Rowangchari Upazila HQ

 township, subdistrict, fourth-level administrative division, local government

Rowangchhari Upazila (Bandarban district) with an area of 442.89 sq km, an Upazila of Bandarban District in the Division of Chittagong, Bangladesh, is bounded by Rajasthali and Belaichhari upazilas on the north, Ramu upazila on the south, Belaichhari and Ramu upazilas on the east, Bandarban sadar upazila on the west. Mountain range and forests cover most part of the upazila. The Shankha (sangu) flows along its southwestern border.

Rowangchhari is located at 22.1667°N 92.3333°E. Rowangcchari (Town) consists of one mouza. The area of the town is 54.39 sq km. The town has population of 3583; male 56.88%, female 43.12%. It has 3607 units of house hold and total area 442.89 km². The density of population is 66 per sq km. Literacy rate among the town people is 28.5%.

Rowangchhari thana was established in 1976 and was turned into an upazila in 1985. It consists of 4 union parishads, 13 mouzas and 115 villages.

As of the 1991 Bangladesh census: Population 17904; male 53.47%, female 46.53%. Muslim 8.34%, Buddist 74.41%, Hindu 1.2%, Christan 12.72%, others 3.33%. Major ethnic groups are Marma, Tripura, Tanchangya, Murong, Boam, Chakma, Khyang and Khumi.

Literacy rate and educational institutions: Average literacy 16.2%; male 16.6%, female 6%.

Main occupations: Agriculture 51.87%, forestry 12.49%, agricultural labourer 14.66%, wage labourer 5.07%, commerce 1.99%, service 4.66%, others 9.26%.

Land use: As there had been no authentic survey in the upazila, figures on the amount of cultivable land are not available. Hill terraces are used for jhum cultivation and fruit plantation.

Land control: Most part of the land is owned by the government. Tribal people of the upazila usually do not have documentary ownership of land. The Bomang Chief, however, exercises a system of land allotment through tribal power structure.

Cottage industries include saw mills, indigenous wood processing units, bamboo and cane work, weaving, traditional ornaments making and household items making.

Health centres: Upazila health centre 1.