The High Court on Thursday clamped a ban on further allocation of land and construction of structures in Nijhum Dwip, an island declared as reserved forests in 2012.
Passing the interim order upon a pubic interest litigation (PIL) writ petition, an HC division bench comprising Justice Mirza Hossain Haider and Justice M Ataur Rahman asked the government to submit before it the list of lands so far allocated.
Besides, the HC issued a rule asking the respondents to explain in four weeks why direction should not be given to cancel the lands allocated from the reserved island and why government’s failure in protecting the reserved forest should not be declared illegal.
Among others, the Secretaries of Home, Environment and Forests and Land, Chief Conservator of Forests, Inspector General of Police, Deputy Commissioner and Police Super of Noakhali have been made respondents to the rule.
Abu Bakr and photojournalist Raqibuddon Enayet filed the PIL writ petition seeking remedy as vested quarters have been engaged in grabbing the reserved forest island without obstruction.
Badruddoza Badal, assisted by Barrister Mahmud Hassan, appeared for the PIL writ petitioner while Assistant Attorney General KM Masud Rumi for the government.
Source: Prothom Alo
