State Minister Helal vows to develop CHT as world-class ecotourism destination

State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin today (21 February) expressed his firm commitment to develop the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) into a world-class ecotourism destination.

He said the Chittagong Hill Tracts is an important and sensitive region of Bangladesh with huge potential in natural resources and scenic beauty.

"Working together with all, we will turn this region into a world-class tourist destination," he said at an introductory and coordination meeting with government officials at the Hathazari Upazila Office this afternoon.

The state minister said the government is committed to building a prosperous Bangladesh by ensuring peaceful coexistence between people of the hills and the plains.

He expressed hope that visible changes would be brought to the Chittagong Hill Tracts within the next five years by improving communication, healthcare, education and other basic services.

Referring to the slogan 'Sobar Agey Bangladesh' (Bangladesh First) of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, he said everyone must work with this spirit.

Emphasising the need to solve local problems in Hathazari, Helal said the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against crime. "No one will be spared. Immediate legal steps will be taken to free government land and canals from illegal occupation," he said.

He added that steps would be taken to restore the navigability of canals for the benefit of farmers.

On traffic congestion, he said both immediate and long-term plans are being taken in coordination with the administration and law enforcement agencies to ease congestion from the bus stand to Chowdhuryhat, Borodighi Par and Oxygen areas.

The state minister also said development activities will be carried out without political bias. "There will be no discrimination based on religion, caste or class in Hathazari. Balanced development will be ensured by preparing a list of poor and low-income people," he said.

Hathazari Upazila Executive Officer Muhammad Abdullah Al Mumin chaired the meeting. Officials from the upazila administration, police and various government and private departments were present.

Later, the state minister distributed prizes among winners of different competitions organised on the occasion of Ekushey February.

Earlier, he joined the Amar Ekushey programme organised by Hathazari Upazila BNP and paid tribute to the Language Movement martyrs by placing wreaths at the Shaheed Minar marking International Mother Language Day.

During his first visit to Hathazari after taking office, he thanked people for their warm reception and said he wanted to work as a servant of the people to build a peaceful and prosperous Chittagong Hill Tracts.