UNB, Chittagong :
Experts on Sunday said tobacco cultivation is emerging as a great threat to the biodiversity and environment of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region.
“New challenges are coming up as tobacco cultivation is increasing fast in the CHT?when tobacco is cultivated, huge woods are required to bike tobacco leaves that leads to the felling of many forest trees,” ICIMOD theme leader (Livelihoods) Dr Golam Rasul told the panel discussion of an international seminar.
He said tobacco is the main culprit behind the felling of huge forest trees, harming the CHT environment.
Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Ministry and Kathmandu-based think tank International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) jointly arranged the seminar, titled ‘Sustainable Development in Chittagong Hill Tracts: Inclusive Growth and Prosperous Society in Hills and Mountains’.
The main objective of the seminar was to focus on the current challenges and identify innovative solutions leading to faster but sustainable development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Making his power-point presentation on ‘Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Chittagong Hill Tracts: Challenges and Opportunities’, Dr Golam Rasul said the ethnic people of the CHT are not only alienated socially and politically, but also marginalisd economically.
No one could be left behind in the CHT if the country wants to achieve the SDGs, he said adding that removing the open defecation and water problems in the hilly region will be a very challenging task.
The ICIMOD expert pointed out that the livelihood of the hilly people could be improved by utilising its untapped potentials as it has a unique diversity, culture and beautiful landscape and attracting tourists.
The Kaptai Lake has huge potentials for fish production and the tourism in the CHT, like Vietnam, has also wonderful prospects due to its scenic beauty, Golam Rasul said.
Executive director of Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) Dr Atiq Rahman said the people of the CHT region want water, food, livelihood and energy securities.
Highlighting water scarcity in the hilly areas, he said the ethic people build their settlement near springs to get access to water since they highly depend on surface water.
“Natural forests have rapidly declined in the CHT region. That’s why we need rapid afforestation. But, it would not be possible without participatory management. Local people have to be involved in this process,” the environmentalist said.
Chaired by eminent economist Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, the panel discussion was addressed, among others, by Chakma Circle chief Barrister Raja Devasish Roy, ICIMOD director general Dr David Molden, Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council member Goutam Kumar Chakma and independent consultant Kirti Nishan Chakma.
Experts on Sunday said tobacco cultivation is emerging as a great threat to the biodiversity and environment of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region.
“New challenges are coming up as tobacco cultivation is increasing fast in the CHT?when tobacco is cultivated, huge woods are required to bike tobacco leaves that leads to the felling of many forest trees,” ICIMOD theme leader (Livelihoods) Dr Golam Rasul told the panel discussion of an international seminar.
He said tobacco is the main culprit behind the felling of huge forest trees, harming the CHT environment.
Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Ministry and Kathmandu-based think tank International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) jointly arranged the seminar, titled ‘Sustainable Development in Chittagong Hill Tracts: Inclusive Growth and Prosperous Society in Hills and Mountains’.
The main objective of the seminar was to focus on the current challenges and identify innovative solutions leading to faster but sustainable development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Making his power-point presentation on ‘Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Chittagong Hill Tracts: Challenges and Opportunities’, Dr Golam Rasul said the ethnic people of the CHT are not only alienated socially and politically, but also marginalisd economically.
No one could be left behind in the CHT if the country wants to achieve the SDGs, he said adding that removing the open defecation and water problems in the hilly region will be a very challenging task.
The ICIMOD expert pointed out that the livelihood of the hilly people could be improved by utilising its untapped potentials as it has a unique diversity, culture and beautiful landscape and attracting tourists.
The Kaptai Lake has huge potentials for fish production and the tourism in the CHT, like Vietnam, has also wonderful prospects due to its scenic beauty, Golam Rasul said.
Executive director of Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) Dr Atiq Rahman said the people of the CHT region want water, food, livelihood and energy securities.
Highlighting water scarcity in the hilly areas, he said the ethic people build their settlement near springs to get access to water since they highly depend on surface water.
“Natural forests have rapidly declined in the CHT region. That’s why we need rapid afforestation. But, it would not be possible without participatory management. Local people have to be involved in this process,” the environmentalist said.
Chaired by eminent economist Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, the panel discussion was addressed, among others, by Chakma Circle chief Barrister Raja Devasish Roy, ICIMOD director general Dr David Molden, Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council member Goutam Kumar Chakma and independent consultant Kirti Nishan Chakma.
