HC leaves matter up to govt, environmentalists

A High Court bench yesterday expressed hope that the problems regarding tree Suhrawardy Udyan's tree felling will be resolved amicably, through discussions between the government and environmentalists.

"We do not want to interfere with this issue at this moment. We hope it will be settled in a suitable manner, subject to the government consulting with environmentalists and taking necessary decisions" the HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice SM Maniruzaaman said while hearing on a writ petition filed to seek its directive on the government to not cut trees and damage the environment and characteristics of Suhrawardy Udyan.

The court then adjourned hearing of the petition for four weeks, saying it will pass necessary orders later on, after being informed of the government's steps regarding the matter.

At the beginning of the hearing, Attorney General AM Amin Uddin told the HC bench that he talked to the Liberation War affairs minister about protecting original and natural historical shape of Suhrawardy Udyan, and the minister assured that he will talk to environmentalists and then will take necessary decisions.

He also said the tree-felling at Suhrawardy Udyan has been suspended and no more trees will be cut till discussion with environmentalists takes place.

Fida M Kamal and Syeda Rizwana Hasan appeared for the writ petitioners, while Additional Attorney Generals Mohammad Mehedi Hasan Chowdhury and Sk Md Morshed also represented the state during the virtual hearing.

Rights organisations Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela), Association for Land Reforms and Development (ALRD), Nijera Kori, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) and Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), and architect Mubasshir Hossain collectively filed the writ petition with the HC on May 9.

Meanwhile, another HC bench of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman yesterday adjourned for two weeks the hearing on a contempt of court petition filed against the government on charge of clearing trees and setting up restaurants at Suhrawardy Udyan ignoring a 2009 HC verdict.

The HC passed the adjournment order after AG AM Amin Uddin told it that the government will take necessary steps to protect Suhrawardy Udyan's environment after consulting with environmentalists.

Supreme Court lawyers Mahbubul Islam and Ripan Barai filed the contempt of court petition with the HC on May 9, seeking its directive on three government officials to cancel the tree-felling and restaurant building project at Suhrawardy Udyan.

Lawyer Manzill Murshid appeared for the petitioners.

Earlier on July 7, 2009, following a writ petition, the HC directed the government to identify and preserve all the important historic places related to the republic's Liberation War and set up memorial monuments at Suhrawardy Udyan, maintaining international standard, so that people from home and abroad can pay homage to martyred freedom fighters.

Following this, the HC had ordered the government to take steps to protect and maintain the historic spots at Suhrawardy Udyan.