HC orders demarcation of Mogra river, listing encroachers, polluters

The High Court on Sunday ordered the demarcation of the Mogra River in Netrakona based on its main flow, along with the preparation of lists of encroachers and polluters, and their subsequent eviction. 

The directive came from a High Court bench comprising Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury, which also issued a rule in this regard.

The order was issued following a hearing on a writ petition filed by the Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (BELA), represented by Advocate S Hasanul Banna.

The court instructed the Chairman of the National River Conservation Commission, the Chairman of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, the Director General of the Bangladesh Water Development Board, and the Deputy Commissioner of Netrakona to implement the order. 

Additionally, the Administrator of Netrakona Municipality was directed to stop the dumping of municipal and household sewage into the river.

The court further mandated the Director General of the Department of Environment and its Assistant Director in Netrakona to compile a list of polluters and submit a progress report on the order’s execution within six months.

Source: BSS