Compass FLR conducted a validation workshop at Bandarban

Compass Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) team conducted a validation workshop at the Bandarban Hill District Council (BHDC) on January 6, 2022. 

The primary objective of the workshop was to share the results of the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM) and its FLR plan for implementation in the Rowangchhari union. As the maximum areas of the Upazilas of Bandarban are degraded, communities facing a water crisis, and a fall in production in Jhum. A recommendation came out from the workshop to expand the FLR program to other upazilas of Bandarban and suggested to do prospect and environmental impact of government initiatives of cashew nut and coffee cultivation in Chittagong Hill Tracts.  

The Executive Director of Arannayk Foundation, Mr. Rakibul Hassan chaired the workshop, the Chief Executive Officer of BHDC, Mr. A.T.M. Kowser Hossain along with the Conservator of Forest of Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD) of Chittagong circle, Mr. Bipul Krishna Das, and BHDC Councilor, Sing Young Mro, Dr. Anamul Hoque of East West University were Special guest in the workshop. Professor Md. Mosarraff Hossain shared the ROAM report along with restoration options and community monitoring tools for pilot forestland restoration activities and their technical specifications in Rowangchari. FLR and Forest Management specialist Mr. Farid Uddin Ahammed moderated the workshop.

A total of 63 participants attended the workshop and endorsed the FLR plan of the Rowangchhari union. The participants were from Govt. Institutions, FLR project sites of Rowangchhari Sadar union of Rowangchhari Upazila, Bandarban. They shared their views which were incorporated into the final version of the ROAM-led plan.