Submit reports on steps taken to stop fish cultivation: HC
The High Court yesterday wanted to know the steps taken by the authorities to implement its directives issued in 2015, for stopping fish cultivation in Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority’s (Wasa) lagoon in the capital’s Kadamtoli, as its water and fish were found to be poisonous and harmful.
The court directed the authorities concerned of the government to submit separate reports within 15 days, on the steps taken to comply with its earlier directives.
The HC bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal gave the order, following a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).
During hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer Advocate Manzill Murshid told the court that the HC in September 2015 had delivered some directives for stopping fish cultivation in the lagoon.
But fish are reportedly still being cultivated there and being sold in the market, which is a violation of the HC directives, he said.
Manzill prayed to the HC to summon the officials concerned including Wasa’s managing director before it to explain their roles in the matter.
Following the 2015 petition, the HC had ordered the authorities concerned to cull all fish of the lagoon using medicine, in presence of a magistrate, law enforcers and journalists every two months.
It had also asked the authorities concerned to construct boundary walls around the 246-acre lagoon of Wasa’s Sayedabad Water Treatment Plant, appoint necessary Ansar members and security guards for monitoring any fishing activity in the lagoon, particularly at night.
The authorities were also asked to set up necessary number of signboards in the lagoon area, saying that its fish are toxic and harmful for health ,and cultivation and catching and trading fish there are punishable offences.
The court had asked the government to take necessary steps for reforming and preserving the lagoon and form a citizens’ committee with local representatives to assist Wasa to stop fish cultivation.
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