HILL TRACTS
 
 
 
 

The Chittagong Hill Tracts have steep jungle hills, Buddhist tribal peoples and relatively low density population, Decidedly untypical of Bangladesh in topography and culture. The tracts are about 60km east of Chittagong, and it's an idyllic place to visit. The region comprises a mass of hills, ravines and cliffs covered with dense jungle, bamboo, creepers and shrubs, and has four main valleys formed by the Karnaphuli, Feni, Shangu and Matamuhur rivers.

   
 
 Rangamati (The Lake Town)
   
 


A lush and verdant rural area belonging to the Chakma tribe is open to visitors, as is Kaptai Lake. The lake, ringed by thick tropical and semi-evergreen forests, looks like nothing else in Bangladesh. While the lake itself is beautiful, the thatched fishing villages located on the lakeshore are what make a visit really special. Boats that visit the villages leave from Rangamati. Bring your swimming gear because you can take a plunge anywhere.

About 80 km from Chittagong, connected by a good metalled road amidst green fields and winding hills is Rangamati. With its enchanting scenic beauty Rangamati is an attractive holyday resort. At a nearby place named Tabalchhari there is a tribal handicraft center which produces varieties of souvenirs. The tribal museum at the palace of the Chakma Raja is also an attraction.

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The greatest attraction of Rangamati is however the vast lake of Kaptai spreading over an area of about 689 sq. km. The lake, formed by damming the river Karnaphuli, is an excellent expanse of emerald-blue water surrounded by evergreen forests. Speed boat cruising, water skiing and fishing in the lake can be memorable enjoyment.

You'll find lots of Hotels and resorts there. National Tourism Organization has build a modern tourist complex with panoramic view of Kaptai lake at Ragamati having good accommodation, food, rent-a-boat and other facilities for holiday-makers. Local sight-seeing tours are also arranged.

 

 

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 Banderban (The Roof of Bangladesh)
   
 

Chittagong Hill Tracts, which forms the southeastern part of Bangladesh, are a rugged hilly and jungle-clad region having an area of some 5000 square miles. The area was separated from Chittagong in 1860, and named the Chittagong Hill Tracts districts.

Chittagong Hill Tracts, has been a mass of hills, ravines and cliffs-covered with dense bamboo and forests, including different kinds of creepers. The Hills are steep and difficult to ascend often rising in tapering masses and very narrow at the ridge. The elongated summits of the range fall away at two extremities' .... The valleys are covered for the most part with dense virgin forests, Intercepted with small watercourses and swamps of all sizes and description and so erratic in their configuration as to render and general description impressible. This is how Hutchinson described the region in his book on Chittagong Hill Tracts, published in 1901.

The Chittagong Hill Tracts comprising the three hill districts of Banderban, Rangamati and KhagraChari is geographically an isolated region of Bangladesh. It is surrounded by the Indian state of Tripura in the north, Mizoram and Lushai hills in the east, Chittagong Districts in the west and Myanmar in the south. With 13,181 Sq. KM of surface area, the hill tracts constitute 10 percent of the local area of Bangladesh.

The district of old Chittagong hill tracts in now divided into three districts, namely Rangamati, KhagraChari and Banderban. These 3 hill districts, Banderban is most attractive for its scenic beauty, tribal people, beautiful hills and valleys. This hill district is inhabited by more than thirteen hill tribes of whom the well known are: Chakmas, Tongchangoys, Tripuras, Moaghs, Kukis and Morangs. The highest peak Keokradang lies at Banderban. It is the home of Bhomang chief who is the head of Mogh tribe. Banderban has its own individuality, where one seem to loose himself to nature in her grandeur and glory of study tier from various angles of human urges and desire.

Situated on the bank of the Sangu river amidst lush green vegetations, forests, hill, and valleys, Banderban is a tourist paradise, a 'dream land' full of romance. Banderban is now the district head quarter of Banderban Hill District. Its remoteness and adventurous accessibility has made it more attractive to visitors. After a 92 km drive from chittagong by an all weather metal led road through the green forest hills you reach as if in a `Quiet Heaven' hiding inside hilly boundary away train the din and Bustle of the world. The panoramic view of Banderban will surely allure you to extend your stay.

The first thing that will attract you here is the Tribal people, who are extremely simple, honest and hospitable. They are known as mogh and are mostly

Buddhists; these people live in raised bamboo huts, and earn their livelihood by Jhum cultivation, which is very interesting to witness. They first select a green hillside, cut all bushes and burn them into ashes which subsequently turn into manure, and then paddy, vegetable and cotton 

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seeds are sown, all at the same time. The Women take active part in 'Jhum'. Each family produces its own necessaries of life as its members produce their own food and weave their own clothings.

But don't forget to visit the Rajbari of Bhomong chief whose sincere hospitality will move you. The Rajbari takes a new life during the Punnya (Rent collection) ceremony in December when the palace in decorated and the people of Banderban come to pay their homage with presentation and coins.

Banderban is famous for wildlife. Deer, jungle fowls, migratory birds are available in abundance inside the adjoining forests. Fishing in the sangu river is an additional items.
Just half an hour from Banderban there is a beautiful place called Shailo propat, which has a small waterfall whose water passes through a stony hill making small holes in the stone.

The most beautiful and interesting place of Banderban is Chimbuk. After 26 km adventurous road journey through the high hills and valleys from Banderban you will reach Chimbuk hill. All through the way, nature in the most fascinating moods presents the tourist the wealth of fauna and flora. The Chimbuk rest house on the hilltop attracts the visitors. More than 3000 feet high from sea level, densely covered by evergreen forests and commanding the panoramic view of Bay of Bengal, Chimbuk is compared by many visitors with Darjeeling. Another spot of spectacular beauty is the Baga lake in Ruma. It is a natural lake 2200 feet above sea level. In Megla there is lake and hanging bridge, which attracts tourists. There are good rest houses, picnic spots and speedboats are available for boating on the lake.

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