HC issues rule on saving Sutang river

The High Court yesterday issued a rule asking the government to explain why its failure to save Sutang River in Habiganj and its connected Shailajura canal from pollutions should not be declared illegal.

In the rule, it asked the authorities concerned to show causes as to why they should not be ordered to take steps to protect the waterbodies.

The HC also ordered the government to form an independent committee to ensure continuous operation of pollution prevention machines, suspend the environmental clearance certificate of the factories polluting the river, to examine water of the waterbodies and to submit compliance reports.

The HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah issued the rule and order following a writ petition of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, moved by lawyer Syeda Rizwana Hasan.