Tapping the resources of CHT

Abstract

The article "Tapping the Resources of CHT" by M. Azizur Rahman published in The New Nation on 20.10.2010 explores the economic potential of Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region and the challenges of sustainable resource utilization. It examines the region's untapped natural resources, including agricultural land, forests, minerals and hydroelectric potential, while addressing the socio-political complexities of development in this ethnically diverse area. The analysis highlights how balanced development strategies could boost regional growth through eco-tourism, agro-industries and renewable energy projects while preserving indigenous rights and environmental sustainability. The article calls for participatory approaches that involve local communities in decision-making and equitable benefit-sharing from resource exploitation.