Razing hills: CCC councillor, wife among 3 sued in Ctg

The Department of Environment (DoE) has sued three persons including a ward councillor of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) for cutting hills.

Md Shakhawat Hossain, inspector of DoE of Chattogram Metropolitan office filed the case with Akbarshah Police Station today (August 10, 2022) for illegally cutting hills and constructing a structure adjacent to Lake City residential area of ​​Uttar Pahartali, reports our Chattogram staff correspondent quoting Miah Mahmudul Haque, assistant director of DoE Chattogram Metropolitan Office.

The accused are -- Zahurul Alam Jasim, ward councillor of Uttar Pahartali, his wife Taslima Begum and his caretaker Mohammad Hridoy.

According to the case document, on August 8, a team of DoE Chattogram Metropolitan Office visited the spot and found that all the small and big trees and about three percent of hills adjacent to Lake City residential area had been razed.

Apart from this, a semi-pucca structure has been built there by cutting the hills. The amount of hill cut in the place, including the house, is estimated to be 3,000 cubic feet. In addition, 1,306.8 square feet of hills have been razed. In the last few days, three large trees have been chopped down in that place.

Mia Mahmudul Haque, deputy director of DoE Chattogram Metropolitan Office said that they have issued a notice to appear before the Chattogram Metropolitan Office today for a hearing.

During the hearing, caretaker Mohammad Hridoy said that he is not the owner of the hills that have been razed.

He added that Zahurul Alam Jasim and his wife Taslima Begum are the real owners of the land.

In favour of Zahurul and his wife, the caretaker submitted the ownership of the land.

On the basis of information provided by the caretaker, a case was filed with Akbarshah Police Station against Zahurul Alam Jasim, Taslima Begum, and Mohammad Hridoy.

The Daily Star could not reach councillor Zahurul despite repeated attempts for comments.