A major climate adaptation initiative, set to launch in January 2026, promises to reshape the socio-economic and environmental landscape of the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) through nature-based solutions and targeted climate financing.

The four-year project, titled Green, Resilient, and Adaptive CHT Economy (GRACE) – LoCALplus, will be led by the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), with a budget of US$10 million approved by the Adaptation Fund Board in April.

“This project combines ecosystem restoration with performance-based finance to strengthen local economies,” said Kabir Uddin, ICIMOD’s Bangladesh focal point. “We expect to begin implementation in early 2026.”

GRACE will prioritise environmental rehabilitation through springshed restoration, agroforestry, watershed management, and protection of Village Common Forests—critical natural resources for indigenous communities. It also places strong emphasis on inclusion, especially the empowerment of women and ethnic minorities who remain vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Prodip Kumar Mahottam, Additional Secretary (Development) at the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, said the initiative aligns with the government’s broader goals. “GRACE is not just about climate resilience; it’s about enabling a green economy and sustainable tourism in the region.”

Advanced data tools such as the Climate Risk Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) and Localised Information System for Adaptation (LISA) will be deployed to support risk-informed planning and early warning systems for floods, landslides, and lightning hazards that are increasingly common in the region.

The project supports Bangladesh’s National Adaptation Plan (2023–2050), aiming to develop a scalable, locally led model of climate governance.