PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL)

BLAST and the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) filed a writ petition seeking directions to address the sufferings of the local people of Abhaynagar, Manirampur and KeshabpurUpazillas of Jessore caused by the long standing water logging resulting from the implementation of the faulty Khulna Jessore Drainage Rehabilitation Project (KJDRP) funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB). The inhabitants of the localities were compelled to live an inhuman life because their homesteads, agricultural lands, academic institutions and roads had been water logged since October 2005.

The Court issued a Rule Nisi upon the respondents to show cause as to why the failure to take necessary steps to resolve the prolonged water logging in the three Upazillas of Jessore to protect the lives, properties, livelihood, safety, comfort and health of the villagers from the adverse impact of such unprecedented water congestion should not be declared to be without lawful authority and why they should not be directed to draw up necessary action plans in consultation with the local people and why a direction should not be issued upon the respondents to form an appropriate committee to permanently resolve the catastrophe and arrange for adequate compensation for the local people against the losses resulting from such water logging. Pending hearing, the Court also directed the respondents to provide all such services, products, goods and other supports as are required within the resources of the government to ensure that the people of the affected villages of the three Upazillas are safely located and are receiving food, water, medicine and other essentials during such period as the water logging continues and to take immediate interim measures to pump out or otherwise arrange for recession of water from the affected villages.

Mr Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain

Mr Justice Mamnoon Rahman