The High Court (HC) today (April 2) ordered the government to stop cutting hills in Baghaichari Upazila of Rangamati.

The High Court bench of Justice JBM Hasan and Justice Raziq-al-Jalil passed this order while hearing the petition in this regard.

On 29 March, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh filed a petition before the HC in the public interest after news about hills cutting was published.

Later, the court after hearing the petition issued a rule asking authorities concerned of the government to explain why the administration's inaction to stop the hill cutting should not be declared illegal.

Besides, the court directed the administration to form a monitoring team to ensure that no one can cut hills without permission from the Department of Environment.

Senior lawyer Manzill Murshid appeared for the petitioner confirmed the matter. 

He said an influential group was misbalancing environment in Sajek by hills cutting. 

“However, there was no action taken against them even after reports were published in the media. As the matter is related to public interest, the direction of the court is required, for which I pleaded,” he said.

BDST: 2028 HRS, April 02, 2024
MSK/SMS