BANDARBAN. Nov 10: The government has taken up three special projects including land distribution and rehabilitation for the tribals and non tribals of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) to develop their socioeconomic condition, reports BSS.

The projects will be implemented by the Hill Tracts Development Board (HTDB).

Eight thousand landless and marginal farmers including 1500 women will be rehabilitated under these projects. In this connection 19.500 acres of hilly land will be allotted for rubber plantation.

Work on the projects, duration of which is expected to be 3 to 5 years, will begin in December at a cost of Tk 129 crore and 57 thousand.

Executive Engineer of the CHT Development Board said that after signing of the peace accord, situation in the Hill Tracts areas has improved.

According to him. our of the total area of 13.295 square kilometres, only 5 per cent land is cultivable. 2699 square km (20 pc) land is suitable for horticulture. 9.977 square km (75 pc) of land for reserve forest and 665 square km (5 pc) of land is suitable for cultivation of crops.

Fertility of land is decreasing because of unplanned cultivation. lack of watershed management and land erosion. Hilly canals are also being filled up.

On the basis of classification and fertility of the hilly land, the government and the HTDB are giving more importance to horticulture.

As security measures have been ensured, the government has taken initiatives to Increase urban facilities for the neglected families there. The three projects will be implemented for agriculture and socio-economic development.