Ali Kadam Upazila

Alikadam (আলিকদম) is an upazila of Bandarban District in the Division of Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Geography
Ali Kadam is located at 21.6667°N, 92.3056°W. It has 9,422 households and a total area of 885.77 km2. It is bordered by Lama upazila to the north, Thanchi upazila to the east, Rakhine State of Myanmar to the south and Naikhongchhari upazila to the west.

At the boundary with Thanchi Upazila, the 35 km Alikadam-Thanchi Road ascends hill Dim Pahar, making it one of the highest motorable roads in Bangladesh.

Demographics
As of the 2011 Bangladeshi census, Alikadam upazila had 9,422 households and a population of 49,317. 15,189 (30.80%) were under 10 years of age. Alikadam had an average literacy rate of 31.31%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 923 females per 1000 males. 14,525 (29.45%) of the population lived in urban areas. The ethnic population was 21,327 (43.24%), of which Mru were 11,599, Marma 4,046 and Tripura 3,079.

According to the 1991 Bangladesh census, Ali Kadam had a population of 24,782. Males constituted 55.21% of the population, and females 44.79%. The population aged 18 or over was 13,312. Ali Kadam had an average literacy rate of 20.7% (7+ years), compared to the national average of 32.4%.

Religion
The religions of Ali Kadam municipality are Muslim 82.83%, Buddhist 9.73%, Hindu 6.27%, with 1.17% following other religions. The religious institutions consist of 680 mosques, 65 pagodas, 55 Buddhist temples and 8 Hindu temples.

Points of interest
Alikadam is a popular hiking destination among tourists for the tunnels in the mountains known as "Alir Guha" or "Ali's Tunnels". Tourists are expected to face slippery and muddy terrains for the hike to the tunnels. Winter is the safest season to travel because the mountain streams and rivers are dangerous during Monsoon.

Another popular point is Marayan Thong. Recently it became popular tourist spot. Marayong Dong (Marayon Thong) is a hill in the Mirinja Range of Alikadam Police Station in Bandarban District. This hill is also known as Marayan Tong, Maraing Tong, Merai Thong Jadi, Maraing Dong etc. There is a Buddhist shrine on the top of this hill which is about 1650 feet high. The huge Buddha statues in the open nature make this place more solemn. The mountains on the horizon and the river Matamuhuri flowing like a snake below, the crop fields are all a state of imagination will give unconditional feelings. Most of the tribals including Tripura, Marma, Murang people live in this Marayong Thong hill. Indigenous neighborhoods in the foothills have added special diversity to the beauty of the hills of Ali Kadam. The lifestyle of the people who depend on the mountains and the pure nature fills the eyes of the tourists who come here.

Administration
Alikadam Upazila is divided into four union parishads: Alikadam, Chaikkhyang, Kurukpata, and Nayapara.

Education
There is a shortage of high schools. Now there is only a government high school in Ali Kadam.