National recognition for the privately led Pitachhara initiative has highlighted a decade of forest restoration efforts and renewed focus on biodiversity conservation in the Chattogram Hill Tracts.
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed interest in visiting the privately led Pitachhara forest and wildlife conservation initiative in Matiranga upazila of Khagrachhari district, following a brief conversation with the project’s founder during a national award ceremony in Dhaka.
The prime minister conveyed his interest while presenting the National Tree Plantation Award 2025 to Mahfuz Ahmed Russel at a ceremony organised by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on July 9.
Russel, who has spent the past decade restoring and protecting forestland in the Chattogram Hill Tracts, received first prize in the ministry’s Tree Research, Conservation and Innovation category.
Speaking after receiving the award, Russel said the prime minister began by asking about the conservation initiative.
“The prime minister first asked about our conservation activities. I told him that we are working on reforestation, forest protection and biodiversity conservation through a private initiative. He wanted to know the size of the area we are managing. After hearing the details, he said that if the opportunity arises, he would like to visit Pitachhara himself. He also assured us of support if needed,” Russel said.
Russel said participants had been instructed before the event not to raise issues unless the prime minister asked them questions.
“Therefore, I only responded to his questions,” he added.
According to Russel, a visit by the prime minister would have significance beyond a routine inspection of a conservation site.
“Pitachhara is not just a forest; it represents the entire Chattogram Hill Tracts. If he visits, it will inspire environmental activists, researchers, journalists and volunteers. It may also encourage government agencies to take more effective steps for forest and environmental conservation,” he said.
Russel also stressed the need to create alternative livelihoods for local communities to help protect forests in the hill districts.
“Forests cannot be protected through restrictions alone. To stop hill cutting, illegal brick kilns and other environmentally harmful activities, sustainable employment opportunities and alternative sources of income must be created for local people. Conservation efforts will not succeed in the long term unless people’s livelihoods are secured,” he said.
Reflecting on the national recognition, Russel said the conservation initiative had never been driven by the pursuit of awards.
“We did not work for any award. For those working in the field, protecting nature is the most important goal. However, receiving recognition from the highest level of the state is a major source of inspiration for us,” he said.
He added: “Over the past decade, we have faced numerous obstacles, threats, smear campaigns and even physical attacks while working to protect forests. Yet we never stopped. This recognition will help people understand that the work we have been doing for years has been acknowledged. It will encourage more young people and volunteers to become involved in environmental conservation.”
Russel said he believed a visit by the prime minister could help shape future policies and strengthen conservation efforts in the Chattogram Hill Tracts.
“The Chattogram Hill Tracts is Bangladesh’s richest biodiversity region. Protecting its forests and hills is vital not only for the region but also for maintaining the country’s ecological balance. I believe a visit to Pitachhara could symbolise a new beginning for environmental conservation,” he said.
Pitachhara was established on the principle of allowing nature to regenerate with minimal human interference.
“The most important aspect of forest restoration is ‘no intervention’. Nature knows better than humans how to rebuild itself,” Russel said.
Following that approach, the area has developed into a mixed evergreen forest over the past decade, with native species including garjan, chapalish, gamar, fig and wild hog plum.
The forest has also become a refuge for a wide range of wildlife, including the critically endangered Asian yellow pond turtle, hill stream turtle, reticulated python, spectacled monkey, monocled cobra and banded krait.
Its streams and wetlands support more than 30 species of hill frogs, while mammals including slow lorises, stump-tailed macaques, pangolins, porcupines and leopard cats have also been recorded there.
Pitachhara has also emerged as a destination for birdwatchers, with hornbills, hill mynas, woodpeckers, red-whiskered bulbuls and several species of wild owls regularly observed in the forest.
This post is republished from The Business Standard.
