Terming hill-cutting a social malady, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin has said that the environment-damaging activity must be stopped.
The minister made the remarks during a views-exchange meeting held at the Chittagong office Department of Environment (DoE) on Saturday.
He also directed the Chittagong DoE office to identify the people behind hill-cutting and take exemplary action against them.
"We mistakenly think that a piece of land can be increased through razing hills. It does not increase. Rather, it decreases. We should understand the fact. Recently I visited Turkey and saw for myself that structures can be built without razing hills," said Shahab Uddin, adding that the river-filling must be stopped and people should let the rivers flow in their natural course.
Speaking about the brick kilns, the minister asked what would be the use of brick kilns if humans cannot survive.
"Effective steps should be taken against the offending brick kiln owners. Only filing cases against them is not adequate. We should immediately shift to environment-friendly hollow blocks from conventional burnt bricks to save the environment," said the minister.
Earlier on the same day, Shahab Uddin paid a visit to the DoE Laboratory and asked the lab officials to be more responsible while discharging their duties.
Habibun Nahar, deputy minister for environment, forest and climate change, Abdullah Al Mohsin Chowdhury, secretary to the ministry and Chief Conservator of Forests, Mohammed Shafiul Alam Chowdhury were also present during the meeting, among others.
