Changla Mro and other women of the Mro ethnic group used to face dangerous treks through steep paths, risking encounters with snakes, wild pigs, and fishing cats while collecting water. However, since a water collection and treatment system was installed a year ago, providing water for 21 families in Bandarban district, these dangers are now a thing of the past. Changla Mro shared that two women were bitten by snakes while collecting water at night before the system was installed, but now they no longer fear such attacks. The increasing demands on the world's limited fresh water supply due to deforestation, climate change, and population growth are a global concern. Developing new methods to capture and preserve water is becoming increasingly important to ensure a consistent supply throughout the year. Women are seen collecting water at the community water treatment plant in Bandarban, according to Thomson Reuters Foundation. Water is a valuable resource in the Hill Tract area of Bangladesh, spanning 5,500 square miles and inhabited by both Bengali-speaking settlers and tribal people from 13 different ethnic groups. Deforestation has significantly reduced the soil's ability to retain water, resulting in water shortages during the dry season when surface water evaporates. This issue is particularly severe in the districts of Bandarban, Rangamati, and Khagrhachharhi, where the Mro community resides. Kangchag Mro, aged 50, used to struggle to find clean water in springs and streams, fearing diseases like diarrhoea and cholera. However, with the construction of a water treatment plant in her community, clean drinking water now flows from taps, making her life much easier. The plant, funded by the Arannayk Foundation, gets its water supply from a hillside reservoir located 500 meters away. The artificial reservoir gathers water from the hills and sends it through a pipeline to a treatment facility for purification. The efficient gravity flow water system, which doesn't need costly pumps, has led to plans for expanding its reach. Md Wali Ullah, the chief engineer of the Department of Public Health Engineering, mentioned that the government is looking into providing water to more indigenous communities in the Hill Tract region. Ullah added that his department has already submitted a proposal to other relevant government departments. In Bandarban, a stream flows, according to Thomson Reuters Foundation. Mro leader Khamchang Mro stated that his community has recognized the significance of forests, which serve as a reservoir for collecting rainwater during the monsoon and gradually releasing it into waterways. The community has been making efforts to preserve forested areas to maintain a steady supply of water to springs and canals throughout the year. "We have restored the damaged portion of our village forests," Khamchang Mro explained. "Consequently, our village forest is now in a better state." Farid Ahmed Khan, who serves as the executive director of Arannayk Foundation, emphasized that local communities must take action to safeguard their forests as there is no other option. Khan cautioned that the degradation of forests could lead to a serious water shortage. Women are seen collecting water at the community water treatment plant in Bandarban, as shown in images by Thomson Reuters Foundation. A stream can also be observed flowing in Bandarban, according to Thomson Reuters Foundation.