Stop earth filling, construction in Rajshahi city water bodies
The High Court yesterday asked the government to stop earth filling and construction of all kinds of structures in the water bodies including rivers, canals, ponds and drains in Rajshahi city for next three months.
In response to a writ petition, an HC bench also issued a rule upon the government to explain within four weeks why it should not be directed to take necessary steps to bring the water bodies in their original positions.
The bench of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain also directed the government to submit a report in this regard to this court within six months after complying the order.
Heritage Rajshahi, a rights organisation working for protecting natural heritage, filed the writ petition with the court as public interest litigation. It sought necessary directives from the court on the government to protect the natural environment of Rajshahi Metropolitan area.
Secretaries to the Ministry of Environment, Land, and Housing and Public Works, chairman of Rajshahi Development Authority, Metropolitan Police Commissioner of Rajshahi, director general of department of Environment, development authority and chief executive officer of Rajshahi City Corporation have been made respondents to the order and rule.
Advocate Obayed Hossain appeared for the petitioner while Deputy Attorney General ABM Altaf Hossain represented the government.
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