Guardians of the Green: Village Common Forests
How traditional community-managed forests (VCFs) are combating climate change, protecting water sources, and preserving biodiversity in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Long before “climate change” became a global buzzword, the indigenous communities of the Chittagong Hill Tracts practiced a unique form of conservation known as Village Common Forests (VCF) or Mouza Bons.
A VCF is a specific area of forest preserved by the community where commercial logging and Jhum cultivation are strictly prohibited. These forests are managed by the villagers under the guidance of the Mouza Headman. They serve as a sanctuary for medicinal plants, rare wildlife, and bamboo reserves for emergency community use.
Most importantly, these forests protect the Jhiri (natural streams) and aquifers. In an era of increasing water scarcity in the hills, VCFs are the lifelines that keep the streams flowing year-round. The Chakma Circle is actively working to legally recognize and expand these forests to combat environmental degradation.