Exploring the Richness and Natural Wonders of Teknaf

About Teknaf Upazila

Teknaf is situated approximately 465 kilometers from Dhaka and 85 kilometers from Cox’s Bazar. Spanning an area of 389 square kilometers, Teknaf is blessed with abundant natural beauty, resources, and a diverse landscape.

This unique location serves as a rare convergence of flatlands and hills, which explains the relatively limited amount of arable land.

Around 40% of the local population is engaged in agriculture.

Depending on the season, crops such as rice, potatoes, wheat, sugarcane, peanuts, and betel leaves are commonly cultivated. Among livestock, buffaloes are the most commonly seen.

Teknaf is one of the seven upazilas (subdistricts) in Cox’s Bazar district. It is divided into six unions, each characterized by lush greenery that blankets the villages.

In total, Teknaf’s town and surrounding villages are home to nearly 700,000 people, the majority of whom reside in rural areas.

History

Around 1790, Teknaf was briefly considered no man’s land, lacking any official ownership. This confusion arose because the British East India Company mistakenly believed that Teknaf was part of Arakan.

However, when a local resident laid claim to the Naf River and the surrounding Teknaf region, the company realized their error, clearing up the ownership dispute.

Today, the peaceful Naf River presents a serene scene, making it hard to imagine that it was once a river of blood.

During the Mughal era, the river was plagued by frequent raids and attacks from Portuguese and Arakanese pirates, resulting in the deaths of thousands along its banks.

In 1760, the British East India Company intervened, ultimately putting an end to the bloodshed and restoring peace to the area.

Beauty of Teknaf

In Teknaf, it’s nearly impossible to find a house without a coconut tree. Interestingly, most people— including the elderly—can easily climb these trees.

Being a coastal region, the coconuts here are larger, with more water inside, and they have a distinctly sweeter taste. However, what’s even more common than coconut trees are the betel nut trees.

The area is so abundant with trees that wood is rarely in short supply for building homes or crafting furniture.

In the villages, single-storey homes are more common than two-storey ones, and children take joy in imitating adults as they go about their daily chores.

Nature here is remarkably generous, offering the community the resources they need for a simple yet sustainable life. Despite Teknaf being a seaside village, the spirit of Bengali tradition remains strong.

After the rice harvest, each household comes alive with the festive atmosphere of Nabanna—a traditional rice festival.

Many locals juggle dual occupations. During fishing season, they catch fish, while in crop season, they farm the land.

Exploring Teknaf Part – 2