Bandarban

Bandarban Hill District is the remotest and least populated district in Bangladesh. The lure of the tallest peaks of Bangladesh, treks through virgin forests and chance to meet more than 15 tribes of the region up close is growing both among Bangladeshis and tourists from other countries. Since the insurgency ceased in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (a cluster that includes all three hill districts of Bangladesh) it has opened up for tourists more than a decade back, though some of the western tourist guides may still describe the area as a major security risk.

Area: 4479 sq km

Rivers & Beel: Main rivers are Shankha (Sangu), Matamuhuri and Bakkhali. The four major mountain ranges of the district are the Meranja, Wailatong, Tambang and Politai. Bagakain or Baga Lake is notable. 

Temperature: Annual average temperature maximum 34.6?C and minimum 13?C. Annual rainfall 3031 mm.

Bandarban Town: The area of Bandarban town is 51.80 sq km. It has a population of 31806; male 60.22%, female 39.78%. It consists of 10 wards and 62 mahallas. There are 2 dakbungalows, 1 cinema hall, 2 public libraries, 1 community centre and 3 playgrounds in the town. Literacy rate among the town people is 56.8%. 

Administration: Bandarban district was established in 1983. It consists of 7 upazilas, 32 unions, 140 mouzas, 1482 villages, 1 municipality, 10 wards and 62 mahallas and Parliamentary Seat 01. 

Upazilla:The upazilas are Bandarban Sadar, Rowangchhari,Ruma, Thanchi, Lama, Alikadam, and Naikanchari.

Historical events :The British rulers declared Bandarban as a forest zone because of its vast forest area devoid of human settlement. The Arakanese were permanently settled in Bandarban after the British ascendancy in Arakan. 

Population: 292900; male 53.39%, female 46.61%; Muslim 47.62%, Buddhist 38%, Christian 7.27%, Hindu 3.52% and others 3.59%. Ethnic nationals include the Marma, Murang, Tripura, Bawm, Tanchangya, Chakma, Chak, Khyang, Khumi, Lushel and the Pankho.

Literacy :Average literacy 39.5%; male 49.5%, female 25.4%. 

Educational institutions: college 2, high school 24, junior school 26, residential school 3, government primary school 219, non-government primary school 150, non formal education centres 45, madrasa 6. 

Newspaper: Locally published newspapers and periodicals Dailies: Jug Rabi and Natun Bangladesh; periodical: Sangu.

Cultural organisations: Shishu Academy 1, Shilpakala Academy 1, public library 7, cinema hall 5, tribal cultural institution 1.

Main occupations: Agriculture 43.09%, forestry 4.14%, agricultural labourer 18.73%, wage labourer 7.09%, commerce 7.33%, service 8.52%, others 11.1%. 

Land use :Forest land 280473.29 hectares, agricultural land 100945.44 hectares, and fallow land 146285.45 hectares. About 52.15% land is used for jhum cultivation and fruit plantation.

Crops:Main agricultural crops Paddy, mustard, cotton, tobacco, vegetables. 

Main fruits: Banana, pineapple, jackfruit, orange, papaya. 

Communications facilities: Roads pucca 134 km., semi pucca 39 km and mud road 205 km; waterways 166 km.

Mill & Factories:Manufactories Cotton Research Centre, textile mill, match factory, etc. 

Hat & Bazar: Main hats and bazaars Main hats and bazars are Swalak, Rwongchari, Ruma, Thanchi, Balipara, Aziznagar, Lama, Alikadam, Bahisari, Naikhongchari, Gumdum, Tumbru and Murong Gahati. 

Main Exports: Banana, jackfruit, cotton, bamboo.

NGOs activities: Operationally important NGOs are CCDB, CARITAS. Health centres District sadar hospital 1, upazila health complex 7, union health and family planning centres 29.

Bandarban MAP

Hotels/Accommodation