A drive against illegal hill cutting has been conducted in various locations under the Akbar Shah police station in Chittagong city.
The operation was led by Dr Fahmida Khanam, additional secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, in collaboration with the Chittagong District Administration, the Directorate of Environment (DoE), Chittagong and the Police Department on Tuesday morning.
During the drive, actions were taken by the mobile court including fining and serving notice for illegal hill cutting.
In the Lake City area of North Pahartali area, evidence of hill cutting was found at plot 179. The DoE has been directed to file a regular case against the owner, Elias, an engineer of the CDA (Chittagong Development Authority).
Besides, evidence of hill cutting was found at plot 178 in the area. The DoE has already issued a notice for a hearing to the owner. Residents of the adjacent properties have been instructed to quickly remove and relocate their structures.
Evidence of hill cutting with a tin boundary was found at plot 117 behind the Harbatoli Ma Amena Mosque in North Pahartali Mouza. Instruction has been given to determine the plot number and the owner’s name and take subsequent necessary actions.
Meanwhile, two individuals were found engaged in hill cutting in the Harbatoli area of North Pahartali Mouza. They were fined a total of Tk15,000 (Tk10,000 and Tk5,000 respectively by a mobile court
Besides, the preparation for hill cutting with a tin boundary was underway at plot 116 under the Akbar Shah police station area. The DoE has already issued a notice for monitoring the area.
In the areas of Rupnagar and Imam Nagar adjacent to the Shapla Residential area, it has been observed that trees have been cleared in preparation for hill cutting at plot 154. The DoE has been instructed to identify the land schedule and the owner’s name and take necessary actions. Local people have been advised through announcements to stay vigilant against hill cutting in their respective areas.
In the Mirpur Residential Area of Jangal Salimpur area, evidence of road construction through hill cutting has been found. The DoE has been directed to take legal action against the responsible parties and necessary legal measures.
The DoE has been instructed to continue such operations.