Chittagong: Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma has announced plans to establish a hub for hilly fruits in the capital, aiming to make these fruits more accessible to urban residents. The announcement was made during the inauguration of a five-day hilly fruit fair at the Chittagong Hill Tracts complex on Baily Road.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the adviser emphasized the significance of hilly fruits, describing them as a symbol of the future of organic food. He highlighted that the Hill Fruit Festival serves not only as a display but also as a representation of the region's natural richness, the labor of women, and the essence of the hill areas' soil.
The event, organized with support from the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs and the three Hill District Councils of Chittagong Hill Tracts, showcases a variety of organic fruits. Supradip Chakma praised the efforts of hilly women in cultivating these fruits and noted the ministry's role in providing incentives and assistance for this purpose.
The adviser also mentioned the revolutionary progress made by agricultural research, which has enabled the production of fruits twice a year in the hill areas. He pointed out that while fruits are often preserved with chemicals across the country, those from the hills are naturally conserved, making them healthier and environmentally friendly.
The festival features a range of organically grown fruits, including pesticide-free varieties such as the 2.5 kg 'Brunei King' mango, Chiang Mai mangoes, rambutan, passion fruit, exotic papayas, authentic hill pineapples, jackfruit, mangoes, and bananas. A total of 30 stalls from the three hill districts and Dhaka are participating in the event, which remains open from 9 am to 8 pm daily until July 5.
The event was chaired by Secretary of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Ministry M Abdul Khaleq, with participation from other notable figures, including Senior Secretary M A Akmal Hossain, Task Force Chairman Sudatta Chakma, Rangamati Hill District Council Chairman Kajol Talukder, Bandarban Hill District Council Chairman Professor Thanjama Lusai, and Khagrachari Hill District Council Chairman Jiruna Tripura.