The High Court today questioned the government’s failure to take necessary steps to protect and preserve Surma River from constant garbage dump and pollution in Sylhet.

The court issued a rule asking the government explain in four weeks why its failure or inaction totake necessary steps to protect and preserve Surma River from constant garbage dump and allowing the public to dump garbage within and surrounding area of the river should not be declared illegal.

In the rule, it also asked the government why it should not be directed to take immediate steps to stop garbage dump in the river for protecting it from water and air pollution and to protect its beauty.

The bench of Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Justice AKM Zahirul Hoque came up with the rule after hearing a writ petition filed by Barrister Fazlur Rahman Milon, executive director of Justice Watch Foundation, a rights organization, seeking necessary order for protecting Surma River in Sylhet from garbage dumb.

He submitted the petition on April 8 as public interest litigation saying that the unabated disposal of garbage and liquid wastes from the local industries into the water of Surma River are reportedly polluting the river water and its adjacent areas.