Society for Environment and Human Development

12/08/2026

Strengthening CHT Rights Advocacy

The Society for Environment and Human Development organized a three-day residential training on customary rights, land grabbing and their consequences in the Chittagong Hill Tracts from 8–10 August 2026 in Chattogram.

Supported by the European Union and Misereor, the training brought together 22 participants representing eight Indigenous communities—Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Tanchangya, Bawm, Chak, Khumi and Mro.

The training engaged participants and experts in in-depth discussions on forest commons, customary land rights, land grabbing, plantation economies, climate change and the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation of 1900.

Through interactive discussions and sharing of field-level experiences, participants strengthened their skills in evidence-based research, documentation, report writing and rights-based advocacy for land, forests and environmental justice.

Workshop: Research and Advocacy on Customary Rights, Landgrab, and Their Consequences in the CHT

Project: Protecting Forest Communities from Drastic Forest Loss, Plantation Economy, Climate Change and Landgrab

See selection of photos from the workshop sessions and group work.

22/06/2026

The Daily Star | June 22, 2026
Don’t leave Kaiputras to bear the cost of highways
My op-ed published in The Daily Star Today (22 June 2026). The piece highlights the plight of 46 Kaiputra families in Dakshin Alipur, Satkhira, facing eviction due to the expansion of the Satkhira–Shyamnagar highway. It argues that development should not come at the cost of rendering an already marginalised and socially excluded community homeless. The author urges the government to suspend evictions, rehabilitate the families on nearby khas land, extend social protection, and uphold their dignity and citizenship rights.

Link to the report (English): https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/news/dont-leave-kaiputras-bear-the-cost-highways-4204581

Link to the report (Bengali):
https://bangla.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/news-3935941

13/06/2026

The killing of Sonadia’s mangroves: An eyewitness account
13 June 2025, The Daily Star
My report on the near-destruction of Sonadia Island’s mangrove forests, where thousands of acres have been cleared and burned to make way for shrimp aquaculture. The report links the devastation to powerful encroachers, weak state oversight, and global demand for export shrimp, while documenting the severe impacts on local fishers, biodiversity, and coastal protection. It warns that unless decisive action is taken, one of Bangladesh’s most valuable coastal ecosystems may be lost forever.

Link: https://www.thedailystar.net/slow-reads/unheard-voices/news/the-killing-sonadias-mangroves-eyewitness-account-4197336

21/03/2026

প্রিয় সুহৃদ,
আপনাকে ও আপনার পরিবারের সবাইকে জানাই শান্তি, সমৃদ্ধি ও
আশীর্বাদপূর্ণ ঈদের শুভেচ্ছা।
ঈদ মুবারাক।
ফিলিপ গাইন

13/03/2026

Beyond Bangla: Why Bangladesh’s other languages matter

https://www.thedailystar.net/slow-reads/slow-reads-special/news/beyond-bangla-why-bangladeshs-other-languages-matter-4109896

বাংলা সংস্করণঃ বাংলাদেশের বিভিন্ন ভাষা সংরক্ষণ কেন জরুরি
https://bangla.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/news-3900691

12/03/2026

A bizarre mission to restore the Madhupur Sal forest

https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/news/bizarre-mission-restore-the-madhupur-sal-forest-4110971

বাংলা সংস্করণঃ মধুপুর শালবন পুনরুদ্ধারে অভিনব উদ্যোগ
https://bangla.thedailystar.net/opinion/news-3900746

12/03/2026

Prof. Sakhawat Ali Khan Passes Away

We are deeply shocked and saddened to announce that the Chairman of the Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD) passed away on 8 March 2026. His death marks a profound loss for the organization. Sakhawat Ali Khan, a pioneering figure in journalism education in Bangladesh and a longtime teacher at University of Dhaka, was the founding chairman of SEHD, and played a significant role in shaping the organisation’s vision and progress. The SEHD team extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and prays for the eternal peace of his departed soul.

Here are some news reports (Links) on his death:
1. https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/obituary/noted-journalism-teacher-prof-sakhawat-ali-khan-passes-away-1381196
2. https://bonikbarta.com/bangladesh/QDgtHSeoE6ZeY1EZ
3. https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/xmdkm18x1y
4. https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/obituary/news/veteran-journalism-educator-prof-sakhawat-ali-khan-dies-85-4124416
5. https://samakal.com/bangladesh-others/article/342052/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B7%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%96%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%93%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%96%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A8

28/12/2025

জাতপাতের বলি
Because of Caste

The documentary film, Jatpater Boli (Because of Caste) explores the life and struggles of the marginalized Kaiputra and Rishi Hindu communities in southwestern Bangladesh. Both communities live in extreme poverty and face significant social exclusion due to their low-caste status and traditional occupations, such as pig raising and leathercraft. The film highlights their hardships, the tragic events they face, and the small positive changes occurring due to external initiatives. Ultimately, the documentary aims to inspire broader social and policymaker action to improve their lives and provide them with dignity.

YouTube link to the the documentary film"

জাতপাতের বলিBecause of CasteThe documentary film, Jatpater Boli (Because of Caste) explores the life and struggles of the marginalized Kaiputra and Rishi Hin...