Plains crop taro brings perils to Bangladesh's hills, fuelling topsoil loss, biodiversity threat

Despite knowing the risks of erosion, taro -- a high-yielding root crop suited for plains -- is increasingly being cultivated on the slopes of Khagrachhari. The practice, experts warn, is stripping away the “topsoil”, silting streams and hill channels, and reducing water retention in the region. Environmentalists say clearing hillsides for taro threatens the fragile ecosystem. When the slopes are tilled and vegetation removed, wildlife lose habitat and biodiversity declines. “Taro is not a crop for the hills. It should be grown on flat land. The hills should have fruit, timber, and medicinal trees,” said Md Farid Miah, divisional forest officer of Khagrachhari. “Taro belongs to the plains, but we are forcing cultivation onto the hills.” The terrace farming method,...