Table of Contents
Objectives
- Natural resources of Bangladesh: Definition, types
- Mineral resources of Bangladesh
- Ore mineral resources
- Energy mineral resources
- Impact on the environment due to the extraction of natural resources
- Precautions in using natural resources
- Renewability
- Constraints on resource availability
Bangladesh is a small but densely populated country located in South Asia. It possesses various natural resources. Its geographical location with the Ganga-Brahmaputra/ Ganges-Brahmaputra delta system and the Bay of Bengal is one of the reasons for the availability of country’s natural resources including fertile land, rivers, forests and minerals.
The countr is renowned for its fertile agricultural land, which is the primary source of livelihood for the majority of its population. Bangladesh is also rich in mineral resources like natural gas, coal, and oil. The coastal areas of the country are habitats for various marine resources, including fish, shrimp, and crabs, which play an important role in the country’s fisheries industry. The natural resources of Bangladesh are a crucial component for achieving sustainable development of the country.
Natural Resources of Bangladesh
Natural resources refer to all the elements or substances that originate from the natural environment and possess economic value. Air, water, soil, minerals, forests, wildlife, and fossil fuels are some examples of natural resources. These resources can be either renewable or non-renewable. Natural resources play an important role in sustaining life on Earth and are essential for human economic activities like food production, energy generation, and industrial production Different types of natural resources are found in different parts of the world, but they are not equally distributed everywhere. Some places have more resources, while others have less. It is very important to ensure the conservation of resources in regions or countries where resources are scarce. Bangladesh also has various natural resources, but the quantity of many of them is much lower compared to the country’s needs. Therefore, we must use these resources calculatedly. The natural resources of Bangladesh can be divided into several categories, such as agricultural resources, forest resources, fisheries resources, mineral resources, land, water, and so on. Agricultural resources play a role in economic development along with food production. Fisheries resources fulfill a large part of the country’s demand for protein. From mineral resources, we get raw materials for fuel and industrial production. This chapter mainly focuses on the mineral resources, forest resources, and water resources of Bangladesh.
Mineral Resources of Bangladesh
Mineral substances are those chemical compounds that are formed naturally, either from one or more elements, or by slight modification, and are found in rock layers. Different rock components gradually transform into different minerals through various chemical processes over geological time. Among the mentionable mineral resources on Earth are natural gas, mineral oil, coal, iron ore, aluminum, gold, diamond, tungsten, limestone, glass sand, porcelain, copper, solid rock, etc. Although Bangladesh is not rich enough in mineral resources, several minerals are available in this country. Among them are natural gas, mineral oil, glass sand, coal, limestone, solid rock, porcelain, gravel, heavy metal-bearing sands, uranium ore, iron, etc. The mineral resources of Bangladesh can be primarily divided into (1) energy resources, and (2) ores and other mineral resources. Among these resources, some of the commercially important resources are discussed below.
Energy Resources
Among the energy resources of Bangladesh obtained from mines, there are coal, natural gas, and mineral oil. These minerals are used as sources of energy in various industries and factories. In various thermal power plants, electricity is generated from coal and gas, and supplied throughout the country.
Coal: The coal obtained in Bangladesh is primarily bituminous, lignite, and peat type. Among the coals obtained in Bangladesh, superior quality coals are bituminous and lignite and which contains 60% to 50% of the fuel carbon. On the other hand, though peat is not exactly coal, it is known as peat coal, with only 30% to 40% carbon fuel content. So far, a total of five coalfields have been discovered in the country. Among them, the first discovered coal mine is located in Jamalganj of Joypurhat district. In spite of being the largest coal mine in terms of deposits, coal extraction has not yet started from this mine as it is much deeper from the surface. However, a large amount of coal is produced from the Barapukuria coalfield in Dinajpur most of which is used in Barapukuria thermal power plant for power generation. Three other coalfields are at Dighipara and Phulbari in Dinajpur district, and Khalaspir in Rangpur district. Besides these coalfields, bituminous and lignite coal deposits of high-quality have been found in Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Bogra, Naogaon, and Sylhet districts.
A significant amount of peat deposits has been found in various regions of Moulvibazar, Sunamganj, Madaripur and Khulna in Bangladesh. Trees and shrubs need to be under heat and pressure beneath the soil for millions of years in order to form actual coal, though for peat, it takes several thousand years. The colour of the peat obtained in Bangladesh is brown to dark brown. Due to the proximity of the peat fields to the earth’s surface, in Bangladesh they can be easily extracted. Peat is commonly used as fuel in brick fields, boilers, and sometimes even for household purposes.
Natural Gas: Natural gas is an important source of energy resources in Bangladesh. Natural gas is basically a mixture of methane, propane, butane and other hydrocarbon gases. So far, a total of 29 gas fields have been discovered in Bangladesh, and there is possibility of more gas fields to be discovered. Among them, gas production is going on from some gas fields, some are suspended and some are yet to start gas production. Active gas fields in Bangladesh include Titas, Habiganj, Bakhrabad, Kailastila, Rashidpur, Haripur etc. The extracted gas from the Titas Gas Field is used in fertilizer factory and thermal power plant in Ashuganj and Ghodarashal, as well as in the Siddhirganj thermal power plant.
The natural gas obtained in Bangladesh is of very high quality and contains very little water vapor or impurities, with a high amount of methane (96-99%). Natural gas fulfills approximately 71% of the country’s total commercial fuel consumption. The gas that is supplied to households through pipelines or cylinders for household cooking purpose is produced by purifying natural gas.
Mineral Oil: In 1986, the country’s only mineral oil field was discovered in Haripur, Sylhet. About 60% of the total deposit of oil in this oil field has been extracted. Production was stopped in early 1994 after oil production declined. According to experts, with proper management of evaluation, it may be possible to achieve full-scale oil production.
Ore and Other Mineral Resources
Bangladesh is a densely populated country and, it does not have sufficient mineral resources, compared to its demand. For this reason, various types of mineral resources are imported from other countries every year to meet various needs. Though the country is not rich in mineral resources, several minerals can be found in this country. These minerals include limestone, silica sand, solid rock, gravel, porcelain etc.
Limestone: Limestone is primarily used as a raw material in the cement industry. In addition, it is also used in house building and glass industry; in producing steel, soap, bleaching powder, paper or paints. The country’s first limestone mine was discovered in Takerghat of Sunamganj in the early 1960s. Apart from that, limestone is found in Lalghat and Bagli Bazar of Sunamganj; Jaflong, Jokiganj, Charga of Sylhet, Jahanpur and Paranagar of Naogaon district, Jaipurhat and Jamalganj of Joypurhat district.
Silica/ Glass Sand: It is the main raw material for glass production. It is also used in the manufacture of dyes and various chemicals. The deposits of glass sand in Bangladesh are notable. Glass sand is a quartz of fine to medium size with a colour ranging from yellow to grey. Glass sand deposits have been discovered on the surface of the earth or shallow depth of the earth at Balijuri, Shahjibazar and Chouddagram, and deep inside the earth’s surface at Madhyapara and Barapukuria.
Hard Rock / Stone: Hard rock is widely used in the construction of infrastructure such as houses, roads, railway lines, river embankments etc. In 1966, the first hard rock was discovered at a depth of approximately 182 metres from the surface at a place called Ranipukur under Badarganj Police Station of Rangpur district. Directorate of Geological Survey of Bangladesh discovered deposits of hard rock at a depth of 132 metres to 160 metres from the surface in Madhyapara, Dinajpur district. In addition, hard rock is found in Patnitala in Naogaon district, Bholaganj in Sylhet and Tentulia in Panchagarh.
Porcelain: Porcelain basically refers to high-quality clay made from clay minerals called kaolin. Porcelain is primarily used in ceramic industry in the production of various utensils, sanitary ware, dishware, electrical insulators, and so on. Porcelain deposits have been discovered at the surface or slightly below the surface in Vijaypur of Netrakona district, Vurunga of Sherpur district and Haitgaon, Kanchpur, Allahabad of Chittagong district; while within the surface in Madhyapara of Dinajpur district.
Gravel: Gravel is found in the northern border areas of the country, along the foothills of the Himalayas. They are carried by rivers from upstream areas during monsoons. Gravel is used in various developmental activities.
Sand used in construction: Numerous rivers flow through Bangladesh, which is one of the reasons why it is called a riverine country. This type of sand is found in the river beds of various rivers in the country. It is primarily composed of a combination of medium to coarse- grained quartz.
However, it may also contain other minerals. This type of sand is widely used in the construction of various commercial and developmental infrastructures such as buildings, roads, dams or embankments, bridges.
Beach Sand Heavy Mineral: This type of mineral is found in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. Mainly Cox’s Bazar, Badr Mokam, Maheshkhali, Kutubdia, and Matarbari have the deposits of beach sand heavy mineral. Due to the systematic and careful surveying operations, in 17 places along the coast of Bangladesh, there have been identified deposits of beach sand heavy mineral which are called placer deposits. Among them, 15 placer deposits are located near Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong coastal areas and nearby islands. Among the heavy minerals are zircon, rutile, ilmenite, magnetite, monazite, leucoxene, kyanite, etc. These heavy minerals are used in welding, in the manufacture of refractory materials or heat-resistant products, and glass as well as in the extraction of zirconium metal.
Forest Resources
Forest resources play a significant role in the economy and environment of Bangladesh. The total land area of Bangladesh is 1,48,000 square kilometres, of which approximately 18% is covered by woodland/forest. These woodlands/forests consist of both natural and man-made forests and are habitat for a variety of flora and fauna.
The world’s largest mangrove forest, Sundarbans, is located in Bangladesh and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A mangrove forest is a special type of forest of trees and shrubs that can survive in the intertidal zone of the sea. This forest covers an area of approximately 4,000 square kilometres and protects the coastal region, serving as a habit for the Royal Bengal Tiger, spotted deer, saltwater crocodile, and various species of birds. Apart from Sundarbans, Bangladesh also has notable forest areas in Chittagong Hill Tracts, Srimangal and Madhavpur. Chittagong Hill Tracts are rich in biodiversity. Srimangal and Madhavpur lakes are famous for their tea gardens.
Forests make significant contributions to various environmental, social, and economic developments. The trees in the forest absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, and play an important role in climate regulation. Besides, forests help prevent soil erosion and maintain water cycles. Forests are home to numerous medicinal plants, which serve as an essential source for traditional and herbal medicines. However, the forest resources of Bangladesh are facing several challenges, including deforestation, degradation, and fragmentation. The government of Bangladesh has been implementing various policies and programmes to protect forests and expand their coverage. It is essential to ensure sustainable management of forest resources for the benefit of future generations.
Water Resources
Water is an important natural resource of Bangladesh. The country has a dense network of rivers, canals, and wetlands. The country is situated in the delta of three major rivers, Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna, which is the largest river delta in the world. Besides these major rivers, there are more than 700 smaller rivers and tributaries that have crossed the country. In addition, the Haor regions of Bangladesh are significant sources of surface water resources. The Haor regions mainly consist of north-eastern districts of Bangladesh such as Sunamganj, Habiganj, Sylhet and a large part of Moulvibazar. Major Haors in Sylhet district include the Shanir Haor, Hakaluki Haor, Daker Haor, Makar Haor, Tanguar Haor etc. In winter, these areas experience water scarcity and are used for agricultural activities.
The Bay of Bengal in the southern part of the country is another vast water resource. The water resources of the country provide numerous benefits in different fields, including agriculture, transportation, irrigation, hydropower generation, and fishing. Additionally, it is assumed that there is a huge source of oil and gas deep in the Bay of Bengal. The water resources of Bangladesh are also vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods, cyclones and storms. Despite these challenges, the Bangladesh government has implemented various programmes and policies to improve water management, including flood control measures, river dredging, and promotion of sustainable water use practices.
Impact on the Environment due to Extraction of Natural Resources
Natural resources are essential for the existence and development of human civilization. However, their unplanned extraction can have significant adverse impacts on the environment. One of the most notable impacts on the environment due to the extraction of natural resources is destruction of ecosystems and wildlife habitats. This destruction is often irreversible and can lead to the extinction of various species, loss of biodiversity and disruption of food chains. For example, deforestation for timber harvesting and agricultural purposes has resulted in the destruction of large areas of forests. This results in soil erosion, loss of wildlife habitat and increased carbon emissions. When wildlife habitats are destroyed, they often migrate to human habitats in search of food and shelter. Then the germs of different diseases can be transmitted from these wildlife populations to humans. Such events are suspected to be the possible cause of the recent global outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Burning fuels and natural gas as well as fossil fuels can also have a significant impact on environment. These extraction processes can result in greenhouse gas emissions as well as air and water pollution. Burning fossil fuels contributes to changes in the climate, which have extensive effects on the environment and human society. The process of extracting natural resources from mines can have adverse effects on the environment. For mining, it requires the removal of large amount of soil and rock which results in the loss of green grass cover, and causes soil erosion on the Earth’s surface. Besides, mining can release toxic chemicals and heavy metals into the air and water, which can have long-term impacts on the environment and human health. 16.6 Caution in the Use of Natural Resources We have observed that there is a close relationship between the types of natural resources and their availability. Most of the resources obtained from mining are nonrenewable. For example, if coal, natural gas, mineral oil, limestone or porcelain, etc. are once extracted from mines, they cannot be replenished or recovered. In addition, if excessive extraction of mineral resources is done, future generations will face shortage of these resources. Excessive mining results in the destruction of fertile land on the Earth’s surface. As a result, it leads to a loss of the land’s utility not only in agriculture but also in other areas of use. Renewable resources are safe to use. If we use them, there will be no shortage of resources in the near future. For example, solar energy, tidal energy, electricity, wind energy are renewable resources, and there is no possibility to run out in the near future. However, even though underground water, woodland, soil of agricultural land are renewable resources, excessive use can cause their scarcity in the near future. Therefore, where possible, it is necessary to utilize the water from rivers or canals, and stop using underground water. Cutting down trees from forests should be stopped, and new trees should be planted. This country and this planet are our habitat. To keep it habitable, it is essential for us to preserve its natural environment and resources. As citizens of this country, we need to make everyone aware of the adverse effects of irresponsible use of natural resources, and support the sustainable practices that minimize environmental damage. Wherever possible, we must utilize renewable energy sources, reduce waste production, and minimize resource consumption. Thus, everyone must participate in efforts to protect natural resources and ecosystems for future generations.
