Indigenous peoples' livelihood practices in south‐eastern Bangladesh and the question of sustainability

Abstract

AbstractVoices from different international angles have argued on the rights of the indigenous peoples, threats to their identity and livelihood, and their sustainability. In Bangladesh, however, despite the rich biological and cultural diversity, and environmental resources, the indigenous peoples' dominated south‐eastern (Chittagong Hill Tract [CHT]) part of the country has remained one of the most underprivileged, lacking in virtually all development indicators. Hence, this paper reviews the livelihood practices of the indigenous peoples in the CHT and their sustainability. The aim is to advance discussions for streamlining efforts towards sustainable livelihood development, especially in the CHT. The narrative review finds that the indigenous peoples have differed identities and engage largely in subsistence agriculture‐based livelihood practices with a little diversification, and efforts towards development of livelihood sustainability in the CHT have just begun to come to the front burner. In essence, sustainability of indigenous peoples' livelihood in the CHT is at risk and requires requisite actions.