Tourism in Bangladesh

Course code: ETHM-5010

Assignment on

Title: Tourism, Current obstacles and Possibilities of Chittagong Hill Tracks.

Objective: To create general awareness regarding tourism protection,

development and exploration in Chittagong.

Submitted to:

Mr.Uchinlayen

Assistant professor
Dept. of Tourism and Hospitality Management
University of Dhaka

Submitted by:

Farhana Islam Bhuiyan

Id: 71723019
Jobaida Hossain
Id: 71723005
Salma Akter
Id: 71723051
Kausar Jahan
Id: 71723039
Table of Contents
Letter of Transmittal..............................................................................................................................4
Acknowledgment...................................................................................................................................5
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................6
Chittagong District Information (Map)..................................................................................................7
Aim and Objective.................................................................................................................................8
History of Chittagong hill tracts.............................................................................................................8
Physical setting:.....................................................................................................................................8
Physiographic....................................................................................................................................8
Climate..............................................................................................................................................9
Soil conditions...................................................................................................................................9
Vegetation.........................................................................................................................................9
Cultural setting:...................................................................................................................................10
Population.......................................................................................................................................10
Table 01: Population of the CHT region...........................................................................................10
Communication...............................................................................................................................10
Economy..........................................................................................................................................10
Others..................................................................................................................................................11
Lakes................................................................................................................................................11
Flora.................................................................................................................................................11
Fauna...............................................................................................................................................11
Forest...............................................................................................................................................11
Administration:....................................................................................................................................11
Literacy................................................................................................................................................12
Major Tourist Spots in Chittagong Division :........................................................................................12
Patenga and Fouzdarhat Sea Beaches.............................................................................................12
PROBLEMS OF TOURISM IN CHITTAGONG HILL TRACT........................................................................12
QUESTIONNAIRE DATA ANALYSIS........................................................................................................13
Table 02: Accommodation facility...................................................................................................13
Table 03: Entertainment facility......................................................................................................13
Table 04: Security Condition............................................................................................................13
Table 05: Communication System...................................................................................................13
Table 06: Sanitation Facility.............................................................................................................13
Table 07: Visiting Purpose...............................................................................................................14

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 Table 08: Mode of transportation have used by tourist..................................................................14
Table 09: Problems have faced by tourist at tourist spot................................................................14
Table 10: Visiting Occasion..............................................................................................................14
Perception of Tour Operators..............................................................................................................15
Table 11: Food facility demand by tourist.......................................................................................15
Table 12: Entertainment facility demand by tourist........................................................................15
Table 13: Accommodation facility demand by tourist.....................................................................15
Table 14:  Tourist season.................................................................................................................15
Table 15: Number of tourist comes in a season...............................................................................15
Table 16: Types of tourist Class.......................................................................................................16
Table 17: Problems of tourist spots.................................................................................................16
Prospects of Tourism in Chittagong Hill Tracks....................................................................................16
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................................17
Reference:...........................................................................................................................................18

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Letter of Transmittal

18th April, 2018

Mr. Uchinlayen
Assistant professor
Dept. of Tourism and Hospitality Management
University of Dhaka

Subject: Submission of the assignment on “Tourism, Current obstacles and Possibilities

of Chittagong Hill Tracks”.

Dear Sir,

With due respect, we are very delighted to inform you that we have completed the assignment
on “Tourism, Current obstacles and Possibilities of Chittagong Hill Tracks” successfully as a
partial requirement of the course ETHM 5010. We enjoyed thoroughly preparing this
assignment as it helped us to gain true insights about tourism of Bangladesh.

This paper will also enhance our future critical thinking about tourism of Bangladesh and
establish a theoretical & practical baseline regarding the course. If you have any questions or
queries regarding the contents of the paper; we would be grateful to receive your advice.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to have a practical knowledge about the Chittagong
Hill Tracks. We are looking forward to work under your honorable supervision in our future
courses.

We have put our sincere effort to give this assignment a presentable shape and make it as
informative and precise as possible. We aspire that this paper will fulfill your expectation.

Sincerely Yours

Farhana Islam Bhuiyan Id: 71723019

Jobaida Hossain Id: 71723005

Salma Akter Id: 71723051

Kausar Jahan Id: 71723039

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Acknowledgment

At first we would like to thank my course teacher from Department of Tourism and
Hospitality Management, DU, Mr. Uchinlayen for providing us such an opportunity to prepare
the Report on “Tourism, Current obstacles and Possibilities of Chittagong Hill Tracks”.
Without your helpful guidance, the completion of this project was unthinkable.

During our preparation of the project work we have come to very supportive touch of different
individuals & friends who lend their ideas, time & caring guidance to amplify the report’s
contents. We want to convey my heartiest gratitude to them for their valuable responses.

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Introduction
Bangladesh as a vacation land has many facets. Her tourist attractions include archaeological
sites, historic mosques and monuments, resorts, beaches, picnic spots, forest and wildlife.
Bangladesh offers opportunities for angling, water-skiing, river cruising, hiking, rowing,
surfing, yachting and sea bathing as well as bringing one in close touch with Mother Nature.
She is also rich in wildlife and game birds.

Chittagong Division is located at southern part of the country has an area of 33771 sq. km
and a population of 23.99. It has 11 districts and 38 municipalities. Chittagong is the biggest
seaport and second largest town in Bangladesh situated near the Bay of Bengal. It is 264 km
away east of Dhaka, famous for hill areas, natural beauty and for the seashore. Chittagong is
also known of the town of Aulias (Muslim saints).

Its green hills and forests, its broad sandy beaches and its fine cool climate always attract the
holiday-markers. Described by the Chinese traveler poet, Huen Tsang (7th century A.D) as “a
sleeping beauty emerging from mists and water” and given the title of “Porto Grande” by the
16th century Portuguese seafarers. Chittagong combines remains true to both the descriptions
even today. It combines the busy hum of an active seaport with the shooting quiet of a
charming hill town.

The Shahi Jama-e-Masjid and Qadam Mubarak Mosque are two of the most impressive
buildings in the city. It is also worth visiting the Ethnological Museum in the Modern City,
which has interesting displays on Bangladesh’s tribal peoples. There are good views and
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cooling breezes from Fairy Hill in the British City in the northwestern sector of the city.
Chittagong is the country’s chief port and is the main site for the establishment of heavy,
medium and light industries. Bangladesh’s only steel mill and oil refinery are also located in
Chittagong.

Chittagong District Information (Map)

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Boarded By: Chittagong District is bordered by Feni district and Tripura (Indian State) to the
north, Cox’s Bazar district to the south, Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachari districts to
the east, Noakhali district and the Bay of Bengal to the West.

Aim and Objective

The aim of the study is “To identify the problems and prospects in the development of
tourism in CHT”.

 And the objectives are-

1. To identify the major tourism spots with their special attractions of Chittagong hill tracts.

2. To find out the problems and prospects of tourism in Chittagong hill tracts and

3. Finally to provide some suggestions to overcome the problem of the tourism in Chittagong
hill tracts.

History of Chittagong hill tracts

This region was recorded in the first known map of Bengal, dated about 1550. However, long
before in the year 953 a king of Arakan occupied the present districts of Chittagong Hill
Tracts and Chittagong. Later in 1240, King of Tripura occupied this region. The Arakanese
King recaptured the district in 1575 and continued possession till 1666. In fact this region
frequently changed hands between the rulers of Hill Tripura and Arakan. The Mughals
controlled the area from 1666 to 1760. In 1760 the area was ceded to east india company. The
British occupied the Chittagong Hill Tracts in 1860 and made it a part of British India. They
named it ‘Chittagong Hill Tracts’ (Parvatya Chattagram). The British saw the Hill Tracts as
an extension of the Chittagong district. The hills to the south became the ‘Arakan Hill Tracts’
and those to the north ‘Hill Tippera’. Administratively, they brought the Chittagong Hill
Tracts under the Province of Bengal. The Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation of 1900,
instituted a local system of tax collection with the headmen and chiefs at the apex. With the
establishment of Pakistan in 1947, the Chittagong Hill Tracts came under the jurisdiction of
Pakistan. After the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, it came under the jurisdiction of
Bangladesh and entered into a period of remarkable changes and development. During the
early eighties as part of the countrywide administrative reforms the Chittagong Hill Tracts
was divided into three individual districts.

Physical setting:

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Physiographic

According to the physiographic of Bangladesh the CHT falls under the Northern and Eastern
Hill unit and the High Hill or Mountain Ranges sub-unit. This sub-unit covers most of CHT,
some small parts of southern Habiganj and the south and eastern borders of Maulvi Bazar. At
present, all the mountain ranges of the Chittagong Hill Tracts are almost hogback ridges.
They rise steeply, thus looking far more impressive than their height would imply. Most of
the ranges have scarps in the west, with cliffs and waterfalls.

The region is characterized by a huge network of trellis and dendritic drainage consisting of
some major rivers draining into the Bay of Bengal. The major rivers are
Karnafuli, Sangu, Matamuhuri and Feni. Within the hill tracts, the Karnafuli has several
important tributaries, of which Chengi, Kasalong and Rainkhiang are the main ones.

Generally the hill ranges and the river valleys are longitudinally aligned. Four ranges, with an
average elevation of over three hundred metres, strike in a north-south direction in the
northern part of the hill tract districts. These are Phoromain range (Phoromain, 463m),
Dolajeri range (Langtrai, 429m), Bhuachhari (Changpai, 611m) and Barkal range
(Thangnang, 735m). South of the Karnafuli river within the Chittagong Hill Tracts, there are
seven main mountain ranges within Bangladesh. These are: Muranja range (Basitaung,
664m), Wayla range (most of this range is in Myanmar), Chimbook range (Tindu, 898m),
Batimain range (Batitaung, 526m), Politai range (Keokradang, 884m; Ramiu Taung 921m,
Saichal-Mowdok range (Bilaisari, 669m) and Saichal range. Saichal range contains the
highest peaks of Bangladesh. These are Waibung (808m), Rang Tlang (958m), Mowdok
Tlang (905m), and Mowdok Mual (1,003m) which is on the border with Myanmar.

Some of these hill ranges also contain important geological structures to form excellent
structural traps for natural gas accumulation. The structures are: Semutang anticline (average
elevation is 80m except in some areas where it reaches over 160m), Sitapahar anticline (245
to 330m in the south to middle of the structure and 330 to 410m in the northern part),
Matamuhuri anticline (average elevation ranges from 245 to 330m in the northern part, but in
the southern part it increases from 410 to 570m and the maximum elevation is 710m in the
south) and Bandarban anticline (maximum elevation varies between 650 and 800m, with
three peaks of around 935m, 960m and 965m located from north to south).

Climate
The weather of this region is characterized by tropical monsoon climate with mean annual rainfall
nearly 2540 mm in the north and east and 2540 mm to 3810 mm in the south and west. The dry and
cool season is from November to March; pre-monsoon season is April-May which is very hot and
sunny and the monsoon season is from June to October, which is warm, cloudy and wet.

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Soil conditions

The hill soils (dystric cambisols) are mainly yellowish brown to reddish brown loams which
grade into broken shale or sandstone as well as mottled sand at a variable depth. The soils are
very strongly acidic.

Vegetation

The hills are unsuitable for cultivation but natural vegetation remains
widely. jhum cultivation is being practiced on the hill slopes. Cotton, rice, tea and oilseeds
are raised in the valleys between the hills.

Cultural setting:

Population

Dominated by Mongolian group. The major Mongolian tribes are chakma,

Tipra, murong and magh. In fact the Chittagong Hill Tracts host thirteen different tribes who
are divided into nearly a hundred different sects. Total population enumerated in the 1991
census was 1.042 million of which 562,597 were male and 479,776 female. buddhism is
being followed by Chakma and Marma, the hinduism by the Tripura and christianity by Mizo
and Bawm. Some other tribes maintain harmony amongst the spirit, animal and plant.

Table 01: Population of the CHT region

Tribal group Main religion 1956 1981
Chakma Buddhism 140,000 230,000
Taungchengya Buddhism 15,000 20,000
Marma Buddhism 80,000 120,000
Sak Buddhism 2,000 1,500
Khyeng Community religion 1,000 1,500
Tripura Hinduism 30,000 40,000
Riang/Brong Hinduism 7,000 10,000
Mru Community Religion 17,000 20,000
Khumi Community Religion 2,500 1,000
Bawm Christianity 3,500 8,000
Pangkhua Christianity 1,500 2,000
Lushai/Mizo Christianity 500 1,000
Tribal total 300,000 455,000
Bangali Islam 30,000 290,000
CHT Total 330,000 745,000

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Communication

Highways and waterways are the chief means of communication. The length of the metal led
roads within Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban districts is 123 km, 134 km and 296
km respectively. Similarly, the length of the waterways in the above districts is 444 km, 640
km and 166 km respectively.

Economy

Semutang gas field located in Khagrachhari district is the only gas field in Chittagong Hill
Tracts. It was discovered in 1969 by the national oil company (Oil and Gas Development
Corporation of the then Pakistan). However, gas seeps are reported from Sitapahar (Kaptai)
and Jaldi wells, while oil seep from Uttan Chatra. Other resources include
sandstones, boulders (calcareous concretions), conglomerates and lignitic coals. A paper mill
is built on the bank of the karnafuli at Chandraghona and a hydro power station (karnafuli
hydro power station) at Kaptai with the aim of generating electricity and providing irrigation
and flood control facilities. Hill people produce woven cotton goods and bamboo nets and
baskets.

Others

Lakes

There are two natural lakes (Rainkhiangkine lake and bagakine lake) and one artificial lake
(kaptai lake). The Kaptai lake covers an area of about 767 sq km in dry season and about
1,036 sq km in the monsoon.

 Flora

The hills, rivers and cliffs are covered with dense bamboo breaks, tall trees and creeper
jungles. The valleys are covered with thick forest. The vegetation is characterised by semi-
evergreen (deciduous) to tropical evergreen dominated by tall trees belonging to
dipterocarpaceae, euphorbiaceae, lauraceae, leguminacae and rubiaceae.

Fauna

The fauna mainly includes monkey, fox, jungle cat, fishing cat, wild boar, land turtle, king
cobra, reticulated python, rat snake and other non-poisonous snakes together with large
number of species of lizards and amphibians like frog and toad, and tree frogs. The bird life
of the Chittagong Hill Tracts is wonderfully rich. More than 60 families of birds are found.

Forest

Most of the hills are covered with forests containing valuable timber trees, bamboos, canes
and a kind of grass known as shan.
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Administration:
The area of Chittagong is 5282.92 Sq Km. It is a divisional Headquarter also. There is a city
corporation; 10 Municipalities in Chittagong named Chandanaish, Banskhali, Baroiarhat,
Sandwip, Mirsharai, Rangunia, Satkania, Raozan, Patya and Shitakunda. The number of
Upazilla (sub district) in Chittagong district is 14, named- Mirsarai, Shitakunda, Raujan,
Sandwip, Rangunia, Fatikchari, Hatahazari, Patya, Anowara, Chandanaish, Boalkhali,
Bashkhli, Lohagora and Satkania containing 194 Unions, 890 Mauzas and 1267 Villages
outside of metro area. 

Literacy
The Literacy Rate of Chittagong district is 58.90% (Male- 61.10% and Female- 56.70%).
School attendance rate is 52.30% for 5 to 24 years age group.

Major Tourist Spots in Chittagong Division :

Patenga and Fouzdarhat Sea Beaches

Patenga beach is about 22 km. from Chittagong and is approachable by a motorable road. On
the way to the beach, one passes the Patenga Airport. Another ideal picnic spot is the
Fouzdarhat sea-beach about 16 km. from Chittagong. Patenga sea beach is one of the major
attractions of Chittagong for the tourists. Besides the sea beach, you can enjoy boating and
river cruise in the River Karnaphuli. We can see the busy seaport activities here.

PROBLEMS OF TOURISM IN CHITTAGONG HILL TRACT

 Lack of primary knowledge about tourism
 Inadequate psychological knowledge
 Lack of analysis existing miserable situations
 Conflict between the tribal and other people
 Lack of sense of responsibility of people
 Lack of public awareness
 Lack of basic facilities
 Lack of publications on eco-tourism
 Harmful impacts
 Threatened biodiversity
 Deforestation
 Insufficient attention
 Policy problem
 Destruction by tourists
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  Negative image about Biman

QUESTIONNAIRE DATA ANALYSIS

Table 02: Accommodation facility

Accommodation facility No of respondent Percentage (%)
Poor 25 50
Medium 15 30
Well 10 20
Total 50 100

 Table 03: Entertainment facility

Entertainment  facility No of respondent Percentage (%)
Poor 30 60
Medium 15 30
Well 05 10
Total 50 100

 Table 04: Security Condition

Security Condition No of respondent Percentage (%)
Poor 25 40
Medium 17 34
Well 13 26
Total 50 100

Table 05: Communication System

Communication System No of respondent Percentage (%)
Poor 27 54
Medium 15 30
Well 08 16
Total 50 100

 Table 06: Sanitation Facility

Sanitation Facility No of respondent Percentage (%)
Poor 10 20

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Medium 23 46
Well 17 34
Total 50 100

 46 % medium and 34% well. So this says that, the sanitation facility is medium.

Table 07: Visiting Purpose

Visiting Purpose No of respondent Percentage (%)
Excursion 25 50
Entertainment 20 40
Business purpose 02 04
Visiting friends 03 06
Total 50 100

Table 08: Mode of transportation have used by tourist

Mode of  transportation have No of respondent Percentage (%)
used by tourist
Bus 10 20
Boat 05 10
Baby taxi 15 30
Micro bus 20 40
Total 50 100

Table 09: Problems have faced by tourist at tourist spot

Problems faced by tourist at No of respondent Percentage (%)
tourist spot
Security 13 26
Crowed 10 20
Lack of entertainment 20 40
facility
Drinking water 07 14
Total 50 100

 Table 10: Visiting Occasion

Visiting Occasion No of respondent Percentage (%)
Vacation 16 32
Eid 22 44
Puja 04 08
National DAY 08 16
Total 50 100

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 Perception of Tour Operators

Table 11: Food facility demand by tourist

Food facility demand by No of respondent Percentage (%)
tourist
Chinese 0 0
Fast food 2 40
Local 3 60
Total 5 100

Table 12: Entertainment facility demand by tourist

Entertainment facility No of respondent Percentage (%)
demand by tourist
Children park 2 40
Traditional function 2 40
Speed boat 1 20
Total 5 100

 Table 13: Accommodation facility demand by tourist

Accommodation facility No of respondent Percentage (%)
demand by tourist
A.C. Room 2 40
Non-A.C. Room 1 20
Traditional tribal house 2 40
Total 5 100

 Table 14:  Tourist season

Tourist season No of respondent Percentage (%)
Sep-October 1 20
Nov-December 3 60
Jan-February 1 20
Total 5 100

 Table 15: Number of tourist comes in a season

Number of tourist comes No of respondent Percentage (%)
in a season
50,000 0 0
100000 2 40
More than 250,000 3 60
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Total 5 100

 Table 16: Types of tourist Class

Types of tourist class No of respondent Percentage (%)
Rich 1 20
Middle class 2 40
Lower class 2 40
Total 5 100

Table 17: Problems of tourist spots

Problems of tourist spots No of respondent Percentage (%)
Electricity 1 20
Drinking water 1 20
Lack of entertainment facility 3 60
Total 5 100

Prospects of Tourism in Chittagong Hill Tracks

1. We have bright future and prospects of tourism development in Chittagong hill tract.
Although, unknown too many prospective tourists across the globe, Chittagong hill tract
geographical diversity provides it fairly rich in flora and fauna. There are many of identified
plants and species of which sizable number are flowering plants over thousand birds,
thousands of insects, hundreds of amphibians and reptiles, many worms and several hundred
mammals found in Chittagong hill tract. The co-existence of man and nature can best be
studied in Chittagong hill tract, which provides a great emotional and educational experience
to the visitor. Bangladesh can also offer a variety of nature such as open-air jeeps, elephants,
boats, bicycles, cycle rickshaws, from atop a machan or watch tower and of course, walking.

2. The study has found that tourism in Chittagong hill tracts suffers from a poor image; eco-
tourism potential on the contrary is rated high. Now it is in a very early but promising at stage
of development. Experts are unanimous that Bangladesh has great potentials for the
development of tourism in general and eco-tourism in particular.

3. The Government of Bangladesh announced a National Tourism Policy in 1992. The policy
acts as a guideline for the overall development of the tourism industry in the country. Public
and private sectors could play their respective roles for its promotion, earning of foreign
exchange and creation of job opportunities.

4. A strategic Master Plan has also been formulated by World Tourism Organization with the
assistance of UNDP for integrated development of tourism in the country. Steps have been
taken to develop tourism infrastructure in phases as per the recommendations of the Master
Plan, which include creation of tourism facilities at various places. It is expected that the
whole country will come under a tourism network. Therefore, both public and private sectors

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concerted efforts are necessary to development and utilization of the potentials of the
industry.

5. Chittagong hill tract is known to all of the country that, it has bright future and prospect of
tourism development in Bangladesh. So if we develop the tourism management plan properly
by private public initiator in Chittagong hill tract, we can create the potential job
opportunities and will be earn a huge foreign exchange.

Conclusion
From the above discussion we can say that, Bangladesh has potentials for growth of tourism.
Its geographical location down the highest mountain peak- Everest has made our country a
subject of interest of people in the world. With the ecological and environmental interests
today, ecological themes and aspects are growing more and more popular in tourism. We
have land mass is crossed by major rivers and natural lakes. Three hill districts are very
interesting for local and foreign tourist. On the other hand, eco-tourism can change the
unequal relationships of conventional tourism.

So if we develop the tourism management plan properly by private & public initiator in
Chittagong hill tract, we can create the potential job opportunities and will be earn a huge
foreign exchange.

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Reference:

http://aboutbangladesh71.blogspot.com/2013/02/chittagong-district-bangladesh.html

http://www.assignmentpoint.com/arts/modern-civilization/major-tourist-spots-in-
chittagong-division.html

http://www.assignmentpoint.com/arts/report-on-tourism-of-bangladesh.html

http://www.assignmentpoint.com/arts/sociology/tourism-sector-in-bangla

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