Survival on the Fringe: Adivasis of Bangladesh

Survival on the Fringe: Adivasis of Bangladesh

Sep 22, 2011 | Adivasis and Forests

A map of various Adivasi communities of Bangladesh, their life, rights, lands, the actors involved in their situation and recommendations.
2011, English, 630 pages, Hardback | Tk.1,500 / US$25

The book, compendium in nature, draws up a map of the Adivasis or small ethnic communities of Bangladesh—27 according to government and around 90 according to different sources. They are distinct and diverse in culture, language, tradition, religion, and history. Eleven of these Adivasi communities live in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in the southeast, a territory with hill landscapes in sharp contrast with the rest of the country. The others live in the Northwest, North-central, Southeast and the coastal fringe of Bangladesh. Two of the ethnic communities—Garo or Mandi and Khasi are matriarchal; the others are patriarchal.

An introduction to the Adivasis of Bangladesh briefly discusses the geographical setting, disadvantages they are faced with, and their defense strategies. Profiles of major ethnic communities, brief descriptions of the little-known ones, a comprehensive list of them with numbers and their spatial distribution form a large part of the book that provides essential empirical information.

A very important section deals with the much talked about Adivasi issues such as the land, forests, access to commons, agricultural practices, invasion of monoculture on the public forestland affecting their life, culture, language, artefacts, identity, and political life.

A number of chapters provide insightful information and form a practical guide about resources on the Adivasis, the actors involved with them in Bangladesh and around the globe, glossary, theories, and concepts.

The facts, anecdotes, and analyses that this book brings together provide not only a map of the Adivasis of Bangladesh living on the fringe but also assists one to understand why their way of life, culture, tradition, history and education stand to be extremely valuable for Bangladesh.

One coherent message the book tries to communicate is that the majority of the Adivasi communities are among the most disadvantaged and socially excluded groups of Bangladesh. Many are historical victims on the fringe. The overwhelming Bangali majority society has a responsibility for their condition today. It is because of their craving for timber that their forests have been severely exhausted. It is because of their greed of land that they have lost what used to be their ancestral domains. It is they who have tried to impose their lifestyle on the smaller and little-known ethnic communities. Consequently, many Adivasis have been dislocated from their land, culture, and history.

In this context it is important that the state recognizes the Adivasis, put in place a legal framework, set mechanisms to pay special attention to them and pursue positive discrimination in favor of the extremely disadvantaged and excluded groups such as those in the tea gardens and on the extreme fringe. With this book in hand one will get some guidance and incentive to think and act differently about the Adivasi communities of Bangladesh.

Publication Details

Published: 2011
Language: English
Hardback: 630 pages
Editor: Philip Gain
Price: Tk.1,500 / US$25

The Chaks: Life on the Fringe

The Chaks: Life on the Fringe

Sep 2, 2011 | Adivasis and Forests

The Chaks: Life on the Fringe (Chak: Pranter Jibon) contains findings of a baseline survey on the socio-economic conditions of the entire Chak community and also facts, anecdotes, and qualitative information.
2011, English 88 pages and Bangla 80 pages, Paperback | Tk.150 / US$5

One of the very tiny indigenous communities, the Chaks—with less than 3,000 people—live on the fringe of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). They are concentrated in Naikhongchhari upazila in Bandarban Hill District. Distinctively different from other ethnic communities in Bangladesh, the Chaks have lived in remote forest villages for centuries undisturbed and satisfied with their traditional jum agriculture. But for the past few decades many changes detrimental to their survival have occurred around them. The Bangalis have been settled on their traditional land. These settlers and others coming from neighboring areas have invaded the land that they traditionally and freely used.

The Chaks: Life on the Fringe (Chak: Pranter Jibon) contains findings of a baseline survey on the socio-economic conditions of the entire Chak community and also facts, anecdotes, and qualitative information for a deeper understanding of their life, struggle, and ecological disasters on the fringe.

Publication Details

Published: 2011
Language: English and Bangla
Paperback: English 88 pages and Bangla 80 pages
Edited by: Philip Gain
Price: Tk.150 / US$5

Ambushed by Greed: The Chak Story – Exhibition Review

Ambushed by Greed: The Chak Story – Exhibition Review

Jul 3, 2011 | SEHD News

The Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD) organized the photography exhibition “Ambushed by Greed: The Chak Story” which was shown from 23 to 29 June 2011. Held at Drik Gallery, the launching of the exhibition was piggybacked with a daylong seminar on the same theme.

Chak womanThe Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD) organized the photography exhibition “Ambushed by Greed: The Chak Story” which was shown from 23 to 29 June 2011. Held at Drik Gallery, the launching of the exhibition was piggybacked with a daylong seminar on the same theme.

In his introductory remarks, Philip Gain, the photographer of the exhibition, explained how the images show an unprecedented ecological disaster that has come along with rubber monoculture, tobacco plantation, and the internal migration of Bangalis.

This has caused hardship and suffering to the Chaks of Bandarban. The Chaks, who number 3,000 in total, are concentrated in 21 villages in Naikhongchhari and Bandarban Sadar upazilas in the Bandarban Hill District. Distinctively different from other ethnic communities in Bangladesh, having a separate language and simple life, this tiny Chak community used to be real forest people, undisturbed and satisfied with their traditional jum agriculture for centuries. But Bangali settlements and the invasion of rubber and tobacco monoculture have opened up the area to the outsiders who have been plundering every natural resource from the Chak land. Consequently, the Chaks are being forced to abandon their homes, land, and traditional agriculture in remote areas.

Gain said that since 2008 he had been trekking through the remote Chak villages, particularly in Baishari Union, only to witness and record some of the devastating effects of rubber monoculture on the high land, and tobacco on the precious bits and pieces of flat land along the streams that the Chaks have used to grow vegetables and other crops.

The exhibition and the seminar were organized to share images and information and to appeal to the state to stop the destruction resulting from the invasion of modern agriculture, internal migration, and ill-conceived development strategies.

Mong Mong Chak, a former official of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Board (CHTB) and a well-known person in the Chak community observed that most of the profits from the rubber plantations go to the Bangalis. “The Chaks do not benefit from rubber plantation that has taken place on their traditional land; they are at the losing end. The rubber plantation also brings social ills—our women in particular feel disturbed due to movement of the employees who come to work at the rubber garden from outside,” said Mong Mong Chak.

Ching La Mong Chak, another leader of the Chak community referred to the government promises that rubber would generate new employment and road connections would improve. “But now we understand the promises were false. Moreover we have lost our land and the Chaks were compelled to desert a number of villages due to rubber cultivation. It brings outsiders to our localities who take away bamboo and trees from our village common forests,” complained Ching La Mong Chak.

Basket carrierProf. Niaz Zaman, a writer on the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) women and backstrap weaving in particular, reflected that land grabbing has brought changes in every aspect of the Adivasi life in the CHT. The demography of the area has changed so that Bangalis are becoming almost equal in number to the Adivasis. This is dangerous as the Adivasis are gradually being branded as the outsiders and the Bangali settlements get legitimacy.

“That the Adivasis are not constitutionally recognized is a political issue. They are not constitutionally recognized to avoid awarding them land rights. Both issues should be settled politically,” observed Prof. Mohsin. She urged for democratic practice among the political parties and institutions in the CHT.

Abir Abdullah, a professional photographer, reflected on the contents of the photos displayed. “The photos are telling that Philip Gain has taken the images not only as a photographer, but he has become one of the community who are at the centre of the exhibition,” observed Abdulah. “The mission of a photographer is to show what we do to nature and humans; the state is there to take necessary actions if things go wrong. In most instances, the photographers show the beauty of the CHT. This exhibition shows not only the beauty, but also the factors that cause human suffering. From this exhibition we understand how rubber and tobacco cultivation are severely affecting the Chak community.”

“We get little information about the small communities of CHT like Chak and Khyang. We are not well informed about the development projects in CHT.  SEHD publications and events play a big role to fill up this gap,” said Goutam Dewan, chairperson of the Movement for the Protection of Forests and Land Rights. He pointed to the myth that huge cultivable land is still available in the CHT, which is used to settle Bangalis in the hills. He asked the CHT land commission to take steps for resolving the land disputes.

Khushi Kabir, the chair at the launching event, urged people to take advantage of the Right to Information Act in getting a fair picture of the land status in the Chak and other Adivasi-inhabited areas. He suggested that the photography exhibition is taken to a public place in order to draw greater attention to the Chak story.

In a plenary session, Philip Gain and Mong Mong Chak presented two keynote papers on the issues relating to the Chaks. In the first presentation, Philip Gain explained how rubber and tobacco cultivation in Bandarban Hill Tracts posed an outstanding threat to the Chaks and the ecology of the area. The second presentation on the Chak life by Mong Mong Chak reflected on the history, social system, economic activities, education, language and culture of the Chak community. “The Chaks are faced with financial hardship because much of their jum land and land for traditional horticulture have been lost to rubber cultivation. The forest resources are also declining. Moreover, they have difficulty selling their agricultural produces due to bad road network and transports”.

The plenary session was followed by two simultaneous workshops. Presided over by Mong Mong Chak and facilitated by Sudatta Bikash Tanchangya, the first workshop concentrated on struggle and future of the Chaks. Lucille Sircar and Partha Shankar Saha (senior researcher of SEHD) who have researched and written on the Chaks initiated the discussion. They talked on life and struggle of the Chaks and provided numerical account on them. The second workshop chaired by Dhung Cha Aung Chak from Baishari and facilitated by ZuamLian Amlai concentrated on rubber, tobacco and the Chak ecology. Journalist Buddyojyoti Chakma and training and program officer of SEHD Shekhar Kanti Ray initiated discussion on the socio-economic impact of tobacco and rubber cultivation.

Issues that emerged from the workshops were:

Rubber cultivation

  • Rubber monoculture contributing to the destruction of natural forest and shrinking land available for jum and traditional horticulture.
  • Rubber cultivation affecting the social security of the Chak community.
  • Grazing land (chashila) and the land of vegetable cultivation at the foot of the hills are being destroyed
  • Eviction of some villages due to expansion of rubber cultivation.
  • Many Chaks becoming day-laborers at the rubber gardens established on their traditional land.
  • Destruction of elephant habitat leading to wild animals attacking the Chak villages.

Tobacco cultivation

  • Loss of fertility of the agricultural land.
  • Use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, residue of which seeps into the nearby streams resulting in the contamination of water and loss of aquatic resources.
  • Negative impact of tobacco on human health.

Others

  • Lack of resources, development and inefficiency of the local organizations.
  • The Bengali and Rohingya settlements in the Chak area.

A statement of recommendations on the rights of the Chaks was adopted at the launch. See the Citizen Declaration and Recommendation Regarding the Rights of the Chaks for the full statement.

Press Reviews of Ambushed by Greed: The Chak Story

The Star – The Daily Star Weekend Magazine
New Age
Vorer Kagoj
Jai Jai Din

The Last of the Chaks

The Last of the Chaks

Jun 30, 2011 | News Reports

The Chaks of Baishari are a tiny community, the existence of which is being threatened by encroachment of their land to grow rubber and tobacco, in the name of development.

As we walk out of the Chak paras (villages) in Baishari, the weather is calm and everything glistens under the golden sunlight of autumn. What fascinates the most as we walk through the Chak villages are the smiles of the Chaks and the look of the elderly women distinguished by their large earrings that stretch and distort their earlobes. Such large earrings and the wide earlobes are not to be found among women in any other ethnic community in Bangladesh. Another interesting scene is of the elderly women with tobacco pipes in their mouth blowing white smoke with an air of freedom.It’s an exciting three-hour journey on foot from Baishari Chak Headmanpara to a real jungle village named Badurjhiri of 16 Chak families. On November 18, 2010, five of us–three Chaks and two of us from Dhaka–walk through the hills and streams, beauty and devastation with both joy and trepidation in our hearts.

One may wonder where these two strange places–Baishari and Badurjhiri–are. Both are located in Baishari Union in Naikhongchhari Upazila in Bandarban Hill District. Quite unknown even to regular trekkers to the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Baishari is one of four unions in Naikhongchhari Upazila with Chak habitation. There are around 3,000 Chaks in Bangladesh and another four to five thousand in Myanmar. There is no confirmed record of these beautiful people anywhere else on the globe. Imagine just seven thousand people in the whole world who have a distinct language and lifestyle! They proudly speak their language among themselves and find no difficulty speaking when communicating with their Bengali neighbours. They also speak Marma; but the Marmas, their close neighbours cannot speak the language of the Chak.

Leaving the Baishari Chak villages behind we get into the coolness of nature. Our feet dip into the cool stream water flowing over narrow, sandy, and shallow yellowish bed. Where does the water come from? “The water flows from the roots of trees that still survive and hold water from the rains,” is my naïve response to the query of my companion from Dhaka as regards to the source of the crystal clear cooling waters.

Dhung Cha Aung Chak (47), our host and guide, tells us it will take roughly three hours to walk to Badurjhiri and cautions us that we will pass through risky elephant habitat. He advises us to stay watchful. We are tense….

—- Read the rest of the article published in the Daily Star.

Philip Gain is director of Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD) and freelance journalist.

Citizen Declaration and Recommendations Regarding the Rights of the Chaks

Jun 24, 2011 | News Reports

This citizen declaration and recommendations regarding the rights of the Chaks was adopted at the launching of photography exhibition and seminar, “Ambushed by Greed: The Chak Story” held at Drik Gallery, Dhaka on 23 June 2011.

We, the participants at the launching of photography exhibition and seminar “Ambushed by Greed: The Chak Story” organized by Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD), are aware of the gradual loss of the traditional land rights of the Chaks, a small indigenous community of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). We express our full support for the social, political, and economic rights of the Chaks.

We observe with great concern that the Chaks, who primarily reside in the secluded areas of the Naikhongchhari upazila, are now severely marginalized due to various external pressures.

We are disheartened to see that it is primarily due to rubber and tobacco cultivation that the Chaks are losing their jum land and even homestead. As a result they have become further impoverished and their social and economic security has been jeopardised due to the internal migration of Bangali outsiders.

We have noticed with great regret that during the 1980s and 90s that approximately 45,000 acres of land in the Bandarban Sadar, Lama, Alikadam and Naikhongchhari upazilas have been leased mostly to the influential Bangali outsiders. The Chaks have lost their vast jum land from leasing the land for rubber and horticulture. In addition, rubber and tobacco cultivation funded by multinational company from the mid-90s has been expanding ever since and led to many Chak villages in Naikhongchhari losing their precious plain land. Both rubber and tobacco have proven to degrade the hilly environment and geography of the region. Despite their destructive impacts on the environment and the livelihood of the Chaks, both cultivations are expanding.

We are aware that Gha 8 of the CHT Peace Accord, on the issue of land allocation for rubber and other plantation, states that “Out of the lands allotted to non-tribal and non-local persons for rubber and other plantations, the lease (allocation) in respect of the lands of those who did not undertake any project during the last ten years or did not properly utilize the lands shall be cancelled.”

Although the government cancelled the lease of some 569 plots for violating lease agreements, the Bandarban District Administration acknowledged in 2011 that 35 of them were later reinstated. There is also no information if any of the leaseholders whose lease was cancelled actually surrendered their plot, or if the district administration took back the plot. The district administration also said that some 100 writ petitions were filed in the higher court challenging the cancelation of leases.

We have regretfully observed that contrary to the democratic values, the government administration, non-government organizations and multinational companies are continually encouraging activities that severely threaten the livelihood of the indigenous population. The government and the non-government bodies, through various means, continue to encourage Bangali settlement, not only in the Chak inhabited areas, but also in the entire hill tracts region. The hill land is being encroached on, and conflicts increase between the hill people and the Bangalis. Unable to resist the pressure from the mainstream Bangalis, many are resorting to silent migration from their land.

This declaration and recommendation named “The 2011 Citizen Declaration and Recommendations regarding the Rights of the Chak” is adopted, and presented with hope that the state will understand and recognize the current marginalized state and problems of the Chak population, and take necessary measures to provide them with legitimate protection of their human rights.

Recommendations:

  1. Safe rehabilitation of the Chaks displaced from Longodujhiri (Khal) Chak Para must be ensured. This requires the Bandarban Deputy Commissioner to work with the mouza headman in order to take necessary actions.
  2. The illegal clearing of forests for rubber plantations in Baishari Mouza and Alekhyong Mouza of the Naikhongchhari Upazila and other areas in Bandarban Hill District inhabited by the Chak and Marma must be halted immediately. The names of the leaseholders and those who have had their leased deeds for plots cancelled must be published. The government must reach an effective decision regarding the cancelled plots.
  3. The government must adopt adequate policies to halt the invasion of tobacco plantations and take strict measures in controlling this environmentally disastrous cultivation. The government should also provide all necessary assistance for the hill people to continue with their traditional environmentally friendly cultivation without disruption.
  4. The traditional rule of circle chiefs, headman and karbari of the Chittagong Hill Tracts must be strengthened. In defiance of these tradition institutions, the civil administration exercises undisputed authority, that in turn results in hill land disputes, encroachments, and displacement of the hill people. The headman and the circle chiefs must be consulted before leasing land. Land that has been leased without the consent of the headmen must be terminated. The Rubber Standing Committee must also be terminated.
  5. The legal rights of the hill people who were allotted land for homestead and rubber cultivation under the Upland Resettlement Project initiated by the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board (CHTDB) are yet to be recognized. The CHTDB must take appropriate action to rectify this and hand over the titles of this land as quick as possible.
  6. The unrestricted expansion of the rubber and tobacco is rapidly annihilating the desolate hill forests of Naikhongchhari Upazila. This is affecting the Chaks most. The government needs to take action to protect the forest.
  7. The influx of the Myanmar refugees has to be prevented. Those settled must be identified and removed.
  8. The hill people’s much coveted Regional Council has turned out to be an ineffectual institution as a consequence of not implementing the CHT Accord. There is no other option than to agree to the CHT Accord in order to ensure the security of the land and the lives of the hill people.
  9. The three hill district councils have been run by the same government nominated individuals for a long time; the district councils should immediately be reorganized with elected representatives.
  10. Although the CHT Land Dispute Commission has been reformed, it has been incapable of making any substantial contribution. The current chairman of the commission has been rejected by the leading hill people, thus the Land Commission needs further reorganization. The land commission laws need to be amended and rules formulated.
  11. The National Committee, created for implementation of the CHT Accord, is yet to take any positive and effective measures. Affirmative actions taken by the committee in realizing the CHT Accord will contribute significantly in resolving the existing land disputes and in providing security to the hill people.

Participants and signatories to declaration: Brother Jarlath D’Suza, BICPAJ; Prof. Niaz Zaman, University Of Dhaka; Asif Iabal, SAMATA; Dhung Cha Aung Chak, Baishari, Naikhyangchari; Babul Chandra Sutradhar, Dhaka; Shai Hla Ching, Baishari, Dr. Mahfuzul Haque, University of Dhaka; Sanjib Basak Dainik Shamokal, Dhaka; Lucille Sircar, ADRA Bangladesh, Dhaka; Prof. Amena Mohsin, University of Dhaka; Dilshad Mahmud, BRAC, Dhaka; Fazley Hassan Rabbi, Student, SMUCT, Dhaka; Raton Jakaria Malo, Student, Dhaka University; Nusrat Ara, Nijera Kori, Dhaka; Obaidul Haque, associate professor, University of Dhaka; Archita Baroi, New Age, Dhaka; Atish Saha, student, Patshala, Dhaka; SK Ali, Dainik Jugantar, Dhaka; Mahtabi Zaman, The Daily Star, Dhaka; Amir Tuhin, American Institute of Bangladesh Studies (AIBS), Dhaka; Tania M, American Institute of Bangladesh Studies (AIBS), Dhaka; Pobitro Gregory, Saint Joshep High School, Dhaka; Mong Mong Chak, Bandarban; Kishor Kumar, Bhorer Kagoj, Dhaka; Masud Parvej, Bhorer Kagoj, Dhaka; Mehedi Noor Akter Priti, Artist, Dhaka; Khya Ching Chak, Naikhyongchori; Monangrai, Baishari; Chai Mra Prue Chak, Baishari; Chanu Mong Chak, Naikhyongchori; Buddyojyoti Chakma, Dainik Prothom Alo, Bandarban; Siko Khumi, Roangchori, Bandarban; Aung Thoai Chak, Uporchakpara, Baishari; Ma Shu Chak, Baishari; Aung Ga Mey, Baishari; Mong Kaw Bing Chak, Naikhyongchori; Mong Chainda Chak, Naikhyongchori; Nainda Aung Chak, Naikhyongchori; M.A. Prue Chak, Naikhyongchori; Ching La Mong Chak, Naikhyongchori; Dr. Uttam Kumar Das, SAILS, Dhaka;  Aung Thoai Ching Chak, Naikhyongchhori; Ranglai Mro, Bandarban; Inamul Kabir, Janakantho, Dhaka; Mehedi Jaman, Jai Jai Din, Dhaka; Akter Hossain, BDO Naogaon; Raphael Palma, Dhaka; Sajjad Hussain, Transparency International Bangladesh, Dhaka; Dipan Dandy, Jai Jai Din, Dhaka; Goutam Dewan, Movement for the protection of forests and land rights in CHT, Rangamati; Sudatta Bikash Tanchangya, Movement for the protection of forests and land rights in CHT, Rangamati; Mong Chanu Hla Chak; Khushi Kabir, Nijera Kori, Dhaka; Abir Abdullah, Patshala South Asian Media Academy, Dhaka; Zuamlian Amlai, Bawm Social Council, Bandarban; AKM Mofizur Rahman, Community Public Library, Dhaka; Babul Bairagi SEHD; Shanjida Khan Ripa, SEHD; Lucky Ruga, SEHD; Partha Shankar Saha, SEHD; Khokon Suiten Murmu, SEHD; Shekhar Kanti Ray, SEHD; Philip Gain, SEHD; Md. Saifullah Safi, SEHD; Biswajit Sen Roy, Student, Dhaka University; Lisa Chambugong, Student, Dhaka; Shanta Mallick Bonnya, Student, Dhaka; S.N Obaidul Muktadir, SEHD; and Prosad Sarker, SEHD.