Kaptai (Bengali: কাপ্তাই) is an Upazila of Rangamati District in the Division of Chittagong, Bangladesh.[1] The name of the Kaptai was derived from the Tripuri word "Kaptetoima". It is said that in the past days, the riverine was so wild and full of tropical flora and fauna. A huge amount of several verities of canes used to be found throughout the course of the river that flows from the south, upper ridge, and the river makes its estuary into the Kainsa Khyong (Karnafuli River).
Notable landmarks are the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station, the only Hydroelectric power plant of Bangladesh. The Kaptai Dam, built for this purpose on the Karnaphuli River, created the Kaptai Lake, the largest man-made dam in Bangladesh.
As of the 2011 Bangladeshi census, Kaptai upazila had 13,515 households and a population of 59,693. 12,466 (20.88%) were under 10 years of age. Rajasthali had an average literacy rate of 60.0%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 877 females per 1000 males. 14,474 (24.25%) of the population lived in urban areas.[2] The ethnic population was 24,852 (41.63%), of which Marma were 16,841, Tanchangya 6,414 and Chakma 1,114.[3]
At the 2001 Bangladesh census, Kaptai had a population of 66,135. Males constituted 55.45% of the population, and females 44.55%. The population of those aged 18 and older was 32,352. The average literacy rate was 49.9% (7+ years).[4]
Kaptai National Park is situated at Rangamati. It was established in 1999 and its area is 5,464.78 hectares(13,498.0 Acres).
Waggachara Tea Estate is situated on the bank of the Karnaphuli river.[5]
Administration
Kaptai Upazila is divided into five union parishads: Chandraghona, Chitmorom, Kaptai, Raikhali, and Waggya. The union parishads are subdivided into 10 mauzas and 144 villages.[6]
Nuruddin Mahmood and M Abdul Hai (2012), "Kaptai Lake", in Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal (ed.), Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.), Asiatic Society of Bangladesh