Delegates have put together a 17-point plan designed to protect and promote the unique cultures and languages in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Below is an article published by the Daily Star:

Speakers in a workshop yesterday [13 February 2008] made 17-point suggestions to the government to protect culture and heritages of 11 ethnic communities in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

They suggested establishment of a tribal cultural institute, appointment of indigenous language teacher in every primary school in CHT and broadcasting programmes on indigenous culture and heritage.

Their suggestions also include one more chapter based on indigenous culture in text books at primary and junior levels, introducing teachers' training on indigenous languages at Rangamati PTI, and setting up a museum to protect culture and heritages of 11 ethnic communities in CHT.

They emphasised primary education in students' mother languages.

Speakers said this in a daylong workshop titled “Adhivashi Sangskriti Sangrakkhaney Suparishmala Pranayan o Amader Karaniya” organised by local NGO Zabarang Kalyan Samity held at Parjatatan Motel in Khagrachhari hill district yesterday [13 February 2008].

Speakers also made several suggestions for the civil society, media men and NGOs to work for protection of indigenous customs, tradition and cultural heritages by their own role and contribution.

The suggestions came from a month-long research on the lifestyle including food habits, sports, marriage system, cultivation, dresses, traditional function and residence of three indigenous communities -- Chakma, Marma and Tripura.

Local NGOs Rurua Lummiya Thethong, Khagrapur Mohila Kalyan Samity, Trinamul Unnayan Sangstha and Zabarang Kalyan Samity helped to conduct the research.

Note:

For additional information on the workshop's presiding officers and attendees, please follow the link below:

Asian Tribune: Human Rights a Matter of Concern in CHT