Bandarban District

Bandarban District (Chittagong division) with an area of 4479 sq km, is bounded by rangamati district on the north, Arakan (Myanmar) and the river naf on the south, Arakan and Rangamati district on the east and chittagong and cox's bazar district on the west. Bandarban mostly consists of forests and hills. 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. 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. The upazilas are bandarban sadar, rowangchhari, ruma, thanchi, lama, alikadam, and naikhoncchari. 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, murong, tripura, bawm, tanchangya, chakma, chak, khyang, khumi, lushei and the pankho.

Literacy and educational Institutions 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. 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.

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.

Manufactories Cotton Research Centre, textile mill, match factory, etc. 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.

[Atikur Rahman]