The Department of Environment (DoE) has decided to file cases against 71 people for illegal cutting of hills in Cox’s Bazar town, an official said Wednesday.
The decision to lodge cases against the 71 suspects was taken after a hearing on Tuesday in the presence of Zafar Alam, director of DoE for Chittagong division, and officials of the forest department and local administration.
Sardar Shariful Islam, deputy director of DoE’s Cox’s Bazar office, told the hearing that he found evidence of hill-cutting after visiting several areas of the coastal town.
Hill-cutting was rampant at Light House Para, Mohajer Para, Kalatoli, Pahartali, Ghonar Para, Adarsh Gram, Boidooghona and the City College areas of the town, he said.
At least 71 people have been listed for their alleged involvement in the environmentally damaging illegal activity. A report has been sent to the DoE’s divisional director, Sardar said.
A powerful syndicate reportedly started cutting hills a few days ago in the name of building a stadium in Cox’s Bazar. The syndicate also brought an excavator to cut away at the hillsides.
Media coverage of the incident drew the attention of the authorities. A case was filed to stop hill-cutting using the excavator in the City College area. Later, the environment department started a drive to inspect hill cutting in other areas of the town.
