Tracts Patched — Chittagong Hill

[Generated for Academic Purposes] Date: April 13, 2026 Abstract The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in southeastern Bangladesh represent a unique geopolitical and ethno-cultural enclave within a predominantly homogeneous Bengali nation-state. Unlike the rest of the country, the CHT is characterized by its hilly topography, indigenous (Jumma) population, and a protracted history of armed conflict, state-led colonization, and peace negotiations. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the CHT, tracing its historical marginalization from the British colonial period through Pakistani rule and post-independence Bangladesh. It examines the root causes of the insurgency (1972–1997), the contested implementation of the 1997 Peace Accord, and contemporary challenges, including land alienation, militarization, climate-induced displacement, and resource extraction (hydropower, timber, and tourism). The paper argues that despite nominal political autonomy, the CHT remains a site of structural violence, where demographic transformation through state-sponsored Bengali settlement continues to undermine indigenous rights. It concludes with policy recommendations for genuine decentralization, land restitution, and cultural preservation. 1. Introduction The Chittagong Hill Tracts, covering approximately 13,295 square kilometers (about 10% of Bangladesh’s land area), are an anomaly in a country defined by riverine plains and dense population. Comprising three districts—Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban—the CHT shares borders with India (Tripura and Mizoram) and Myanmar (Rakhine State). Home to at least 11 distinct indigenous ethnic groups (collectively self-identifying as Jumma , referring to their slash-and-burn cultivation method), the region has been in a state of simmering conflict since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971.

The Chittagong Hill Tracts: Identity, Autonomy, and Resource Conflict in Bangladesh’s Periphery chittagong hill tracts