WELCOME INFORMATION PACK

Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network

Khulna, Bangladesh

CONTACT
HASAN MEHEDI Chief Executive Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) Nuri Manjil, 39 Farukia Mosque Cross Road, Boyra Khulna 9000, Bangladesh Cell Phone: +88 017 1670 2006, Email: info@cleanbd.org

YOU MAY NEED THIS INFORMATION TO FILL UP EMBARKATION FORM UPON ARRIVAL ALSO!

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Dear Distinguished Guest!

Welcome - Swagatom! We are grateful to you for coming Khulna, the greenest city of Bangladesh which also known for its natural and cultural diversity. If you need any further assistance or have any clarifications/queries, kindly refer to the CONTACT section of this document.

1. ABOUT KHULNA
Khulna is one of the districts in the Southwest coastal region of Bangladesh which is 330 kilometres to the southern direction from the capital, Dhaka. The district Khulna consists of a number of rivers and canals which make it like fishing net. World famous single tract mangrove forest Sundarbans. It is one of the world heritage site and Ramsar site. Another world heritage site Shat Gambuz Mosjid (Sixty-dome-mosque) also located in Khulna region. Khulna is the 3rd largest city in Bangladesh after Dhaka and Chittagong. Often referred to as Industrial City, it is one of the important industrial and commercial areas of the country. It has a Sea port named Mongla on its outskirts, 48 km south from Khulna city which is the 2nd seaport in Bangladesh. Khulna is also the gateway of the Sundarbans.
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The population of the city was 1,000,000 in 2007 estimation. The wider Statistical Metropolitan Area had at the same time an estimated population of 1,435,422.

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The city is 330 km (by road) southwest from the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka, a 133 km beeline. To which it is connected by road, air, railway and waterways. The steamer fleet for this route includes the ancient ships Tern (1912), Osrich and Lepcha. Khulna was part of the ancient kingdoms of Vanga or Samatata. In the 12th century, it came under the Sena dynasty during the reign of Ballal Sena and formed part of the Bagri division of Bengal. During the 14th century, Shamsuddin Firoz Shah became the first Muslim ruler to arrive in the city. The Muslim settlements in the city increased during the time of Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah. In the 15th century, a Muslim saint named Khan Jahan Ali acquired a Jaigir comprising a large part of the greater Khulna Division from the king of Gaua. Khulna remained under the Mughal rule till 1757, when the British East India Company seized the control of Bengal from Siraj Ud Daulah. In 1842, the city became a part of Khulna subdivision of Jessore District. In 1882, it became the headquarters of Khulna District, comprising the then Khulna and Bagerhat subdivisions of Jessore district, Satkhira subdivision of 24 Parganas district and the Sundarbans. World famous non-violent movement leader Mahatma Gandhi visited Khalishpur of the district to invigorate Swadeshi Movement. Khulna is humid during summer and pleasant in winter. Khulna has an annual average temperature of 26.3 C (79.3 F) and monthly means varying between 12.4 C (54.3 F) in January and 34.3 C (93.7 F) in May. Annual average rainfall of Khulna is 1,809.4 millimetres (71.24 in). Approximately 87% of the annual average rainfall occurs between May and October. The area of Khulna city is 40.79 sq km, located in between 2445 and 2454 north latitudes and in between 8928 and 8935 east longitudes. It is the headquarter of Khulna Division and Khulna city where you can get almost all of the essential services including major Banks, government offices, radio station, media, civil society leaders, nongovernment organizations and judge court. For details, please go to: http://www.banglapedia.org/HT/K_0311.htm
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2. OUR LOCATION
Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN)
Nuri Manjil, 39 Farukia Mosque Cross Road Azizer Moor, Boyra, Khulna 9000, Bangladesh Please see the map on the last page of this Welcome Pack which indicated the route and location of the Venue. You may print the maps on A4 size paper also. You can also keep the coordinates to find-out our office on Google Maps. The coordinate is: 2250'6.87"N 8931'40.28"E. Please see the location map of our office here:

Our office is 5.0 Km far from downtown Khulna and easy to reach by a Rickshaw, Easybike (battery-driven tricycle) or any other vehicle. Please inform us earlier if you need a lift from your accommodation to our office.
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3. TRAVEL TO THE LOCATION

2.1 Before Arrival at Dhaka
You will reach at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (formerly known as Zia International Airport, code: DAC) or any of the Bus Terminal: Shyamoli, Gabtoli, Syedabad or Mahakhali. Please visit this link if you come first time to Bangladesh: a. http://wikitravel.org/en/Dhaka; and b. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293936-s409/DhakaCity:Bangladesh:First.Time.Visitors.html

2.2 Travels by Air

You need to check out with baggage from International Airport (Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport - DAC) and further enter in Domestic Airport which is adjacent to the International Airport. It is on your right hand after checking out. Please collect your e-ticket earlier; otherwise you may not be able get a ticket instant. The common domestic Airlines are:

Novo Air
Gulshan Sales Office: Z Tower (Ground Floor), Plot 4, Road 132 Gulshan 1, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh Phone: +88 02 988 9896, Mobile: +88 017 5565 6665 Domestic Airport: +88 017 5565 6663 Website: http://www.flynovoair.com/

Regent Airways
Gulshan Sales Office: SA Tower (Level-5), Plot 1, Road#134 Block SE(A), Gulshan-1, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh Phone: +88 02 8953003; Email : Gulshan@flyregent.com Website: http://www.flyregent.com/

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United Airways
219-221, Taher Tower Shopping Center, Plot 10, North Avenue, Gulshan-2, Dhaka, Bangladesh Phone: +88 02 985 4769; Mobile: +88 017 1348 6659 Email: sales@uabdl.com, res@uabdl.com Website: http://www.uabdl.com/

Khulna is 63 km far from nearest domestic airport, Jessore. All of the domestic airlines have their own shuttle service from Jessore Airport to Khulna city. It may cost around BDT 200.00 (USD 2.60). If you need a private car to travel from Jessore to Khulna, CLEAN is happy to arrange it.

2.3 Travels from Bus Stands

We are requesting to have a Taxi or CNG (Auto-rickshaw) from your arrival to Shyamoli, Kalyanpur or Gabtoli Bus Terminal (please talk to the Taxi/CNG Driver that you will go to Khulna by Sohagh Paribahan, Eagle Paribahan, AK Travels or Hanif Enterprise). The Taxi/CNG will take around BDT 250.00-350.00 from Airport or other Bus terminals (Syedabad or Mahakhali Bus Terminal or Kamalapur Railway Station). You may get one of any Bus services: Sohagh Paribahan, Eagle Paribahan, AK Travels or Hanif Enterprise from Dhaka to Khulna City. It will take around BDT 1,100.00 each person for Air Conditioned service and BDT 550.00 for non-air conditioned service. It will take around 8-10 hours to reach Khulna. The buses are available in early morning (7:00-9:00 AM), afternoon (2:30-4:00 PM) and night (8:00 PM - 11:00 PM). Please check with your arrival time considering huge traffic in Dhaka city. You can see some buses here: AK Travels: http://transportbd.com/transport-counter-Info-detail.php#bus Eagle Paribahan: http://www.bdtransportinfo.com/businfo/eagle.php Greenline: http://www.greenlineparibahan.com/
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Hanif Enterprize: http://www.parjatanbd.com/details.php?id=28 Shohagh Paribahan: http://www.bdtransportinfo.com/businfo/shohagh.php

Please print the Address of CLEAN in Bangla and English (which is given on last page of this Advisory) on A4 size page. Please change your Dollar to Bangladeshi Taka from any Bank in the Airport or near to Bus Stand. The exchange rate is almost same in everywhere.

2.4 Travels by Train

There is an intercity train from Dhaka to Khulna which is more comfortable than bus. You can get Sundarban Express at 6:20 AM and Chittra Express 19:00 hours from Kamalapur, Airport or Cantonment Railway Station. The fare is around BDT 950.00 for Air Conditioned Chair Couch and BDT 2,000.00 for berth services. For details, please see: www.railway.gov.bd/all_ic_mail_shedule.asp

3. ACCOMMODATION & MEALS

There are a number of luxurious and budget hotels in Khulna city. Range of the twin beded rooms in luxury hotels may vary from BDT 1,500 (USD 20.00) to BDT 3,000.00 (USD 40.00) including taxes. The luxurious hotels provide complimentary breakfast for their guests. Please note that check out time of the participants is at 12:00 noon. Please see the following popular hotels before you start your journey to Khulna:

Hotel Castle Salam

G-8, KDA Avenue, Khulna 9100, Bangladesh Phone : +88 041 732 790 to 92, 720 160 Fax : 88 041 730341 Email: hotelcastlesalam@gmail.com Web: http://www.hotel-castlesalam.com/

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Hotel City Inn Limited

B-1, Mazid Sarani, Khulna 9100, Bangladesh Phone : +88 041 834 067 to 72 Mobile: +88 017 1129 8501; Fax: +88 041 724 844 E-mail: cityinnltd@gmail.com, info@cityinnltd.com Website: http://www.cityinnltd.com

Hotel Royal International

A-33, Khan Jahan Ali Road, Khulna 9100, Bangladesh Phone: +880 41 721 638 to 9 Mobile: +880 1190 856 013, 01718 679 900 Email: info@hotelroyalintl.com, hotelroyal1984@gmail.com Website: http://hotelroyalintl.com/

Western Inn International

51 Khan-A-Sabur Road, Khulna 9100, Bangladesh Phone: +88 041 810 899, 810 928, 724 754, 720 637 Mobile: +88 017 1143 1000; Fax: 88 041 731250 E-mail: info@western-inn.com, western@bttb.net.bd Web: http://www.western-inn.com/

4. SHOPPING
Open market is not safe for the foreigners as you are required to bargain for actual price. There are some departmental/super shops where you can buy things on fixed price, although those are a little bit expensive than the common market. Some of the common markets for foreigners are: KDA New Market Upper Jessore Road, Khulna 9100 Website: http://www.kda.gov.bd/newmarket.php Meena Bazaar Power House Moor, Khan-E-Sabur Road, Khulna Outlet Manager: +880 1841 700 702 Website: http://www.meenabazar.com.bd/
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Safe & Save 20 New Market Road, Khulna, Bangladesh (adjacent to KDA New Market) Phone: +880 41 731854 Aarong Plot A-43-44, Majid Sharani, Shib Bari, Khulna Phone: +880 41 730547 Website: http://www.aarong.com/retail.php

4. LANGUAGE
Bangla (Bengali) is the official language of Bangladesh, as well as Khulna. English is widely understood in Khulna and most of the cities. You may use some very common words given in Tab-14 (last page of this welcome pack).

5. CUSTOM DO'S & DO NOTS

Bangladesh is a Muslim dominant country where Mosques are everywhere and treated as sacred. Sacrilegious acts are punishable by imprisonment even if committed by foreign visitors. Intimacies between man and woman should not be shown in public. Sunbathing in the nude is prohibited. Bangladeshi people don't use any word as 'Mr or Ms'. They use a suffix 'Bhai' for elder/unknown male and 'Apa' for elder/unknown female. 'Sir' is commonly used for addressing Government higher Officials. Avoid placing your feet on the table while sitting. Never use your foot to point things out or to touch any part of the body of anyone, which is considered very rude.
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6. TRAFFIC
Dhaka is famous for its traffic jams and pollution. Khulna is unlike Dhaka but a little bit crowded at the downtown. Be prepared for at least 30 minutes to hour-long traffic jam when you pass Dhaka city. Khulna is not like Dhaka but you may face a small traffic at downtown only.

7. TIME
Bangladesh is 6 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), 30 minutes ahead of India and Sri Lanka. It is 1 hour ahead of Pakistan and 45 minutes ahead of Nepal.

8. CLIMATE
Bangladesh has a tropical monsoon climate characterized by wide seasonal variations in rainfall, high temperatures, and high humidity. Regional climatic differences in this flat country are minor. Three seasons are generally recognized: a hot, muggy summer from March to June; a hot, humid and rainy monsoon season from June to November; and a warm-hot, dry winter from December to February. In general, maximum summer temperatures range between 38 and 41 C (100.4 and 105.8 F). April is the hottest month in most parts of the country. January is the coolest month, when the average temperature for most of the country is 1620 C (6168 F) during the day and around 10 C (50 F) at night. It feels 2-3 degree more hot in the monsoon due to humidity. Wear light cloths outside due to high humidity (80-85%) and sweating. You may bring an umbrella to meet rain outside. The heat, combined with the humidity, makes walking a sizable distance in Noakhali almost impossible and breaking into a sweat after only a couple of hundred meters almost inevitable.
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You should dress for a tropical climate: cotton clothes are most comfortable. Exposing too much of your skin will not only earn you a sunburn, but is also frowned at by the locals. No matter how hot it is gentlemen must wear trousers in urban areas. For ladies, trousers are accepted or you can wear a skirt or a dress that covers the knees.

9. CURRENCY
Currently USD 1.00 = BDT 77.00 Bangladeshi currency is called Taka (BDT). There are 100 Paisas in 1 Taka. Notes are issued in denominations of BDT 1000, BDT 500, BDT 100, BDT 50, BDT 20, BDT 10, BDT 5 and BDT 2. There are 5, 2 and 1 Taka coins, and 50 and 25 Paisa. ATMs will issue only local currency. Local shops only accept Bangladeshi Taka. Any Bangladeshi Banks (like Sonali Bank Limited) at airport gives the best currency rates. Please avoid other exchange offices in the Airport. Money Exchanges in the city also give good rates. All major credit cards are accepted throughout Bangladesh. You can draw money by using your International Credit Cards from ATM booths in Khulna. You can also pay to big shops and hotel/restaurants by credit cards but not to small ones.

10. CONNECTIVITY
You can use your personal laptop in some of the hotel rooms. Please ask the front-desk officers about connectivity and passwords. We are requesting you to carry your USB Modem if you want to use mobile-network provided internet connections. Mobile SIM card is cheap in Bangladesh. However GrameenPhone has the largest coverage in the country followed by Banglalink and Robi. All of the companies has 3G Internet service in the city areas.
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You can collect one of the SIM Card for you by BDT 150-200.00. You need 2 copies of photo and identification document to get a personal SIM card. Per minute call charges are: Within Bangladesh - BDT 1.20, India BDT 12.00, Nepal - BDT 18.00, Pakistan - BDT 14.00 and Sri Lanka BDT 12.00 per minute, while the rate is cheaper if you call to USA/Canada, UK or some other EU countries. If you want to use internet in your cell phone, please use GrameenPhone and dial *111*6*1#. Then you will be able to choose your favourite internet package.

11. ELECTRICITY
The electrical current is 220V; 50Hz. Dual-prong rounded plugs can be used in sockets. Adaptors are available at most of the electric shops.

12. WATER
Tap water is not safe to drink while water of tube-well is safe. You may purchase bottle water from shops, if you required.

13 PERSONAL SAFETIES
If you are travelling by bus, keep the baggage in bunkers and take a Tag with number from the Guide/Supervisor. Keep your valuable things like laptop and small bag with you, not in the rack. If you travel by air, be careful with your bags in the arrival and departure areas outside airports. Violent crime, especially directed against foreigners, has traditionally been uncommon, although in recent years there has been a modest increase.
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Be cautious about displaying cash or expensive items to reduce the chance of being a target for robbery or other crime. Female participants should observe stringent security precautions, including avoiding use of public transport after dark without the company of known and trustworthy companions, restricting evening entertainment to well-known venues, and avoiding isolated areas when alone at any time of day. Always have a photocopy of your passport and keep it in your wallet. If your passport is lost or stolen, immediately head to police station and report the incident.

14. USEFUL WORDS IN BANGLA

Conversation
Greetings/Hello How are you? I'm fine Thank you What's your name? My name is... ... Nice to meet you Do you speak English? Do you understand? I don't understand A little Where are you from? I am from... ... Accommodation Room Bathroom/Toilet Hot Cold Room/Kakkho Bathroom/Toilet Gorom Thanda As-Salamu-Alaikum/Nomoskar Kemon achhen? Bhalo achhi Dhonnobad Aapnar naam ki? Aamar naam... ... Aapnar shathe kotha bole bhalo laglo Aapni ki engreji janen? Aapni ki bujhte peresen? Aami Bujhte pari ni Kisu kisu (or) Olpo olpo Apni kon desh theke eshechhen? Aami ... ... theke eshechhi

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Towel Bath/shower Time Today Yesterday Tomorrow Morning Noon Afternoon Evening Shopping

Toale Gosol/Snan

Aaj/Aajke Goto kaal Agami kaal Shokal Dupur Bikal Sondhya

How much is this? Too expensive Cheap/Inexpensive Can you give me a lower price? Bangladeshi Food Steamed Rice Fish Chicken Mutton Vegetable Water Gravy/Soup Fry

Etar daam koto? Khub beshi daam/Onek daam Kom dam/Sosta Er theke kom damer ekta dekhaben?

Bhat Machh Murgi Khashi Shobji/Vaji Paani Jhol/Surua Fry/Vaji

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Print this page to show our address to Rickshaw, Taxi, Auto-rickshaw Driver or Passer By

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