Gazipur is the industrial engine room of Bangladesh. If Dhaka is the head, Gazipur is the hands that do the heavy lifting. As you enter the district, the skyline is punctuated by the smokestacks of brick kilns and the sprawling complexes of ready-made garment factories. It is here that the shirts and trousers worn by people in Europe and America are stitched. The energy is frantic. The roads are often clogged with trucks carrying raw materials and covered vans transporting finished goods to the port. Shift changes at the factories see the streets flood with hundreds of thousands of workers, a human tide that powers the national economy. It is a district of migrants, where people from all over the country come to seek their fortune, giving it a melting-pot culture.
However, Gazipur fights to keep its green soul alive amidst the concrete. It is home to the Bhawal National Park, a massive sal forest that acts as the lungs for the region. Despite encroachment, the park remains a beautiful escape with its tall, slender trees and walking trails. It is a popular spot for picnics and a quick retreat for city dwellers. The district also hosts the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, which is a hit with families. Here, you can drive through enclosures to see tigers, lions, and bears in a semi-natural environment, a rare experience in this part of the world. The contrast between the heavy industry and these pockets of nature is sharp and defines the district's current struggle.
Gazipur is also an intellectual hub, hosting several key universities and research institutes, including the Islamic University of Technology and the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute. The latter has played a critical role in the country's food security. On weekends, the district transforms into a leisure destination. Dozens of high-end resorts have sprung up in the quieter corners, offering swimming pools and green lawns for tired Dhakaites. These resorts often sit right next to traditional villages, creating a juxtaposition of luxury and rural simplicity. Gazipur is dusty, busy, and loud, but it is also undeniable in its importance. It is the place where the country works, innovates, and occasionally, finds a place to rest under the shade of a sal tree.