The High Court has ordered the government to stop withdrawal of ground water at Charkanai, Hulain, Pachuria and Habilashdhip villages in Pathia upazila of Chittagong.
It also asked the authorities concerned of the government to supply drinking water for the residents of those villages until the problem is resolved.
The court also asks the Water Resources Ministry to take a decision within three months if the four villages would be declared as 'water critical' areas according to section 17 of water law 2013.
The bench of Justices Tariq Ul Hakim and Md Shohrowardi issued the injunction with directives.
Citing the writ, eight industries are operating their factories in these four villages and they are using underground water. The industry also operated without environmental certificates and ETP. Boalkhali, Gorulota, and Alamdanga canals have also being polluted by industrial waste.
Advocate Syeda Rizwana Hasan, writ petitioners’ lawyer said, three hundred deep tube-wells went out of order due to huge industrial operations in the four villages, where 30,000 citizens reside.
Bangladesh environmental lawyers Association filed a writ with the high court and the court issued a rule to the concern governmental offices. After the rule hearing the court has given the directives.
There were 26 respondents for the writ including secretary of land, environment, water resources, health and agriculture.
The eight industries are- Banoful & Company (food products), Banoful & Company (mineral water), Ambia Knitting and Dyeing Limited, Ambia Pulp and Paper Mills Limited, Mostafa Paper Complex Ltd, Hakkani Pulp and Paper Mills Ltd, Anowara Paper Mills Ltd, Shah Amanat Knitting & Dyeing Industries Limited.