Hill cutting on, defying ban
Disregarding environmental laws, illegal hill cutting continues unabated in different areas of Moulvibazar and its adjoining areas.
According to Bangladesh Environment Preservation Act 1995, as amended in 2000, cutting of hills without approval of the authorities concerned is prohibited.
Punishment for such offence is up to two years imprisonment or fine of Tk 2 lakh or both for a first offence. For subsequent offences, the punishment is up to 10 years imprisonment or fine of Tk 10 lakh or both.
Still, many powerful individuals raze hills in the name of development work, housing and business establishments, ignoring existing environmental laws and defying ban by the Department of Environment (DoE).
As a result, unhindered hill cutting is posing a serious threat to the natural environment and biodiversity of the area, said green activists. These unscrupulous people have made the hills a death trap where landslide claims lives on a regular basis, they added.
Locals also alleged that some influential people in cooperation with a section of dishonest government officials are involved in hill cutting.
Though the district administration is conducting drives, strict measures are needed to stop this menace, said Abdul Karim Kim, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon's Sylhet chapter.
“Many are exposed to hill slides due to construction of houses and commercial establishments through leveling hills in most unplanned way,” he said. “A syndicate of influential locals is involved in hill cutting and stone extracting,” he claimed.
Muhaimin Milton, general secretary of Moulvibazar Environmental Journalists' Forum, also emphasised the need for a stringent law and its implementation. “Though razing hills without permission is illegal, it continues unabated. As a result, landslides occur almost every year in hilly areas,” he said.
Contacted, Tofail Islam, deputy commissioner of Moulvibazar, said they are conducting regular drives against hill cutting. “People should be made aware of the consequences of razing hills. If they inform us about illegal hill cutting, we will take measures right away.”
Sadi Ur Rahim Zadid, assistant commissioner (land) of Kulaura upazila, said the administration on Thursday fined three persons Tk 50,000 in Jalalabad area of the upazila for razing hills.
They are Abdul Basit, 45, Lal Mia, 39, and Shafiqur Rahman, 47, all residents of Jalalabad. The administration also seized the truck they were using.
“We will take action against those involved in hill cutting, regardless of who they are,” he added.
Comments