This was announced by Deputy Minister for CHT Tracts affairs Moni Sawapan Dewan at a meeting held at the Bandarban Local Government Council office yesterday.

He said all the 25 upazilas in the three hill districts of Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari will be covered under the UNDP programme in next five years instead of only 10 now.

He said, the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Finance and Planning have approved the proposal for continuation of UNDP projects.

UNDP started its projects in CHT in 1999 when peace returned to the hills after signing of the CHT peace accord between the then Awami League government and the PCJSS (Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Parishad) in 1997.

UNDP took up five-year projects involving about 500 million dollars. The project period ended in June last year, which was extended by one year.

The projects now being implemented cover road and infrastructure development and programmes designed to improve life of the hill people.

Replying to a question after the meeting, Moni Sawapan said the total involvement of projects in the next five years is yet to be determined by the government.

He however said the projects will cover all aspects of hill life including education, healthcare, livestock development and income generating activities.