PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL)

Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA)

1. Secretary, Ministry of Land
2. Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest
3. Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources
4. Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock
5. Secretary, Ministry of LGRD and Co-operative
6. Chairman, National River Protection Commission
7. Director General, Department of Environment
8. Director General, BWDB
9. Deputy Commissioner, Gaibandha
10. Deputy Commissioner, Bogra
11. Superintend of Police, Bogra
12. Superintend of Police, Gaibandha
13. Executive Engenieer, BWDB, Gaibandha
14. Executive Engenieer, BWDB, Bogra
15. Director, Department of Environment, RajshahiDivision
16. Upazilla Nirbahi Officer, Bogra
17. Upazilla Nirbahi Officer, Sherpur, Bogra
18. Upazilla Nirbahi Officer, Shingonj, Bogra
19. Upazilla Nirbahi Officer, Gabendaganj, Gaibandha
20. Mayor, BograPourashava

‘Karotoa’ is an important river to the people of North Bengal for their lives, livelihood and communication. It is enriched with a variety of fishes. The flow of the Karotoa river has been mindlessly interrupted due to the encroachment and arbitrary intervention with its flow turning the once fierce Karotoa into a meager flow at Bogra district.

The High Court issued a Rule Nisi upon the respondents to show cause as to why they should not be directed to take all necessary steps for protecting ‘Korotoa’ River and restore its flow by demarcating its boundary, removing Khulshi sluice gate and all encroachments and by preventing dumping. Pending hearing of the Rule, the Court restrained Respondent 20 by an Order of Injunction from dumping wastes into theKarotoa River. The Court directed Respondents 8, 13 and 14 to do an EIA and EAR with adequate public participation for impartially assessing the impact of the Khulshi Sluice Gate with 3 velt regulators on the ecology of Karotoa. The respondents were also directed to ensure the free flow of the Karotoa by keeping the sluice gate open with 3 velt regulators. Respondent 15 was also directed to file an affidavit of compliance of the interim direction given upon the respondents 8, 13, 14 & 20 within 30 days from the receipt of this Order.