern. The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has classified it as River No. 9 of the eastern hilly region. The city of Cox’s Bazar itself was established on the banks of this river. Because of the numerous bends along its course, the river came to be named “Bakkhali” (literally, “the river of bends”).
Originating from multiple streams flowing down the southeastern hills of Mizoram in India, these tributaries converge in Naikhongchhari of Bandarban district to give birth to the Bakkhali River. From there, it passes through Naikhongchhari and Ramu upazilas, then flows through Cox’s Bazar Sadar before emptying into the Maheshkhali Channel. The turbulent river flows for about 67 kilometers. North of its estuary lie, in sequence, the estuaries of the Matamuhuri, Sangu, and Karnaphuli rivers. Along the Arakan Highway, one crosses these rivers via the Karnaphuli Bridge, Sangu Bridge, Matamuhuri Bridge, and Banshkhali Bridge.
In the late 18th century, when the Arakan region fell under Burmese occupation, many refugees took shelter in Ramu and Cox’s Bazar along the banks of the Bakkhali. At that time, British officer Captain Hiram Cox arranged for their rehabilitation. Sadly, his gravesite was later engulfed and lost due to river erosion.
The Bakkhali River is tied not only to the history of refugees but also to the influx of foreign traders and rulers. Arab traders, Portuguese merchants, Arakanese pirates, and later the British all used this river route. During the Second World War, the river also played a highly significant role. British, American, and Allied troops stationed in Cox’s Bazar built wooden jetties on the river, where ships carrying arms and ammunition used to dock.
The Bakkhali again proved vital during the Liberation War of 1971. On December 15, troops of the Allied Forces entered Cox’s Bazar via the Bankkhali River aboard naval vessels, having disembarked from the Indian aircraft carrier Vikrant and other warships. The Mukti Bahini and local residents welcomed them with great warmth.
Settlements along the Bakkhali
According to oral history, settlements along the Bakkhali River were once very limited. From near the Badr Moqam Mosque up to the old Khurushkul Bridge, a few settlements gradually took shape. However, to the north of the river, houses were very sparse. Beside the Badr Moqam Mosque stood a pond where worshippers performed ablution before prayers. Just ten yards north of the pond flowed the Bakkhali itself. The northern bank was desolate, covered with saline grasses and stretches of keora forest, merging into an open horizon.
During low tide, people could travel from Badr Moqam to Hottiti Para via the Food Godown. On the way to Hottiti Para, on the right-hand side stood a high mound that served as a cremation ground for the Hindu community. In the middle was a roofed concrete structure where cremations were carried out. From the northern side of the cremation ground, two streamlets branched out from the Bakkhali River, flowing directly toward what is now the Jame Mosque and cemetery of Hottiti Para.
Biodiversity and Economy
From the perspective of biodiversity, the Bakkhali River is also highly resourceful. It serves as the habitat of 35 species of fish and 10 species of shrimp. According to the Cox’s Bazar Marine Fisheries Research Center, most of the over 400 species of marine animals in the Bay of Bengal lay their eggs in the estuary of the Bakkhali. Data from the Department of Environment further indicates that the mangroves along the Bakkhali host more than 12,000 species of flora and fauna. Among these are 567 species of plants, 162 species of mollusks, 21 species of crabs, 19 species of shrimp, two species of lobsters, 207 species of fish, 12 species of amphibians, and 19 species of reptiles. In addition, 206 bird species have been recorded, including 149 native and 57 migratory birds. Many globally endangered bird species are also found in the Bakkhali mangroves.
Since ancient times, the Bakkhali River has played an essential role as the commercial hub of Cox’s Bazar town. During the British colonial period, this river route was the primary means of communication for the region. The very foundation of Cox’s Bazar city was laid around this river. The city’s oldest markets, the Badr Moqam area, Khurushkul, and the Fisheries Ghat all developed directly along its banks.
Once, the river was the lifeline of Cox’s Bazar. Boats, sampans, and even large cargo ships navigated the Bakkhali. Traders and fishermen relied primarily on this waterway for transporting goods. The river was unparalleled in its importance for transporting fish, salt, and agricultural produce.
The tidal influence of the river mainly extends up to Ramu and Cox’s Bazar Sadar. In the dry season, its upstream flow weakens, while during the monsoon, flash floods from the hills inundate the low-lying areas of Ramu and Cox’s Bazar. Near its estuary, Bangladesh’s first rubber dam was built, which initially improved irrigation during the winter season and opened up new opportunities for agricultural production. When the water level drops in winter, the chars (shoals) that emerge along the banks are cultivated with vegetables, securing the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and contributing significantly to Cox’s Bazar’s vegetable production. At the same time, tidal lands of the river are used for salt and fish farming.
However, the rubber dam on the Bakkhali has also created several negative impacts. The dam has disrupted the river’s natural tidal flow, reducing the downstream supply of freshwater from upstream sources. As a result, salinity in the river water has increased, creating hostile conditions for freshwater fish and aquatic species. Migratory fish, especially shrimp and indigenous species, cannot travel upstream, which hampers their breeding and leads to a decline in local fish stocks. In the dry season, the dam lowers the water level and causes silt accumulation on the riverbed, damaging its natural flow and capacity. During heavy monsoon rains or hill floods, the dam heightens the risks of waterlogging and flooding, especially in the lowlands of Ramu and Cox’s Bazar. Moreover, the disruption of natural connections between streams and canals has harmed surrounding biodiversity. Consequently, agriculture, fisheries, and the overall ecosystem have faced long-term negative impacts.
Bakkhali in Literature and Culture
The contribution of the Bakkhali River to the cultural development of Cox’s Bazar is undeniable. The river was not only the driving force of the economy and trade but also profoundly shaped people’s lifestyles, beliefs, rituals, and social bonds.
The river was the focal point of Cox’s Bazar’s social life. Village fairs, gatherings, and various social festivals were held along its banks, strengthening community ties and cultural cohesion. Boat racing was one of the region’s most popular entertainments, reflecting the river-centered way of life.
The Bakkhali also held significance in religious practices. The Buddhist community’s Jahaj Bhassa Utsab (Ship Floating Festival) was celebrated around this river, becoming not only a religious observance but also a vital part of local cultural heritage.
The Bakkhali is not just a geographical and historical landmark of Cox’s Bazar—it has also left deep impressions in local literature and folklore. The river has been central to narratives of livelihood, struggle, love, and sorrow, which have found expression in various literary forms. With river trade and travel, songs, stories, folktales, and poetry flourished around the Bakkhali. Folk songs and folktales often present the river as a living character. The songs and stories born on its banks echo themes of fishing, boat journeys, storms, and the joys and hardships of life. Songs about the Bakkhali depict not only love, separation, and the beauty of nature but also tales of human hopes and despair.
In regional literature, the Bakkhali is frequently invoked as a symbol of natural beauty. Writers and poets portray their meandering streams and tidal rhythms alongside the lives of riverside communities. The river is often depicted as both a nurturing mother and a cruel force of erosion.
Moreover, the Bakkhali’s role in the Liberation War has also been captured in literature. In 1971, the Allied Forces entered Cox’s Bazar via this river, and that historic event inspired many literary works.
In sum, the Bakkhali River is not only part of the geographical identity of Cox’s Bazar but also an inseparable element of its literature, culture, traditions, and folk life.
History of the Canal (Chhara) and Its Present Crisis
On the way to Nuniarchar, the canal beside the mosque bridge once stretched about 300 feet along its banks, both north and south. Today, no trace of that wide canal remains. A branch of the same canal (Chhara) once flowed southward, reaching as far as Morangchhara.
On the western side near the food warehouse, there used to be at least 700–800 feet of open canal (chhara) space. Right beside the warehouse, another 200 feet of canal remained open. All of that is now history. These areas have been grabbed by land grabbers, and the canal (chhara) has been reduced to a narrow, dirty drain.
This canal (chhara) once held immense importance. Nearly 80 percent of Cox’s Bazar town’s rainwater, water descending from the hills, and household wastewater used to flow through this canal into the Bakkhali River. But due to massive encroachment, today the town faces severe waterlogging every monsoon. As a result, the lifeline of Cox’s Bazar—the Bakkhali River and its canals—are being destroyed by encroachment and pollution, turning the city into an unbearable waterlogged urban space.
Bakkhali in Existential Crisis
Over time, the Bakkhali River has fallen into a state of existential crisis due to encroachment and pollution. The town’s drainage system directly empties into the river, severely degrading water quality. Large portions of the riverbank have been grabbed, narrowing it into little more than a foul drain. Yet the river remains vital for the drainage system and biodiversity of Cox’s Bazar.
Tragically, this lifeline of Cox’s Bazar has now been turned into a dumping ground. All the city’s garbage is piled up on the riverbank in the Kasturaghat area. The stench of waste has made life unbearable for nearby residents. With every rainfall, toxic waste-laden water flows directly into the Bankkhali. Alongside, plastic and polythene continue to pollute the river daily. In this way, the toxic burden is destroying the aquatic biodiversity of the river. Neither the Department of Environment nor the local administration appears to be taking any steps to address these problems.
It is absolutely clear that if Cox’s Bazar is to survive, the Bakkhali river must be saved. No civilization has ever survived—nor ever can—by killing its rivers.
Author: Mamun Kabir, Environmental Activist