Speakers at discussions marking International Mountain Day yesterday urged protection of hills and mountains, especially in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region, for sustainable development.

Our Rangamati Correspondent reports: The hills in CHT region should be protected for saving the customs, culture and tradition as well as livelihood of the indigenous people, speakers said at a discussion held at the municipality hall room in the town.

Rangamati Hill District Council (RHDC) organised the meeting with support from CHTDF-UNDP, Rangamati.

RHDC Chairman Nikhil Kumar Chakma was the chief guest at the meeting presided over by Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Mostafa Kamal.

Superintendent of Police Amena Begum, Chief Executive Officer of RHDC Irfan Sharif, Chief of Implementation of CHTDF-UNDP Robert Stoelman, spoke, among others.

The speakers emphasised creating awareness among the mass people to protect forests and environment.

RHDC took elaborate programmes including marathon run, rally, art competition, screening of documentary film on mountains and cultural programme marking the day.

Our Khagrachhari Correspondent adds: Khagrachhari Hill District Council (KHDC) yesterday organised a meeting titled "Mountains: Key to a sustain -able future" marking International Mountain Day.

Gradual destruction of mountains to satisfy man's need badly effects the ecologi -cal balance of the earth and affects climatic change, rise in temperature and soil erosion, speakers said at the meeting held at KHDC

conference room in the town.

They urged the government to take effective initiatives to preserve the mountains of the country by strict implementation of laws especially in Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban hill districts.

Acting Chairman of Khagrachhari Hill District Council Chaithowaong Marma, its Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Salauddin Ahmad, Additional Deputy Commissioner Abdul Khalak, Additional Superintendent of Police Joynul Abadin, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Extension Anil Chandra Roy and District Governance Officer of CHTDF-UNDP Suvash Chakma spoke at the meeting, among others.

Earlier a colourful procession attended by officials and activists of government and non-government organisations marched the roads in the