CHTDB receives ICIMOD Mountain Prize 2019

PR / Desk

KATHMANDU, December 22, 2019: Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) covers one-tenth of the total area of Bangladesh. It is culturally, ethnically and topographically diverse and the only hilly and mountainous region of Bangladesh. The Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board (CHTDB), the apex body for CHT’s development, was established in 1976 and has been responsible for development intervention in rural roads, education, agriculture, supply of safe drinking water, promotion of mountain sports, culture and tourism, health and sanitation, women empowerment, conservation of wildlife, mountain ecosystem, cleaner energy and alternative livelihoods. 

Since its inception, CHTDB has been working for the development and welfare of the people belonging to the backward ethnic communities of the entire CHT region. In the last five years, CHTDB implemented 474 long-term and short-term projects targeted at improving the socio-economic condition of the hill people through which remote villages have been connected with sub-districts and district headquarters. This improvement in communication and connectivity has created market linkages for mountain products and thereby improved the livelihoods and household incomes of the hill people of CHT. This over forty year old institution has therefore demonstrated impact across a broad range of work in a marginal area of Bangladesh. 

The annual ICIMOD Mountain Prize assesses the achievement of the individual, or organization, or company being nominated in any of (but not limited to) the following work areas:
a.    access to water,
b.    sustainable production systems for food/nutrition security and income,
c.    climate change adaptation,
d.    disaster risk reduction,
e.    access to clean energy,
f.    technologies or innovations, including ICTs, for mountain development,
g.    promotion of economic/income generating opportunity or/and investment,
h.    policy advocacy,
i.    mountain ecosystems/biodiversity conservation

Past winners of the ICIMOD Mountain Prize include Global Himalayan Expedition in 2018.

Photo: Naba Bikram Kishor Tripura (right) receiving the ICIMOD Mountain Prize 2019 on behalf of CHTDB from Eklabya Sharma.