Trinamul Unnayan Sangstha(TUS)
Trinamul Unnayan Sangstha (TUS) was established in 1997 by a group of social activists, with a vision of establishing “a society based on the values of justice, equity and freedom, where disadvantaged and marginalized people have full and effective participation in all stages of the development process”. From the beginning TUS have aimed to empower grassroots communities of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), so they can take action on the social and economic challenges they face. To achieve the vision, TUS have taken the mission, “To build up the capacity of grassroots communities, especially the disadvantaged and marginalized sections of people in the CHT, towards improving their livelihoods and addressing other socio-economic development issues in a participatory approach”.
Indigenous peoples of Chittagong Hill Tracts have been practicing their traditional knowledge systems such as seed keeping and diversified cropping since time immemorial for their sustenance and livelihood. At present, many of the knowledge are gradually eroding due to modern agricultural practices have lost relevance in modern era and not significantly able to contribute for sustainable livelihood while some others stand strong with proven adaptability and high degree of relevance.
The challenge taken up by the initiative is to screen these set of knowledge, which show significant usefulness and compliance with the modern systems and practices. Once these are identified, the comparative value will be analyzed to explore opportunities for further uses, which will be demonstrated for expected wider replication.
INITIATIVE GOAL:
Strengthening indigenous knowledge and innovations for climate resilient sustainable livelihood in the Chhitagong Hill Tracts (CHT).
Primary level of local recognition of TK as an essential tool for sustainable development. A list of TK was derived regarding Jum cultivation, traditional healing system, food and seed preservation, natural resource management and Village Common Forest. The idea of planned and economically viable hill crop diversification’’ was introduced to the hill farmers so they can use their TK for income and food security. Traditional healers are oriented on the importance of forest conservation and planned Natural Resource Management as well as herbal gardening for practicing their TK. Forest communities realized and reaffirmed the importance of recognizing the economic, social, spiritual gains which are related with TK on forest product extraction, use and sustenance.
