Our Initiatives - At a Glance

Stilwell Zone Initiative

ACT has already initiated a Policy-Advocacy programme with regard to the proposed re-opening of the Second World War-famed and the historic Stilwell Road which was the major supply line during the war and runs through difficult terrains of Patkai Hills. The Stilwell zone will definitely become a major center of economic development if the road is re-opened and Cross-country trade and tourism is introduced benefiting the BIMSTEC countries (Bangladesh-India-Myanmar-Srilanka-Thailand Economic Cooperation). Help Tourism, however believes that before extension of the conventional concept of development by re-opening the Stilwell Road, we must research and consult the local communities so that they should not loose their identities and right to sustainable development. As almost all local people are traditionally nature dependent, our priority should be preservation of nature at all costs and ensure people's participation and sustainable benefits of all development initiatives.