Toma Group fined Tk 50cr
Department of Environment (DoE) Chattogram region yesterday fined Toma Group and Construction Limited for razing two crore 23 lakh cubic feet of hills from a reserve forest at Lohagara.
The fine was imposed after a hearing at DoE office.
According to DoE sources, the group completely flattened a large portion of Rangapahar, a part of Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary, in October with the aim to supply the Dohazari-Cox's Bazar rail project.
On October 28, The Daily Star ran a report covering the massive hill razing.
Mohammad Moazzom Hossain, director of DoE Chattogram region, told The Daily Star Toma Group tried to slow the proceedings by repeatedly delaying the hearing date by seeking time.
"In the hearing we analysed our inspection report, which states they cut a total of 22 million cubic feet of hill at Rangapahar, devastating the whole eco system of the area. Taking all this into consideration, we fined them Tk 50 crore," he said.
Apart from this, a case will be filed against the group for damaging the environment, he added.
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