ফটিকছড়ি, চট্টগ্রাম

The largest upazila in the Chattogram District is Fatikchari. Its land area is 773.55 square kilometers, and its population is 6,61,158 (2022 Census). The Fatikchari area guide shows that it is located 45 kilometers north of the Chattogram Metropolitan City area. It has 2 thanas, 2 pourashavas, and 18 unions. Like many other locations in Chattogram, Fatikchari is a rural land area filled with many natural attractions.

Fatikchari is bounded by many other upazilas and locations. It has India’s Tripura in the North, Kawkhali (of Rangamati District) and the Hathazari Upazila in the South, and Mirsharai and Sitakunda Upazilas in the West. It also has Raozan, Ramgarh, Lakshmichhari, and Manikchhari Upazilas in the east. With all the areas and a diverse population, Fatikchari stands to be a land known for its rich history, cultural heritage, remarkable landmarks, and many more things.

The history of this land began during the rule of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb when Chattogram was known as Islamabad. Fatikchari became one of the ruling divisions of Mughal Ruler Shaista Khan’s son, Bujurg Umid Ali Khan. The area was known as Ichapur Pargana. Later, it was named Fatikchari after the renowned Baro-Bhuiyan chieftain Isha Khan.

Anyone who wants to travel to Fatikchari by bus can travel directly from Chattogram Metropolican City’s Oxygen Mor area. You can also travel to Fatikchari by train to Nazirhat Railway Station and go to the Upazila Sadar by bus or CNG from there. It has two notable water bodies, the Halda River and the Fatikchari Canal, which originated in the Sitakundu Hills and joined the Halda River.

While a big part of Fatikchari is filled with agricultural lands, open fields, and residents, it also has developed roads running along the way. Many of them are suitable for traveling via bus. However, the area still needs wider roads for better access to transport.

The total land suitable for agricultural use in Fatikchari is 90,500.58 acres. The main agricultural crops are paddy, potato, chilly, sesame, seasonal vegetables, etc. However, the area’s economy also depends on tea. Of 163 tea gardens in Bangladesh, 17 are in Fatikchari. These tea estates are among the popular tourist attractions in Fatikchari, especially Fatickchari Oodaleah Tea Garden, Halda Valley Tea Garden, Kaiyacherra Tea Garden, etc.

Fatikchari is also diverse in culture and natural beauty, filled with over 900 religious institutions, 35 banks or financial institutions, and more. Some of the popular and notable landmarks in Fatikchari are Maizbhandari Darbar Sharif, Amtoli Rubber Garden, Bhujpur Shishu Park, and Halda Rubber Dam.