USAID, UNDP unveil second phase of Ctg Hill Tracts conservation project

The second phase of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Watershed Co-Management Activity - Phase II (CHTWCA II), dedicated to preserving the biodiversity and natural resources of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, was unveiled on Monday (3 June) at a city hotel.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) jointly unveiled the project at an event where experts also discussed ongoing issues faced by the CHT community.

The unveiling comes ahead of World Environment Day 2024, which focuses on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience this year.

Implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Government of Bangladesh, local government, and CHT communities, the new project builds on USAID's decade-long conservation efforts and takes a collaborative approach to protecting forests, rivers, wetlands and water bodies while strengthening resilience to climate impacts throughout the region. 

The CHT region, constituting 10% of Bangladesh's land area, is rich in cultural and ecological diversity, housing 43% of the nation's forest land and vital rivers. 

Speaking as the chief guest at the event, Md Mashiur Rahman, senior secretary of Ministry of CHT Affairs, said CHT residents face significant challenges such as limited access to clean water, degradation of natural resources, and social disparities.

"Addressing these challenges requires an integrated and inclusive approach," he added.

He further said, "The achievements of previous phases have laid a strong foundation for our future work, with improvements in water access, agricultural practices, and social cohesion, and successes in watershed conservation and wildlife trafficking prevention.

"As we launch phase II, we aim to scale up our efforts, focusing on enhancing water access for health and agriculture, and prioritising sustainable watershed conservation to safeguard the future for generations to come."

Mitigating climate change impacts 

"At USAID, one of our most pressing priorities is mitigating the impacts of climate change, protecting our environment, and ensuring long-term sustainable impact…We hope this new project will successfully build on our accomplishments in protecting the region," said Anjali Kaur, deputy assistant administrator, Asia Bureau, USAID, who was present at the event as the guest of honour.  

Speaking as a special guest, Reed Aeschliman, USAID mission director for Bangladesh, said, "We are committed to working with our partners to advance the goals of the second phase of this activity, ensuring that conservation efforts continue to be inclusive, community-driven, and sustainable."

UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller said, "Building on past successes, the watershed programme aims to enhance our work around watershed management, forest and biodiversity conservation, improving community water access, reducing disaster risks, and promoting social cohesion and gender equality through a community-driven approach."

Chief Conservator of Forests Amir Hossain Chowdhury of the Bangladesh Forest Department emphasised the importance of collaboration. "We must work together to protect our forests and wildlife for future generations," he added while speaking as a special guest.

CHTWCA II aims to address climate change, illegal logging, and wildlife crimes while promoting climate-adaptive livelihood measures. The initiative focuses on reducing disaster risks, improving access to water and sanitation in remote areas, and promoting equity among stakeholders in forest and wetland management. 

Funded by USAID and executed by UNDP Bangladesh in collaboration with local and government partners, the Chittagong Hill Tracts Watershed Co-Management Activity (CHTWCA) is part of the Strengthening Inclusive Development in Chittagong Hill Tracts (SID-CHT) project. Since its inception in 2013, the project has established itself as a pioneering effort in integrated watershed co-management.