The USAID and UNDP announced on Monday the unveiling 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 (CHT).

Implemented by UNDP in partnership with the 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, says a press release.
The unveiling of the second phase of this project comes ahead of World Environment Day 2024, which this year focuses on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience.
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.

The unveiling highlighted the collaboration between USAID, UNDP, the Ministry of CHT Affairs, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Hill District Councils, the Bangladesh Forest Department, as well as local communities who are working together to safeguard the region’s unique environment and foster sustainable development.
“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,” said Md Mashiur Rahman, senior secretary of the Ministry of CHT Affairs.
“As we launch Phase II, we aim to scale up our efforts, focusing on enhancing water access for health and agriculture, and prioritizing sustainable watershed conservation to safeguard the future for generations to come," he added.
Anjali Kaur, deputy assistant administrator – Asia Bureau of the USAID;  Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of the UNDP;  and Amir Hossain Chowdhury, chief conservator of forests of the Bangladesh Forest Department also spoke at the unveiling event, among others.