Dacope is an upazila of Khulna District in the Division of Khulna, Bangladesh. Dacope Thana was established in 1906 and was converted into an upazila in 1983.

Geography

Dacope Upazila has a total area of 991.58 km2. It borders Batiaghata Upazila to the north, Rampal and Mongla Upazilas of Bagerhat District to the east, the confluence of the Pasur and Shibsa Rivers at the Kunga estuary to the south, and Koyra and Paikgachha Upazilas to the west. Other main rivers are the Manki and Bhadra.

Demographics

As of the 2011 Census of Bangladesh, Dacope upazila had 36,597 households and a population of 152,316. 26,092 (17.13%) were under 10 years of age. Dacope had an average literacy rate of 56.00%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 997 females per 1000 males. 14,188 (9.31%) of the population lived in urban areas. According to the 1991 Bangladesh census, Dacope had a population of 143,131. Males constituted 52.25% of the population, and females 47.75%. The population aged 18 or over was 78,759. Dacope had an average literacy rate of 37.6% (7+ years), compared to the national average of 32.4%. It is the only Hindu majority upazila in Bangladesh.

Administration

Dacope Upazila is divided into Chalna Municipality and ten union parishads: Bajua, Banishanta, Dacope, Kailashganj, Kamarkhola, Khulna Range, Loudob, Pankhali, Sutarkhali, and Tildanga Union. The union parishads are subdivided into 26 mauzas and 97 villages. Chalna Municipality is subdivided into 9 wards and 15 mahallas. There is a War of Liberation mass killing site at Bazua High School courtyard and a War of Liberation monument, Smriti Amlan (in front of the upazila parisad building).

NGO activities

Operationally important NGOs are BRAC, Proshika, World Vision, Gonoshahajjo Sangstha, HEED Bangladesh, Step, and Prodipon.

Education

Colleges

High schools