Bhola District (Bangladesh)

Bhola District (Bengali: ভোলা জেলা) is an administrative district of Barisal Division in south-central Bangladesh, which includes Bhola Island, the largest island of Bangladesh. It has an area of 3,403.48 km2. It is bounded by Lakshmipur and Barisal District to the north, the Bay of Bengal to the south, by Lakshmipur and Noakhali districts, the (lower) Meghna river and Shahbazpur Channel to the east, and by Patuakhali District and the Tentulia river to the west. The district is intersected by several rivers, among which the Ilisha River plays a vital role in shaping the local geography and livelihoods. Flowing as a distributary of the Meghna River, the Ilisha River runs through the western part of Bhola before merging with the Tentulia river and eventually draining into the Bay of Bengal. Along its course, the river forms part of the natural boundary that separates Bhola Island and contributes to the sedimentation that sustains the island’s landmass. However, the Ilisha River is also a major source of erosion, threatening settlements and agricultural land in its path, particularly in areas like Mehendiganj and Rajapur Union. Bhola is also known as the Home of Ilish, and rivers like the Ilisha provide crucial habitat for the iconic hilsa fish that the district is famous for.