Dhaka: Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud expressed confidence today that Bangladesh’s future will not mirror its past. Speaking at a kick-off workshop on the protection of forest-dependent communities at the CIRDAP auditorium, Dr Mahmud emphasized the necessity for a democratic administration that remains accountable and fulfills public expectations, steering the nation away from previous governance patterns.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr Mahmud highlighted that the people of Bangladesh have witnessed the repercussions of regimes that attempted to maintain power without addressing public needs. He stressed the importance of learning from past experiences to ensure that future governments are more attuned to the demands and concerns of the populace.
The event, organized by the Society for Environment and Human Development (SHED), featured Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, executive chairman of the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC), as the chair. Dr Mahmud underlined the necessity for elected governments to better understand and address the needs of local communities, suggesting that the interim government’s reforms, although not widely publicized, would yield positive results in the future.
He noted the interim government’s intent to leave a legacy of reforms for successive administrations, emphasizing the need for projects that integrate forest-dependent communities into mainstream society through education and employment initiatives. Dr Mahmud discussed plans to approve projects in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) to address water scarcity and improve education access.
The Planning Adviser also advocated for protecting forest resources by enhancing the productivity of forest-dependent communities through modern technology, financial support, improved marketing, and reducing the influence of middlemen.
The workshop featured contributions from Michal Krejza of the EU Delegation to Bangladesh, Khushi Kabir of Nijera Kori, and other notable figures. Prof. Tanzimuddin Khan from the University Grants Commission provided the welcome address, and Philip Gain of SEHD delivered the keynote presentation. Community representatives from the CHT and north-central districts shared insights on the challenges faced by forest-dependent communities.
SEHD, with over three decades of experience, launched a program on February 1 to study forest conditions and the status of communities living in these areas. Supported by the European Union and MISEREOR, the program aims to promote the customary rights of forest-dependent people and was the focal point of the workshop’s discussions.