Hills lush again

Village common forest (VCF), a system to conserve forest and natural resources through collective efforts of indigenous people, is getting popular in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region as the method significantly contributes to combating deforestation and degradation of ecosystem.

Under this system, indigenous people manage and nurture forest and natural resources following their customary ancestral practice and using the skills learnt through experience.

Nobody is allowed to fell trees, cut hills, dig land, collect resources, or hunt animals from a particular area of forest without permission as the area is managed as a common property by the villagers under the leadership of traditional headman.

There is a collective approach of community people and approval from the headman is needed to access the forest resources, and so, destruction of forest, natural resources and biodiversity can be reduced significantly, said several stakeholders.

“Earlier, due to depletion of forests, flow in most of the springs in hills saw drastic fall during the dry season and people had to suffer from want of water. But, experience has shown that flow of these natural water sources can be kept normal by maintaining village common forest,” said Prem Lal Chakma, karbari (village head) of Dojori Para under Balukhali union of Rangamati Sadar upazila.

“Due to climate change and the destruction of forest, natural environment and biodiversity in the hills are under threat. Now village common forest is playing an effective role in protecting forest resources and biodiversity,” said Nikolai Pangkhua, a resident of Bosonto Moan Pangkhua Para of Rangamati Sadar upazila.

Currently, there are 314 VCFs in CHT region, 129 of them in Rangamati, 75 in Khagrachhari and 110 in Bandarban, according to Shining Hill, an NGO working for improving lives of people in hill areas.

“VCF system has protected many forest areas from destruction. It is playing a vital role in socio-economic development of hill people,” said Mohammad Ali, executive director of Shining Hill.

Visiting different VCFs recently, this correspondent found that locals are very enthusiastic to maintain the forests.

“We the indigenous people depend on forest for livelihood. So, we have to protect forest and its biodiversity. The VCF system is really effective for the purpose,” said Chiyal Jowl Pangkhua, president of Badol Haat VCF at Bhalukhali union of Sadar upazila.

Talking to this correspondent, Chakma Circle Chief Raja Devashish Roy said they seek the government's assistance for improvement and expansion of VCF throughout the CHT region.