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 Division
6. Chairman, National River Protection Commission
7. Divisional Commissioner, Chittagong
8. Director General, Department of Environment
9. Director General, Bangladesh Water Development Board
10. Deputy Commissioner, Cox’s Bazar
11. UpazillaNirbahi Officer, Cox’s Bazar
12. Director, Department of Environment, Chittagong
13. Assistant Director, Department of Environment, Cox’s Bazar
14. Mayor, Cox’s Bazar
15. Assistant Commissioner (Land), Cox’s Bazar

‘Bakkhali River’ at Cox’s Bazar used to shelter hundreds of sea vessels and protect the local populace from natural calamities. It was also known for its rich fisheries. The existence of this river was exposed to serious threat by encroachments and pollutions caused by various individuals, commercial entities and public agencies.

The High Court issued a Rule Nisi on the respondents to show cause as to why they should not be directed to declare the ‘BakkhaliRiver’ as Ecological Critical Area and thereby protect it by demarcating its boundary as per CS maps and original and present current flows and protect it from the hands of illegal polluters and encroachers and bring back the coastal forests on both side, and also why the yshould not be directed to ban leasing out any part of it for any other purpose.

Mr. Justice Mirza Hussain Haider
Mr. Justice Md. Ataur Rahman Khan

The High Court issued a Suo Moto Rule calling upon the respondent Nos.

Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore

The High Court issued a Suo Moto Rule calling upon the respondent Nos.

Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore