Feni District (ফেনী জেলা) is a coastal district in southeastern Bangladesh, situated in Chattogram Division (Feni District - Wikipedia). Though one of the country’s smallest districts, Feni is strategically placed along the Dhaka–Chittagong transportation corridor. It is bordered by Nangalkot and Chauddagram upazilas of Comilla District to the north, Senbagh and Companiganj of Noakhali district to the west, the Indian state of Tripura to the north and east, and the Bay of Bengal (via the Feni River estuary) to the south. Mirsharai Upazila of Chittagong district lies to its southeast. This location makes Feni a crucial entry-point linking Chittagong (the nation’s main port) and even Cox’s Bazar in the south to the northern regions. As of the 2022 census, Feni District had about 1.65 million people. With such a population, Feni ranks 42nd out of 64 districts in Bangladesh.
Note: According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Feni District’s population in 2022 was 1,648,896, with a notably high literacy rate of 80.79% (well above the national average).
Geography
Feni’s terrain is mostly flat alluvial plains, enriched by several rivers. The main waterway is the Feni River, which flows south into the Bay of Bengal. It is joined near the coast by the Little Feni (a branch of the Dakatia River), as well as the Muhuri River. Other significant rivers include the Silonia River (rising in Tripura and merging into the Muhuri in Chhagalnaiya Upazila) and the Kahua, a tributary branch of the Muhuri. These rivers have created fertile floodplains (char lands) throughout Feni. The district covers about 928 km². It has a tropical monsoon climate: hot, humid summers and a dry winter. Summer temperatures can exceed 34°C (March–May), and the area receives very heavy rainfall (over 3,300 mm annually) during the monsoon (June–October). Winters (November–February) are relatively cool and dry, with lows around 12–15°C, making them the most pleasant time to visit.
History
Feni has a rich history as part of the greater Bhulua/Noakhali region. Under British rule, Feni became a sub-division (mahakuma) of Noakhali District in 1876. It remained part of Noakhali until after Bangladesh’s independence. In 1984, Feni sub-division was upgraded to Feni District (the 61st district of Bangladesh). Feni played an active role in national movements. In the 1952 Bengali Language Movement, local students and leaders (such as Abdus Salam, a young Feni activist) protested for the recognition of Bangla. The district’s proudest chapter came in 1971 during the Liberation War. Local youth, policemen, and ex-servicemen formed Mukti Bahini units (Bangladesh’s liberation fighters) to resist Pakistani forces. For example, freedom fighters fortified the Shuvapur Bridge over the Feni River to block enemy advances from the south. After fierce battles (and some retreats to Chhagalnaiya and India for training), Feni was liberated when Pakistani troops surrendered in December 1971. Today, monuments in Feni town honor those freedom fighters. The district also produced notable leaders like Habibullah Bahar Chowdhury (from Feni), who became East Pakistan’s first health minister. This legacy of struggle and leadership is celebrated by locals to this day.
Administrative Setup
Feni District is administered from its headquarters in Feni town (in Feni Sadar Upazila). The Deputy Commissioner (DC) is the chief local administrator, and development is overseen by the elected Zila Parishad (District Council). As of 2024, the DC is Saiful Islam, and the Zila Parishad is led by an elected chairman. The district is subdivided into six upazilas (sub-districts): Feni Sadar Upazila (the central sub-district containing Feni city), Chhagalnaiya Upazila, Parshuram Upazila, Daganbhuiyan Upazila, Sonagazi Upazila, and Fulgazi Upazila. Each upazila has its own local government (union parishads and municipal bodies). For national elections, Feni is represented by three parliamentary constituencies (Feni-1 covers Parshuram, Chhagalnaiya and Fulgazi; Feni-2 covers Feni Sadar; Feni-3 covers Sonagazi and Daganbhuiyan).
Economy
Feni’s economy is diverse. Agriculture is important: about 75,922 hectares are cultivated, growing rice, vegetables, and fruits. However, industry actually accounts for the largest share of income. According to official statistics, roughly 21% of income comes from agriculture and 35% from industry. The rest is from commerce (16%), remittances and rent (12%), transport (5%), and other sectors (including construction and religious service). There are numerous small and medium factories, plus four large industrial units. A natural gas field at Dhalia (in Feni Sadar) also contributes to energy supply. Remittances from Bangladeshis working abroad are a significant income source as well. In short, Feni’s wealth comes from farming and its growing industrial base.
| Sector | % of Income |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | 21% |
| Industry | 35% |
| Commerce | 16% |
| Transport & Communication | 4.66% |
| Construction | 1.86% |
| Religious service | 0.43% |
| Remittance & Rent | 11.53% |
| Others | 12.19% |
Culture
Feni District shares much of Bengali culture. The population is about 94.4% Muslim and 5.5% Hindu, so Islamic festivals (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Muharram) are widely celebrated. Hindu minorities observe Durga Puja and other festivals. The Feni dialect of Bengali is well-known for being easy to understand across different regions; linguists note it closely resembles the dialects of neighboring Comilla and Chittagong areas. Folk traditions like rural music and boat racing are part of life. Feni also has a proud literary and artistic heritage: for instance, film director Giasuddin Selim hails from Feni, as did novelist/editor Abdus Salam (a veteran of the language movement). Habibullah Bahar Chowdhury of Feni was a noted politician and writer. You’ll still find local crafts (weaving, pottery) and regional sweets like Khondoler mishti that are unique to Feni. Many streets, schools and bridges bear the names of Feni’s freedom fighters, ensuring their legacy lives on in everyday culture.
Education
Education is a priority in Feni. The district’s literacy rate is around 80.79%, higher than the national average. There are numerous educational institutions: about 528 primary schools, 155 high schools and 19 lower-secondary schools. For higher studies, Feni has 11 degree colleges and 10 higher-secondary colleges. The historic Feni College (established 1922) was one of the first, and today there are institutions like Government Zia Women’s College and several upazila colleges. Notably, Feni has specialized institutions such as Feni Girls’ Cadet College (inaugurated in 2006) and the Feni Polytechnic Institute. Feni Girls’ Cadet College is one of only three all-female cadet colleges in Bangladesh. In 2013, the district got its first university – the privately-run Feni University. In summary, the abundance of schools and colleges in Feni helps explain its high literacy rate.
Feni’s educational profile is strong. As of 2011 it had over 150 secondary schools, plus one cadet college and one polytechnic institute. These institutions help keep the literacy rate around 81%.
Tourism
Feni is not a major tourist hub, but it offers some offbeat attractions. Visitors can enjoy peaceful riverbank scenery – the sunsets on the Feni River are quite picturesque. One key landmark is the Shuvapur Bridge, site of fierce battles in 1971 and now marked by a memorial. In Feni city, a drive along the main streets (e.g. towards the district council building) shows colonial-era architecture. Sonagazi Upazila, in the southwest, has mangrove-lined waterways flowing into the Meghna estuary – ideal for boat trips and bird-watching. Since Feni is on the way to Cox’s Bazar, many tourists pass through here en route to the beach. In fact, a 2023 launch of a helicopter service connects Feni directly to Cox’s Bazar and Dhaka. This new link highlights that Feni is becoming more accessible for travelers. Whether you come for history (monuments to freedom fighters), culture (local markets and food) or nature (river cruises), Feni District has its own quiet charm.
Life in Feni
Life in Feni District is rooted in community and tradition. Villages are often tight-knit – neighbors know each other and look after one another. The daily routine frequently revolves around agriculture and fishing: at dawn one might see fishermen pushing boats into the Little Feni River, while farmers tend to rice paddies by day’s end. In Feni city, commerce thrives in bustling bazaars, and the aroma of local street food (like singara and chai) fills the air. I’ve found the people of Feni exceptionally warm – shopkeepers often greet customers like old friends, and strangers are welcomed with cups of milk tea. Religious life is vibrant: five daily calls to prayer come from village mosques, and communal iftars or eid gatherings are common. At the same time, modern influences are visible. I remember seeing young people with smartphones connecting to mobile internet in city coffee shops. There are internet cafes, and even plans for better broadband. Roads have improved (the district is crisscrossed by tarmac highways and rural roads), so travel between towns and upazilas is much easier than it used to be. Schools are centers of activity – children in crisp uniforms walk home in groups. During festivals like Eid or Bengali New Year, the whole district turns festive: cows are brought to market, colorful banners go up on streets, and sweets flow liberally from bakeries. In short, Feni’s lifestyle blends the old with the new: age-old riverine and farming traditions mixed with emerging opportunities in education and business.
How to Visit
Feni is well-connected by road and rail. It lies just off the Dhaka–Chittagong Highway, so many intercity buses run daily. Companies like Star Line, S. Alam, Keya Paribahan and Shyamoli operate AC and non-AC coaches between Dhaka/Chattogram and Feni. From Dhaka the road journey takes about 8–10 hours; from Chattogram about 3–4 hours. Feni also has a main railway station on the Dhaka–Chattogram line. Intercity trains (e.g. Chattogram Mail, Udayan Express) stop at Feni, allowing travel from Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and elsewhere. Travel by train is comfortable and often faster than the bus. There is no commercial airport in Feni, so visitors usually fly into Cox’s Bazar (50 km south) or Chattogram (130 km south-east) and continue by road. (A new charter helicopter service is now available for private trips to Dhaka or Cox’s Bazar.) Within the district, local transport is plentiful: auto-rickshaws (CNGs) and cycle rickshaws for short trips, and domestic buses for inter-upazila travel. The Dhaka–Chittagong Highway connects Feni to the rest of the country, and a network of rural roads covers every upazila.
Best Time to Visit
The most comfortable season in Feni is the winter dry season (November–February). During these months the weather is warm but not sweltering, with low humidity and little rain. Summer (March–May) is very hot and humid – daytime highs can exceed 34°C – and the monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rainfall. Roads can become slippery and humidity close to 100% in July, so travel during peak monsoon is less pleasant. Thus, the cool, post-monsoon period (October–February) is ideal for touring Feni and its surroundings.
Final Thoughts
Sree chandra pur village
Feni District is a special place – small in size but rich in history and heart. It has educated many, produced celebrated leaders and freedom fighters, and preserved vibrant community life along its rivers. I feel Feni is “close to my heart” because it embodies the true spirit of rural Bangladesh: resilient, warm, and forward-looking. Whether you’re tracing the footsteps of 1971 liberation-war heroes, savoring a clay oven naan by the river, or chatting with friendly locals under a banyan tree, you’ll find Feni’s charm unforgettable. I always recommend that travelers give Feni a chance; its welcoming people, lush waterways, and proud heritage make it one of Bangladesh’s hidden gems.