Hill razed for road

A group of individuals has reportedly cut a hill by Chattogram city's Sarson Road to build a road, without getting approval from the Department of Environment (DoE), much to the dismay of locals and environmentalists.

For the road's construction, they cut a significant part of Joy Pahar, an old hill in the area, violating the law.

DoE officials confirmed that they visited the area and found evidence of hill cutting. The authorities issued a show-cause notice to the group.

During a visit to the area on Sunday, this correspondent found that the hill has been cut to build the 650-feet long road. Many trees have fallen victim too.

Some locals, requesting anonymity, claimed that the group is building the new road to make the hills accessible. After that, it will flatten the hills to make housing plots.

This hill is owned by the heirs of a person named Mozaffar Ahmad Miah.

This correspondent could not reach Abdul Kader, a son of late Mozaffar, despite several attempts over phone and text.

According to Bangladesh Environment Preservation Act 1995 (amended in 2000), cutting a hill without DoE's approval is illegal.

The punishment for breaking the law is up to two years' imprisonment or Tk 2 lakh fine, or both for first-time offenders. For subsequent offence, it is up to 10 years' imprisonment or Tk 10 lakh fine or both.

Mia Mahmudul Hoque, deputy director of DoE Chattogram's metro office, told The Daily Star that those who are building the road have been ordered to appear in person for a hearing at DoE office and explain why the offenders should not be penalised.

Mohammad Kamal Hossain, former professor of Institute of Forestry and Environmental Science at Chittagong University, said if the road is constructed, the environment of the area would be harmed.

According to data of Bangladesh Environment Forum, 120 hills disappeared from Chattogram city in four decades. In 1976, there were 32.37 square km of hills in the port city, which decreased to 14.02 square km in 2008.

The data showed that there were 200 hills in the city 40 years ago, and 60 percent of them have disappeared. Of them, Chattogram Development Authority cut 15 hills for building Bayezid Link Road.