Dhaka, Dec 9 – The High Court on Monday issued a rule asking the government to explain in three months why it should not be directed to demolish and remove all the structures set up illegally on the sea beach in Cox’s Bazar. In response to a writ petition, the HC bench comprising Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman came up with the rule.
According to the petition, a total of 216 illegal structures and 24 hatcheries are reportedly polluting the sea beach in Cox’s bazaar, which were built without certificates from the Department of Environment (DoE).
In its rule, the HC bench also asked the government to explain why their failure to stop pollution of the sea, dumping wastage and use of disposable plastic products and to protect the hills, hillocks and forest in Sadar, Maheshkhali, Teknaf, Ramu, Chokoria, Ukhiya and Pekua Upazilas of the district should not be declared illegal.
Besides, it also asked the government to explain why its decision to construct a 10-storey circuit house in the reserved areas of Cox’s Bazar should not be declared unlawful.
A total of 22 officials including secretaries of cabinet division, forest and environment, civil aviation and tourism, housing and public work, public administration and water resources ministry and other officials concerned of the government have been made respondents reply to the rule within three months.
Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) recently filed the writ petition with the HC seeking necessary orders in this regard.
The organisation sought HC order upon the government to protect hills, hillocks and forest areas in Cox’s Bazar and to save the sea beach from pollution and encroachment.
A total of 216 illegal structures and 24 hatcheries are reportedly polluting the sea beach in Cox’s bazar.
Advocate Minhazul Haque Chowdhury and Advocate Sayeed Ahmed Kabir appeared for petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Amit Talukder represented the state. – Staff Reporter
