Electrocution of Monkeys: Legal notice seeks removal of power lines from forest
A legal notice has been served on authorities concerned of the government to remove electrical power lines installed inside Mymensingh’s Santoshpur Reserve Forest, that have reportedly caused burn injuries to monkeys in the forest, including at least one death.
People for Animal Welfare (PAW) Foundation, a voluntary organisation working for animal rights, served the legal notice dated January 8.
It follows reports in a number of newspapers over the last week that a five-kilometre uninsulated power line going through the forest in Phulbari upazila had injured at least 10 monkeys and killed one.
The power line, set up by Palli Bidyut Samity under Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREF), was inaugurated on December 15.
The reserve forest is a habitat for a variety of wildlife, including a few hundred primates.
Supreme Court Advocate Barrister Shihab Uddin Khan, on behalf of PAW Foundation, served the legal notice demanding removal of the power lines from the forest area within 24 hours of receiving the legal notice.
The legal notice also said if necessary action is not taken within the time, the organisation will move to file a writ petition with the High Court, seeking necessary orders.
Secretaries to the power division of the ministry of power, energy and mineral resources and ministry of environment, forests and climate change; chief conservator of forests; chairman and superintending engineer of BREF; upazila nirbahi officer of Phulbaria; deputy general manager of Palli Bidyut Samity’s Phulbaria zonal office; divisional forest officer, range officer of Rasulpur, and beat officer of Santoshpur under Mymensingh Forest Division were made respondents to the legal notice.
The notice also urged the forest department to ensure treatment and rehabilitation of the injured monkeys.
Comments