Preserve CHT forests to save livelihood

Speakers at a meeting in the town yesterday urged all concerned to play due role to preserve the forests in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) for saving biodiversity in the region and livelihood of indigenous people.

The government should take into confidence and receive cooperation from the stakeholders to save forests in CHT, they said at the CHT village common forest (VCF) preservation networking committee meeting at Rangamati Banorupa Kata Pahar area.

CHT VCF preservation networking committee Adviser Nirmol Kanti Chakma, committee General Secretary Padutui Khiyang and Aymachhara Mouja Headman Molindro Talukder were present at the meeting.

Gyano Prova Chakma, president of VCF preservation networking committee, presided over the programme.

The forests of CHT must be protected as the livelihood of indigenous people is dependent on the natural resources, speakers said.

Destruction of forests will mean added suffering to people in general, they said, adding that there are many wild plants and animals, including some rare species, in CHT but those see a gradual decrease due to lack of awareness.