Bandarban District

Bandarban Hill District
বান্দরবান পার্বত্য জেলা
District of Bangladesh
Clockwise from top-left: Buddha Dhatu Jadi, Boga Lake, Amiakhum Waterfall, Keokradong
Map
Interactive map of Bandarban Hill District
Coordinates: 21°48′N 92°24′E / 21.800°N 92.400°E / 21.800; 92.400
Country Bangladesh
DivisionChittagong Division
As a District18 April 1981
CapitalBandarban
Government
 • TypeDistrict Council
 • BodyBandarban Hill District Council
 • Deputy CommissionerYasmin Parvin Tibriji[1]
 • Chief Executive OfficerA. T. M. Kawser Hossain[2]
Area
[3]
 • Total
4,479.03 km2 (1,729.36 sq mi)
Population
 (2022)[4]
 • Total
481,106
 • Density107.413/km2 (278.198/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+06:00 (BST)
Postal code
4600
Area code0361
ISO 3166 codeBD-01
HDI (2019)0.574[5]
medium · 19th of 20
Websitebandarban.gov.bd

Bandarban District (Bengali: বান্দরবান জেলা), officially Bandarban Hill District, is a district in South-Eastern Bangladesh, and a part of the Chittagong Division.[6] It is one of the three hill districts of Bangladesh and a part of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the others being Rangamati District and Khagrachhari District. Bandarban district (4,479 km2) is not only the most remote district of the country, but also the least populous (population 388,000).[7] There is an army contingent at Bandarban Cantonment.

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1974 116,426—    
1981 171,478+5.69%
1991 230,569+3.01%
2001 298,120+2.60%
2011 388,335+2.68%
2022 481,106+1.97%
Sources:[4][8][3]

According to the 2022 Census of Bangladesh, Bandarban District had 106,065 households and a population of 481,106 with an average 4.41 people per household. Among the population, 110,625 (22.99%) inhabitants were under 10 years of age. The population density was 107 people per km2. The literacy rate (age 7 and over) was 63.74%, compared to the national average of 74.80%. The sex ratio of the district was at 105 males for 100 females. Approximately, 40.41% of the population lived in urban areas.[9][4]

Tribal children

As per the 2022 census, there were 283,123 (58.85%) Bengalis and 197,983 (41.15%) minorities (called Upojati) people in the district.[10][3] The population of major ethnic minorities living in the district besides the Bengalis, are: Marma: 84,170, Mro/Murong 51,448, Tripura 22,572, Tanchangya 14,889, Bom 11,854, Chakma 3,712, Khumi 3,287, Chak 2,662, Khyang 2,502.

Ethnicity in Bandarban District (2022)[9]
  1. Bengali (58.9%)
  2. Marma (17.5%)
  3. Mro (10.7%)
  4. Tripura (4.69%)
  5. Tanchangya (3.09%)
  6. Bom (2.46%)
  7. Chakma (0.77%)
  8. Khumi (0.68%)
  9. Chak (0.55%)
  10. Khyang (0.52%)
  11. Others (0.21%)
Population by ethnicity in Unions of Bandarban District
Upazila Union Bengali Marma Mro Tripura Others
Alikadam Upazila Alikadam Union 18,161 623 2,473 1,370 861
Chaikkhyong Union 13,203 1,735 2,150 770 264
Kurukpata Union 301 73 8,906 1,277 649
Nayapara Union 7,021 1,416 1,639 35 862
Bandarban Sadar Upazila Bandarban Paurashava 42,453 7,272 400 981 3,344
Bandarban Union 4,465 2,803 35 276 2,593
Jamchhari Union 1,224 4,493 50 2 933
Kuhalong Union 4,055 6,567 102 211 2,338
Rajbila Union 1,890 3,655 18 110 787
Sualak Union 7,590 1,828 1,931 31 1,987
Tankabati Union 1,615 10 4,744 160 143
Lama Upazila Lama Paurashava 19,717 2,638 151 74 75
Aziznagar Union 11,683 492 173 345 16
Faitang Union 12,124 2,216 56 323 15
Fansiakhali Union 31,512 2,395 1,201 1,079 22
Gajalia Union 4,497 4,453 2,885 1,887 156
Lama Union 7,084 605 1,685 739 6
Rupasipara Union 9,188 2,551 2,492 270 15
Sarai Union 10,667 469 2,138 1,028 561
Naikhongchhari Upazila Baishari Union 15,533 1,138 722 33 910
Dochhari Union 7,469 167 1,601 149 262
Ghumdhum Union 15,342 133 6 0 2,227
Naikkhyongchhari Union 21,558 591 6 5 1,183
Sonaichhari Union 3,939 2,679 21 15 788
Rowangchhari Upazila Alekkhyong Union 608 2,387 0 764 2,252
Nowapatang Union 106 2,645 0 520 1,283
Rowangchhari Union 810 4,195 2 402 3,276
Tarachha Union 1,389 4,489 1,683 457 453
Ruma Upazila Galengya Union 32 1,067 4,379 864 269
Paindu Union 136 3,564 0 0 2,268
Remakriprangsa Union 476 24 1,359 1,215 2,245
Ruma Union 3,591 5,442 1,419 834 3,349
Thanchi Upazila Balipara Union 1,183 2,991 459 1,182 682
Remakri Union 850 2,743 1,645 2,089 821
Thanchi Union 1,554 2,450 3,663 1,435 733
Tindu Union 100 1,161 1,254 1,630 1,165
Largest ethnic group in Union and Municipality
Ethnic group Union Municipality
Bengali 17 2
Marma 11 0
Mro 4 0
Tripura 1 0
Others 1 0
Total 34 2

Bengalis

According to the 2022 census, Bengalis are the largest ethnic group in Bandarban District (58.85%).

They are largest ethnic group in Naikhongchhari Upazila (83.48%), Lama Upazila (76.22%), Alikadam Upazila (60.64%) and Bandarban Sadar Upazila (56.97%).[9]

Upazila Population Percentage of Bengalis[9]
Naikhongchhari Upazila 63,841 83.48%
Lama Upazila 106,468 76.22%
Alikadam Upazila 38,687 60.64%
Bandarban Sadar Upazila 63,292 56.97%
Ruma Upazila 4,235 13.02%
Thanchi Upazila 3,687 12.38%
Rowangchhari Upazila 2,913 10.51%

Marmas

According to the 2022 census, Marmas are the second largest ethnic group in Bandarban District (17.50%).

They are the largest ethnic group in Rowangchhari Upazila (49.48%), Thanchi Upazila (31.37%) and Ruma Upazila (31.04%).[9]

Upazila Population Percentage of Marmas[9]
Rowangchhari Upazila 13,716 49.48%
Thanchi Upazila 9,345 31.37%
Ruma Upazila 10,097 31.04%
Bandarban Sadar Upazila 26,628 23.97%
Lama Upazila 15,819 11.32%
Naikhongchhari Upazila 4,708 6.16%
Alikadam Upazila 3,857 6.05%

Mrus

According to the 2022 census, Mru (Murong) are the third largest ethnic group in Bandarban District (10.69%).

They are the second largest ethnic group in Alikadam Upazila (23.77%), Thanchi Upazila(23.57%) and Ruma Upazila (22%).[9]

Tribal Mro people holding traditional pipes in their hands, Bandarban (1950)
Upazila Population Percentage of Mrus[9]
Alikadam Upazila 15,168 23.77%
Thanchi Upazila 7,021 23.57%
Ruma Upazila 7,157 22.00%
Lama Upazila 10,781 7.72%
Bandarban Sadar Upazila 7,280 6.55%
Rowangchhari Upazila 1,685 6.08%
Naikhongchhari Upazila 2,356 3.08%

Tripura

According to the 2022 census, Tripuras are fourth largest ethnic group in Bandarban District (4.69%).[9]

Upazila Population Percentage of Tripuras[9]
Thanchi Upazila 6,336 21.27%
Ruma Upazila 2,913 8.95%
Rowangchhari Upazila 2,143 7.73%
Alikadam Upazila 3,452 5.41%
Lama Upazila 5,755 4.12%
Bandarban Sadar Upazila 1,771 1.59%
Naikhongchhari Upazila 202 0.26%

Tanchangyas

According to the 2022 census, Tanchangyas are the fifth largest ethnic group in Bandarban District (3.09%).

They are the second largest ethnic group in Rowangchhari Upazila (14.39%).[9]

Upazila Population Percentage of Tanchangyas[9]
Rowangchhari Upazila 3,990 14.39%
Bandarban Sadar Upazila 5,605 5.05%
Naikhongchhari Upazila 2,881 3.77%
Alikadam Upazila 1,977 3.10%
Ruma Upazila 241 0.74%
Lama Upazila 183 0.13%
Thanchi Upazila 12 0.04%

Boms

According to the 2022 census, there are 12,311 Bom in CHT. Among them, 11854 (96.29%) Boms live in Bandarban District, constituting 2.46% of district's population.

They are third largest ethnic groups in Ruma Upazila (19.89%).[9]

Upazila Population Percentage of Boms[9]
Ruma Upazila 6,470 19.89%
Rowangchhari Upazila 1,882 6.79%
Bandarban Sadar Upazila 2,748 2.47%
Thanchi Upazila 685 2.30%
Lama Upazila 56 0.04%
Alikadam Upazila 8 0.01%
Naikhongchhari Upazila 5 0.01%

Chakmas

According to the 2022 census, there are 3,713 Chakma in Bandarban district.[9]

Upazila Population Percentage of Chakmas[9]
Bandarban Sadar Upazila 1,664 1.50%
Alikadam Upazila 574 0.90%
Thanchi Upazila 488 1.64%
Lama Upazila 355 0.25%
Ruma Upazila 305 0.94%
Rowangchhari Upazila 191 0.69%
Naikhongchhari Upazila 135 0.18%

Khumi

According to the 2022 census, there are 3,287 Khumis in Bandarban district.[9]

Upazila Population Percentage of Khumis[9]
Thanchi Upazila 1,829 6.14%
Ruma Upazila 890 2.74%
Rowangchhari Upazila 436 1.57%
Others <100

Chaks

According to the 2022 census, there are 2,662 Chaks in Bandarban district.

They are mainly concentrated in Naikhongchhari Upazila, constituting 3.05% of the upazila's population.[9]

Khyangs

According to the 2022 census, there are 1,670 Khyangs in Bandarban district.[9]

Upazila Population Percentage of Khyangs[9]
Bandarban Sadar Upazila 1,310 1.18%
Rowangchhari Upazila 652 2.35%
Thanchi Upazila 359 1.20%
Ruma Upazila 158 0.49%
Others <100

Religion

Religion in the Bandarban District (2022)[3][10]
  1. Islam (52.7%)
  2. Buddhism (29.5%)
  3. Christianity (9.78%)
  4. Hinduism (3.43%)
  5. Other (4.52%)
Religion in present-day Bandarban District[a]
Religion Population (1941)[11]

: 104–105 

Percentage (1941) Population (2022)[10] Percentage (2022)
Tribal[b] 57,793 94.50% N/A N/A
Islam 2,595 4.24% 253,756 52.74%
Buddhism --- --- 142,057 29.53%
Hinduism 369 0.60% 16,501 3.43%
Christianity 0 0.00% 47,054 9.78%
Others [c] 399 0.65% 21,738 4.52%
Total Population 61,156 100% 481,106 100%

The religious composition of the population in 2022 was 52.74% Muslim, 29.53% Buddhist, 9.78% Christian, 3.43% Hindu and 4.52% others.[10] Religious institutions is Mosque 2,070, Buddhist 1500 (256 temples, 644 pagodas), Hindu temple 194 and Church 2.[12]

Population by religion in Union
Upazila Union Muslim Buddhist Christian Hindu Others
Alikadam Upazila Alikadam Union 16,405 3,436 1,530 616 959
Chaikkhyong Union 11,732 5,016 1,049 152 17
Kurukpata Union 243 7,492 1,531 12 1,938
Nayapara Union 6,527 3,541 43 456 406
Bandarban Sadar Upazila Bandarban Paurashava 32,449 12,315 1,879 7,673 134
Bandarban Union 4,099 4,743 1,067 249 14
Jamchhari Union 414 6,021 44 223 0
Kuhalong Union 3,650 9,116 302 196 9
Rajbila Union 1,825 4,481 117 37 0
Sualak Union 7,268 2,976 1,390 2,94 1439
Tankabati Union 1,142 884 1,674 49 2,923
Lama Upazila Lama Paurashava 17,739 3,078 202 1,615 11
Aziznagar Union 11,438 665 371 223 12
Faitang Union 11,820 2,349 334 215 16
Fansiakhali Union 30,218 2,746 1,750 814 681
Gajalia Union 4,321 6,155 2,720 78 604
Lama Union 6,115 2,213 994 735 62
Rupasipara Union 8,285 4,968 439 18 806
Sarai Union 10,148 1,699 1,905 379 732
Naikhongchhari Upazila Baishari Union 14,931 3,058 180 166 1
Dochhari Union 7,419 2,065 154 5 4
Ghumdhum Union 13,530 4,017 3 156 1
Naikkhyongchhari Union 21,073 2,039 11 211 9
Sonaichhari Union 3,754 3,662 25 1 0
Rowangchhari Upazila Alekkhyong Union 371 4,558 1,006 75 0
Nowapatang Union 83 3,687 774 10 0
Rowangchhari Union 426 5,859 2,305 94 1
Tarachha Union 1,301 4,629 857 31 1,653
Ruma Upazila Galengya Union 20 1,528 1,680 8 3375
Paindu Union 74 3,842 2,050 2 0
Remakriprangsa Union 60 117 3,882 12 1,248
Ruma Union 2,247 6,484 4,530 534 840
Thanchi Upazila Balipara Union 810 3,783 1,541 244 119
Remakri Union 450 3,280 2,940 22 1456
Thanchi Union 1273 4,081 2,636 195 1650
Tindu Union 89 1,470 3,139 2 610


Largest Religion in Union and Municipality
Religion Union Municipality
Muslim 15 2
Buddhist 15 0
Christian 2 0
Tribal Religion 2 0
Total 34 2

Islam

According to 2022 census, Islam is the largest religion in Bandarban District(52.74%).

Upazila Population Percentage of Islam[3]
Naikhongchhari Upazila 60,709 79.38%
Lama Upazila 100,088 71.65%
Alikadam Upazila 34,908 54.71%
Bandarban Sadar Upazila 50,847 45.77%
Thanchi Upazila 2,622 8.80%
Rowangchhari Upazila 2,181 7.87%
Ruma Upazila 2,401 7.38%

Buddhism

According to 2022 census, Buddhism is the second largest in Bandarban District(29.53%).

Upazila Population Percentage of Buddhism[3]
Rowangchhari Upazila 18,734 67.58%
Thanchi Upazila 12,614 42.34%
Ruma Upazila 11,971 36.80%
Bandarban Sadar Upazila 40,536 36.49%
Alikadam Upazila 19,485 30.54%
Naikhongchhari Upazila 14,841 19.41%
Lama Upazila 23,876 17.09%

Christianity

According to 2022 census, Christianity is third largest religion in Bandarban district(9.78%).

Upazila Population Percentage of Christianity[3]
Ruma Upazila 12,142 37.32%
Thanchi Upazila 10,256 34.43%
Rowangchhari Upazila 4,942 17.83%
Alikadam Upazila 4,153 6.51%
Lama Upazila 8,715 6.24%
Bandarban Sadar Upazila 6,473 5.83%
Naikhongchhari Upazila 373 0.49%

Hinduism

According to 2022 census, Hinduism is the fourth largest in Bandarban district(3.43%).

Upazila Population Percentage of Hinduism [3]
Bandarban Sadar Upazila 8,721 7.85%
Alikadam Upazila 1,934 3.03%
Lama Upazila 4,078 2.92%
Ruma Upazila 556 1.71%
Thanchi Upazila 463 1.55%
Rowangchhari Upazila 210 0.76%
Naikhongchhari Upazila 539 0.70%

Subdistricts

Tourism

The India – Myanmar Sabroom – Cox's Bazar railway link has been proposed to connect Sabroom – Khargachari – Rangamati – Bandarban – Satkania – Cox's Bazar and another rail link connecting Bandarban to Tuipang, India.

Bandarban lies, by bus, eight hours away from Dhaka, two hours from Chittagong and three hours from Cox's Bazar. It is also possible to get there by a six-hour bus ride from Rangamati. The Buddha Dhatu Jadi, the Buddhist temple in Bangladesh, located in Balaghata, 4 km from the town. This place attracts many tourists every year. This Theravada Buddhist temple is made completely in the style of South-East Asia and houses the second largest statue of the Buddha in Bangladesh. The waterfall named Shoilo Propat at Milanchari is another place tourists like to visit. The numerous Buddhist temples, known as kyang in local tongue, and bhihars in the town include the highly notable the Rajvihar (royal vihar) at Jadipara and the Ujanipara Bhihar. Bawm villages around Chimbuk, and Mru villages a little further off, are also lie within a day's journey from the town. Debotakhum, Prantik Lake, Jibannagar and Kyachlong Lake are some more places of interest. Boat ride on the river Shangu is one of the main attractions here for tourists.

Starting on January 7, 2015 the Home Ministry has enforced the provision of "no free passes" for foreigners visiting the three Chittagong Hill Tracts districts – Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban. As a result, foreigners need to submit an application to the Home Ministry a month ahead for their scheduled visit.[13]

Notable persons

Notes

  1. ^ Bandarban, Ruma, Lama and Nakhyngchari thanas of Chittagong Hill Tracts district
  2. ^ 'Tribal' was used as a blanket term for religious traditions of all tribes, and many of these tribes followed a more mainstream religion.
  3. ^ Including Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Ad-Dharmis, or not stated

References

  1. ^ "List of Deputy Commissioners". Archived from the original on 8 November 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Bandarban District Hill Council". Bangladesh National Portal. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Population and Housing Census 2022 – District Report: Bandarban (PDF). District Series. Dhaka: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. June 2024. ISBN 978-984-475-276-4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Population and Housing Census 2022: Preliminary Report. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. August 2022. pp. viii, 29, 38, 45. ISBN 978-984-35-2977-0.
  5. ^ "Sub-national HDI". Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  6. ^ Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir, eds. (2012). "Bandarban District". Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  7. ^ Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir, eds. (2012). "Chittagong Hill Tracts". Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  8. ^ "Bangladesh Population and Housing Census 2011 Zila Report – Bandarban" (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Population and Housing Census 2022 – District Report: Bandarban (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. June 2024. pp. xiii–xiv, 202–206. ISBN 978-984-475-276-4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d "Population Census 2022: A CHT demographic analysis – parbattanews : E..." 26 August 2024. Archived from the original on 26 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Census of India, 1941 Volume VI Bengal Province" (PDF).
  12. ^ "Is this the Bangladesh we wanted? Analyzing the Hindu Population Gap (2001–2011)". 12 April 2014.
  13. ^ Tanzimuddin Khan, Mohammad (12 June 2015). "Securitisation of tourism in CHT". New Age. Retrieved 8 April 2016.

See also

Further reading

  • Lonely Planet Bangladesh (Lonely Planet Bangladesh) by Richard Plunkett, et al.
  • "Lonely Planet".
  • Identity Politics in Central Asia and the Muslim World (Library of International Relations *Vol. 13) by Willem van Schendel (Editor), Erik J. Zurcher (Editor)
  • Deforestation, Environment, and Sustainable Development: A Comparative Analysis by Dhirendra K. Vajpeyi (Editor)
  • Minorities, Peoples And Self-determination: Essays in Honour of Patrick Thornberry by Nazila Ghanea (Editor)
  • Brauns, Claus-Dieter, "The Mrus: Peaceful Hillfolk of Bangladesh", National Geographic Magazine, February 1973, Vol 143, No 1
allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandarban_district