The High Court of Bangladesh has issued a directive concerning the protection of ponds in five major districts—Barishal, Mymensingh, Chittagong, Bogura, and Sylhet. On Monday, a bench comprising Justice Sikdar Mahmudur Razi and Justice Fatema Anwar heard a petition filed by the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) organization. The petition, presented by HRPB President and senior lawyer Monjil Morshed, was supported by Deputy Attorney General Nur Mohammad Azmi on behalf of the state. The court ordered the district administrators of the five districts to submit a comprehensive list of all recorded ponds within their jurisdictions within three months. In addition, the bench issued a rule requiring the government to explain why the administration’s lack of action in conserving ponds has not been declared illegal, and why no directives have been issued to ensure effective pond conservation. The rule also asks the authorities to clarify why no legal measures under Section 8 of the Environment Conservation Act have been taken against individuals who alter pond characteristics in violation of Section 6 of the Water Reservoir Conservation Act. To curb illegal filling and occupation of ponds, the court directed the formation of a seven‑member monitoring committee within 15 days. The committee will include the district administrator, a police superintendent, and representatives from the Environment Department. The order follows media reports released on 29 August that highlighted widespread filling of water bodies in Bangladesh’s major cities. The HRPB lawyers had raised concerns that such activities threaten both human rights and environmental sustainability.
Article source: Ajker Patrika | Image credit: Ajker Patrika