Bhola is the island district, the largest island in Bangladesh, floating at the mouth of the Meghna River where it meets the Bay of Bengal. Because it is separated from the mainland by wide rivers, Bhola has developed a unique, isolated charm. There are no direct bridges to the rest of the country, so every person and every sack of rice that arrives here comes by boat. This isolation has preserved a pristine rural beauty. The island is famous for its Buffalo Curd (Mohisher Doi). Unlike the sweet cattle milk curd of Bogura, Bhola's curd is made from rich buffalo milk. It is creamy, heavy, and has a distinct, raw flavor that is served in clay pots. It is a culinary treasure that is hard to find fresh anywhere else.
The southern tip of the district features Char Kukri Mukri and Monpura. Monpura Island is a cinematic beauty, made famous by the movie of the same name. It is a place of isolation and romance, with mangrove forests, deer, and endless river views. Cycling through the quiet roads of Monpura with the wind in your hair is a stress detox. Char Kukri Mukri is a wildlife sanctuary, home to thousands of deer and migratory birds. It is a mangrove forest that rivals the Sundarbans in density but is much less commercialized. You can walk through the mud trails and feel completely cut off from the modern world.
Bhola is also the gas battery of the south. The Shahbazpur Gas Field holds massive reserves that power power plants and industries. However, the district lives in constant fear of river erosion. The Meghna is ruthless here, devouring acres of land every year. The struggle to save the island with concrete blocks is a perpetual war. Despite this, the soil is incredibly fertile, producing huge amounts of watermelon and betel nut. The Hilsa fishing industry here is massive, with the ghats buzzing with silver fish during the season. Bhola is resilient, wild, and incredibly distinct, an island culture that stands apart from the mainland.