The Chattogram hills need a new development model

The Chattogram Hill Tracts and the wider hill landscapes of Chattogram Division are among Bangladesh's most valuable natural assets. These hills provide water, store carbon, support biodiversity, regulate local climate and sustain the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people. 

Yet despite their ecological and economic importance, they are increasingly under pressure from land-use practices that are degrading forests, destabilising slopes and undermining long-term prosperity.

For nearly a decade, I have lived and worked in the hills of Khagrachhari, restoring degraded land and observing environmental changes firsthand. What I have witnessed is not simply a conservation issue. It is a growing challenge for climate resilience, water security, disaster risk reduction and rural economic development.

Bangladesh has invested heavily in infrastructure, industry and economic growth. 

However, if we fail to protect the natural systems that support these achievements, we risk creating larger environmental and economic costs in the future. The time has come for a new development model for the Chattogram hills—one that integrates conservation, livelihoods and private investment.

The hidden cost of seasonal hill agriculture

One of the most significant drivers of environmental degradation in the hill districts is the expansion of seasonal cultivation on steep slopes.

Across many parts of Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban, natural vegetation is cleared to cultivate crops such as cassava, ginger, turmeric, pineapple and taro root. These crops often generate quick returns, making them attractive to farmers with limited economic options.

However, the environmental consequences can be severe.

Before cultivation begins, vegetation is frequently removed and soil is exposed. During the monsoon season, intense rainfall washes away fertile topsoil. The soil that disappears from the hills does not vanish; it is carried into streams, canals and rivers.

The removal of vegetation weakens hill slopes and increases vulnerability to landslides. Wildlife habitats become fragmented. Native plant communities disappear. Pollinators decline. Ecosystems that evolved over centuries can be damaged within a few growing seasons. The cumulative impact is enormous. What appears to be an agricultural issue is actually a water security issue, a biodiversity issue, a disaster management issue and an economic issue.

Over time, streams become clogged with sediment. Water quality declines. Natural water flows are disrupted. Some streams that once flowed throughout the year become seasonal. Rivers become shallower. The capacity of forests and hills to store water gradually diminishes.

The problem extends beyond water.

The removal of vegetation weakens hill slopes and increases vulnerability to landslides. Wildlife habitats become fragmented. Native plant communities disappear. Pollinators decline. Ecosystems that evolved over centuries can be damaged within a few growing seasons.

The cumulative impact is enormous. What appears to be an agricultural issue is actually a water security issue, a biodiversity issue, a disaster management issue and an economic issue.

Environmental protection cannot succeed without livelihoods

When discussing environmental degradation, it is important to recognise a simple reality: most people are not destroying forests because they want to.

They are doing so because they need income.

A farmer who must feed a family this month cannot be expected to prioritise environmental outcomes ten years from now if there is no viable alternative source of livelihood.

This is why conservation strategies based solely on restrictions and enforcement often fail.

The most successful environmental programmes around the world recognise that conservation must generate economic value for local communities. When people benefit from healthy forests, they become the strongest guardians of those forests.

Bangladesh needs to adopt the same principle.

A landscape-based development model

Rather than encouraging seasonal cultivation across entire hillsides, Bangladesh should adopt a landscape-based land management approach.

Upper hill slopes should be prioritised for forest restoration, community forestry, native species regeneration and carbon sequestration projects. These areas are often the most environmentally sensitive and play a critical role in preventing erosion and maintaining watershed functions.

Mid-hill zones should be developed through agroforestry systems and perennial crops. Fruit orchards such as mango, jackfruit, citrus, lychee and other suitable species can generate income while maintaining vegetation cover and protecting soil.

Lower slopes and valley areas can support more intensive agricultural activities, including banana, bamboo and other crops that cause significantly less environmental damage.

Such a model creates three income streams simultaneously.

First, short-term income from agricultural products.

Second, medium-term income from fruit production.

Third, long-term income from timber, non-timber forest products and carbon finance.

This diversified approach reduces environmental pressure while improving economic resilience for local communities.

Learning from successful international examples

Bangladesh does not need to start from scratch. Valuable lessons can be drawn from other countries that have successfully linked conservation with economic development.

Costa Rica provides one of the most compelling examples. During the latter half of the twentieth century, the country experienced significant deforestation. In response, the government introduced a Payment for Environmental Services programme that compensated landowners for protecting and restoring forests.

Instead of treating conservation as a financial burden, Costa Rica made it economically attractive. Forest cover increased substantially while rural communities continued to benefit economically. The programme is now recognised internationally as one of the world's most successful conservation financing mechanisms.

Vietnam offers another relevant example. Through its national Payment for Forest Environmental Services programme, communities receive compensation for maintaining forests that protect watersheds, reduce soil erosion and provide other environmental services. The programme has generated significant funding for forest protection while creating incentives for conservation at the local level.

These examples demonstrate a fundamental lesson: environmental protection becomes far more effective when people are rewarded for conserving natural resources rather than simply penalised for exploiting them.

The opportunity in carbon markets

One of the most promising opportunities for Bangladesh lies in carbon finance.

Global demand for high-quality carbon credits continues to grow as governments and corporations seek ways to meet climate commitments and reduce emissions.

Forests, wetlands and other natural ecosystems store vast amounts of carbon. By protecting and restoring these ecosystems, countries can generate carbon credits that attract international investment.

The Chattogram Hill Tracts possess significant potential for community-based carbon projects. Restored forests, avoided deforestation initiatives and ecosystem conservation programmes could generate long-term revenue streams while improving biodiversity and watershed protection.

However, carbon finance should not become another externally driven development initiative.

Local communities must be direct beneficiaries.

Bringing green industries to the hills

Conservation alone will not solve the challenges facing the Chattogram hills.

The region also needs investment, employment and economic diversification.

One of the most important policy shifts the government could make is to actively encourage environmentally responsible private-sector investment in the hill districts.

Too often, discussions about conservation focus only on restrictions. We also need to discuss opportunities.

The Chattogram Hill Tracts acquire considerable potential for sustainable industries based on local resources and ecological strengths.

These include bamboo processing, engineered bamboo products, fruit processing, spice value addition, medicinal plant cultivation, essential oils, honey production, sustainable furniture manufacturing and eco-tourism.

Instead of exporting raw materials, the region should aim to create value-added products locally. This would increase employment, improve household incomes and strengthen local economies.

Government incentives could play an important role in attracting investment.

Tax incentives, concessional financing, infrastructure support, technical assistance and streamlined approval processes could encourage businesses to establish environmentally sustainable operations in the hill districts.

Every new green industry creates jobs. Every job reduces dependence on environmentally destructive activities.

Rethinking the brick sector

Another important challenge involves the construction industry.

Traditional fired-clay brick production consumes large quantities of soil and fuel while contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In some areas, pressure on forest resources is linked directly or indirectly to fuel demand.

The country should accelerate the adoption of lower-carbon alternatives, including concrete blocks, fly ash blocks, autoclaved aerated concrete blocks and other innovative construction materials.

Public infrastructure projects can help create demand for these alternatives through procurement policies that prioritise sustainable building materials.

Strengthening environmental governance

Economic incentives and livelihood opportunities are essential, but they must be complemented by effective governance.

Illegal hill cutting, large-scale forest destruction and environmentally damaging land-use practices should carry meaningful consequences.

Environmental protection cannot remain the responsibility of a single institution.

The Forest Department, Department of Environment, district administrations, law enforcement agencies, local government institutions and relevant security agencies must work together under a coordinated framework.

At the same time, regulations should be practical and enforceable. Policies that ignore local realities often fail. Policies that combine enforcement with economic opportunity are more likely to achieve lasting results.

A vision for the future

Bangladesh stands at an important moment.

The country has demonstrated remarkable economic progress and resilience over the past several decades. It now has an opportunity to show similar leadership in sustainable development.

The future of the Chattogram hills should not be defined by a choice between conservation and development.

Instead, we should pursue a model that combines forest restoration, sustainable agriculture, community livelihoods, private investment, carbon finance and effective governance.

The hills are not merely a regional resource. They are a national asset.

If we invest wisely today, future generations will inherit landscapes that provide water, biodiversity, livelihoods and climate resilience for decades to come.

The question is not whether Bangladesh can afford to protect the Chattogram hills. The real question is whether we can afford not to.

Mahfuz Russel is Founder and Executive Director of Pittachhara Trust, a private forest restoration and biodiversity conservation initiative in Khagrachhari, Bangladesh.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.