The High Court on Monday issued a rule asking why unauthorized embankments, roads, and structures on the Mirukhali-Badura-Bharani and Badura (Bhutar) khals in Mathbaria upazila of Pirojpur should not be declared illegal and removed.
The bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury passed the order following a writ petition filed by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA).
The court also directed the Pirojpur district administration, Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Mathbaria upazila administration, Mirukhali union parishad, and the Begum Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mohila Kamil Madrasa to remove the unauthorized structures and report back within three months.
Advocate S Hasanul Banna represented BELA, while Deputy Attorney General Tanim Khan appeared for the state.
Parts of the 26km-long Mirukhali-Badura-Bharani khal and the 5km-long Badura khal have been illegally filled by government agencies and institutions, causing waterlogging in the area.
The madrasa reportedly constructed an embankment to build a road and main gate, obstructing the natural flow of water.
BELA filed the case seeking restoration of water flow and removal of blockages.
The respondents in the case include top officials from the ministries of land, environment, water resources, and local government, along with the National River Protection Commission, Bangladesh Water Development Board, and local law enforcement.
