The Department of Environment (DoE) fined three individuals a total of Tk10 lakh for illegally razing hills in Chittagong on Monday.
Rashed Hossain Shikder, Mozaffar Ahmed and Rezaul Karim of Satkania upazila, Chittagong were awarded the fine after a hearing took place in the office of DoE Chittagong Regional Director Moazzam Hossain .
Among the convicted, Rashed Hossain Shikder was fined Tk8 lakh while the two others were fined Tk2 lakh.
As per the Environment Conservation (Amendment) Act 2010, hill cutting is a cognizable offence and no government, semi-government, or autonomous organization is allowed to cut or raze hills without prior permission from the authorities concerned.
Under the terms of Building Construction Rules 1996, clearance certificates must be obtained from the Department of Environment for razing any hill.