As the golden sun rises over Teknaf, life begins with purpose and rhythm. Beyond its natural beauty, Teknaf’s true soul lies in the everyday lives of its people.

From salt farmers shaping crystal fields, to fishermen braving wild seas, and betel nut growers tending tall trees—every hand works in harmony with the land and water.

Let’s start the part 2 about teknaf it’s nature and people.

Betel Nut Orchards

The farmers of Teknaf cultivate betel nuts in large, thriving orchards, producing bountiful harvests.

Thanks to the region’s fertile land and proper care, betel nut plants flourish here, making Teknaf renowned across the country for the sweet taste of its betel leaves.

It’s not just a few households—every home in Teknaf boasts its own betel nut garden. The betel nut trees can grow as tall as 80 feet, and to harvest the nuts, farmers use ladders and tie ropes around their legs for balance.

Skilled workers even climb the trees, expertly pulling down entire clusters of betel nuts, performing the task with a commando-style precision.

Ancient Tradition

An ancient tradition of bartering goods instead of using money can still occasionally be seen in Teknaf’s villages. For instance, four betel nuts might be exchanged for four pieces of chocolate or a small packet of salty biscuits.

Every week, betel nuts are shipped to local markets from nearly every village. In ancient times, Teknaf’s betel nuts were even exported to Arabian countries via the Sopara port in India. The Arabs referred to them as “Sopara’s fruit,” and according to local elders, this is how betel nuts got their name.

Betel Nut

There’s a local saying: “Teknaf’s betel nut, when placed on the cheek, feels sweet.” Betel nuts typically ripen between October and December, making this period the peak season for buying and selling.

Teknaf’s betel nuts are known for their large size, exceptional taste, and abundant juice, setting them apart from others.

Betel nuts are sold in pans (bundles), with each pan containing 80 betel nuts. Sixteen pans make one kahan. Depending on the size, each pan is sold for 500 to 700 taka.

During weddings in Teknaf, it’s customary to send betel nuts as gifts to relatives’ homes. From Chittagong’s Amirabad, Teknaf’s betel nuts are distributed across the country and even exported abroad.

Teknaf’s Mountain Range

To accompany the sea, the mountain range of Chittagong ends here in Teknaf with the Mahesh Khali peak. Teknaf’s mountains are part of the Arakan, Yoma, and Sumatra mountain ranges.
Mountains here are full of ups and downs—some steep and others gentle. The height of Teknaf mountains is roughly equivalent to that of a 25-story building.

These ancient tertiary hills are among the most beautiful in Teknaf. At the top of the mountains, you’ll find ruins of a Buddhist temple, along with various legends surrounding it.

Game Reserve Forest

One of Teknaf’s main attractions is Bangladesh’s only Game Reserve Forest, which spans 11,165 hectares across five upazilas of Teknaf.

This vast forest is home to around 290 species of rare trees, including towering, long-bodied trees resembling gorges. These unique trees contribute to the forest’s distinct and diverse ecosystem.

In addition to its rich plant life, the forest is a sanctuary for 286 species of birds and 124 species of wild animals. The most notable inhabitants of the Game Reserve Forest are the wild elephants.

The Elephas maximus species found here is known for its aggression and independence. These elephants do not recognize national borders, boldly roaming through the rugged, hilly terrain. In fact, about one-third of the wild elephants in Bangladesh are found in this forest, making it an essential habitat for these majestic creatures.

Livelihood

The Naf River experiences two tides each day—one high tide and one low tide. After the low tide, the sight of herons and other aquatic creatures hunting for fish is a captivating spectacle. Approximately 9% of the local population is involved in fishing, marketing, and processing fish, making it an integral part of their livelihood.

Due to its proximity to the sea, the Naf River sees a constant influx of marine fish, especially during the fishing season.

Local fishermen, along with those from neighboring districts, come to the river to catch fish in exchange for wages. Professional fishermen cast large nets across vast areas of the river to gather their catch.

During high tide, the fishing efforts become even more fruitful, with species like ulua, banta, shrimp, khulsha, maitra, and many others being caught.

This collective fishing effort continues throughout the year, not just during the season, ensuring a steady supply of fish for the community.

Salt Farming at Teknaf