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Bandarban District

Coordinates: 21°48′N 92°24′E / 21.800°N 92.400°E / 21.800; 92.400
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Bandarban
বান্দরবান
District
Clockwise from top-left: Keokrdong, Boga lake, Nilachol
Location of Bandarban in Bangladesh
Location of Bandarban in Bangladesh
Map
Expandable map of Bandarban 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
 • Density110/km2 (280/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 (Bengali: বান্দরবান) 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

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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%) indigenous people in the district.[10][3] The population of major ethnic minorities living in the district besides the Bengalis, including: Marma 84,170, Mro/Murong 51,448, Tripura 22,572, Tanchangya 14,889, Bom 11,854, Chakma 3,712, Khumi 3,287, Chak 2662, Khyang 2502.

Ethnicity in Bandarban District (2022)[9]

  Bengali (58.85%)
  Marma (17.50%)
  Mro (10.69%)
  Tripura (4.69%)
  Tanchangya (3.09%)
  Bom (2.46%)
  Chakma (0.77%)
  Khumi (0.68%)
  Chak (0.55%)
  Khyang (0.52%)
  Others (0.21%)

Bengalis

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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

[edit]

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

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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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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%
Others <100 <1%

Boms

[edit]

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%
Others <100 <1%

Chakmas

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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%
Others <100

Khumi

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

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Religion in the Bandarban District (2022)[3][10]

  Islam (52.74%)
  Buddhism (29.53%)
  Christianity (9.78%)
  Hinduism (3.43%)
  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]

Islam

[edit]

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

Upazila District Percentage of Islam[3]
Naikhongchhari Upazila Bandarban District 79.38%
Lama Upazila Bandarban District 71.65%
Alikadam Upazila Bandarban District 54.71%
Bandarban Sadar Upazila Bandarban District 45.77%
Thanchi Upazila Bandarban District 8.80%
Rowangchhari Upazila Bandarban District 7.87%
Ruma Upazila Bandarban District 7.38%

Buddhism

[edit]

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

Upazila District Percentage of Buddhism[3]
Rowangchhari Upazila Bandarban District 67.58%
Thanchi Upazila Bandarban District 42.34%
Ruma Upazila Bandarban District 36.80%
Bandarban Sadar Upazila Bandarban District 36.49%
Alikadam Upazila Bandarban District 30.54%
Naikhongchhari Upazila Bandarban District 19.41%
Lama Upazila Bandarban District 17.09%

Christianity

[edit]

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

Upazila District Percentage of Christianity[3]
Ruma Upazila Bandarban District 37.32%
Thanchi Upazila Bandarban District 34.43%
Rowangchhari Upazila Bandarban District 17.83%
Alikadam Upazila Bandarban District 6.51%
Lama Upazila Bandarban District 6.24%
Bandarban Sadar Upazila Bandarban District 5.83%
Naikhongchhari Upazila Bandarban District 0.49%

Hinduism

[edit]

According to 2022 census, Hinduism is third largest religion in Khagrachhari district(16.76%), Rangamati district(5.11%) and fourth largest in Bandarban district(3.43%). Hinduism is the second largest religion in all other districts of Bangladesh except CHT.

Upazila District Percentage of Hinduism [3]
Bandarban Sadar Upazila Bandarban District 7.85%
Alikadam Upazila Bandarban District 3.03%
Lama Upazila Bandarban District 2.92%
Ruma Upazila Bandarban District 1.71%
Thanchi Upazila Bandarban District 1.55%
Rowangchhari Upazila Bandarban District 0.76%
Naikhongchhari Upazila Bandarban District 0.70%

Subdistricts

[edit]

Tourism

[edit]

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. 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

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Notes

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  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

[edit]
  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.
  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 – Area Database – Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  6. ^ Rahman, Atikur (2012). "Bandarban District". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  7. ^ Chowdhury, Sifatul Quader (2012). "Chittagong Hill Tracts". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  8. ^ "Bangladesh Population and Housing Census 2011 Zila Report – Bandarban" (PDF). bbs.gov.bd. 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.
  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

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Further reading

[edit]
  • 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
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