Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT)

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is a hilly, forested region located in south-eastern Bangladesh, bordering India and Myanmar. Comprising the districts of Rangamati, Khagrachari, and Bandarban, the area is home to diverse indigenous communities collectively known as the Jumma peoples. The CHT stands out geographically and culturally from the rest of Bangladesh, characterised by its unique topography, ethnic diversity, and a long history of socio-political struggles.

Geography and Demographic Overview

The Chittagong Hill Tracts cover an area of approximately 13,000 square kilometres, representing about one-tenth of Bangladesh’s total land area. The region’s landscape is dominated by hills, valleys, and dense tropical forests, with the Karnaphuli River as its principal waterway. The terrain and ecology distinguish it sharply from the flat alluvial plains that define most of Bangladesh.
The population of the CHT is ethnically diverse, comprising both indigenous and Bengali groups. The indigenous peoples include the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Mro, Bawm, Tanchangya, Khumi, Khyang, Pankhu, Lushai, and several smaller groups. Collectively known as the Jumma peoples—a term derived from jhum, meaning shifting cultivation—they speak languages from the Tibeto-Burman, Indo-Aryan, and Austro-Asiatic families. Over the decades, the demographic composition of the region has changed due to state-sponsored Bengali settlement programmes, leading to significant ethnic tensions.

Historical Background

Historically, the CHT was a semi-autonomous frontier region. During the British colonial period, it was designated as an “Excluded Area” under the 1900 Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation, which limited the migration of non-indigenous people and preserved traditional tribal administration. The region’s political autonomy was thus maintained to a certain degree.
After the partition of British India in 1947, the CHT became part of Pakistan (East Pakistan), despite having a predominantly non-Muslim population. The decision, contrary to the expectations of its Buddhist majority, sowed early discontent. Following Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, the indigenous communities expected constitutional recognition of their distinct status. However, the new constitution defined all citizens as “Bengali”, effectively disregarding ethnic diversity. This exclusion laid the foundation for political unrest and armed resistance.

The Insurgency and Peace Accord

In the mid-1970s, the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), led by Manabendra Narayan Larma, launched a political and later armed movement demanding autonomy, recognition of indigenous identity, and control over land and resources. Its armed wing, the Shanti Bahini, engaged in decades-long guerrilla warfare against the Bangladeshi military, leading to significant casualties, displacement, and human rights violations.
A major outcome of the conflict was the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, signed in December 1997 between the Government of Bangladesh and the PCJSS. The accord promised regional autonomy through the establishment of a three-tier system of local government—the Hill District Councils and the CHT Regional Council—along with the recognition of traditional chiefs and land dispute resolution mechanisms.
While the accord marked the formal end of hostilities, its implementation has remained partial and controversial. Many provisions, such as land restitution, demilitarisation, and effective local governance, remain incomplete, leading to continuing discontent among indigenous groups.

Ethnic Composition and Cultural Life

The CHT’s indigenous groups have distinct cultural identities, languages, and religious affiliations. The Chakma and Marma are predominantly Theravāda Buddhists, while others, such as the Tripura and Mro, practise a mix of Hinduism, Buddhism, and animism.
Cultural features include:

• Traditional attire: Each ethnic group maintains distinctive textiles, weaving techniques, and patterns reflecting tribal identity.
• Festivals: The Chakma celebrate Biju, the Marma observe Sangrai, and the Tripura celebrate Baisu, all marking the solar New Year and harvest season.
• Architecture: Traditional stilt houses, constructed of bamboo and timber, adapt well to the hilly terrain and monsoon climate.
• Language and oral traditions: The region is linguistically rich, with multiple scripts and oral storytelling traditions, often used to transmit historical memory.

Despite pressure from national mainstreaming, local communities continue to preserve their cultural practices through education, religious institutions, and community organisations.

Economy and Livelihood

Agriculture remains the mainstay of the CHT economy. The traditional practice of jhum or shifting cultivation involves clearing and burning patches of forest to grow mixed crops such as rice, maize, chillies, and vegetables. While environmentally sustainable at low population densities, jhum has faced pressure from increased land competition, deforestation, and state-promoted plantation agriculture.
Besides agriculture, people engage in handicrafts, bamboo and cane work, weaving, and trade in forest products. Tourism has become an emerging sector, particularly in Bandarban and Rangamati, due to the region’s scenic beauty, waterfalls, and ethnic heritage. However, tourism also raises concerns about environmental degradation and cultural commodification.

Political and Social Issues

The CHT continues to face unresolved socio-political challenges. Land disputes between indigenous communities and Bengali settlers remain the most contentious issue. The military presence, though reduced since the peace accord, continues to be significant, often viewed by locals as a symbol of incomplete demilitarisation.
Development programmes have sometimes marginalised indigenous participation, and access to education, healthcare, and employment remains limited. Efforts at integration often conflict with aspirations for autonomy and cultural preservation. Moreover, new waves of migration and economic activities have altered the demographic balance, further complicating inter-ethnic relations.

Environmental and Ecological Importance

The Chittagong Hill Tracts form part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, hosting rare species of flora and fauna, including elephants, hornbills, and orchids. The forests play a vital role in regulating water flow and preventing soil erosion. However, deforestation due to commercial logging, shifting cultivation, and infrastructural projects has accelerated environmental degradation. Conservation initiatives are underway, but success depends on local community involvement and equitable land-use policies.

Contemporary Developments and Significance

In recent years, the CHT has witnessed growing activism among indigenous youth and women’s groups demanding full implementation of the peace accord, protection of land rights, and inclusion in national development plans. Non-governmental organisations have contributed to education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment, but structural inequalities persist.
The Chittagong Hill Tracts hold significant strategic and cultural importance for Bangladesh. Geographically, they serve as a bridge between South and Southeast Asia. Culturally, they embody the nation’s pluralistic heritage, reminding policymakers of the need for inclusive governance and respect for diversity.