Staff Reporter :
The High Court on Tuesday ordered the department of environment to form a 14-member committee under the leadership of the deputy commissioner of Chattogram in order to protect the mother fishes, Dolphins and the biodiversity of the Halda river of Chattogram.
The High Court bench of Justice Obaidul Hassan passed the order after holding a virtual hearing on a writ petition filed by a Supreme Court lawyer, Barrister Abdul Qaium Liton, seeking necessary directives to protect the Dolphins and environment of Halda river.
Deputy attorney general Amit Talukder, State Counsel for the concerned High Court bench, confirmed about the order. He also said that director general of the department of environment (DoE) and deputy commissioner of Chattogram on May 19 sent a report to the High Court complying with the earlier order of the court.
After holding hearing on the report, the court said, “The DoE will form a committee for prevention of Dolphin killing, natural environment, biodiversity and all types of mother fish under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram in collaboration with the concerned departments, local administration and public representatives.”
The parliament members of the riverside areas will be the advisors of the new committee, said the High Court. The committee will conduct their activities with the advices of the advisors, according to the court order. The court fixed May 28 for further hearing on the petition.
Following the writ petition, the High Court on May 12 directed the concerned bodies of the government to take necessary steps immediately to prevent killing of the Dolphins in Halda river in Chattogram and to protect them.
It also asked the Department of Environment to submit a report in this court through email in 72 hours citing what measures have been taken to prevent killing of the Dolphins in Halda river and to protect them.
Complying with the HC order, the director general of the department of environment (DoE) and deputy commissioner of Chattogram sent the report.
The writ petition said that sofar 24 Dolphins in Halda river were killed since 2017 to till date endangering the environment and ecological system.
